Arthritis Pain – A Thing of the Past.

Posted on May 19, 2013 by

ankle2

Let’s say you’re an aging athlete like myself (57 years of age). You religiously continue to follow your workout plans, but lately, because of persistent, nagging foot and knee pain you have considered scaling back and “joining the ranks of the aged.” Not a very happy scenario, is it?
But wait – I just experienced one of those WOW moments! I found a pain killing supplement that completely shut down the problem like a gallon of water thrown on a candle! I still cannot believe the results. If you are suffering from low grade arthritis (osteo or rheumatoid) you really don’t want to pass this one up. It really does the job.
The product is called Arthromax, put out by the Life Extension Foundation. The key ingredients are glucosamine, Apreflex (a proprietary boswellia extract), Boron, and UC-11, a cartilage derived from chicken sternums. With the exception of the last one, these are supplements that I’ve tried repeatedly with limited success. As I said, they did little to stop the downward spiral that had now precluded me from competing as hard as I’d like. But it’s a different story now. I’ve been using Arthromax for about two weeks and have experienced no pain whatsoever, even though deliberately going all out to put it through the test.
What is UC-11? It is undenatured chicken cartilage, a substance that possesses some unique properties, most notably the ability to modulate and inhibit an overreactive immune system response to vigorous exercise. This overreaction, which in effect constitutes an attack on your joints occurs because in moderate to intense physical activity the smooth cartilage surface is worn away temporarily, exposing collagen – the tough connective tissue, and the immune system cells recognize this as a foreign substance, unleashing the joint destructive inflammatory cytokines and sensitized killer T cells. Rather than the productive “micro-tears” of muscle tissue resulting from a beneficial workout, these are cumulative and painfully inhibitive. In other words, they literally eat away your shock absorbing cartilage. It’s a pretty painful and disturbing outcome for someone trying to improve their health!
Arthromax also contains a healthy dose of glucosamine – that nutrient necessary for rebuilding joints that already have sustained a bit of wear. The boswellia extract “ApresFlex” inhibits 5-lipoxygenase, which leads to the formation of other inflammatory leukotrienes and interleukins. Their proprietary form is suppose to be up to 50% more absorbable than other boswellia supplements I’ve found. I won’t argue, as I’ve said – the results speak for themselves!
So don’t give up on your competitive desires, don’t throw in the towel in your battle with aging. Performing beneficial physical exercise should not be a painful ordeal. I found out that for myself. If you’re in the same boat, why not give Arthromax a try? It can be found in many health shops; it is a bit pricey at @$30 per bottle, but you could join the Life Extension Foundation and get good discounts on it and many other products, like me. :)

arthromax<a

Warren

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“Death be Not Proud” – From the Antiaging Perspective.

Posted on May 11, 2013 by

Strive
Waxing in a philosophical mood, I thought I should “work up a shine” on the motivation behind this blog and the anti-aging drive in general. I’ve got a few interesting points for you to consider:

Why does a fruit fly live for only a few months, a dog a decade or so, a human 80-90 years and a tree for hundreds? I think I know the answer. It makes all the logical sense, and is being bourne out in scientific laboratories daily. It is because mother nature cares only about the propogation of the gene line. It is all about survival of the species in a dynamic changing environment. Now “changing” is the keyword here, and it explains death quite nicely. Consider:
In the vast gene pool of a species, mutations that have an advantage of some sort have a better chance of surviving the hostile world, but these individual traits cannot be passed on, they will merely be diluted in a world if other individuals don’t die out to make room. Their advantage cannot be “expressed”.

Second, in order for the gene to propogate the parent of the progeny must give the infant a fighting chance in the world, so mother nature has designated a particular necessary lifespan to the species to enable this “training period”. Most of this is textbook stuff, with a bit of conjecture thrown in,

BUT – some species have evolved particular traits that throw peoples general perceptions right out of whack. This demands an accounting, and some serious review of what many of us believe. I also think it is the underlying motive for the so called antiaging movement. To explain let me ask another question:
Do you harbor the belief that “all things must pass” or “Life and death have a natural cycle”, or “The only certain things are death and taxes?” How would you feel about this statement: Death is not a certain thing. Some living things never die. (unless they are killed). Some species are or are in effect immortal. All things do not die. Now this is not an opinion, but a fact.

