Rejuvalife Vitality Institute
Beverly Hills CA

5 Tips for Recovering from Summer Sun Damage

Summer is coming to an end, and while your tan looks great, those all day sun sessions may have taken a toll. Signs of sun damage may include dryness, prolonged redness, new freckles or moles, dull appearance and under-eye circles. Over time, sun exposure can lead to premature signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles.

1. Exfoliate

Start with a clean slate! Being out in the sun all summer has most likely left you with an accumulation of layers of dead skin, giving your face a dull complexion. Using a gentle exfoliant 2-3 times per week to slough off dead skin cells will help to restore your skin’s natural radiance and glow.

2. Moisturize

Use a non-comedogenic moisturizer daily and drink plenty of water to restore your skin’s natural hydration. Use aloe vera to help with burning and to restore moisture. Aloe has natural anti-inflammatory properties, and has been shown to help burn patients heal nine days faster on average.

3. Protect

The most important (and often overlooked) component of an anti-aging regimen for your skin is the daily use of sunscreen. The sunscreen should be at least SPF 30 and protect against both the UVA and UVB spectrums.

4. Watch Your Diet

Several different foods will benefit your skin and help restore damage. Including soy in your diet aids in smoothing and moisturizing the skin, improving its overall tone. Antioxidant rich foods fight free-radical damage from the sun, working to repair previous damage and protecting against future damage.

5. Get Some Rest

Sufficient sleep is essential for healthy skin cell growth and repair, because it prompts skin cells to restore themselves and encourages the body to rebuild collagen. Getting at least 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night can maintain a healthy level of cell turnover and slowly diminish the signs of sun damage.

Still need more help? 

For excessive or prolonged sun damage or additional aesthetic enhancement, various cosmetic procedures may be an option. These include Chemical Peels, Laser Treatments, and Microdermabrasion for toning and resurfacing the skin, and Fillers and Collagen Stimulators for treating signs of aging that sun damage may accelerate, such as fine lines and wrinkles.

Dr. Berger Goes Down Under, as Featured Speaker at A5M Conference in Melbourne

Dr. Berger recently returned from his trip to Australia, where he was invited to be a featured speaker at the Australasian Academy of Anti-Ageing Medicine (A5M) Annual Conference in Melbourne. This year’s conference on Age Management focused on the theme of Preventative Medicine, Integrative Medicine, and Balanced Patient Care. Dr. Berger was welcomed as a leading authority on Anti-Aging and Aesthetic Medicine, and his presentations provided valuable wisdom to the medical community attending the conference on a diverse and expansive body of information. In addition, Allergan, the makers of Botox, sponsored Dr. Berger’s workshop called “Juvederm and the Perfect Lip.” Below we have provided the abstracts for Dr. Berger’s presentations.

Facial Sculpting – Beyond Traditional Thinking

The traditional use of neurotoxins and aesthetic medicine has been primarily focused on addressing individual and compartmentalized concerns related to dynamic muscle contractions such as crown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines.  Advanced usage of neurotoxins takes a more holistic approach to facial appearance; looking at the face as a whole to achieve a more global aesthetic improvement. This can be achieved either as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other aesthetic modalities such as volumising fillers, collagen stimulators, resurfacing and skin tightening lasers.  When used in this fashion a more natural appearing desirable aesthetic outcome can be achieved on a consistent basis.
This presentation will review the use of botulinum toxin as a facial sculpting tool and how it can be used in conjunction with other modalities to achieve natural global rejuvenation.

Juvéderm and the Perfect Lip

The lip is the most important aesthetic feature of the lower face.  Optimum aesthetic appearance requires a lip that is aesthetically balanced to the rest of the face and that has ideal volume, shape and proportionality.  Hyaluronic acid fillers are ideal for achieving the perfect lip correction on a consistent basis.  This presentation will review the use of Juvéderm and Juvéderm Ultra Plus and Hyaluronic injectables for the achievement of the perfect lip augmentation.

