What Is Anti Aging

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Aging is the accumulation of changes in a person over time. Ageing in humans refers to a multidimensional process of physical, psychological, and social change. Some dimensions of ageing grow and expand over time, while others decline. Reaction time, for example, may slow with age, while knowledge of world events and wisdom may expand. Research shows that even later in life, potential exists for physical, mental, and social growth and development. Ageing is an important part of all human societies reflecting the biological changes that occur, but also reflecting cultural and societal conventions. Roughly 100,000 people worldwide die each day of age-related causes.

Every one wants to look young therefore anti aging technologies have been formed in form of lasers, creams, serums etc thus anti aging is slowing, reversing or preventing the process of aging to extend maximum and lifespan hence increasing life expectancy. Anti-Aging products are very popular in the beauty industry. There are a wide variety of products in this industry that offer women and men the chance to look younger. Many people are opposed to getting plastic surgery so they turn to anti-wrinkle creams, anti-aging creams, and other cosmetic products to make their skin look more youthful and authentic. In this article we will examine the different types of anti-aging products, and why each serves a different purpose in the market place.

The first type of anti-aging product is an anti-aging cream. These creams work by increasing the amount of collagen that our skin produces. Collagen is what enables our skin to look firm, tight, and essentially young. When you get older the levels of collagen begin to decrease which can make our skin look older and more wrinkled. Anti-aging creams also work to increase the elasticity in your skin too. This is what gives your skin its shape and is the number one reason why people get wrinkles.

In addition to anti-aging creams, it is very important to use face creams before your skin starts to age. Many people wait until they already have old looking skin to do something about it. This is not recommended because it is harder to remove wrinkles from skin then it is to prevent the skin from getting wrinkled in the first place. Face creams will go a long way in giving your skin the proper vitamins and nutrients that you it deserves. This will help your skin to look younger throughout your life. You should use these types of creams on a daily basis for the best results.

There are also other techniques that people use to make their skin look younger. There are a wide variety of scrubs, oils, and other products that you can put on your skin to make it look more youthful. Some women put cucumbers over their eyes to prevent bags from forming and other women visit the spas on a regular basis to get professional facials. These are both two good techniques to ensure that your skin stays healthy.

By far the most effective form of anti-aging prevention is plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgery can sure go a long way in making your skin look much younger. The most popular procedure is what is known as a face lift. The doctor will actually pull the skin on your face back so that everything looks much tighter. This will help your skin to look firmer and smoother. There are many women who are in their 50s or 60s and look like they are in their 30s or 40s by getting a face lift.

The most important thing you can do is take care of your skin from a young age. Make sure you wear sunscreen, wash your face, and use anti-aging products. These tips will help you to have youthful looking skin for the rest of your life, and you will not need to undergo a medical procedure.

No one wants to get older, so if you are looking for some anti aging tips then you need to visit our website. We have all of the latest information on anti aging creams and other products to keep you looking young.

For instance Retinoid deprived from vitamin A are used to repair skin damage to synthetic chemicals e.g. cosmetics, sun. In as much all these technologies help in making one look younger, with clear and elastic skin, no wrinkles as the advantages there are also the disadvantages. Some of the disadvantages are; the products are expensive especially the ones used in therapies, some are unsuitable for pregnant women.Some cause skin cancer etc. This can be through use of new technologies like facial procedures smoothening and firming multiple layer of your skin which is through applying make up, face transforming to remove face wrinkles and one appears younger then before. In the recent years the skin care jellies, lotions and creams has increased in both sales and product usage. The research showing people using anti aging has increased whereby 2004 it registered 40% in the year ending March 2004. In your early late 20s and mid 30s, you are entering to a pre-aging stage, where you experience wrinkles on your face and dark spots caused by sun rays. As per research Ann Hathaway started using anti aging in early 20s and she was able to maintain the look and on the other hand Jessica Chastain using anti aging on 30s and the outcome is still awesome and she look more young and attractive. This is because of using creams like Neutrogena Rapid wrinkle Repair Serum and is mostly used in cleaning out the wrinkles, there is also La Roche-Posay Redermic® which is used in to decrease the size of dark spots and even clear them out.

Application of petroleum jellies and lotions can bring anti aging whereby is smoothens the skin and makes it brighter and moisturized.

One can maintain his/her look through using anti aging skin care which eliminates the wrinkles like RX which is specifically for brown skins and is absolute radiance intensive exfoliating serum, the serum improves uneven skin tone, it is also a top concern for aging women by lifting dead cells with alpha hydroxyl acid and make them function as new ones and with more strength and keeps the face look young, also as per Neil Sadick a Clinic Professor of dermatology at New York Presbyterian Hospital reversal serum can be used where it makes the skin look younger and build collagen ,stimulates elastin and also enlarges cell turnover. Visiting anti aging specialists is also important to increase your life span. They give you the tips, what to eat and not to, how to live like stress free, not smoking, smoking brings premature wrinkles. It can also cause distended or broken capillaries on your nose and face. Doing exercise regularly is a medicine to aging where is makes you look healthy and strong, Is an anti-stress, improves the circulation of blood hence leading to continues flow of the blood in all blood streams and improving body complexion. It helps maintain your healthy body weight by reducing unusable fats cholesterol fluid which is through sweating and build muscles for the body to look strong. Exercise reduces disease attacks since the body is strong enough to fight diseases like cancers and heart diseases. From the anti aging specialists you can also get information on drinking enough water at least eight glasses of water everyday this is because water flashes out waste, keeping the skin and internal moisturizer.

