Perpetual Skin Care Counters the Premature Skin Aging.
To turn back the clock in regards to aging process, skin care natural supplements are taking the world by surprise. The skin is the largest organ of the body and such provides many important functions in maintaining the health of the individual. Therefore is very important to care the skin for its suppleness and rejuvenation. Skin nourishment can be accomplished by protecting the skin from the sun, wind etc, taking the proper diet and applying the best anti aging skin care products. If the people are looking for the flawless and agile skin, there are some skin philosophy that will help them to glow their skin and will be able to turn back the time at any age even at fifties and sixties. One very traumatic skin problem can be premature aging of the skin as no one wants to get wrinkles before the time. Those people who get a few lines a little earlier than expected may blame it on genes or the side effects of a hectic lifestyle. With a holistic skin care regime on the other hand it is possible to counter and prevent the signs of premature aging.

Sun is the major culprit that contributes to premature aging and aging in general. The sun's harmful rays can cause the skin to inflame and get damaged. A simple way to combat skin damage is to apply a moisturizer with some SPF (Sun Protection Factor) protection. The UV rays of the sun cause the gigantic problem to our skin and forms the layer of dead skin cell (dark in color) on the skin. Thus we look darker. The wind with dust and bit of sand can lead to the acne problem of the skin. Lack of water in the human body generally causes the damaging factor of the skin.

There are some procurement with the vitamins and minerals for the skin rejuvenation. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is essential for maintaining good health and skin. Vitamin C can be administered through tablets or in the form of a cream when required for fighting radicals, combat wrinkles specifically beauty treatments and skin care for brightening the skin. Retinol is the direct derivative of the vitamin A. Previously it was used as the medication of eye care, but now a days both of the vitamins have been used as the fragrance free skin care supplements.
Despite all the advances in technology and all the fancy creams and lotions the skin care companies developed, there has been a trend of late to go back in time.

Using natural skin care products to combat skin problems is a great way to avoid expensive medications that could potentially lead to negative side effects in the long term. The usual route to treat aging process, acne and wrinkles is through the use of hormone management and steroids. All artificial and cosmetic methods that could do more harm than good and come up with the temporary solution for the anti aging

Understanding Anti-Aging Supplements
Find out the major types of anti-aging nutrients available. We also discuss how they can help prevent age-related illnesses as well as the effects of aging on the skin. Anti-aging supplements are just one of the many different types of supplements available on the market today, and there is plenty of choice when it comes to finding the right ones. Whilst they have their critics, many people swear by them, benefiting from the range of vitamins and nutrients that they contain.

How do antiaging supplements work?

Anti-aging supplements can work in different ways depending on which ones you opt for. As an example, some boost levels of DHEA and melatonin, which are produced naturally when we are younger. As we age, our bodies produce less and less, which, according to some reports, can increase the chances of a number of age-related health problems.

The principle behind any supplement program is that they work when the vitamins, minerals, or phytonutrients they provide are not present in the right amounts in our diet. Anti-aging supplements are no different. Ideally, we would get all that our body needs to function from fresh fruit and vegetables, but this is not always possible.

Many anti-aging supplements contain antioxidant vitamins. Antioxidants help prevent damage to our cells by free radical oxygen molecules. They include vitamins A, E, C, and a class of nutrient known as bioflavaoids. Bioflavanoids are water soluble molecules that help keep blood vessels healthy and strong, and have an anti-inflammatory effect. This anti-inflammatory effect is quite important in preventing the effects of aging.

The benefits of bioflavanoid anti-aging supplements are not limited to the visible signs of aging, like wrinkles, poor skin tone, sagging skin, and pigmentation. This anti-inflammatory nutrient also helps protect us from age-related disease. For example, bioflavanoids can relax the muscles in the cardiovascular system, and thus may be helpful for those with high blood pressure.

Other antioxidant nutrients include selenium, lycopene, and lutein.

Whilst many antiaging supplements have proven very effective, it is important to combine them with a healthy lifestyle. This means a balanced diet, enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, doing enough exercise, and generally making sure that you're both physically and mentally active.

Anti-aging nutrients are not miracle cures that will make you look and feel younger overnight. They do not provide an immediate (though unnatural) effect like botox or plastic surgery. Instead, they help restore the levels of certain components to that which they were when we were younger. But the best results are always achieved when we support our bodies with a healthy lifestyle. Otherwise it can be a case of one step forward, two steps back.