The Clinical Aesthetic Application of Anti-ageing Medicine

Beauty is indeed beyond skin deep!  Underlying internal processes significantly influence the development and profession of individual aesthetic decline as well as the duration of benefit from cosmetic surgical and medical interventions.  Optimal cosmetic appearance is very positively influenced by more optimal lifestyles and more youthful hormonal homeostasis.  Cosmetic surgeons will benefit from recognizing specific aesthetic physical signs of hormonal decline, deficiency and disequilibrium.  Once they are recognized they can be corrected in conjunction with cosmetic medical and surgical procedures, in order to achieve superior and longer lasting outcomes.
This presentation will review the more common clinical physical signs of aesthetic decline that are associated with specific hormonal deficiencies and how relate these findings to specific corrective treatments.
Learn how to recognize specific aesthetic physical signs of hormonal decline, deficiency and disequilibrium that can be corrected in conjunction with cosmetic medical and surgical procedures, in order to achieve superior and longer lasting outcomes.

Setting up Complete Anti-ageing Practice 

The complete anti-ageing practice should focus on both the inside and outside to provide comprehensive anti-ageing care, addressing how people feel and look.  Optimum outcomes are achieved by providing patients with state of the art operations, while addressing both anti-ageing and cosmetic needs.  Practices organized and equipped to address these needs will thrive.
This presentation will summarize the components of setting up a comprehensive anti-ageing and cosmetic medical practice and will discuss the key factors that lead to success.  The evolution of anti-ageing and cosmetic medicine naturally leads to combining them in a comprehensive way to create the anti-ageing and cosmetic medicine practice of today and the future.

The Age of “Boytox” – Male Cosmetic Procedures on the Rise

Move over ladies! Women aren’t the only one’s rushing to the doctor’s office for cosmetic procedures anymore. The number of men seeking cosmetic treatments has skyrocketed over the past decade. Specifically, there has been a steady increase in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, such as botox and filler injections, with a 45% increase in overall procedures. In contrast, the percentage of men seeking more invasive surgical procedures such as Rhinoplasty has actually decreased, dropping 48% between 2000 and 2010.

And what’s topping the list? If you guessed Botox, you’d be right. In 2010, 336,834 men made their way to a doctor’s office for their injections. Still, men are only accountable for a mere 6% of all procedures, with women having a total of 5,379,360 procedures in 2010, but the number of Botox injections for males has increased 258% since 2000, prompting the media to coin the term “Boytox.” In addition to wrinkle removal, men are also seeking Botox injections to reduce excessive sweating, contributing to some of these numbers.

What other procedures made the top 5? In 2010, 164,536 men had Laser Hair Removal procedures as part of their “manscaping” regiments, and 158,268 got Microdermabrasion. In fact, men account for nearly 1/5 of patients for each of these procedures. 78,472 received Soft Tissue Fillers, including Radiesse, Juvederm, Sculptra, and Artefill, as well as Fat Transfers. Lastly, 90,297 men received Chemical Peels. All of these procedures showed a dramatic increase since 2000, with the exception of Chemical Peels, although their popularity of has resurged sharply in the past few years as newer methods have been introduced.

The rise in cosmetic procedures among men can be attributed to several factors. The overall landscape of public opinion has changed dramatically in recent years, with the media emphasizing a youthful appearance for men as well as women. Just like the women who seek procedures, male patients want their outward appearance to reflect their inner youthfulness and health. The image of a more polished man, who is concerned about their health and appearance, has become more accepted. The “metrosexual” craze of a few years ago comes to mind. In addition, women are also much more likely to discuss their procedures today than in years past. There isn’t a stigma about cosmetic procedures anymore in the way there used to be, and this trend seems to be carrying over to men. I believe that as the number of men seeking procedures continues to rise, any stigma of cosmetic enhancement seeming “unmasculine” or solely the domain of women will continue to diminish.

There are other strong factors underlying the rise in procedures for men. Due to the aging of the baby-boomer generation and the economic recession, there is more pressure for older men to compete with a younger generation for jobs and romance. With fewer jobs available and more competition, many men seek cosmetic enhancement to give them an edge in landing a job, or keeping the one they have, in the face of a workforce becoming increasingly dominated by younger workers.

Men want to look youthful and attractive just as women do, and like women, men who undergo procedures may experience a boost in their self-esteem and confidence levels. This can empower them to pursue romantic and career opportunities they may not have before.