Eating balanced diet to keep your body strong and adapt to changes of climate and atmosphere. Eating foods like fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts make you healthy and look younger than some one who eats normal foods without considering balanced diet. Your skin will stay young if you eat right. It can also be based on medical field, where is early detection and prevention of aging diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, kidney and also Alzheimer’s. A cell can replace itself with a stronger one whereby the process is known as regeneration and this can only happen when the body has enough energy and the right and needed raw materials hence anti aging. But when the body replaces itself with the same strength cell it means the body does not have enough raw materials and does not improve hence the process is stagnant.

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By eating right you can also prevent all these disease.

The clip shows the number of aging people in the United States of America from the year 2010 up to 2050, whereby the number is increasing after every five years. This is caused by not eating right, using a lot of chemicals based foods, lack of exercise leading to accumulation of fat in there bodies, attack by heart and cancer diseases leading to weakening of body cells.

Using anti aging products daily is an effective way to maintain younger-looking skin. However, it’s important not to forget about your eyes. The delicate skin around your eyes is the most sensitive skin on your face and the most susceptible to aging. That’s why Murad has developed gentle, yet powerful formulas to target this fragile area.

Some may ask why regular anti aging creams can’t be used around the eye area. Even if you have normal skin, the skin around your eyes is especially thin, delicate and sensitive. Topical eye treatments are formulated to be extra gentle, so they don’t cause irritation. In addition, the eye area has few (if any) oil-producing glands, s it requires intense hydration that may not be appropriate for the rest of you face. Using your daily moisturizer around the eye area probably won’t provide adequate hydration and may cause redness and irritation. Eye creams are safer and more effective.

With your ring finger, gently pat a pea-size amount around orbital bone.

Under Eye: Start at the corner of the eye working toward the nose.

Upper Eye: Start at the nose and work toward outside corner along and under eye brow.

Research shows that there are different ways of aging, one being extrinsic aging which is external aging and is caused by environmental factors such as exposure to sun rays. It is also caused by premature skin which is caused by sun exposure; other external factors include repetitive facial expressions, gravity, sleeping positions, and smoking. On the sun exposure without protection is very dangerous to some skins since for a few minutes it can cause a lot in your skin like age spots, freckles, spider veins on your face, rough and leathery skin, fine wrinkles that disappear when stretched, skin cancer, loose skin, and a blotchy complexity which are all caused by exposure to sun rays without protection and this all will cause early aging on your body and even life expectancy will be shortened due to attack of the diseases.

The picture below shows deep wrinkles, age spots and leathery skin indicating premature aging by years of unprotected exposure to the sun hence photo aging. Photo aging is used to describe type of aging caused by exposure to sun, whereby it will depend with someone’s skin color and intense of sun exposure, like in countries where sun is not mostly seen and they are dominated by winter. When they get exposed to sun for long there skin will develop problems since they are not used to it and their body can not adopt the sun rays which is different from people where most of the seasons sun dominates mostly in Africa. People from Africa are used to sun rays but there is an extend they can not go beyond when it comes to exposure to sun rays since there skin color absorbs heat itself due to black skin color which is different from the brown skin which do not absorbs heat. The dark skin develops fewer wrinkles due to sun rays exposure compared to light one. For the light skin is because their skin cannot absorb heat and due to repeated exposure to ultraviolet the skin weakens and breaks down collagen and impairs the synthesis of new collagen. Sun also attacks skin elastin and ceases to spring back much than earlier.

Repetitive facial movements lead to fine line wrinkles. Each time we use a facial muscle, a groove forms beneath the surface of the skin, which is why we see lines from with each facial expressions. As skin ages and loses its elasticity it stops springing back to its line Free State and the grooves become permanently etched on the face as fine lines and wrinkles. Resting your face on pillow every night for years also brings on wrinkles.

The other type of aging is intrinsic which also known as internal and natural aging process and it starts from mid 20s where the body cells start weakening and become less active than before, the turnover of dead cells increases and the percentage of replacing with new cells goes down, elasticity of the skin decreases leading to wrinkles. Here are some signs of intrinsic aging; fine wrinkles, thin and transparent skin, loss of underlying fat, hence leading to hallowed cheeks and eye sockets as well as noticed loss of firmness on the hands and the neck, shrink of bones away from the skin caused by bone loss hence causing sagging of skin, dehydrated skin, inability to sweat sufficiently to cool the skin and loss of hair. Genes control how the normal aging unfolds. You can notice gray hair at your early or late 20s; others do get them at their 30s and 40s. People with Werner’s syndrome are rare inherited since they appear elderly at their early 30s and their life expectancy is 46 years old. High supplements help to fight out aging problems. People can completely rely on it because it does not have any kind of side effects. It is also being recommended by the doctors to patients. HGH stands for Human Growth Hormones. HGH products are made up of amino acids and different kinds of botanicals which stimulate an individual’s body to release the growth hormones. This process works out naturally after taking these supplements. At the same times it also reduces growth of wrinkles in the skin. Not only this, it eliminates other kinds of skin problems too.

