Have we finally found the fountain of youth? A Harvard study finds that an enzyme, when administered to mice – reversed the aging process and found that the enlarged brain had shrunk, organs had atrophied and the sense of smell had vibrantly returned.

The initial experiment was to find if the process of aging can be stopped or slowed down in order to allow people live healthier and more productive lives. What they found was shocking.

“We were expecting to slow or perhaps stabilize the aging process. Instead, we saw a dramatic reversal in the symptoms of aging.”

, according to Dr. Ronald DePinho, director of the Belfer Institute at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute who authored the paper in the Journal of Nature.

The mice used for the experiment are mice who are in the brink of dying. When the enzymes were introduced, they saw a significant reversal of aging.

It had to do with the mice’s telomeres (the tip of our chromosomes). As we age, the telomeres part of our chromosose deteriorates and thus resulting in many of the symptoms of aging such as loss of memory, decrease in energy and the like.

The enzymes called telomerase was introduced to the aging mice. After its introduction, the mice’s telomeres was rebuilt as if they were new.

DePinho was quick to point out however that the telomeres is only one factor in aging and that we should not jump into conclusion that it is the only thing that we need to regenerate in order to reverse the aging process.

It is a very interesting research to say the least. We could be eons away from discovering the fountain of youth but it definitely is a great start.

Provided to you by the Life Extension Foundation, The directory of Innovative Doctors and Health Practitioners facilitates the location of anti-aging doctors and health practitioners who are open to alternatives to allopathic medicine. Conveniently organized geographically, the listing can be used to find a doctor by area—a handy feature for those who are traveling or are simply seeking out anti-aging doctors or health practitioners at home. The directory of Innovative Doctors and Health Practitioners is especially useful for those on a life extension program that includes the use of dietary supplements and hormones, as the listed physicians and health practitioners would likely be more suited to evaluate such a program than more conventional doctors.

While prevention, nutrition and longevity are important to the physicians and health practitioners listed, each of them has their own approach to health and wellness. So be sure to clarify the reason for your visit, as well as your goals in seeking out such treatment when scheduling your appointment.

Search for them on this website

1. Show Instant Results

The best anti wrinkle cream should not force you to wait an entire month or more to see its benefits. In fact, you should see your wrinkles disappear right before your eyes. The longer you use the treatment cream, the more years your skin should lose.

2. Positive Customer Feedback

Products should provide you with positive customer testimonials that you can read. This gives you good insight into what others experienced with a product. The things to look for include how long it took to see results, how to use the treatment, and if they were happy with the results. When you find a product that has a lot of positive and thorough testimonials, it is one of the best indications that you have found the best antiaging cream.

3. No Risk Of Losing Your Investment

The words ‘put your money where your mouth is’ ring true with anti aging creams. Products that are willing to give you your money back when you are not completely satisfied demonstrates their confidence in the results their product can bring and a good sign of a quality product. They are certain they are providing you with the best wrinkle cream, they will give you your money back if you don’t think so too. This is ideal since you risk nothing by trying the product.

4. Independent Research Studies

Expert tests and trials that have been performed by an independent group is ideal for discovering the true quality of a product. These tests back up the claims of the manufacturer and are further proof of a product’s effectiveness because they are actually tested on women just like you as well as in a scientific lab. This not only tells you how well to expect the product to work, but it is reassuring that what you are purchasing isn’t all marketing with nothing much behind it.

5. How The Product Improves Wrinkles

Anti aging treatment creams work in various ways to eliminate wrinkles. Some of them make you look younger by reflecting light with the help of crystals while others actually lift your skin or moisturize it. Regardless of how they work, what truly matters is if they actually follow through on their promise. Alpha-hydroxy creams act like a chemical peel, others are high-quality hydrators that puff up the skin, and others reduce wrinkles by lifting the skin similar to botox.

6. It Eliminates Your Wrinkles

The absolute way to determine which is the best wrinkle skin cream is by discovering that it eliminates your wrinkles and fine lines. This might mean trying a few different styles and types before finding the best one, but you can cut this down simply by starting with quality products.

The years have a way of creeping up. You wake up one morning and see youthful skin. The next day, you wake up and see a few, and with each passing day, they seem to become more severe. The whole thing can be rather discouraging. You now know how to find the cure for your problem, so now you can go out and find the best wrinkle cream that will be the solution to your problem.

Use the anti aging cream that works in minutes. See the latest reviews here of Athena face lift cream to see how the Athena works and why it is called the ‘face lift’ in a jar at Marcus Ryan’s review site and see yourself looking younger in minutes! Does this antiwrinkle cream provide results? Find out in this wrinkle cream review right here to see which anti aging creams are now rated the top.

