The Best Exercise Routine to Look Younger

Posted by Alona in Anti-Aging QuestionsJul 16th, 2011 | no responses

There is some debate among medical professionals about whether or not facial exercises can reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Proponents believe that "working out" the muscles in the face helps to build collagen and increase elasticity. Skeptics point out that treatments such as Botox actually reduce wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing facial muscles. Yoga enthusiasts, however, point out that overall exercise leads to relaxation and stress relief, which also has a lot to do with skin that could look 20 years younger were it not for the tension afflicting our bodies.

Working Out Your Face

Facial exercise programs are available for anyone who wants to pay for an instructional book or DVD. They all involve much the same thing - tightening and relaxing the muscles that control our ability to smile, frown, grimace or show surprise. These are intended to diminish such wrinkling issues as crow's feet or frown lines in the forehead. Pinching all of the muscles of the face toward the center, or "rotating" your facial muscles in a clock-wise motion are also thought to be helpful.

Lifting and Toning

Forehead toning is another exercise that some doctors have recommended. Lying on your back and staring up at the ceiling, raise your eyebrows as high as possible by opening your eyes wide. Hold this position for a few seconds before fully relaxing all the muscles in your face. Most recommendations call for ten repetitions of this exercise. Eye toning is achieved by partially winking each eye, one second each, for 40 repetitions. This is said to diminish wrinkles around the eyes.

Whether or not such exercise regimens work, or whether or not you believe in them, there are very few instances of "bad exercise". Reducing stress and increasing blood flow is sure to help anyone in many facets of their physical and mental health, not just with the skin on their face. Body, mind and spirit are all uplifted whenever we do anything positive for our health.

Eat Right to Live Longer

Posted by Alona in Diets for WomenJul 6th, 2011 | no responses

Eating right to live longer doesn't mean denying yourself every piece of red velvet cake with cream cheese icing or always turning down that extra helping of cheesy potatoes. However, it does mean consuming a well-balanced diet that includes recommended daily portions of fruits, vegetables, dairy products and grains. Slipping an occasional sweet treat or gravy-laden piece of meat into your diet is not going to prevent your from living a long and productive life. Neglecting to include important nutrients into your diet which are known to inhibit incidences of cancer and heart disease may interfere with all that you want to accomplish in life.

Vitamins

The entire class of B vitamins, especially those containing folate, protects you from heart and brain disorders by maintaining a reduced amount of homocysteine within your body. This substance is known to be correlated with stroke, possible Alzheimer's disease and can produces arteriosclerosis in older individuals if levels remain unchecked and abnormally high. Eat beef, wheat germ and spinach to receive healthy amounts of vitamin B.

As a potent antioxidant, vitamin E inhibits the production of free radicals which contribute to cholesterol levels. It also may prevent some types of cancers from forming by eliminating those free radicals that harm DNA and facilitate gene mutation causing heritable cancers.

In addition to being good for your immune system, vitamin C also adds pliancy to arteries which reduces the risk of hardening of the arteries, a common cause of stroke or heart disease. Fruits contain vitamin C and the old saying that an apple a day keeps the doctor away if proving to be true based on solid research results.

Monounsaturated Fats

Healthy aging, believe it or not, depends on receiving enough "good" fats in your diet, such as monounsaturated fats. This actually helps reduce bad cholesterol and also decreases the amount of fibrinogen in your body, an element which causes the blood to clot, raising the chances for a heart attack to occur.

In addition, to eating healthy, don't forget about exercise and the importance of getting up from behind your desk and walking a couple of miles a day.

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