People take up different kinds of anti aging supplements with out actually knowing about its side effects. This is where the problem takes place. People should neither consume any medicine supplements nor should go for any kind of surgeries without proper consultation with a doctor. It can not only lead to severe consequences in the long run but at the same time spoil the whole system of the body. Once the total system of a body is damaged, it becomes difficult to mend it. People should go for natural anti aging supplements rather take up something that is harmful. Life is a gift of God. Therefore, one should try to make it beautiful and memorable instead of spoiling it. People should spend money on products that are worth while rather than go for anything that is available in the market.

Before making a purchase, it is essential to understand which ingredients are most effective and therefore which products may help to turn back the hands of time. Retinol is one of the most important ingredients in anti-aging products. Retinoids can improve skin texture, smooth out wrinkles, lessen brown spots and tighten pores. Retinol, derived from preformed retinoid and pro-vitamin carotenoids, significantly reduces the sun sensitivity, peeling, and redness associated with the side effects of retinoid, while maintaining the results.

Vitamins C and E are excellent anti-oxidants; Vitamin C is used to reduce UV-induced free radicals and to help regenerate Vitamin E. Studies indicate that Vitamin E may help reduce UV-induced redness, swelling, and sunburn. Salicylic acid works to open pores and remove dead skin cells that might otherwise lead to pimples. With salicylic acid it’s important to follow the product directions carefully based on the condition and skin type being treated so as not to damage the skin.

ANTI AGING HORMONES

These are the hormones that slow down aging process hence leading to longing of life span, look younger than before. With the exception of severe dietary restriction, no treatments have been clearly demonstrated to decrease the rate that human’s age or extend lifespan. Genetic manipulation in a frequently studied worm, Caenorhabditis elegans, and in mice have doubled and tripled their lifespan, but such experimentation in humans is not ethical and has not been tried.

Hormonal therapy along with dozens of other pseudoscientific treatments has been touted to increase longevity and preserve youth. To date, none have succeeded. Some hormones, however, have improved quality of life for men and women and have been used to treat hormone deficiencies such as hypothyroidism or hypogonadism.

Hormones are chemicals made by various glands in the body such as the pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, ovaries and testes. They stimulate, regulate, and control almost every biological process including sexual reproduction, growth, metabolism, and immune function.

With aging, the production of hormones changes. Some hormones levels increase (for example parathyroid hormone), while others decrease. Certain diseases may cause hormonal deficiencies. When deficiencies occur, artificial supplements may be prescribed. The strength and production of hormones that are prescribed and sold as drugs are regulated by the FDA in the same way as other prescription medications. Hormone supplements that are sold without a prescription (over-the-counter) are not approved or regulated by the FDA. The FDA says hormone-like substances that are sold as dietary supplements may not be as thoroughly studied, and, therefore, the potential consequences of their use are not well understood. Supplements could interact with prescribed medications and cause a number of serious side effects.

The most popular or commonly hormones are Human Growth hormone (HGH). The hormone HGH is made by the pituitary gland and is important for normal development and maintenance of tissues and organs; especially in children. Claims that HGH can increase muscle strength, burn fat and raise energy levels are still being researched. Although some studies have supported these claims, more data are needed. Research has shown that HGH may worsen diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis. In addition, HGH is available only by prescription and must be given by injection, which can be very costly. HGH is approved by the FDA to treat children with growth problems, but not as an anti-aging therapy. Human growth hormone (HGH) is a hormone which influences growth and cell increase in human body. The chief usage of human growth hormone is to enhance the growth of young children during youth along with the treatment of diverse diseases.

Human growth hormone is principally used to deal with the effects of human growth hormone deficit, which can vary by age group. As an example, in kids, the inability to grow or being unusually short for their particular age are the principal indications of growth insufficiency. In grown persons, HGH insufficiency might be measured by loss of energy, strength, bone tissue as well as a higher cardiovascular danger.

To check if there is growth deficit, patients are commonly subjected to series of checks that evaluate the individual’s pituitary gland. Health professionals will often use some form of stimulation to induce the launch of human growth hormone as a method of evaluating the situation.

Some of the additional purposes of human growth hormone are the next: therapy of multiple sclerosis, treatment method to invert the effects of growing older in grown persons, solution to increase weight loss in fatness, treatment method for fibromyalgia, therapy for Crhohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, procedure for idiopathic shortness, dietary supplement for building muscle mass or athletic progress.

These days experts have found that HGH insufficiency may arise with grownups and given that it is in charge of numerous functions in the entire body, there are actually many items that incorporate fabricated HGH and can deal with growing older or it is utilized as anabolic steroid to boost muscle development. The scientific disciplines have developed since the 50s, so at present HGH treatment isn’t as pricey and difficult as it was once and HGH supplements can effortlessly be discovered and purchased.

If you are looking for employing human growth hormone products, most likely the most beneficial way to obtain it is on the web. It is the simplest way since you will not find a lot of pharmacies that offer these goods and they demand prescription, so on the internet is an effective way to go with. You can locate a great deal of sites featuring HGH supplements. They generally present wide selection of products and provide all the essential details on them which include selling prices. Doing this you can decide on what is best option for you. Prior to you deciding to purchase particular item it is good to do some research. You should understand basic principles about HGH and you should obtain all the details on the product you are considering. This is incredibly important mainly because there are actually web pages with outstanding advertising methods which in fact sell goods that don’t do the job. Be cautious how you invest your money. If you would like to see the effects become familiar with the item ahead of buying it. Go through reviews and consult people about their practical experience with specific HGH supplements. You will discover plenty of forums on the internet where you can talk about the issue.