Here’s some handy tips from Prevention:

1. Most of us know that tomatoes are a great source of lycopene (a powerful antioxidant that has been linked to cancer prevention). But did you know that cooked tomatoes (such as pasta sauce) have much more lycopene than raw tomatoes? 171% more!

2. Roasting a fatty fish (such as salmon) with olive oil doesn’t increase its fat content. Frying, however, will increase it by 10%. So pop the salmon (with a little olive oil) in the oven instead of the fry pan. (personally, I like grilling)

3. Crush your garlic- I learned about crushing garlic from watching Rachael Ray. But did you know that you should let it stand after crushing for about 30 minutes BEFORE you cook it? Apparently, that activates and preserves it’s heart-protecting properties. Cooking regular chopped garlic even 6 minutes can totally make it lose all its benefits.

4. Steam broccoli – anything other than steaming will tend to reduce the glucosinalates, which are the cancer-fighting compounds.

5. Slow cook meat – meats cooked in liquid at moderate temperatures develop fewer AGEs, which are linked to inflammation and heart disease.

New scientific evidence suggests that a chemical in broccoli may rejuvenate the immune system enough to ward off common diseases of aging. 

“I’m president of the United States, and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli!” proclaimed George H.W. Bush in a 1990 news conference. America’s 41st president disdained broccoli so much that he banned the vegetable from the White House menu.

Now 84, Bush may live to regret his broccoli bullying. New scientific evidence suggests that a chemical in broccoli may rejuvenate the immune system enough to ward off common diseases of aging.

At the University of California-Los Angeles, Andre Nel and colleagues recently discovered that sulforaphane, a phytonutrient in broccoli, activates antioxidant pathways at the cellular level.

“This is a radical new way of thinking about how to increase the immune function of elderly people to possibly protect against viral infections and cancer,” Nel says.

Injected into the dendritic cells (immune cells in the skin) of old mice, the sulforaphane flipped on a set of antioxidant genes and enzymes sufficiently to fight free radicals of oxygen to a standstill. The immune responsiveness of the old mice rose to that of young mice in the study. The researchers believe that broccoli may protect the immune system from such common accompaniments of aging as cardiovascular disease, degenerative joint diseases and diabetes.

“We have known for some time that free radicals are important in aging,” says Nel. “But most of the past attention has focused on mechanisms that produce free radicals rather than addressing the pathways used by the body to suppress their production.” Free radicals are everywhere in our body; they help kill off intracellular bacteria, but they also interact with DNA, leading to diseases such as cancer.

The sulforaphane in broccoli and other members of the cabbage family also protects against cancer via another mechanism. In the liver, it induces the production of enzymes that detoxify carcinogenic substances.

Understanding molecular pathways is vital in unraveling the mysteries of aging. But it may be just as wise to reassess the love-hate relationship Americans have with broccoli. The aroma it gives off while cooking puts some off, but broccoli contains so many traditional nutrients and bioactive compounds that it deserves a high ranking on anyone’s must-eat list.

Broccoli has a ripple effect on the body, revitalizing the immune system, the brain, and bones, says dietitian Suzanne Moorse. She believes that Nel’s study, published recently in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, will kick off more research on the nutritional power of broccoli. Every vegetable has its own unique set of benefits for the body, she says, but broccoli seems to contain hundreds of vital nutrients.

“I would guess that this study is the tip of the iceberg in terms of the wonderful things broccoli and its vegetable friends can do for us,” she said. For now, experts suggest a steady diet of cruciferous veggies — cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage, as well as broccoli — for a healthy immune system

Source

Wanting to look young is not exactly a new idea — the search for the fountain of youth has been going on for centuries. And while this past year didn’t deliver the perfect elixir, the year did introduce some scientifically solid, significant advances in anti-aging skin care. To home in on what can truly make a difference in your skin, WebMD asked medical experts to evaluate the cream of the crop.

Antiaging Breakthrough No. 1: Fractional CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

The antiaging breakthrough of the decade, according to many doctors, is a skin-resurfacing treatment known as CO2 fractional laser therapy. Combining the effectiveness of traditional carbon dioxide lasers — long thought to be the gold standard in wrinkle removal — with a new application technique, it delivers powerful results without the traditionally harsh side effects.

“Essentially, you are getting all the benefits of laser resurfacing, still the best way to remove wrinkles, but you’re getting it without the downtime and without the horrendous complication rate,” says David Goldberg, MD, director of Skin Laser and Surgery Specialists of New York and New Jersey and clinical professor of dermatology at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

How does it work? The natural aging process, combined with exposure to sun and pollution, destroys collagen — the main protein of connective tissue that keeps skin plump and line-free. Laser resurfacing uses beamlets of energy light to bore tiny holes in the skin, which works to put the body’s natural collagen production on fast-forward. Here’s what’s new: Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing does this in a way that prevents damage to the top layer of skin, offering maximum results with minimal recovery time.