The Dangers of Silicone Breast Implants

Think twice about going under the knife! A recent report by the US Food and Drug Administration warned women with silicone breast implants that they most likely will not last forever, and may need to be removed or replaced within a decade of implantation. The study reported that about 20 percent of women with silicone implants for breast augmentation will develop problems that require removal. In addition, about half of breast cancer patients who had implants for reconstruction will develop problems requiring removal. Problems that can develop include hardening, rupturing, asymmetry, wrinkling, scarring, pain and infections, any of which can require additional surgery to fix. Research has shown similar risk associated with the alternative saline implants, which about half of implant patients choose over silicone.

Most breasts with silicone gel implants will become harder over time, a condition known as capsular contracture. Just as the tissue around a splinter gets harder, the body’s natural response to foreign objects is to encapsulate it until it is removed. If left untreated, capsular contracture in the breast can result in pain and disfigurement.

The most serious risk of silicone implants is the risk of rupturing. Edward Melmed, a surgeon who has performed thousands of silicone implant procedures, commented on the risks in a recent LA Times article. “In the last 14 years, I have removed implants from almost 1,000 women. I have found roughly 50% of their implants have ruptured within 10 years, and more than 70% have ruptured within 15 years. We are still not sure of all the places where the micro-droplets of silicone end up, though I have found it in lymph nodes.”

Another danger to implant patients is an increase in risk of developing an extremely rare type of lymphoma in the breast, called anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. The cancer normally occurs in only 3 in 100 million women, but the FDA has identified 60 cases in 10 million implant patients. Although the overall risk of developing the cancer is incredibly small, the dramatic increase in incidence among implant patients raises some major red flags.

With a growing body of information about the dangers of silicone implants, women need to strongly consider if the aesthetic benefits are really worth the risk. Recently, a new (and much less expensive) option has emerged for women seeking breast augmentation who don’t want to go under the knife, or deal with all the long term risks associated with silicone or saline implants. Natural Breast Augmentation involves harvesting the body’s own fat cells, which are then injected into the breast to increase volume. Because the procedure uses the body’s own material, there is no risk of capsular contracture that occurs with foreign implants. This procedure can be enhanced with use of the body’s own stem cells. Stem cells help to grow new blood vessels to nourish the fat, release natural anti-inflammatory agents to aid healing, and generate growth factors to tighten and rejuvenate breast skin. Natural Breast Augmentation is gaining attention as an effective way to increase breast size up to two cups, while minimizing risk, discomfort and downtime. Click here if you would like to learn more information about Natural Breast Augmentation.

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.

Happiness Holds the Key to a Long, Healthy Life

Laughter may really be the best medicine after all! A growing body of research is providing more and more evidence to support a powerful link between levels of happiness and overall health. Positive thinking individuals may be more likely to take better care of themselves and make better lifestyle choices, but researchers believe that positive thinking itself may have a direct biological impact. Here are just a few reasons to smile:

• Research has shown that people who rate higher in happiness are less likely to catch a cold than unhappy people. If they do catch a cold, happy people report fewer symptoms than unhappy people.
• A recent study by the American Heart Association revealed that adults over 50 who were more optimistic had a dramatically reduced risk of a stroke. The patient’s optimism was rated on a 16-point scale. For every 1 point increase on the scale, the patient’s stroke risk was reduced by 9%.
• A study involving nuns revealed a dramatic link between happiness and longevity. 90% of the nuns rating in the top quarter of cheerfulness were alive at age 85. Only 34% of the nuns in the bottom quarter were still alive at 85. 54% of the most cheerful nuns were alive at 94, whereas only 11% of the least cheerful lived to that age. Another study showed that optimists had a 19% longer life span on average.
• A study at Columbia University rated happiness levels of over 1,700 adults with no heart problems. After a decade, the researchers found that happier people were significantly less likely to develop a heart problem.
• A world wide study surveying 140 different countries revealed that the link between positive attitude and good health may be even stronger among impoverished nations. In so called “Third-World” countries with low life expectancy, harsh living conditions, prevalent hunger, and limited access to modern medicine, overall happiness and optimism played a larger role in determining life expectancy and disease prevalence than it did in industrialized nations.

Greater levels of happiness and related characteristics are associated with lower levels of chronic stress, which can lower immunity and increase inflammation, contributing to a staggering number of illnesses.  High levels of chronic stress are associated with increased susceptibility to depression, diabetes, hair loss, hyperthyroidism, obesity, obsessive-compulsive disorder, sexual dysfunction, ulcers, and several types of cancers. Some studies suggest that as many as 90% of symptoms that patients seek doctor’s visits for are at least partially related to stress. A study showed that happier people had lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels and happier men had lower heart rates.