HGH supplements have been developed to help stave off the effects of advancing age whereby they are classified in different categories which are;

Genf20 which is the advanced and most effective HGH formula developed for anti aging. Its sublime formula is so effective that there has not been single case in which the person using it was not satisfied. It has done great for immune system, fat metabolisation, appearance, sexual health, mental sharpness, mood etc.

GenFX is another anti aging HGH supplement. It increases stuff for your body as well as your mind, making you feel much younger. It just lacks some of the sophistication of the Genf20 formula but is very effective on anti-aging process. It is commonly popular for people who do not obsess over their HGH regime.

There is another HGH known as HyperGh14X which is a body builder. Unlike other HGH is not meant to be an anti aging HGH supplement. Instead, it is using the primary effects of HGH, the growth of the muscle tissue to provide bodybuilders and anyone serious about their workouts with so many boosts that is incredible. It is a HGH releaser that is entirely natural and that does incredible things for muscle tissue and for workouts of the individual taking HyperGH 14X. If you want a ripped body that will be envied by everyone.

If you are still wondering what is human growth hormone, then here are some more facts on it. HGH is an abundant and complex molecule. It comprises of 191 amino acids making it quite a large molecule for a hormone. Growth hormone – human is in fact the largest protein secreted by the pituitary gland. Its secretion reaches a peak during adolescence and triggers the human tissue to grow. Although, the secretion of HGH is not at its peak after adolescence but it never completely stops secreting. The body still keeps on producing some short bursts of growth hormone human when you are in deep sleep. After you cross your middle age, the Human Growth hormone will decline sharply such that there will be a 14% decrease every year. The faster your HGH declines, the more it will fan the flames of aging. Whereas, by replenishing HGH back in to your system will help you override various signs of aging that can be linked to weight gain, and other disorder. In fact, increased human growth hormone is known to delay signs of aging like wrinkles, acne, bone denseness, and loss of lean muscles. HGH is responsible for converting body fat in to muscle mass, boosting energy levels, tissue repair and growth, healing, brain function , bone strength, sexual function, maintaining vitality and health of organs. Just about any function within your body is somehow linked to the production and regulation of human hormone growth. This is precisely the reason why HGH is known as the fountain of youth. With increased HGH levels, you will start to feel young again both physically and mentally. Well in this case, there is a good and bad news. Let’s start with the goodies first. Your body always produces some amount of HGH without which normal functioning of your body will cease. The worst part is that as you go beyond 20 years of age, there is a marked decline in growth hormone human with each passing year. By the time, you are 60, your body will probably be producing 75% lesser level, then the amount your body produced during adolescence. A bit of math here will help you understand the average levels of hormones secreted with age.

At 20 years the average secretion is 500 microgram/day

At 40 years the average secretion is 200 microgram/day

At 80 years the average secretion is reduced to 25 microgram/day

This means our body really needs HGH supply as we age but the million dollar question is why human growth hormone level declines as we age. This question actually ties into another one "Is aging preventable". Since ages, people have believed that our body wears out as we age. They used medical science to support this belief and their theory was that all our organs, bones and tissues have a particular life span after which all tissues will start to degenerate making you weak. If a 40 year old guy turns up and said that he can’t do what he could at 20, everyone would accept that as a natural part of aging. But here’s the kicker: preventing or delaying aging is possible to some extent. That doesn’t mean you start thinking of immortality. The fact is that your body has the same structure and makeup at the age of 40 as it was at 20. However, the thing that makes you feel old is that reduction in the levels of a vital hormone. If you haven’t yet realized what human growth hormone significance is, then it’s time to get enlightened.  There have been some groundbreaking studies that prove the positive effects HGH in the body. However, the recombinant growth hormone human is only available in injection because this large hormone cannot be administered in the form of pill, spray or powder. Those who take HGH therapy experience a marked gain in their lean body mass, loss in excessive body fat without even changing their diet or activity. After taking proper diet and exercise, the effects of human growth hormone can be multiplied. Other advantages of elevated HGH levels include:

Higher energy levels

Better cardiac output

Superior immune function

Enhanced sexual performance

Increased exercise performance

Better kidney function

Stronger bones

Lowered blood pressure

Faster wound healing

Rejuvenated and young skin

Wrinkle removal

Hair regrowth

Elimination of cellulite

Mood elevation

Sharper vision

Proper sleep

Sounds like HGH is a good thing but a word of caution to those who want their youth back faster than anything: too high HGH can have greater risks. So consult a physician or an expert on the matter.

Human growth hormones, or HGH for short, are produced naturally by the pituitary gland in our brains throughout our child and young adult years. The hormones work in helping our bodies grow when we're young. They also strengthen our bones, maintain our skin tissues, and increase our muscle mass. When we reach our middle age years and beyond, this important anti aging hormone is produced less and less. And so we age. Our skins become weaker, our bones brittle, and we lose muscle mass.

It makes sense to think that if we found a way to maintain the output of this anti aging hormone produced by our brain, we could actually reverse the aging process. That’s why some people have dubbed human growth hormones as the fountain of youth. These anti aging hormones have many benefits for our bodies, other than reversing the aging process. They can help with strengthening the ligaments and other connective tissues in our body and make us healthier by making our immune system stronger. When you have high levels of the anti aging hormones in your body, your risk for certain a disease, including adult onset diabetes, becomes significantly lower.

