Rejuvalife Vitality Institute
Beverly Hills CA

Finding the Motivation to Work Out

How many of you have started a new gym membership, went every other day the first couple weeks, then soon lost motivation and now you’re lucky to make it a few times a month. Finding your motivation is key to staying with an exercise plan, and making it a regular part of your anti-aging lifestyle. Certain simple lifestyle changes, techniques and mindsets can help to keep motivation steadily high.

Use a scale every day – Weigh yourself first thing every morning without heavy clothes, before breakfast, and after using the bathroom.  Studies have shown that people who weigh themselves regularly lose more weight and keep the pounds off more effectively than those who don’t. Being aware of your weight can put you more in tune with the factors that cause it to go up and down, to track your progress on a diet or fitness plan, and to allow you to adjust accordingly as weight fluctuates.

It’s all in the mind – Studies of elite athletes have shown that the ideal ratio of pre-event visualization to physical training is 70-30. That’s seventy percent visualization. Just psyching yourself up while strength training can increase up to 8%. Visualizing doing perfect benchpresses can add about 12% more power than being distracted. Repeating affirmations or mantras during endurance exercises can help increase stamina and performance.

Plan ahead – Chances are, if you are not planning your workouts in advance and scheduling around them, something will come up or you will find an excuse to skip workouts. The morning is the best time to work out. Not only can early morning workouts have beneficial effects on your mental and physical health throughout the day, but people’s days tend to get busier as the day moves on, and they are less likely to be interrupted by things coming up before the start of the work day.

Consistency is Key – “Well, maybe I wont work all week, but I’ll take a really long run on Sunday.” That’s the equivalent of saying “well, maybe I wont brush my teeth all week, but I’ll brush them extra long on Sunday.” Your body will begin to lose conditioning only three days after stopping working out. Adults should work out at least 30 minutes, 5 times per week. There are significant additional health benefits for working out an hour a day, 5 times per week. Recent studies have found that even 15 minutes of exercise a day have incredible health benefits.

With a little help from my friends – Studies have shown that having an exercise partner or group can help you stay with an exercise routine. Not only are you committing to yourself, but you’re making a commitment to someone else, which makes it that much harder to break. You can also help each other track progress, keep things fun, and support and motivate each other. Running with a partner, in a group, or in a public event can increase performance, because of an aspect of social comparison and often competition.

Set your sights – Signing up for a specific event or having a very specific fitness or health goal in mind can dramatically improve your motivation and help you stay on track. If you know you have to be in shape for a marathon in 3 months, you will be able to figure out better how much you need to be running to accomplish the goal. If  your goal is unclear or nebulous, it is hard to track progress and to stay on course.

Do what you love – Working out should not be tedious! If you hate the elliptical machine, it’s going to be hard to committing 2 hours a week to using it. And why would you? There are so many fun, challenging, and unique ways to stay in shape. Whether it’s basketball, kayaking, hiking, skiing, surfing, jumping on a trampoline, martial arts, or even gardening, there are so many activities to choose from that burn major calories and that you can actually look forward to doing. It’s much easier to stay motivated when your workout isn’t a chore you feel you have to do, but something you genuinely enjoy. And if you really don’t like any other physical activity, at least can sex burn 85 calories or more in a half an hour.

The wave of the future – Modern technology has made incredible innovations geared to make exercise more fun, effective, and accessible. You can now where a sensor on your wrist that’s linked to an app that can keep track of your heart rate, calories burned, steps, workouts, and diet, while GPS tracking the distance of your runs. One app even let’s you take a picture of your meal, and it will tell you how many calories and carbs it has. Recent have studies have found that personal mobile exercise management apps improve weight loss. Certain exercise related and physically active video games have been shown to be effective for weight loss and fitness. Investing a little bit in engaging gadgetry and gear can motivate you to put it to use more. After all, you want to get your money’s worth.

Staying on a fitness plan isn’t always easy, but making your health a priority can help you grit your teeth and workout even when it’s tough. Making these simple lifestyle changes can help you stay on track. Rejuvalife Vitality Institute is here to support your health and wellbeing goals. We offer comprehensive Fitness and Nutrition Plans, Nutritional Supplements, Lifestyle Management, and Medically Supervised Weight Loss.

For Your Health!

