Anti-aging secrets - Forget the fountain of youth

Forget the fountain of youth! A well-balanced diet can help you lose weight, live longer and feel fitter. But it can also help you look younger.  According to the Dr. Oz Show this is what you should know about anti-aging. "Load up a plate at the feel-better buffet and turn back the clock on a full (and happy) stomach." ~Dr. Oz

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• Cucumbers are good for the skin. The silica in the peel helps reduce wrinkles and boost collagen. Buy them unwaxed if possible. 
• Blood oranges contain anthocyanins, antioxidants that combat free radical damage and UV rays.
• Cod contains selenium which safeguards your skin from sun damage and cancer.
• Mango provides 96% of your daily vitamin C needs and helps prevent periodontal disease.
• Lowfat cottage cheese is full of protein, and therefore promotes hair health (since hair is mostly protein). Just be wary of hidden sodium levels.
• Lean beef is full of iron. Iron deficiency can cause nail beds to be thin and concave.
• Foods of the Mediterranean: fennel, an anti-inflammatory; octopus, a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, B12, iron and zinc; gigantes beans, giant lima beans rich in potassium
• Oysters an excellent source of zinc, which aids in protein synthesis and collagen formation. 
• Red peppers and brussels sprouts are rich in vitamin C, which help build collagen and fight off free radicals.
• Blueberries 1 serving of this superfood provides more antioxidant activity than most fruits and veggies. Antioxidants fight the free radicals that cause wrinkles.
• Sunflower seeds contain lignin phytoestrogens, which prevent collagen breakdown and boost the skin's lipid barrier.
• Tuna contains Omega-3 fatty acids that fight UV-related cell damage and are a rich source of niacin, a deficiency of which causes skin rashes.

Avocados are one of the richest sources of monounsaturated fats and contain biotin for healthy skin.

Watermelon is a source of lycopene, which protects the skin from UV rays.

Kelp contains vitamins C and E, which protect fats in the skin's moisture barrier from free-radical damage.

Lentils are a good source of zinc.

Pumpkin seeds are pumped full of antioxidants and magnesium, which help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Eggs are high in iron and biotin.

Pomegranate seeds contain juice rich in ellagic acid and punic alagin - 2 agents that fight damage from free radicals and preserve the collagen in your skin.

Oatmeal is high in soluble fiber which reduces LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol").

Black currants contain a compound called anthocyanosides, which can help improve vision. Additionally, this superfood contains 5 times the vitamin C that oranges do, making it a superb immunity booster.

Cranberry juice disrupts the formation of plague and thereby prevents yellowing of teeth. The flavonoids in cranberry juice also counteract the damaging effects of bacteria that cause tooth decay. Be careful that you aren't drinking a sugar-laden cranberry juice cocktail.

Dark chocolate will help curb your sweet tooth and is rich in flavonoids.  

Red wine made with the dark skin and seeds of the grapes that are rich in polyphenols, a type of antioxidant that includes resveratrol. If you aren't a drinker, opt for grape juice or a resveratrol supplement available at your drug store for about $25.

Pure noni juice, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, can help fight the formation of tumors – and wrinkles. Noni and noni products, like DERMAdoctor Photodynamic Therapy Noni Lotion, build collagen and are high in antioxidants and polyphenols.

Guava is packed with vitamin C which boosts collagen production to smooth skin. Two cups of guava per week is the perfect dose of this anti-aging powerhouse.

Wheat germ is rich in zinc, which plays a crucial role in the production of new skin cells. It also has anti-inflammatory properties to help prevent eczema; recent studies even indicate that wheat germ can help reduce acne. Get half a cup of wheat germ per day for your daily dose of zinc. Try sprinkling it over salads and yogurt or adding it to smoothies.

Romaine lettuce is a leafy green vegetable high in vitamin A, a vitamin that helps revitalize skin by increasing cell turnover and encouraging new skin cell growth. Add 6 leaves to your salad or as a side with dinner for your daily allowance of vitamin A.

Brazil nuts contain selenium, a powerful mineral that aids in the production of the antioxidant, glutathione which repairs cell damage and slows down the skin's aging process. Just 2 nuts a day will help you stop the aging process in its tracks.

Tomatoes provide lycopene, which helps prevent heart disease, elevated cholesterol and cancer. Lycopene acts as natural sun block, preventing the UV damage that causes sun spots, dryness, wrinkles. Remember to cook tomatoes for the maximum anti-aging effect.

Sardines, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, promote hair growth and shine to keep your locks looking young.

Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin C, which the body needs to manufacture sebum, an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands. Sebum is the body's "natural conditioner," and keeps hair shiny, smooth and young looking, while preventing dryness.

Beans, which are high in protein, promote hair growth and help thicken hair cells by making the fibers stronger.

Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A; this nutrient is essential to a healthy scalp and youthful-looking, shiny hair.  

Dr. Oz - Full Article 

8 Foods You Think are Healthy (but Aren't)

So many foods out there are claiming to be healthy, but there are also misleading claims being made on so many foods. That is because of the abundance of information. You can pick up a magazine one day that tells you what is good/bad for you only to pick up a newspaper the following week with a totally contradictory article.