How do we encourage anti aging hormones to be produced by our brains even when we reach middle age? Do we inject ourselves with synthetic growth hormones? Some people have gone down this route, but it can get very expensive fast and synthetic injections are unnatural and come with several side effects, including joint pain and swelling in the arms and legs.

Is there a more natural way to get more of the anti aging hormones in our bodies? Yes - through brain entrainment. With brain entrainment, we can stimulate our pituitary gland and get it to produce more anti aging hormones.

What is brain entrainment, exactly? Our brains produce many different brainwaves at different frequencies. Each frequency has a different brainwave, with a different purpose. Some brainwaves inspire creativity, others help us relax. Now, when we listen to audio recordings of frequencies, our brains will produce brainwaves that operate at the same frequencies as the audio recordings. We can take advantage of this by listening to audio recordings of brainwave frequencies that we want our brains to produce, whether it's to help us sleep or to motivate us to complete a difficult task. This is brain entrainment.

Certain frequencies in the delta brainwave have been found to encourage natural anti aging hormones to be released by the pituitary gland. You can take advantage of this discovery by listening to audio recordings of this frequency in order to enjoy the benefits of the anti aging hormones.

Instead of resorting to expensive and unnatural synthetic injections, try brain entrainment in order to enjoy all the benefits of anti aging hormones. This process is much more natural than the synthetic injections, not to mention much cheaper. There are supplements on the market that claim to release the anti aging hormones, but they are not inexpensive and they have not been proved to work.

The benefits of increasing the amount of anti aging hormones in your body are many. With the latest brain entrainment technology available to us, there's no reason to not want to do all that we can in order to reverse the aging process. Try brain entrainment today and start releasing the anti aging hormones into your body naturally.

DHEA is made in the body from cholesterol by the adrenal glands. Although it is not fully understood what DHEA does in the body, it is known that some of it is converted into estrogen and testosterone. Production of this substance peaks in the mid-20s, and gradually declines with age in most people. What this drop means or how it affects the aging process, if at all, is unclear. Proponents of DHEA use claim that it can slow aging, improve immunity, increase muscle and bone strength, and burn fat. There is no proof, however, that DHEA supplements do any of these things. In fact, DHEA may cause liver damage and, by increasing levels of estrogen and testosterone, it may increase the risk for certain cancers. It may also increase your risk for heart disease. The FDA actually banned over-the-counter sales of DHEA in 1985. Now sold as a dietary supplement, DHEA is unregulated by the FDA. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) hormones are the most abundant steroids in the human body. Low levels of DHEA are associated with aging and disease states. Specifically, a deficiency of DHEA has been found to correlate with immune dysfunction, inflammation, greater risk of certain cancers, heart disease in men, and osteoporosis. The special interest in DHEA replacement, however, stems from its function as a prohormone, meaning a precursor to a great variety of beneficial steroids, both in the estrogenic and androgenic family, on an "as-needed" basis.

Perhaps the most exciting new finding relates to the anti-atherogenic benefits of DHEA. The dramatic aging-related drop in DHEA levels is accompanied by an equally dramatic rise in cardiovascular disease. We have now come closer to elucidating the cardioprotective mechanism of DHEA. It appears that DHEA is incorporated into both high and low-density cholesterol, protecting it from oxidation. In the aged, however, cholesterol-bound DHEA becomes virtually undetectable, and the cholesterol molecules are much more susceptible to oxidation than in young individuals. But this is not the end of the story. It turns out that DHEA also increases the activity of platelet superoxide dismutase (SOD), one of our most important antioxidant enzymes. Thus, DHEA seems to play an essential role as part of the body’s antioxidant defenses.

Another recent finding involves the anti-inflammatory properties of DHEA. It has been known for a long time that DHEA can lower the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine (meaning a chemical messenger used by the immune system) that seriously escalates the inflammatory process, recruiting immune cells that often end up destroying healthy tissue as well. Now it has been established that DHEA can lower the production of another inflammatory cytokine as well, one called tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). The levels of both IL-6 and TNF-alpha rise with aging, showing an increased inflammatory state and possible immune dysfunction. The role of DHEA in regulating the immune response has been shown to include also the enhanced secretion of interferon-gamma. The decline in DHEA levels is closely tied to immunosenescence.

This is excellent news for those who suffer from chronic inflammatory diseases. However, it could be argued that aging itself is, in a sense, a chronic inflammatory state. The levels of various chemical mediators of inflammation, such as IL-6 and TNF, increase as we age. At the same time, our production of DHEA plummets with aging. Maintaining youthful levels of DHEA means less chronic inflammation. It should be pointed out that chronic inflammation is known to play a critical role in the development of the killer diseases of aging: heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and certain types of cancer.

More good news includes also the finding that DHEA protects brain tissue under conditions simulating stroke and trauma damage, and is likely to be involved in protecting the brain against the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The neuro-protective mechanism of DHEA appears to go beyond its anti-glucocorticoid effect, that is, its ability to antagonize the harmful effects of cortisol; anti-inflammatory action is likely to be involved as well. DHEA has also been shown to lower hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar) in diabetic rats, and protect their kidneys from the damage caused by high blood sugar. In addition, DHEA enhances the immune response and helps us fight infection; several studies have confirmed its usefulness in combating bacterial, parasitic and viral infections, including HIV. DHEA also helps protect the thymus against cortisol-induced atrophy.

One surprising finding showed that DHEA can help some infertile patients ovulate and become pregnant, making previously ineffective ovarian stimulation succeed at last.

