The effects of aging. If there could be one ‘magic pill’ to stop this process, this ‘pill’ would have the top position on a medal stand. Sadly, the illusive ‘magic pill’ does not exist, BUT there are ways to regain and retain your healthy vigor using drugless principles.

Proper maintenance of the skin, both internally and externally, is important for a youthful appearance. One of the best ‘skin foods’ is an avocado. According to avocado.org, avocados contain 81 micrograms of the carotenoid lutein, which helps preserve healthy eyes. Another benefit of an avocado is they contribute twenty vitamins, minerals and plant compounds to the nutrient quality of your diet. Externally, homemade avocado ‘masks’ are an economical and healthy alternative to spending money on a facial at the spa. Below is a quick and effective recipe:

Ingredients:
Ø ½ avocado
Ø ¼ honey

Preparation:
Ø Mash the avocado in a bowl, then stir in honey
Ø Apply evenly to face, and leave on for ten minutes
Ø Rinse face with a cool washcloth

An overlooked mineral that helps slow down aging and is necessary for the production of collagen in the skin is sulphur. Eggs, onions, and garlic are three whole food sources with adequate amounts of sulphur. An omelet with avocado is a perfect meal to start the day! Sautéed onions are also a perfect accompaniment to a turkey burger or chicken sausage.

Reading and deciphering labels for the external products you put on your body are just as important as the packaged ingredients that you eat. Did you know that the average female lathers herself with upwards of 150 chemicals per day? Ingredients in these products compromise the liver and thyroid function. A word of advice when it comes to ingredients: If you cannot pronounce the ingredient, then you do not want to eat or put on your body.

In addition to the foods listed above, the following list includes provisions that need to be limited and increased in order to slow down the aging process.

Limit:
Dairy - If you are someone that is decreasing in mobility (aka joint stiffness), dairy is a prime culprit. Limit cottage cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and milk. Instead use rice, oat, or almond milk. In terms of consistency, almond is “thicker” while rice is more “skim” like.

Citrus - Oranges, grapefruit, and tangerines can also cause joint pain in females since it causes the body to elevate its alkaline levels.

Wheat and Soy - Many people may not know that they are actually wheat and gluten sensitive, which can cause digestive distress. Soy elevates estrogen levels. Both of these commodities also deplete the body of zinc.

Increase:
Cruciferous vegetables - Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers all have magnesium). Eating these will help with constipation issues.

Zinc - Zinc is required for over ninety known enzymatic reactions, and is needed to make insulin.

Water - The hydrator of the skin. The optimal intake would be 64 oz. per day, and make sure you are receiving your water from a pure source. Also, avoid the “flavored waters” that claim they have vitamins, since their primary ingredient is still sugar.

Chiropractic care - Spinal correction improves the communication between the brain and tissues throughout your body. Also, regular chiropractic care improves postural integrity, which then reduces the energy required to keep you upright that allows more energy for other functions.

This Week’s Product Showcases:

The products and services listed this week, may not be labeled “magic pill” but each plays a substantial role in establishing an optimal state of health.

Celtic Sea Salt - The benefits of Celtic Sea Salt could have its own article, but a few facts and benefits of Celtic Sea Salt include:

Ø Salt and water work together. Many individuals today are dehydrated. Items with caffeine can accelerate water loss. You can have brain fog, which is common without pure water and the proper minerals in unrefined salt.

Ø The Celtic Sea Salt brand comes recommended by many health professionals and culinary chefs. There are no anti-caking, bleaching, or other additives involved and its flavor is unrivaled. Celtic Sea Salt works with only the finest paludiers, (salt farmers), and each salt harvest is carefully inspected.

Resveratrol - You may have heard of this supplement because it is “found” in red wine, but our friends at Gaia Herbs have created a supplement loaded with antioxidants, where a daily dose of Resveratrol from Gaia Herbs equals the same amount as sixty bottles of red wine! Other Resveratrol facts:

ØResveratrol is a polyphenol, which is a group of substances that are found in plants that have substantial antioxidant activity. Also, it acts as a phytoalexin, which helps to attack bacteria or fungi when placed in stressful situations.

Ø Resveratrol comes from Japanese knotweed, even though it is found in other plants such grapes (red wine) and mulberry. Resveratrol in the Japanese knotweed has a concentration of 2-3% of the total root, while Resveratrol in red wine is naturally concentrated at 0.3%

Ø In clinical studies, Resveratrol, when given to young mice, could prevent diet induced obesity and aerobic capacity allowing them to exercise more readily, and had improved motor function and mitochondrial activity. Other studies included Resveratrol’s ability to protect cells from a high fat diet. After Resveratrol was consumed in a high fat diet compared to a group of mice that had a low fat diet with no Resveratrol, the mice with the high fat diet with Resveratrol lived 30% longer.

Adrenal Stress Test - This test will explain the excessive feelings of tiredness and the inability to cope with stress and other factors that we deal with daily. Also, the stress test reveals the strength of your immune system and your ability to digest wheat type grains safely. Click here for more information!

Last, but not least, “Dr. Bob’s Guide to Optimal Health” is your daily conscience and mentor to make sure that you are living in optimal health everyday, including ways to halt the aging process.

How do you retain your youthful vigor? We’d love to hear your story!

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http://www.avocado.org/healthy-living/nutrition
http://beauty.about.com/od/fragrance/r/avocado.htm
http://www.celticseasalt.com/PDF/saltbrochure.pdf
http://www.gaiaherbs.com/pdf_files/Resveratrol%20150%20info%20sheet.pdf