The Unexpected Benefits of Exercise

As if being able to fit into your jeans from college isn’t enough of a reason, sufficient exercise can bring a wide variety of serious health benefits. Besides the obvious weight loss, improved muscle and cardiovascular function, as well as increased longevity, exercise brings with it a host of unexpected benefits. In general, those who exercise regularly are actually “biologically younger” than those who do not exercise regularly, therefore, they are at lower risk for age-related disease and physical decline.

A new study suggests a strong link between exercise and eye health. The study suggests that regular exercise can lower the risk of macular degeneration resulting from age by up to 70%. Physical activity reduces inflammation in the blood vessel walls the results from the disease.

Exercise can significantly increase how quickly you fall asleep, and improve the overall quality of your sleep. As your metabolism becomes more efficient, your body is able to make the downgrade from awake to asleep faster. In other words, your body does not to remain active as long to maintain your metabolic balance. Not only that, but exercise allows you to wake up faster and feel more rested, even if you got a little less sleep than normal.

Exercise is also great for your skin. Healthy skin requires sufficient water and oxygen to look and feel it’s best. The heavy breathing and increased heart rate associated with exercise increase your circulation, which carries oxygen throughout the body, including the skin. Increased muscle mass and reduces fatty deposits can also result in tighter, smoother feeling skin, as the skin is literally being pulled more tightly over the muscle.

Sports involving small, fast moving objects like tennis can improve your general ability to focus. In addition to improved concentration, your eyes will actually physically focus faster. A strong link has also been shown between exercise and memory and other cognitive functions. Exercise also significantly improves balance, which can have positive effects in many different areas.

Don’t sweat! People who exercise often tend to sweat less when not working out than those who don’t exercise regularly. The body uses the exercise time to sweat out toxins and excess water. In addition, regular exercisers have lower resting heart rate, which keeps their bodies from heating up and sweating during regular tasks, like climbing stairs.

If taking care of yourself isn’t enough, then do it for your kids. Studies show that parent who have healthy exercise routines and diet are more likely to raise kids with the same habits. Not to mention if you live significantly longer, you will have more time with your loved ones.

So how much do you need to exercise? Adults should do a minimum of 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity. Health benefits increase significantly at 5 hours per week. Adults should also do exercise to strengthen their muscles using all major muscle groups at least 2 days per week.  While it’s less than ideal, recent studies have found significant health benefits from exercising only 15 minutes a day.

Exercise is one of the most important components of an anti-aging lifestyle, along with nutrition, sleep, and stress reduction. In addition to looking and feeling great, exercise provides an incredible amount of health benefits. Rejuvalife Vitality Institute offers comprehensive fitness and nutrition programs, as well as medically supervised weight loss, to support your overall health, beauty, and well-being.

The Health Benefits of Thanksgiving Dinner

Rather than try to convince you to give up all of your favorite dishes this Thanksgiving, (honestly, who would listen?) I’m here to tell you that your Thanksgiving dinner can actually be good for you. Most of the reason people tend to gain weight around the holidays has more to do with eating outrageous portion sizes, rather than the food itself. As long as you exercise a little restraint and maybe don’t go back for those third and fourth helpings, most of the food you will eat this Thanksgiving actually has significant nutritional value and health benefits.

Turkey – Turkey is one of the most nutritious kinds of lean meat you can eat, with even less fat and calories than chicken. If you stick with the white meat and forget the skin, a 3-ounce serving packs 25g of protein, only 3g of fat and less than 1g of saturated fat. Turkey is also an excellent source of the amino acid Arginine, an essential building block for proteins, which also plays a role in cell division, wound healing, immune function, and hormone function. 

Cranberry Sauce – Cranberries are loaded with antioxidants that help fight cell damage and improve cardiovascular function, and are one of the highest ranked foods on the ORAC Antioxidant Scale. They are also a good source of Vitamin C, Dietary Fiber, and the essential mineral Manganese. If you’re making your sauce from scratch, consider replacing the sugar with some nutrient rich honey.

Sweet Potatoes – Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of A and C Vitamins, Beta Carotine, Potassium, and Fiber. Research is showing that sweet potatoes may have cancer fighting properties, and can stabilize blood sugar levels for diabetics. Maybe take it easy on the brown sugar, butter and marshmallows.