Speaking of cortisol, we are beginning to understand that it is the ratio of DHEA to cortisol that is of critical importance in aging and certain diseases such as AIDS. A recent French study done at the Pasteur Institute in Paris found that the minority of patients who do not succumb to the severe side effects of highly aggressive antiretroviral therapy show a normalized DHEA/cortisol ratio. The majorities of AIDS patients, however, have an abnormally low DHEA/cortisol ratio and thus suffer from symptoms usually associated with excess cortisol, even though their cortisol levels are within normal. Cardiac patients and the victims of Alzheimer’s disease also show low DHEA/cortisol ratio. The manipulation of this crucial ratio, including DHEA therapy, could prove highly significant both in the treatment of AIDS and in anti-aging medicine in general. In fact, a small pilot study has already indicated that DHEA combined with an anti-inflammatory drug such as indomethacin can moderate or even normalize the various pathological changes of AIDS-related lipodystrophy.

One surprising finding showed that an 80 mg/day dose of DHEA can help some infertile patients ovulate and become pregnant, making previously ineffective ovarian stimulation succeed at last in one case, the result was twins. An animal study confirmed that DHEA is important as a steroidogenic substrate (precursor of other hormones) in ovarian production of various sex steroids. Interestingly, immunomodulatory 7-hydroxy metabolites of DHEA have also been discovered in human semen, with possible further implications for fertility. In postmenopausal women, research on DHEA replacement continues to indicate improved well-being and libido, among many other benefits. We are also closer to understanding the mechanism through which DHEA enhances the sense of well-being: it significantly increases the levels of beta-endorphins.

Those readers who are considering following a ketogenic (low-carbohydrate) diet may be interested in a small study done on rheumatoid arthritis patients: the low-calorie ketogenic diet using less than 40 g of carbohydrates per day resulted in a 34% rise in DHEA within a week; the ketogenic diet was as effective as sub-total fast in raising DHEA levels. This study needs to be replicated, however, using a larger number of healthy subjects. In primates, calorie restriction has indeed been found to preserve higher DHEA levels, indicating a slower rate of aging.

In humans, fasting is known to raise DHEA levels in both sexes. Anorexic and bulimic women likewise show higher serum DHEA. Exercise can also raise DHEA in some individuals, possibly due to the inverse relationship between DHEA and insulin. Finally, while meditation has long been known to increase DHEA, participation in drum circles has also been shown to increase DHEA and DHEA/cortisol ratio, confirming the hypothesis that stress reduction in general boosts DHEA production, probably through a shift of adrenal steroidogenesis from cortisol to DHEA. High insulin, high cortisol and low DHEA constitute a large part of the pathological endocrine profile of aging. Restoring the correct hormonal ratios should be one of the primary goals of any anti-aging program.

An important overview of the role of DHEA in reducing the damage produced by chronic inflammation was recently published by a team of researchers at the University of Regensburg, Germany. The authors point out those patients with chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis show adrenal dysfunction that manifests itself both in insufficient levels of cortisol in response to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and low levels of DHEA. With cortisol and DHEA being too low, the inflammation progresses and leads to harmful consequences.

The current practice is to use synthetic corticosteroids such as prednisolone in an effort to fight chronic inflammation. DHEA remains neglected, in spite of repeated findings of low DHEA levels in patients suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases. But DHEA also plays an important role in preventing inflammation. It is a potent inhibitor of pro-inflammatory cytokines (hormone-like immune chemicals), which in turn signal the immune system and provoke further cellular destruction.

Of special interest is DHEA’s ability to inhibit interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). These pro-inflammatory cytokines rise with age, and are especially high in patients with inflammatory diseases. IL-6 is known to play a role in promoting bone loss and possibly also joint destruction. In addition, IL-6 promotes the production of certain immune cells which attack the body’s own tissue in autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. High serum IL-6, as seen in rheumatoid arthritis, for instance, is regarded as a reliable biomarker of inflammation. The finding that DHEA supplementation can lower IL-6 makes it a very promising anti-inflammatory agent, especially for chronic disorders which are characterized by significantly elevated IL-6. Besides rheumatoid arthritis, the conditions associated with abnormally high IL-6 include atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease and certain cancers.

The inverse relationship between DHEA and IL-6 has been confirmed through the study of the menstrual cycle. Serum IL-6 showed a marked rise during the luteal (post-ovulation) phase. This pro-inflammatory cytokine was highest when DHEA levels were lowest, and vice versa.

The primary metabolite of DHEA, androstenedione, has also been found to inhibit the production of IL-6. Likewise, pregnenolone and progesterone also inhibit TNF production.

The deficiency of DHEA in inflammatory diseases also implies a deficiency in peripheral tissue of various sex steroids for which DHEA serves as a precursor. These steroids, both estrogenic and androgenic, are known to have beneficial effects on muscle, bone, blood vessels and so forth. The mainstream therapy with corticosteroids is itself known to lower androgen levels. Consequently, the authors argue that hormone replacement for patients with chronic inflammatory diseases should include not only corticosteroids, but also DHEA.