While laser resurfacing doesn’t come cheap — the procedure will cost you about $5,000 — it is quick, accomplished in one or two sessions, with about four days downtime. Goldberg says effects are thought to last eight to 10 years.

According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, patients with darker complexions may be at risk for pigmentation loss with any laser surgery. Common minor side effects for fractional laser resurfacing include redness and swelling that lasts about two days.

Antiaging Breakthrough No. 2: The New Wrinkle Injections

Wrinkle injection technology soared to new heights last year when the FDA approved four fillers: Perlane, Juvéderm, Artifill, and Radiesse. Along with Restylane, approved in 2003, each uses a slightly different substance to fill wrinkles.

But according to Rhoda Narins, MD, professor of dermatology at NYU Medical Center in New York City, that’s just the beginning. “What’s really significant is that we can now use these fillers to volumize skin anywhere on the face, so you can really sculpt a lifted, youthful look without surgery,” she says.

Dermatologist Bruce Katz, MD, the director of Juva Skin and Laser Center in New York City, agrees. “Unlike a face-lift, which pulls the skin taut and tight, volumizing plumps up the skin so the look is youthful but more natural,” he says.

In even more good news about wrinkle injections, studies conducted by Frank Wang, MD, at the University of Michigan Medical School found that those containing hyaluronic acid (such as Restylane and Juvéderm) led to “robust collagen production” while also interfering with collagen breakdown. So not only do you get a filling effect, says Narins, but you also have an actual increase in natural collagen production.

Currently, most fillers last up to one year, or longer. Only one — Artifill — offers permanent results, but not without concern. According to a published report by the FDA, it increases the risk of granulomas, bumps that form under the skin and may be permanent, as well as an increased risk of allergic reaction.

Still, Narins says all currently approved wrinkle injections have been used in Europe for several years, and the track record on safety is generally good. Most often, side effects are mild, usually limited to redness or swelling at the site of injection, she adds.

The cost of wrinkle-filling volumizers is between $600 and $1,000 per syringe.

Antiaging Breakthrough No. 3: Antioxidants

Topping the list of over-the-counter antiaging ingredients making the most noise these days are antioxidants. These skin-care nutrients fight aging by destroying free radicals, the unstable molecules that occur from sun exposure or pollution and that can literally gobble up the skin’s collagen supply.

“Antioxidants are nutrients that, when topically applied, disarm and neutralize free radicals before they harm skin — so they can play an important role in antiaging skin care,” says Sumayah Jamal, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology and microbiology at NYU Medical Center in New York City.

Scores of studies demonstrate the power of topical antioxidants (particularly CoQ10 and vitamins C and E) to rejuvenate and protect skin. However, the ingredient generating the loudest buzz in 2007 was clearly coffee berry, which some experts now believe is the single most powerful antioxidant discovered to date.

Two independent studies found that the same plant that gives you your java jolt in the morning is ready to provide a powerful antiaging boost to your face. The research conducted by David McDaniels, MD, at the Institute of Anti-Aging Research in Virginia, and Zoe Draelos, MD, at Dermatology Consulting Service in North Carolina, reported that coffee berry extract significantly improved the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without allergic reactions or skin irritations.

Although Goldberg says it will be a few years before the full extent of coffee berry’s rejuvenating properties is known, he adds that it is “so powerful in its antioxidant rating that even if 1/1,000th of what’s applied gets into the skin it’s probably going to have an effect.”

Dermatologist Ken Beer, MD, director of Palm Beach Esthetic in Palm Beach, Fla., says he’s seen the science and he’s impressed: “I think this is going to be a major cosmeceutical ingredient.”

Other cosmeceuticals with new and powerful antioxidants include:

* Prescriptives Super Line Preventor Xtreme with seven antioxidants (1 ounce, $48)
* Neutrogena Antioxidant Age Reverse Day Lotion and Night Cream (1.7 ounces, $17.99 each)
* Lumene Vitamin + Energy Cocktail (1 ounce, $17.99)
* Clinique Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer with eight time-release antioxidants (1.7 ounces, $39.50)

Antiaging Breakthrough No. 4: Peptides

Small proteins that stimulate the production of collagen, peptides have been on the cusp of antiaging skin care for a while. The excitement began several years ago with NIH-backed research on the ingredient Matrixyl (palmitoyl pentapeptide-3), showing its ability to stimulate collagen production in skin. Today, further studies on additional peptides continue to generate research news.