In light of the fact that humans live for about 80 years or so, how long does something have to live to be considered relatively or pretty much immortal? Thousands of years? Some species of tree live for exactly that. There are bristlecone pines alive today that were saplings when the pyramids were built. Not enough time? There is a specie of fungus – one living in the Midwest that scientists say is about 25,000 years old! But if that still cannot be considered “immortal” (though I think it begs the point) understand that there are many species that actually are immortal. Bacteria will technically live forever – if not killed. They go on dividing and dividing never to stop… And there is actually a type of jellyfish that when it gets old it doesn’t die, instead it reverts back to an infant stage and starts the cycle over again! Kind of interesting, aint it?

What is the underlying point behind my long painful harangue? It is that there is simply a physical cellular, chemical or environmental factor influencing life spans, and I feel as do many that with a firm understanding of it we will eventually be able to alter and control it, and we are getting closer every single day. The discoveries that I and other antiaging advocates speak about dance around the issue and do cause adjuvant influence on the factor, and also give us a chance to possibly be around when the next revolution takes place. The antiaging movement is merely an expression of the natural drive for life. The limits we select through “convention” are not “morally true” any more than it is morally right to sit back and allow a child to die from an illness because nature always planned it that way. We should not belittle the human spirit for life and survival. It breeds great things for all!

To sum up, at the very least we have a clear ability to better our lives with these protocols we have even today. My motive behind this blog is to try to bring em to you in a way you can digest and apply for yourselves. I hope you get value from what I present.
Warren

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Antiaging Supplements A-Z

Posted on May 4, 2013 by

supersupplements

As you all know, a well thought out supplement plan is an essential element in anyone’s health/antiaging program. I am no exception. Here is my own pill-poppin’personal power protocol. I’ve designed it after very extensive research and also some serious budgetary considerations. If you would like to slow or even reverse the aging process, get a shot of extra energy, think clearer, live longer and feel better, maybe you ought to check it out. I have listed links and supporting evidence for each one. You probably are even using some yourself right now!

“A” is for Alpha lipoic acid. This is probably the most powerful anti-oxidant you can find. It is both water and fat soluble, it recharges other antioxidants after they have done their job, and it is an essential part of the energy generation process. (citrus acid cycle) Alpha lipoic acid works synergistically with CoQ10 to improve energy (mitochondrial function) and it even chelates (clears) heavy metals. A top choice and reasonably inexpensive.

“B” is for B Vitamin complex. A good one contains all the B vitamins, which are essential for carbohydrate metabolism and energy generation. B3 (niacin) can control cholesterol, B12 (cobalamins) protect the brain, most of them are essential for hormone production. Quite a package and very cheap to boot.

“C” is for CoQ10. CoQ is essential for the energy process as I noted in a post recently. It is an antioxidant that works right where most free radicals are produced – the mitochondria – so it is invaluable, and essential to health. CoQ production diminishes with age, but is is easily absorbable and not too costly. If taking statins you really must supplement it.

“D” is for – that’s right Vitamin D. This vitamin actually works more like a hormone, it influences so many biological functions. Most people are not getting enough vitamin D. It’s required for much more than calcium absorption; insufficient vitamin D can lead to cardiovascular problems, weakened immunity and system-wide inflammation. Vitamin D is deficient in most diets, if you are not getting a lot of sunshine you should supplement with 1000-2000 iu of it daily, particularly in the winter months.

“E” is for my “two-per-day” multivitamin shown which contains vit E along with C and a spectrum of other important ones. Everyone’s supplement plan should begin with a multi, they ensure against the inevitable dietary shortages we all experience.

“F” is for Fish oil. The Super Omega-3 shown above provides ample EPA and DHA, essential polyunsaturated fats for good health. Their vast benefits are touched on right here. Omega 3′s are probably your most important supplement, their broad function is very well documented. Here is one nutrient that is actually better taken supplementally than dietary because of possible contamination issues from pollution. It is a very inexpensive and safe one to use too.