Other studies also found that adrenal hormones, including DHEA, are of special importance in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. There is some evidence pointing to adrenal hypofunction before the onset of rheumatoid arthritis, especially in female patients, who constitute the overwhelming majority of rheumatoid arthritis victims, and whose serum DHEA levels are low (male rheumatoid arthritis patients show low plasma and synovial fluid testosterone). Androgens in general appear to be protective against the development of autoimmune diseases, and DHEA is an important precursor of various androgens. DHEA replacement appears to be especially important for female rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Lupus is another autoimmune inflammatory disease where DHEA (usually in high doses of up to 200 mg) has proven to be a useful adjunct therapy. One author has reviewed the results of all the studies done to date, and concluded that DHEA appears to decrease the requirement for glucocorticoid steroid therapy and somewhat improves symptoms. More important, perhaps, is its protection against bone loss (osteopenia and osteoporosis), as well as improved mental function. Side effects include acne and the lowering of HDL cholesterol (the ratio of HDL to total cholesterol tends to remain the same, however, since LDL cholesterol is also lowered due to DHEA replacement).

Ordinary aches and pains may also be related to low DHEA. When men and women complaining of either lower back pain or neck and shoulder pain were tested, the consistent finding for women was low DHEA and low beta endorphins.

DHEA is especially abundant in the human brain. Many earlier studies reported a protective effect of DHEA against the deterioration of mental function with aging, and an inverse correlation between DHEA levels and neurodegerative disease such as Alzheimer’s. A recent Canadian study found that rats implanted with a high dose of DHEA showed significantly less hippocampal damage after stroke was induced (60% injured neurons as compared to 88% for placebo). DHEA is often advertised as a remedy for depression. At this point we know that depression is more than just a shortage of neurotransmitters; it is a whole-body degenerative disease, the most frightening aspect of which is aging-like loss of neural tissue. There has been a steady interest in DHEA as an antidepressant. First, however, it should be established whether depression is indeed associated with low DHEA. A study done in Cambridge, England, compared DHEA and cortisol levels in clinically depressed patients (categorized as "major depressives") with a matched group of patients in remission from depression and healthy controls. Both morning and evening levels of DHEA were lowest in depressed patients, with inverse correlation between the morning DHEA levels and the severity of the depression. Evening cortisol levels were highest in the depressed group. The low DHEA/cortisol ratio (similar to the shift seen in aging) also characterized the depressed group. The authors point out that DHEA not only antagonizes harmful effects of excess cortisol, but also may have mood improving properties. This may have "significant implications" for the treatment of depression.

Epidemiological studies continue to confirm the correlation between the levels of DHEA in men with their risk of cardiovascular disease. Most recently, the Massachusetts Male Aging Study followed over 1700 men between the ages of 40 and 70 for nine years. The authors found that men in the lowest quartile of serum DHEA at baseline were 60% more likely to develop ischemic heart disease. Low serum DHEA was also a significant predictor. Likewise, studies continue to confirm lower DHEA values in cardiac patients combined with higher insulin levels, with a "close inverse correlation" between insulin and DHEA. This raises the question as to whether DHEA is the "missing link" in hyperinsulinemia and atherosclerosis.

A very important Canadian study has partly elucidated the way DHEA works to protect blood vessels against atherosclerosis. The authors found that in elderly patients vitamin E is unable to restore the resistance of LDL to oxidation back to the levels found in youth. DHEA, on the other hand, did increase the resistance of LDL to oxidation in a dose-dependent manner. This study found evidence indicating that DHEA is actually incorporated into the molecules of both LDL and HDL cholesterol, and acts as an antioxidant. During aging, however, cholesterol-bound DHEA practically disappears. In the elderly, the levels of cholesterol-bound DHEA are virtually nondetectable, and their LDL cholesterol becomes very susceptible to oxidative damage. (Estrogen esters apparently function in a similar way, protecting LDL against oxidation.)

DHEA has also been shown to reduce the amount of atherosclerotic plaque in rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet. One clue about the cardioprotective mechanism of DHEA comes from a recent Japanese study, which compared animals given DHEA with animals given DHEA together with an aromatase inhibitor, a compound that prevents the conversion of DHEA to estrogens. The amount of the plaque was diminished by 60% in animals receiving DHEA alone, but only by 30% in animals receiving DHEA and an aromatase inhibitor. The authors conclude that approximately half of the antiatherosclerotic effect of DHEA is due to its conversion to estrogens and an increased release of nitric oxide.

Another interesting study to explore the combined use of DHEA and melatonin has been done in Korea. It studied the effects of DHEA, melatonin, and the combination of DHEA and melatonin on the release of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) by mouse macrophages in the presence of the anthrax toxin, which is produced by the anthrax bacteria. The release of inflammatory cytokines, such TNF-alpha, is known to play a central role in the development of anthrax. The authors found that DHEA markedly inhibited the anthrax toxin-induced production of TNF-alpha; melatonin was also effective. Combining DHEA with melatonin, however, worked no better than single therapies.

Another study investigating the protective effects of DHEA against the damage of bacterial sepsis (a condition that sets in as a wound becomes infected) was done at the University of Essen, Germany. Untreated mice with sepsis had a survival rate of 53% after 48 hours; a group of mice that received DHEA had an 87% survival rate. The authors found that the immunoenhancing effect of DHEA is associated with lower release of TNF-alpha and greater activity of T cells. Previous animal studies have also indicated that DHEA significantly improves bacterial killing due to sepsis associated with thermal injury. Trauma with ensuing sepsis is a leading cause of death in young people; the possibility that DHEA might be a helpful adjunct therapy for male trauma patients is being studied.