According to Jamal, studies on formulations such as Argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-3) show they can produce a mild, Botox-like effect, inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters that keep facial muscles from forming wrinkles. Even newer peptide formulations act like growth factors, stimulating skin cells to make a quicker turnover, much like young skin.

What’s new for peptides? Formulations that seem to yield overall improved results. “They are really getting the science down now, learning how to stabilize the peptides and at the same time inhibit collagenase [the breakdown of collagen] so we have better, more tailored peptide products,” says Beer.

Products containing the newest versions of that peptide technology include:

* Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream with amino peptide complex (1.7 ounces, $29.99)
* Lumene Premium Beauty Rejuvenating Instant Serum (1 ounce, $29.99)
* Avon Anew Clinical Eye Lift (0.5 ounce, $28)
* Osmotics Blue Copper 5 Face Lifting Serum (1 ounce, $75)
* Emerge Bio-Peptide Night Repair Cream with 10% peptides (1.12 ounces, $43)

Antiaging Breakthrough No. 5: Vitamin A

Among the most medically studied topical antiaging treatments are the retinoids — derivatives of vitamin A. They are offered as prescription treatments such as Retin A or Renova, but also available in weaker strengths in over-the-counter products, listed as the ingredient retinol.

Retinoids are “thought to work on aging skin by increasing collagen production and decreasing collagen breakdown,” says Jamal — and a ream of studies backs her up.

But while many doctors believed only the prescription-strength retinoids were powerful enough to cause significant change in the skin, 2007 was the year that idea changed. In a study published in the Archives of Dermatology in May, researchers from the University of Michigan found that 0.4% retinol lotion applied three times a week for 24 weeks yielded significant difference in skin wrinkling when compared with a similar lotion without retinol used on a separate group of people in the study.

Even more surprising: The average age of study participants was 87, meaning it’s truly never too late to look younger.

“For those who can’t or don’t want to have an office procedure for wrinkles, I suggest starting with retinol products, and if there are no problems, such as redness or irritation, you can work up to a prescription-strength Retin A product. But we now know that both have the power to produce measurable antiaging results,” says Goldberg.

Products containing retinol include:

* Vichy Reti-C Intensive Corrective Care (30 milliliters, $31)
* Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Intensives with retinol and antioxidants (Serum, 1 ounce, $16.99; Eye Cream, 0.5 ounce, $16.99)
* Clinique Zero Gravity Repairwear Lift with retinol, antioxidants, and peptides (1.7 ounces, $52)
* L’Oreal Advanced RevitaLift Double Lifting Gel (1 ounce, $16.99)
* RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum (1 ounce, $19.99)

Antiaging Breakthrough No. 6: Antiaging Sunscreens

Among the most exciting new ways to fight skin aging are two dramatic breakthroughs in sun protection: Helioplex, a new technology that makes current sunscreen ingredients more effective, and Mexoryl SX (ecamsule), a new protective agent. Representing the first innovation in skin sun protection in more than 20 years, each is specifically designed to defend against the aging effects of short UVA rays.

“They are truly the best we have, and they are a major, major advance in terms of antiaging protection,” says Katz.

Most of us know about the dangers of burning UVB rays, but you might be less aware of the damaging and aging effects of UVA. “These are the ones that go deep — UVA rays cause the deep collagen and elastin damage that contributes to aging skin,” says Katz.

While most sunscreens effectively protect against UVB rays, protection from UVA was mostly limited to the “long” waves, with ingredients that were unstable and frequently degraded in the sun.

But Mexoryl SX (ecamsule), a UVA-blocking sunscreen developed by L’Oreal, and Helioplex, a technology created by Neutrogena to stabilize traditional sunscreen ingredients avobenzone and oxybenzone, are proving not only to protect against the damaging short UVA rays, but to offer long-lasting protection without the need to constantly reapply.

“They have been available in Europe for some time now, and there is no question they work — and from an antiaging standpoint, they can be your best friend,” says Goldberg.

Even more exciting: In 2007 these sunscreen advances were combined with antioxidants and other antiaging ingredients in moisturizers and day creams that offer Fort Knox-level protection against the aging effects of the sun.

Products containing the latest Helioplex technology include:

* Neutrogena Healthy Defense SPF 45 Daily Moisturizer (1.7 ounces, $11.99)
* Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SunBlock SPF 70 (3 ounces, $9.99)

Products containing Mexoryl SX include:

* Vichy Capital Soleil SPF 15 Sunscreen Cream (3.4 ounces, $29.99)
* L’Oreal Revitalift UV Moisturizer and Sunscreen (1.7 ounces, $22)
* LaRoche-Posay Anthelios SX (3.4 ounces, $29)
* Lancome UV Expert 20 (3.4 ounces, $35)

Originally published in the November/December 2007 issue of WebMD the Magazine.