“K” is for the fat soluble vitamin K. This one is often overlooked by most multi manufacturers, and though it is available in many foods such as leafy green vegetables, the dietary portion is not very well absorbed. Vitamin K is important for cardiovascular health as is well known, but bone integrity also relies upon it. More on Vit K (and D) here.

“M” is for Magnesium. This mineral is involved in over 300 metabolic functions, and despite many dietary sources there is still rampant deficiency. I have discussed magnesium here, it’s role is as broad reaching as calcium, a mineral it often works hand in hand with. I would also recommend supplementary calcium, but it’s not part of my own protocol because I get a lot in my dairy and other foods consumption. Magnesium is very cheap, be sure to include it.

“P” is for PQQ – Pyrroloquinoline quinone. I started taking this substance about a year ago when I found that it can actually stimulate the growth of new mitochondria in the cells. As mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the hallmarks of aging it fit in well with my agenda of “age reduction”. PQQ is the most powerful antioxidant for preserving the health of your little dynamos. According to a study by the Univ of California “Pqq is 30 – 5000 times more efficient in sustaining redox recycling (in energy production) than other common antioxidant compounds” (like vitamin C). (See “Studies” page) Pqq is a bit costly however, but you can use it for certain terms, as I do.

“R” is for Resveratrol. This is a polyphenol present in red wine (grape skins), peanuts and chocolate that has gotten great publicity as an “lifespan prolonger” due to it’s effect on genetic expression related to aging. It’s benefits are very similar and also synergistic to the “calorie restriction” plans advocated by life extension experts. More on this nutrient here.

“T” The big bottle top right contains Trimethylglycine TMG which is similar to a B vit in it’s effects. It is a powerful controller of homocysteine a potentially dangerous precursor of cardiovascular disease. TMG promotes remethylation, which is the process of converting homocysteine back into methionine. Other B vitamins (b12 etc) aid in this also. Methylation is a critical metabolic process all cells must undergo. Diminished methylation is considered one of the hallmarks of aging as significant as free radical damage, hormone disfunction and possibly even mitochondrial decline. TMG is very cheap, why not get yourself some? (Its made from beets – betaine)

That’s my own personal list. As you’ll note it is not only geared toward general well being, but it also follows developments in longevity and antiaging. As stated above I have scrutinized each one individually as to veracity of its benefits and also it’s wallet friendly nature. Hope you can integrate a few of these into your own plans.

Bottoms up!
bottomsup2

Posted in Energy, supplements | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Fitness is Fun – Exorcise your “Exercise Demons”

Posted on May 1, 2013 by

img_0255“To workout or not to workout, that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the body to suffer the pains, fatigue and anguish of outrageous aging, or to get up off your butt and by moving around, end them. – To sleep, to medicate, and by shutting off the pain to dull what ails you - is that the culmination of healthy well being? At least you can dream about fitness – ay there’s the rub, for the pills and dreams won’t get you that sexy body you desire.” :)

Hamlet makes a few pretty good points in his famous soliloquy. When applying them to fitness, alas, for many – tis easier said than done. But as we all truly know that the battle over your health exists in your mind, I have here a few interesting ideas that might make it a bit easier for you.

I think that motivationally speaking, exercise is a study in paradoxes.
To the average person, the concept of working out brings to mind sweat, toil, aches and other sorts of discomfort. Their primary motivation is that of freedom from fear of illness or relief from the misery of obesity. But those who work out on a regular basis don’t share those negative drives. They revel in in the sheer enjoyment and empowerment that robust physical vitality provides. They relish the abundant returns their little bit of effort brings them.
For this reason every workout is a gift to yourself. That’s the way you should look at it, because it’s true. You allow your “superego” to override your id.” Your reward is exactly that which you are trying to avoid. (Heres one of my favorite posts on that)
Whats also interesting to note is the second paradox of fitness motivation:

Every workout is a deposit in your bank account of energy and vitality. This is a paradox because when we think of exercise our first impression is that we are expending energy, we “use some of it up” Of course the reality is that with every bit of labor exerted we garner greater capacity to do more later. We get more fit. We increase our available energy. And most importantly we feel it, and it feels mighty good!

Of course this is really just a long harangue on “positive thinking”. But it is true nonetheless, and if you want to succeed at improving your health and vitality you have to get yourself on your own side. Give yourself a chance. Give yourself the gift of that workout. – And another and another…..