Mashed Potatoes – Potatoes have gotten a bad rap as the unhealthy black sheep of the vegetable family. The truth is, the unhealthy aspects of potatoes tend to be the way they’re prepared, in greasy french fries and chips, and baked potatoes loaded with sour cream or butter. Potatoes on their own are actually a very healthy, low calorie, high fiber food with properties that fight cardiovascular disease and cancer. They are also a great source of Vitamin C, B6, copper, potassium, manganese, and dietary fiber. To make your mash a little healthier, try using chicken broth instead of butter, and skim milk instead of cream.  

Pumpkin Pie – Pumpkin is a low fat, low calorie food that is high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Zinc and Potassium. Most of the unhealthy aspects of pumpkin pie come from the heavy whipped cream and the buttery crust. Believe it or not, you can actually make whipped cream using skim milk with a powerful enough blender, and substituting a flour crust for crushed pecans adds significant nutritional benefits and tastes even better.

Be Thankful - During this time, let’s not forget about the actual act of “thanks-giving.”  Studies have shown that gratitude has incredible positive effects on health and well-being.  Research is showing that gratitude is associated with reduced blood pressure, stress, depression, and lower risk of development of eating disorders, phobias, and addictions. Furthermore, gratitude is associated with improved mood, sense of well-being, interpersonal relationships, physical health, weight loss, cardiovascular health, immune function, and longevity.

The A,B,C’s (and E’s and K’s) of Vitamins for Skincare

Rejuvalife operates on the principle that radiant inner health is essential for outer beauty. Lifestyle, diet, nutrition, fitness, mental health, and stress management are crucial elements contributing to overall external looks. Even if someone has perfect bone structure and attractive facial features, if they have low energy, poor diet, are stressed out and sleep deprived, then these factors will show on their face, and their overall beauty with be diminished. Patients ask all the time what vitamins, nutrients, and minerals are best for their bodies. More recently, I have been getting a lot of questions about what can be taken to improve skin and therefore overall beauty. The answer is that many of the same vitamins and minerals that are good for our bodies are also good for our skin, when used as a supplement and when applied topically. I wanted to give an overview of how vitamins you take for your body can also improve your skin and overall beauty.

Vitamin C and E

Vitamin C and E are essential for protecting the skin from sun damage and repairing damaged skin. People who take Vitamins C and E regularly on a long term basis show reduced rate of sunburn caused by UVB radiation. Topical Vitamin C and E are recommended for protection from immediate sun exposure, and taking them as supplements has been shown to reduce sun damage, wrinkles, and improve skin texture. Vitamin C and E reduce damage from free radicals, which break down collagen and elastin and lead to wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Vitamin A

Unless your Vitamin A levels are low, adding addition Vitamin A probably won’t make much of a difference on your skin. However, if these levels drop even slightly below normal, it can result in skin problems, including a dry, flaky complexion. Vitamin A is essential for skin maintenance and repair, and without sufficient levels, your skin will suffer. Topical Vitamin A has been shown to reduce wrinkles, control acne, and improve symptoms of psoriasis.

Biotin

Biotin is a B-Vitamin responsible for the formation of skin, nail and hair cells. Even a slight deficiency can lead to dry, itchy, or scaly skin.

Niacin

Niacin, another B-Vitamin, when applied topically helps the skin to retain moisture, which gives the appearance of more voluminous, healthy skin and a youthful appearance. Niacin is also an anti-inflammatory which can reduce skin swelling and irritation.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K probably will not make much of a difference to your skin when taken as a supplement, however, topical Vitamin K has been shown to be effective in reducing dark circles under the eyes.

Selenium

An increasing amount of research suggests that Selenium plays a key role in Skin Cancer prevention. A study showed that Skin Cancer patients who took Selenium regularly had 37% fewer malignancies, 50% reduced risk of death from skin cancer, and a 17% decrease in overall mortality. Selenium in supplement and topical form has sunburn fighting properties as well.

Copper

Copper plays a role in the development of elastin, the fibers responsible for supporting skin structure. Most people do not have deficiencies, so supplements are generally not recommended and may have harmful effects. However, applied topically, copper can be very beneficial. They have been shown to firm skin and elasticity, and provide quick improvements in skin smoothness, clarity, fine lines, wrinkling, and sun damage.