So whether you’re improving your health by exercising and eating right,  losing weight,  quitting smoking, or making any number of positive lifestyle choices, don’t forget to smile and do the things that make you happy. It will improve your health, how long you live, and the quality of your life itself.

Scientists Discover How to Differentiate Stem Cells with No Cancer Risk

Although still in its early phases, stem cell research is producing some of the most promising advances in modern medicine, and the potential it may have for disease treatment in the future is simply astonishing. Research indicates that stem cells may be integral in treating a wide variety of diseases and medical conditions, including stroke, brain injuries, learning defects, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, arthritis, baldness, blindness and deafness, myocardial infarction, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, and several types of cancer.

A new breakthrough in understanding how stem cells differentiate may be one of the most significant contributions toward advancing this field in years. Scientists believed that stem cell differentiation was controlled by multiple, highly specific and complex chemical systems, each capable of producing only a limited variety of cells. The results of a new study say otherwise.  A research team from the Genome Institute of Singapore, in collaboration with the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, discovered that the type of cell that a stem cell will eventually turn into is actually controlled by a single communication system. Using this system, called the Nodal/Activin pathway, scientists will be able to control the eventual type of tissue the stem cells will develop into, simply by adjusting the cell’s chemical environment.

Prior to this discovery, controlling stem cell differentiation often involved direct genetic modification of the cell, which came with a significant risk of the cell becoming cancerous. The new method will eliminate this risk, marking a major victory in advancing research in this field.

Dr. Kian Leong Lee, who led the study, says this finding “paves the way for advanced studies in cell regeneration and tissue repair, which could ultimately lead to its use in personalized medicine, where stem cells from the same patient could be manipulated to make other types of cells that are genetically matched to the donor.”

In addition to its potential applications for disease treatments, stem cells are now being recognized for their benefits in aiding cosmetic procedures. At Rejuvalife Vitality Institute, Dr. Berger uses a patient’s own fat-derived stem cells in fat transfer procedures to promote the viability and longevity of fat grafts. Since this process uses the body’s own materials, it also completely eliminates the risk of allergic reaction. Click here to learn more about how Rejuvalife uses a patient’s own cells to perform these remarkable procedures.

Boost Your Metabolism with Avocado

Avocado can aid in weight-loss if eaten in moderate amounts. While it is higher in calories—about 48 calories per ounce, avocados help fight obesity because they boost satiety. Satiety is the feeling of fullness that signals us to stop eating and thus helps us control our calorie intake.  You will also be delighted to hear that research suggests that exercise burns monounsaturated fat more rapidly than saturated fat. Meaning that even though an avocado is high in monounsaturated fat, this fat will be burned more quickly than saturated fat found in meat.

 Avocado is also a rich source of L-carnitine, which can boost your fat burning metabolism.  L-carnitine is an amino acid found in your body in the liver. It helps to facilitate fat metabolism, and promotes fat loss. Additionally, it is known to increase energy production in muscle cells and increases blood circulation in the brain.

Cool and velvety smooth, cold avocado soup is the perfect way to start a refreshing summer dinner.

Ingredients

• 1/2 seedless cucumber, chopped
• 1 medium avocado, peeled and pitted
• 1 shallot , chopped
• 2 tablespoon(s) plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoon(s) fresh mint
• 1 sprig(s) fresh mint
• 4 teaspoon(s) fresh lime juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) ground cumin
• 1 radish, chopped

Directions

1. Place the cucumber, avocado, shallot, yogurt, 2 tablespoons mint, lime juice, salt, pepper, cumin, and 1 cup cold water in a blender, and process until smooth.
2. Chill for at least 1 hour. Serve garnished with the radish and remaining mint leaves.

From Country Living

How to pick the perfect Avocado

A ripe, ready-to-eat avocado is slightly soft but should have no dark sunken spots or cracks. If the avocado has a slight neck, rather than being rounded on top, it was probably tree ripened and will have better flavor. A firmer, less mature fruit can be ripened at home and will be less likely to have bruises.

Visit our website for more information on Nutrition and Fitness.  Summer is around the corner, and we would love to help boost your confidence in a bikini!