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Cholesterol Confusion. The Hype May be Worse Than The Number

Posted on April 28, 2013 by

bfast1

When people are asked to name a risk factor for heart disease, what do you think is the first thing that usually comes to mind? I’ll bet “high cholesterol” would be one of the top responses. But is this great concern truly necessary? Is it possible that there may be a type of “cholesterol hysteria” gripping us? I think so. Here are some interesting facts that often go overlooked:

Point #1 Cholesterol is an essential fatty substance that you cannot do without. It is the raw material for your steroid hormones like testosterone and cortisol, it is required for the synthesis of Vit D in the skin, and it is necessary for proper maintenance of the brain. This is just for starters. Do you really want to cut yourself short on this critical substance?

Point #2 Most of the cholesterol you need is manufactured in your liver. When you provide more in the diet it simply makes less. Your body needs to maintain a certain critical level of it, so attempting to drive the numbers as low as possible can be dangerous. There are studies that show that very low cholesterol levels raises the risk for some cardiovascular diseases. (thrombotic stroke, etc.) You should probably strive for a total cholesterol level somewhere around 170 to 200.

Though foods that are high in saturated fat can in fact raise cholesterol levels, they primarily raise the good LDL cholesterol – the large fluffy type A LDL. Excessive carbohydrate on the other hand raises the small, dense type B LDL which is the one you should be concerned about. A high proportion of omega 6 oils in the diet (linoleic acid) can also elevate your Type B LDL. This is another reason to ramp up the omega 3′s instead, which also can lower your triglycerides.

I’ll bet many people would also be surprised to learn that saturated fat actually raises beneficial HDL readings too, and this is greater than the rise in LDL. Again, this shows that the demonization of saturated fat may be way overblown. These are the things your doctor may or may not be telling you. Your doctor knows best of course, but do you have the best doctor?

A few other interesting points: Most people who suffer heart attacks do not have elevated cholesterol. The large studies that are most commonly referred – the Framingham Heart Study, the Nurses Health Study, etc., actually do not implicate high cholesterol as a serious threat – if you read the details of thir research. As a matter of fact in the Framingham Heart study the group with heart disease had essentially similar cholesterol levels as the group who did not. A study is only as good as its interpretation, so read each one with a discerning eye.

I don’t want to imply that you should simply ignore what your blood lipid profiles tell you. High LDL generally does lead to accumiulation of plaque in the arteries, and a host of dangerous ramifications. But if your numbers are not outrageously high, and if the details discussed above are ok, you may be missing sleep over nothing, and your excessive statin use may be causing some negative side issues.

A far better approach would be to watch your blood pressure readings, your weight and your exercise habits. There is no question that these would do much more to ensuring your cardiovascular health.
If you want some good basic info on lipid diagnosis, you might try this interesting web site.

Warren

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Exercise Motivation Tips

Posted on April 25, 2013 by

choices

Name yer poison.

Either of these options will provide pleasure for you – though in a different way of course! I happen to be a strong advocate of both of these. I think there’s nothing better than a cold beer after a hard workout. (After my whey shake of course).
But if you have difficulty motivating yourself for the first part of this equation, here are some ideas to hopefully “ramp up” the enthusiasm.
Do you ever hear yourself uttering these words: “Yes, yes, yes, I know I have to exercise, and I will  -  tomorrow. ”   That must be one of the most common phrases in the world I think, and we’re all guilty of it at one time or other.

But unfortunately for us, the tomorrows add up mighty fast, and pretty soon you reach Summer or whatever other deadline you’ve selected –  unable to bask in your success, and wasting yet another year,  that is  unless you can lick that motivation thing.   Lets take a look at how to accomplish that.

Just like in the undertaking of any other project, a workout plan requires goal setting, planning, and execution.  Each one of these factors has myriad psychological implications, and in a positive light these can open doors for successful accomplishment.  How to apply it?  Very simple.