Zinc

Most of us are familiar with using Zinc Oxide on our noses for sun damage. What most people don’t know is that Zinc is also crucial in regulating acne. Sometimes, acne itself may be a symptom of a Zinc deficiency. When taken as a supplement or used topically, Zinc reduces oil production, and can help reduce formation of acne lesions and help repair existing ones.

Essential Fatty Acids

Essential Fatty Acids, such as the Omega-3s found in fish and flax, have a powerful affect on the skin. Essential Fatty Acids are largely responsible for the skin’s natural oil barrier. If levels are low, the skin produces a problematic form of oil, which can lead to problems like dry skin, inflammation, and white heads and black heads. Learn more about Omega-3 Fatty Acids in another edition of Dr. Berger’s Blog.

Hyaluronic Acid

The same substance used in dermal fillers such as Juvéderm, Perlane, and Restylane may have benefits when used topically. In your body, hyaluronic acid serves to lubricate joints. In the skin, hyaluronic acid acts as a sort of glue, holding skin cells together, which keeps skin tighter and smoother. Hyaluronic acid has the ability to hold 1,000 times its weight in water, which aids in moisture retention in the skin. Some research indicates the hyaluronic acid might be beneficial for the skin as a supplement, although more research is needed.

Take Care of your Skin

Rejuvalife is here to support your overall health, inside and out, and we take skin very seriously. In addition to our Skin Rejuvenation treatments, such as Chemical Peels, Microdermabrasion, Therapeutic Facials, as well as Botox and Dermal Fillers, we also offer a complete line of the highest quality Nutritional Supplements and Skincare Products. We can also work with you to develop a diet and nutrition plan to promote healthy levels of these vitamins and minerals and overall well-being. We recognize that good skin is an essential part of beauty, and are here to help you achieve the smooth, youthful, glowing complexion you have always wanted.

Go Fish! – The Amazing Anti-Aging Benefits of Omega-3

Patients ask all the time which supplement is most important for an anti-aging lifestyle and disease prevention. Of course, every person’s body is different, and each person should consult with a physician regarding their nutrition and supplement choices, but Omega-3 essential fatty acids in particular stand out for incredible anti-aging and disease fighting properties.

Essential fatty acids are vital for normal metabolism, but cannot be synthesized by the human body. Because of this, people need to have a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and/or take supplements to maintain healthy levels in the body. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, sturgeon, and anchovies, and are also found in seaweed, flax seeds, soybeans and tofu, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and canola oil. Certain other foods like eggs and yogurt are also now being fortified with Omega-3 fatty acids.

A large body of research supports the incredible benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids for promoting heart health. A diet rich in Omega-3s has been shown to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, sudden cardiac death, and heart failure. Omega-3s have a positive effect on regulating the heart’s electrical activity, muscle tone, and plaque stabilization, and also act as a blood anticoagulant. Omega-3s reduce blood pressure, lower “bad” cholesterol levels, increase metabolism, and aid weight loss, all associated with heart health and disease prevention. Omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to an astonishing number of other health benefits.

Other potential health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids include:

• Reduces risk of stroke and certain cancers
• Reduces cellular inflammation
• Lubricates  the skin, arteries, veins and intestines
• Slows development of Alzheimer’s and other cognitive problems
• Reduces joint pain and arthritis symptoms
• Increases energy levels and concentration
• Improves sleep quality

The American Heart Association recommends including two meals of fish every week for optimal heart health, however, the American diet is typically lacking in sources of Omega-3s, so it is highly recommended that people take a daily supplement for optimal health and disease prevention. Rejuvalife offers a premium concentrated Fish Oil supplement, the purest and most effective source of Omega-3 fatty acids. We also offer a complete line of the highest quality Vitamins and Supplements, selected personally by Dr. Berger for the highest efficacy and purest ingredients, to support your anti-aging lifestyle and overall health. Any supplement you purchase can also be added to your Loyalty Punches for our Filler Frenzy Program, and contribute toward receiving your $300 gift card or free syringe of Juvederm Ultra, Restylane or Radiesse.  See offer for complete details.