Every food is okay in moderation, make sure you aren't fooled into thinking you can consume these foods with no constraints. A lot of us try and make the right food choices without realizing that what we thought was healthy are actually not. Here are several foods that may seem healthy, or that we have accepted as healthy, but ones that really aren't.

1. Fruit Juices: Millions of people around the world rely on juices to quench their thirst each day. Drinking juice is a quick way to gain weight and to ruin your teeth. They contain very little fruit or fruit juice, but lots of sugar, water, chemical additives for flavoring and of course preservatives that are unhealthy. Also, there is hardly any fiber in fruit juices. Choose fresh fruit whenever you can as a fresh fruit always has more fiber apart from being low in calories as compared to its juice. Even 100 percent fruit juice is good source of vitamins and minerals but they too are low in fiber, so consume them in moderation.

2. Breakfast cereals: Many cereals are so loaded with sugars, that the sugar obliterates any nutritional value that the cereal may have had. Always check the nutrition label and never buy anything with less than 3 grams of fiber per 30 gram serving or more than 2 grams of sugar per 30 gram serving. Aim for 5 grams of fiber if possible.

3. Salads: Many people believe that any dish with word 'salad' in its name is a healthy choice. Unfortunately, the truth is that many times salad is the worst choice on the menu. Salads, especially those served in restaurants, are loaded with mayonnaise, calories, and sodium. Avoid ordering salads with calorie-packed extras added like noodles and heavy dressings. If possible, choose a dressing made with olive oil. If you want to choose a heavy dressing then just dip your fork into the dressing before taking the salad.

4. Alcohol: Alcohol is not exactly bad for your health if taken in moderation. More than that and the benefits are wiped out by increased risk for disease and addiction.

5. Whole milk dairy products: They were once considered healthy; they no longer are because of their high cholesterol content. There are now unhealthy additives added to some dairy products to extend the shelf life, texture or taste.

6. Smoothies: Smoothies are one of those foods that dieters consume with really good intentions. But just like the fruit juice mentioned above, smoothies can pack a lot of calories into one easy to drink package.

7. Diet soft drinks: Many people switch to diet drinks from regular soft drinks thinking it saves on calories and sugar. But many of the diet soft drinks have unhealthy levels of aspartame (the substitute of sugar used in diet drinks), chemical preservatives and chemical colors. As a result, many people who consume such drinks have an unbalanced insulin and blood sugar. Aspartame is 180 times sweeter than sugar, and has been linked to depression, insomnia, neurological disease and a plethora of other illnesses.

8. Fat-free: 'Fat-free' doesn't make it healthier. In fact, some fat-free products contain more calories than the original as often sugar or artificial flavors and sweeteners is added to improve the taste of such products.

The important thing to remember is to never blindly allow a food products packaging or public relations campaigns lull you into thinking that they are a consequence-free food. Read labels and ask questions. That way you can enjoy the nutritional meal you thought you were eating all along.

Ease your stress during the Holidays with Progressive muscle relaxation

The body’s natural relaxation response is a powerful antidote to stress. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, and yoga can help you activate this relaxation response. When practiced regularly, these activities lead to a reduction in your everyday stress levels and a boost in your feelings of joy and serenity. What’s more, they also serve a protective quality by teaching you how to stay calm and collected in the face of Holiday Stresses.

A variety of relaxation techniques help you achieve the relaxation response. Those whose stress-busting benefits have been widely studied include deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, visualization, yoga, and tai chi.

Learning the basics of these relaxation techniques isn’t difficult. But it takes practice to truly harness their stress-relieving power: daily practice, in fact. Most stress experts recommend setting aside at least 10 to 20 minutes a day for your relaxation practice. If you’d like to get even more stress relief, aim for 30 minutes to an hour.

Progressive muscle relaxation for stress relief

Progressive muscle relaxation is an effective and widely used strategy for stress relief. It involves a two-step process in which you systematically tense and relax different muscle groups in the body.

With regular practice, progressive muscle relaxation gives you an intimate familiarity with what tension—as well as complete relaxation—feels like in different parts of the body. This awareness helps you spot and counteract the first signs of the muscular tension that accompanies stress. And as your body relaxes, so will your mind. You can combine deep breathing with progressive muscle relaxation for an additional level of relief from stress.

Most progressive muscle relaxation practitioners start at the feet and work their way up to the face. For a sequence of muscle groups to follow, see the box to the right:

• Loosen your clothing, take off your shoes, and get comfortable.
• Take a few minutes to relax, breathing in and out in slow, deep breaths.
• When you’re relaxed and ready to start, shift your attention to your right foot. Take a moment to focus on the way it feels.
• Slowly tense the muscles in your right foot, squeezing as tightly as you can. Hold for a count of 10.
• Relax your right foot. Focus on the tension flowing away and the way your foot feels as it becomes limp and loose.
• Stay in this relaxed state for a moment, breathing deeply and slowly.
• When you’re ready, shift your attention to your left foot. Follow the same sequence of muscle tension and release.
• Move slowly up through your body — legs, abdomen, back, neck, face — contracting and relaxing the muscle groups as you go.