Goal setting is obvious, you want to lose x amount of weight, or generate x amount of added energy, etc.   Though these are respectable aspirations, they are so lame!    Why do you want to lose the weight?  To look and feel young, strong, sexy and vital?  Why not get a visual aid to help your motivation?  Put up a picture somewhere of someone you want to look like.  (cut off the face if you want! :)   Goals work best if they stimulate emotions.  Excitement and visualization are the greatest prods to action.     Another example – if you want to quit smoking per se, find a picture of a sickly disgusting diseased lung and post it where you happen to stand when you usually light up.  That is creating an effect!

Planning your workouts just like your diet means setting up a workable schedule and writing it down.  Circle dates on the calendar.  A vague “hmm, I think I’ll just start doing it every other day or so…” is useless.  You need it in your date book, or with a beep from your phone scheduler.  You need that build-up to the scheduled day.  You have to build up it’s importance.

Execution is simple if you remember these facts:  One – The hardest part of a workout is the start.  You should make every effort to play up the rewards of the action, but downplay the effort required.  What does this mean?   If you are having trouble motivating yourself, you are doing just the opposite.    So get your mind in the right place.  Your workout is quick and simple.  You will be done in no time.  You will be very glad you did it when you’re finished.   You know that.  So just suck it up and start.

By the way, every time you exert a bit of control over yourself it gets a little easier the next time.  That’s a fact of nature.  Furthermore after a mere few weeks your program will become a habit, and they you will really take off!  By then you will be seeing concrete results too.  That image is getting closer and closer……     That’s what I call hard core reinforcement.

Being smart means getting yourself in your own corner.  I hope these little tips can make a difference for you.

Warren

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“Fast Asleep” – Fast! How To Stop That Endless Tossing and Turning.

Posted on April 21, 2013 by

imagesThe list of debilitating effects of not getting enough Z’s just keeps growing and growing.  We hear now that it may be partly responsible for our inability to shed the pounds (excessive cortisol production).    It has a powerful adverse effect upon our hormones like  testosterone, it increases our risk of  cardiovascular issues, possible dementia, and all sorts of other goodies.   Oh, and of course falling asleep in meetings or on dates isn’t a very pleasant consequence either.  :)   But if you are one of the multitude of unfortunate sufferers, don’t despair, there is hope right here- just take a glance at these quick tips and facts:

If you aren’t spending enough time in that dark zone you must eliminate the variables, take care of the potential causes one by one.  There is a reason why you are not “snoozing properly”  you have to isolate and identify it.

  • Have you gotten enough physical activity during the day?  Sleep is intended by nature to be a period of rejuvenation for a day of exertion and expenditure.  This does not mean that you have to grunt it out all day long, but if you can add anything physical to your routine you will relax much deeper and more soundly at night.  Even a simple 10 minute vigorous walk will go a long way.
  • Do you have a quiet, comfortable place to rest?  Elliminate distractions and bothersome sounds, lights, etc.  This is all common sense, but not always followed.
  • Watch the stimulates and other “sleep busters” in the evening.  Having a large meal too close to bedtime will wake you in the wee hours, drinking even a couple drinks or beers will inhibit restful sleep.  Booze does not put you to sleep.   More like it knocks you out.  It disturbs normal sleep waves, and you very likely will not achieve any deep REM slumber.  Also it may force you out of bed for that nocturnal bathroom trip.  Whats more important –  the rest or the drink?
  • Put your mind to rest before your body.  Take a couple minutes before hitting the sack to go over the issues briefly that may keep your mind racing later on.  Try to make a short formal “summarization” of them before you shut the lights, try to make this your final thoughts on the matter for the night.  I’ve instituted this routine for myself and experienced pretty good results.  Try something similar.
  • If all else fails there are all sorts of sleep aids on the market; with the exception of melatonin (a very healthful choice for myriad reasons), I don’t generally advocate them for long periods.  Why?  They can be addictive.  At the least, when you go off them you need a readjustment period – not a pleasant thought.

How bout trying that simple old time remedy Grandma always recommended?  Milk and cookies?  Believe it or not this can be effective, because milk has tryptophan, and the cookies (one or two, not a handful!) provide carbs to wash competing amino acids away, enabling tryptophan’s eventual conversion to melatonin which is the sleep hormone.   The scientific rational is there, and myself I’d jump for any healthful idea that also tastes good.  Why not give it a try?    I got it on my list.

Warren

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