The Risks of Mid-Section Fat (Besides the Muffintop)

Let’s be honest. Most of us would love to lose an extra inch or two around our midsections. How nice it would be to fit into those jeans from college without having to suck in, or show off a slim, sexy body at the beach. But there may be an even more compelling reason to get rid of that stubborn belly fat once and for all. Research is now showing that fat specifically around the midsection or waist is a major risk factor for Type II Diabetes, Heart Disease, Hypertension, Stroke, some forms of cancer, and even Dementia. We all know that obesity can dramatically increases risk factors for these diseases and more, but excess belly fat may also be a warning sign for mildly overweight people, or even people of an otherwise healthy physique and appropriate weight.

Studies have shown that excess midsection fat is strongly associated with greater resistance to insulin.  In insulin resistant people, muscle, fat and liver cells do not use the insulin effectively, so the pancreas tries to compensate by producing more insulin. If the pancreas cannot keep up with the body’s need for insulin, excess levels of glucose will build up, leading to Diabetes. Insulin resistant people also have excessively high levels of insulin in their bloodstream, which leads to inflammation. Inflammation itself has recently gained attention as a direct cause of a staggering number of diseases and health conditions.

The obvious contributor to excess stomach fat is poor lifestyle choices. A diet consisting of high fat, high sugar, processed and otherwise nutritionally lacking food, combined with a lack of exercise, and excessive drinking will all help you pack on those pounds.

Research is supporting the idea that greater life stress may be the other major contributor to excess stomach fat. In particular, chronic stress that is associated with hopelessness, helplessness, or a feeling of defeat is associated with excess production of the stress hormone cortisol. When you have chronically high cortisol levels, the body craves carbohydrates and fats, and the extra calories tend to head right for the midsection. A recent study has also show that lean women in particular may be more prone to develop stomach fat in response to stress.

Another major factor for retaining midsection fat is change in hormonal balance, due to aging or as a result of other conditions. For women, changes in estrogen levels have a particularly strong impact on retaining stomach fat. As estrogen levels change with age, fat goes to the abdominals instead of to the hips and thighs, where it was previously needed for reproductive support.

Rejuvalife is here to help support the total health and wellbeing of our patients, and assist them in acheiving their health, weight loss and aesthetic goals. We offer comprehensive fitness and nutrition programs to promote overall healthy lifestyle, as well as medically supervised weight loss programs. Rejuvalife is on the cutting edge of non-surgical advanced liposuction procedures, to remove excess body fat in the abdominals and other problem areas directly. We also offer Hormone Replacement Therapy to return your hormonal levels to their optimal concentration and fight the effects of aging.

Food and Lifestyle Changes Linked to Long-Term Weight Gain

You really are what you eat! A study from Harvard School of Public Health suggests that the types of food you eat, not just the calories they contain, may be crucial to avoiding age-related weight gain.  The study, led by Dr. Dariush Mazaffarian and Dr. Frank Hu, collected data from more than 120,000 people, over a period of 12 to 20 years. Participants filled out a survey every 2 years, providing specific information on changes to their physical activity, television watching patterns, sleep habits and diet. Their weight was recorded every 4 years.

Increasing consumption of the following foods led to major average weight gains over the 4 year period:

• Sugary drinks and soda – A pound or more
• Refined grains and sweets – A half a pound
• Processed meats and unprocessed red meat – A pound or more
• Potato chips – A pound or more
• French Fries – Over 3 pounds!

In contrast, increasing consumption of vegetables, whole grains and nuts led to significant average weight reductions. Eating yogurt produced the most dramatic effects, resulting in an average of .82 pounds of weight loss.

The study identified several general lifestyle changes also linked to long-term weight gain. Increases in physical activity during the 4 year period were associated with gaining less weight, while absolute levels of physical activity were not associated with change in weight. Sleeping less than 6 hours or more than 8 hours was associated with weight gain. Being a couch potato (not just eating them) also led to major weight gains. Increases in the time people spent watching TV led to an average of a third of a pound for every hour of TV watching per day.

The researchers believe that highly processed foods may lead to an overall greater total intake of calories, because they do not satisfy hunger as well as unprocessed and higher fiber foods. Dr. Hu says that “the idea that there are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ foods is a myth that needs to be debunked.”

Rejuvalife Vitality Institute is here to help you achieve your weight management goals, whether you want to shed those extra few pesky pounds or need help with serious weight loss. We offer personalized nutrition and fitness plans, cutting edge anti-aging medicine, and comprehensive medical weight loss programs.