DHEA has long been known to boost the immune function. It is vital for the development of certain mature immune cells and for enhanced antibody production. A new study has found that the number of cells secreting interferon-gamma correlated with serum DHEA levels in men, and that the activity of these cells was associated with DHEA levels in premenopausal women. Thus, DHEA seems to be involved in modulating cytokine production. The same is true of one of its metabolites, androstenediol, which has been shown to protect bone marrow function and resistance to infection after exposure to radiation in rodents even more effectively than DHEA. Androstenediol has also been shown to protect against lethal infection with influenza A virus.

Because infection produces a rise in cortisol, which in turn suppresses the immune system, it would be logical to try to counterregulate this immunosuppression with antiglucocorticoids such as DHEA.

In HIV patients, interferon gamma levels have been found to be significantly positively correlated with DHEA levels. Low DHEA, on the other hand, correlates with viral load and is a predictor of poor prognosis. One interesting finding has been that protease inhibitor therapy may help restore higher DHEA levels.

In men, testosterone is primarily produced in the testes. It regulates sex drive (libido), helps regulate bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, and the production of red blood cells and sperm. Women also produce small amounts of testosterone. Claims that taking this male sex hormone can boost energy, well-being and sex drive are unproven. In high doses, testosterone can raise cholesterol and cause prostate problems. Testosterone is approved by the FDA to relieve symptoms of hypogonadism, or underdevelopment of the reproductive organs, but not as an anti-aging therapy. In aging males, testosterone has been shown to increase sex drive, increase muscle mass and impart a feeling of well-being. The long term risks of testosterone use in this setting have not been fully determined, however.   

The Melatonin hormone is made in the brain by the pineal gland. The secretion of melatonin in the body is influenced by light and many common medications. The level of melatonin may naturally decline with age. Some makers of melatonin supplements claim that they are an anti-aging and sleep remedy. Although melatonin can help some people sleep, if it is not taken the right way, melatonin can actually disrupt the sleep/wake cycle. Some research has raised concerns that it may cause certain blood vessels to constrict and increase risks for cardiovascular problems in people with high blood pressure and other existing cardiovascular diseases. Sold as a dietary supplement, melatonin is unregulated.

Estrogen is one of the most studied hormones. It helps to regulate menstruation and pregnancy in women before menopause. Some believe that treating women with estrogen therapies may erase some of the effects of aging. Many more use estrogen to treat the side effects of menopause. Find out more about the research and need for estrogen supplementation. After menopause, estrogen levels drop suddenly. Many of the symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes, are caused by this drop in estrogen. The drop in estrogen may also be linked to loss of bone strength in women. Starting in the 1950s, it became common for women to take estrogen supplements to control the symptoms of menopause. Through the years, estrogen replacement therapy has become more sophisticated. Now doctors may prescribe several different hormones to prevent negative side effects of using estrogen alone. This is called menopausal hormone replacement therapy (MHT), which some people also call hormone replacement therapy (HRT). One of the hormones commonly combined with estrogen is progesterone (a synthetic form). This combination helps to keep the uterus healthier and prevent problems, like endometriosis. There have been many excellent studies done on the long-term effects of MHT on health. The research has made the decision to use estrogen-based supplementation very complex. Researchers thought they would see a decrease in the risk of heart disease in women taking MHT. The results of a long-term study, in fact, showed a slight increase in the risk of heart disease, stroke, and blood clots but a decrease in the risk of hip fractures. Research results are unclear about whether MHT helps in protecting against dementia. What makes things complicated is that most of the studies have been done in women with an average age of 65. There is little data about short-term use of MHT to address the symptoms of menopause in younger women.

The growth hormones also have some consequences despite the fact that they slow down aging process.

In the wake of the American Medical Association’s Council on Science and Public Health’s recently released report "The use of hormones for "anti aging": a review of efficacy and safety" a leading medical authority has criticized the use of anti aging hormones. Dr. Thomas T. Perls, Associate Professor of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine has long spoken out against the promotion and distribution of growth hormone for non-medical uses such as anti-aging and sports. In an Editorial appearing in the Future Medicine journal Aging Health, Dr. Perls applauds the courage and example displayed by the AMA in its recently published assessment of the risks and benefits of growth hormone, testosterone, estrogen and DHEA for anti aging.

There have always been nostrums and potions peddled for eternal youth. Most recently these have been what some entrepreneurs call "bioidentical" or "all-natural" hormones. What they mean by these terms varies from substances made from vegetables – such as soy or yams, which some claim have estrogen-like effects to, more commonly, drugs that are exactly the same as hormones prescribed by endocrinologists for specific diseases. Dr. Perls remarked: "The terms bioidentical or all-natural, particularly in the case of the drugs prescribed by endocrinologists, misleadingly convey a sense of safety to the gullible customer. Arsenic is all-natural to, and it even has some medical uses, but it is anything but safe".

The AMA’s review of the risks and benefits of these hormones in the setting of anti aging and athletic enhancement is very important given its inclusion of the consensus and position statements of the key professional medical societies as well as the Federal agencies that guard public health." States Dr. Perls in the editorial. The editorial summarizes the AMA’s assessment for each of the purported anti-aging hormones and essentially the bottom line of his argument is that in terms of anti-aging, the risks of these hormones out weigh the little or no benefit. Dr. Perls denounces the marketing of these hormones, particularly growth hormone and anabolic steroids (anabolic steroids are variations of testosterone), for anti-aging. He also provides guidelines for spotting "red flags of quackery" and basic advice that physicians can lend to patients in their pursuit of healthy aging.