Drink to your health

Before you dismiss the idea of drinking your veggies, you really ought to give it a shot!  Not only is drinking a green smoothie the quickest, easiest way to obtain incredible health results, but when you use the right ratio of fruit to veggies, they taste amazing, too.  Just by adding one veggie infused smoothie to your diet every day will start to bring about amazing positive change in the body. When the body gets the foods it needs, it can heal itself. Green smoothies are fast and extremely easy to make.  From start to finish, it takes less than 10 minutes, and that includes cleaning up!  Consider a small, “Magic Bullet” style blender for less clean up.  Green smoothies, as opposed to juices, are a complete food because they still contain fiber. To get the best flavor use the 60:40 ratio of fruits to veggies.  This ideal ratio allows the fruit to dominate the flavor, while the green vegetables balance out the sweetness, adding nice zest to it.  Here is a great basic green smoothie recipe that even makes for a great breakfast.

Basic Green Smoothie Recipe

Soak the nuts and dried fruit ahead of time to rehydrate and release the beneficial digestive enzymes.  Tear up the greens into 2-inch pieces, add all ingredients and water and blend until smooth.  You can throw in a few ice cubes for a thicker, colder smoothie, although they are just as good without.  Use fruits, greens and nuts of your preference but don’t use the same ones every day.  You get a more balanced nutrition if you change it up, and that keeps things interesting.

2-3 cups chopped leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale, collards, chard)

1 banana

1 apple, pear, peach, or handful of berries

1/4 cup dried fruit (apricots, dates, figs), rehydrated in water

1 large handful nuts or seeds (hempseed, pumpkin seeds, cashews, almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.), pre-soaked

1-2 cups filtered water, as necessary

Give it a shot. Take the challenge, incorperate one green smoothie into your diet each day for one week and see if you feel a difference!  Don’t cheat when it comes to your health, eating your veggies is one of the best things you can do for your body.

The healthy benefits of “KEEN-wah”

Quinoa, pronounced “kEEn-wah” is an amino acid-rich (protein) seed that has a fluffy, creamy, slightly crunchy texture and a somewhat nutty flavor when cooked. You can find Quinoa throughout the year at most local health food stores or Whole Foods.

Quinoa is an excellent source of protein, and unlike other grains, is not missing the amino acid lysine, so the protein is more complete (a trait it shares with other “non-true” grains such as buckwheat and amaranth). Quinoa offers more iron than other grains and contains high levels of potassium and riboflavin, as well as other B vitamins: B6, niacin, and thiamin. It is also a good source of magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganese, and folic acid.  For those who can’t eat gluten, you’ll be happy to hear it is gluten-free.  Don’t forget that maintaining a healthy diet increases your ability to stay healthy and feel young.

Although you may think of quinoa as a grain, it is actually the seed of a plant that is actually related to beets, chard and spinach.

Here is a tasty quinoa recipe perfect for spring!

Quinoa Salad Recipe with Yellow Grape Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives, Basil and Mint

Make this tabbouleh inspired quinoa early in the day, allowing the Mediterranean flavors deepen as it chills.

You’ll need:

1 clove of garlic, peeled
2 1/2 to 3 cups cooked quinoa
A handful of sweet grape tomatoes- yellow is low acid, and delicious
1 carrot, grated
4 scallions, sliced (white and light green sections)
1/4 cup Kalamata olives, whole or pitted and chopped
1/3 cup slivered nuts- pecans, almonds or walnuts
Sea salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves
1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Juice of 1-2 lemons or limes, depending upon size
Rub the clove of raw garlic inside a glass or ceramic salad bowl.

While the cooked quinoa is still a bit warm (but not steaming hot) scoop it into a bowl and fluff with a fork.

Halve or quarter the yellow tomatoes and add them to the bowl. Add in the grated carrot, sliced scallions, Kalamata olives, and slivered nuts. Toss lightly to combine.

Season with sea salt and ground pepper. Add the chopped fresh herbs. Drizzle the salad with extra virgin olive oil- enough to moisten. Toss to distribute. Squeeze a lemon or a lime all over the salad and toss.

Give it a taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. When the seasoning tastes right, cover and chill until serving (at least one hour, but a few is even better).

Before serving, taste again and readjust seasonings if you need to.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.