And don’t forget to check out our simple nutritious and delicious Sho-Stopper Recipes!

Walnuts Are The New Almond

5 Steps to slow down the aging process.

Preserve the Looks – Drink Water

Drink plenty of water

We all want to preserve our looks. Many products on the market would have you believe that they are the “fountain of youth” of anti-aging products. The truth is, we can’t turn back the hands of time- but we can all use a few tips to help us mitigate the signs of aging that show up most readily in our faces.

Aging is a fact of life, one that we cannot escape no matter how badly we want to. Aging of the skin starts in our 20s- the production of collagen slows, as does the “snap” in our elastin, the substance that gives skin its elasticity. Production of new skin cells to replace old and dead cells also slows. The result of these changes is thinner skin that may develop fine wrinkles and may be less firm, with a tendency to sag as we age further. Our genes partially determine how quickly signs of aging appear, while environmental factors determine the rest. Environmental factors that affect aging include sun exposure, which is one factor that we can control. Smoking also contributes to aging of our cells, and avoidance of cigarettes can decrease the rate at which your skin ages.

Women with mature skin need to pay attention to their skin to protect it from further signs of aging and to improve already-existing signs of aging, such as wrinkles, dry skin and fine lines. The following tips should be part of your daily routine if you have mature skin:

Drink Plenty of Water

Our bodies are made up of approximately 60% water, which we need to constantly replenish through drinking. We lose water constantly through perspiration, urination and breathing. Our body needs water to function at its best, and this includes our skin. Our skin is our largest organ, and we lose water through our skin constantly. Water also helps to flush toxins from our body, including our skin. When our bodies lack water, we become dehydrated. Dehydration can make wrinkles and fine lines appear more prominent. Drinking Water should be an essential step in any beauty routine, regardless of age.

There has been much debate about how much water we should drink in a day. Requirements will vary, depending on your size and weight, activity levels and other factors. The bottom line? You should drink enough water to keep your mouth feeling comfortably moist at all times and to keep your urine a pale yellow color. A dry mouth and dark urine are reliable signs that you are not drinking enough.

Cleanse and Hydrate

Cleanse

Cleanse & Hydrate

Cleansing your skin rids the skin of accumulated dirt, sweat and oil that have accumulated and that can cause your skin to appear older. If you wear makeup you will need to remove your makeup every day, as makeup can clog your pores, making them appear larger. If your skin is mature, you will want to choose a cleanser that is gentle and does not remove too many of your natural oils. Mature skin is often dryer and therefore cleansers with moisturizers in them are far better than harsh cleansers that may strip your skin of its natural moisture.

You should cleanse your skin at least twice a day, morning and night. Avoid overzealous scrubbing of the skin, which can damage thin skin. Use your ring fingers (these are your weakest fingers) and stroke upwards, being careful not to pull the skin around the eyes, where skin is the thinnest. Rinse your face thoroughly following.

Hydrate

Mature skin is dry skin. For this reason, hydration of the skin is perhaps the most important beauty step to decrease signs of aging. Choose a moisturizer that will keep your skin feeling moist throughout the day. If your skin starts to feel tight towards the end of the day, you may want to consider using a heavier moisturizer. You should moisturize your skin by applying a good quality moisturizer twice a day, morning and night. You may want to use a heavier moisturizer at night while you are sleeping, allowing it to absorb throughout the night.

The hydration step of your beauty routine cannot be overemphasized- when your skin is well hydrated, it will appear smoother, suppler, and fine lines and wrinkles will be much less prominent.

Protect from Sunlight and Eat a Balanced Diet

Protect

As mentioned, environmental factors play a large role in aging of the skin, particularly exposure to sunlight. Protecting your skin from the ravaging effects of sunlight is crucial to caring for mature skin. Mature skin that is exposed to sunlight will not only burn easily due to loss of subcutaneous fat under the skin, but may also develop unsightly age spots. Wrinkles are created and worsened by sunlight exposure. Therefore, protecting aging skin with a potent sunscreen is important.

Choose a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, depending on your skin and environment. If you live in a southern climate, you may want to choose a higher SPF. Don’t forget your lips- wear a lip balm that will both moisturize your lips and protect them from sun exposure. Wear hats when outdoors to avoid direct sunlight on your face. It is also a good idea to avoid tanning outdoors or the use of tanning beds, which not only accelerate aging but can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

Eat a Balanced Diet

eating a healthy; balanced diet can help you maintain the appearance of your skin. Protein can help your body rebuild itself, including your skin, while fruits and vegetables provide vitamins, minerals and antioxidants known to nourish the skin. Some foods that you should include in your diet include:

•    Low fat dairy products (good source of vitamin A)

Eat a balanced diet

•    Blueberries, blackberries and strawberries (good sources of antioxidants)

•    Salmon, walnuts and flaxseed (good sources of essential fatty acids)

•    Whole wheat breads, tuna, turkey and brazil nuts (good sources of selenium)

Following the above steps won’t miraculously take ten years off your age, but you will notice that your skin appears healthier, moister and suppler. Fine lines and wrinkles won’t go away, but they will be less noticeable. Most importantly, you will be healthier on the inside as well!

Vitamin E family members lower triglycerides

Latest clinical trial found that Tocotrienols lower triglyceride levels in humans.

Scientists from Singapore found that Tocotrienols, which are members of the Vitamin E family, are effective in lowering the levels of triglyceride, a form of fat in the blood. High levels of triglyceride are closely linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

The scientists found that gamma and delta Tocotrienols, derived naturally from palm oil, are potent in lowering triglyceride levels by 28 per cent in the blood of human subjects after two months of supplementation. In addition, tocotrienol-treated subjects in the double blind, PLACEBO-controlled human trial showed decreasing trends in average weight, body fat mass, body fat percentage and waist measurement. The study hence points to the potential of tocotrienols as a natural remedy in fighting obesity.

This research study, which involves collaboration between scientists at Davos Life Science (Singapore), researchers at Malaysia Palm Oil Board (Malaysia) and Phytopharma Co. Ltd. (Japan), was reported in the October 2010 issue of Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis, the reputable publication of the Japan Atherosclerosis Society. The study involved twenty human subjects with borderline hypercholesterolemia and was conducted in Takara Clinic in Japan. The subjects were not receiving any CHOLESTEROL-lowering medications at baseline.

“Other studies have shown triglyceride-lowering effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid found in oily fish, which is approved by Japan’s Ministry of Health as a treatment for hyperlipidemia. This study reveals that tocotrienols have a more significant serum triglyceride-lowering effect than EPA. More importantly, tocotrienol did not have any observable side effects, suggesting that it could become a natural remedy to lower triglycerides effectively,” said Dr. Daniel Yap, Head for Tocotrienol R&D, Davos Life Science.

An elevated triglyceride level is one of the risk factors for the identification of metabolic syndrome, which is linked to an increase risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke. This study demonstrates — for the first time — that gamma and delta tocotrienols work to lower triglyceride levels, by directly suppressing genes that enable triglyceride production (SREBP1/2, DGAT2 and APOB100), suggesting that tocotrienols are able to directly regulate triglyceride synthesis in the body. At the same time, this down-regulation also translates into a reduction in the level of triglyceride transport lipoproteins (VLDL and chylomicron), which distribute fats around the body.

The study supports its in vitro research findings, by demonstrating the triglyceride-lowering effect of tocotrienols in both mice models and human clinical studies. Moreover, the study also showed that tocotrienols may inhibit the development of atherosclerosis, a medical condition in which fatty plaque, resulting from oxidation of LDL-CHOLESTEROL (also known as “bad” Cholesterol), builds up inside the arteries. It was found that gamma tocotrienol can enhance the removal of LDL-Cholesterol from the blood, by inducing the expression of LDL receptors. This is a key step in achieving healthy blood lipid levels.

“Our studies show that tocotrienols have the potential for the prevention or treatment of metabolic syndrome. This research contributes further evidence that natural tocotrienols is a far more powerful form of Vitamin E with unique health-related benefits not shared by alpha-tocopherol, the common form of vitamin E,” said Mr Arthur Ling, CEO of Davos Life Science Singapore, a company specialising in the research & development and production of tocotrienols.

For more information on Dr.Berger or Rejuvalife You can connect with us at www.facebook.com/rejuvalife