Learn more about why anti-aging food makes the best skin care. For more information on dietary supplements, click here.

"5 Aging Myths + 12 Age-Defying Secrets = Reversing the Downward Spiral"
The article discusses longevity and living longer without pain, disability and disease. Dr. Leslie Van Romer and Dr. Narinder Duggal MD/DC Connect: "The Med-Free Solution"

#1 Myth: We are living so much longer than we used to.

Hardly a day goes by when someone doesn’t remind us of how much longer we are living than we used to. Shockingly, according to Dan Georgakas, author of The Methuselah Factor, the life span of a human being hasn’t changed since recorded time.

With the event of good sanitation practices, septic systems, and, later, antibiotics, the collective average life span of a given population has increased. In the 1700s, the average person lived for 20 to 40 years in Europe. Today, we live, on the average, to our mid-seventies, longer for women. This increase did not occur because individuals are living longer, but because there are significantly fewer deaths caused by childbirth, infant deaths, and infectious diseases spread by the lack of sanitation.

Georgakas says that once someone reaches the age of 60, someone in today’s world lives no longer than the people did at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. No, we no longer die of infectious diseases as a rule. We die prematurely of often preventable, chronic diseases: heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and strokes.

#2 Myth: Americans Age Normally

In this country, we "ouuuuu" and "ahhhhh" when someone reaches 80 years old, even if that person can barely get himself up out of a chair or get around in a nursing home. The gerentologists, or old age specialists, tell us our national bar for aging is way too low.

Our bodies are supposed to last about one-hundred years. More importantly, we are designed to feel, look, and move well at that century mark. If you look around at the people in our modern world, seeing a fit and energetic hundred-year-old is almost as remote as spying a unicorn.

Because we typically decline early in the U.S., the logical perception is that Americns age normally. The fact is most Americans age at an accelerated rate and the shame of it is—we don’t even know it. Therefore, we do nothing for ourselves to consciously slow down the ticking clock.

The result: premature wrinkles, sagging and bagging, along with premature diseases, disabilities, and death.

#3 Myth: Longevity is Beyond Your Control

Most of us believe that genetics or "Lady Luck" determines how long we will live. Simple formula: good genes, lucky you, long life; bad genes, your fate is sealed, short life.

Not true, say the old age specialists as told by Dan Georgakas in The Methuselah Factor. With the exception of rare genetic conditions and being female, genetics may play a 5% to 10% role in longevity, but no more and perhaps far less. The number of your years is mostly determined by the choices you make every day—especially food, exercise, and lifestyle choices.

#4 Myth: Longevity Equals Pain, Disability, and Disease

How often do we hear: "I don’t want to live a long time."? Agreed. Why would anyone want to grow old when, in this country, old age brings pain, suffering, and the loss of bodily functions, mobility, independence, and even dignity?

It doesn’t have to be like that. Look at the over ninety-year-old Jack LaLanne who has spent his entire life exercising, eating lots of fruits and vegetables, and not eating junk.

As Dan Georgakas tells us, the Abkasians, who lived in the Georgia Republic in the former USSR, boosted their large percentage of long-lived people reaching their over 100-year mark with well-working bodies and minds. Are their bodies made better than ours or do they own the secret to the "Fountain of Youth?"

Following their 12 youthful secrets would serve us all well:

• Lean body mass and the cultural disapproval of over eating and excess body fat
• Diet of mostly fresh fruits, vegetables, and plant foods with no coffee, sugar, and very little meat, butter, or salt
• No processed, refined foods, or fried foods
• Caloric intake of between 1500 and 2000 calories (Americans commonly intake 2500 to 4000 calories)
• Lifelong exercise, especially walking
• Lifelong work, steady but not stressful or to exhaustion
• Lifelong play: purely fun, pleasurable activities
• Plenty of rest and sleep
• No smoking
• Elders held in high esteem with purposeful positions in the family and community
• "Health is normal; sickness is abnormal" attitude – even in the elderly
• Lifelong connective relationships/friendships: sharing and caring for others and being cared for by others

By observing other cultures and a few unique individuals in our own country and applying these principles in our own lives, we could dramatically increase our chances of adding years to our lives and life to our years.

#5 Myth: "You Can’t Teach Old Dogs New Tricks"

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Of course you can.

Let’s think about this for a moment. We are not talking about learning complicated mathematical equations or even the latest computer technology. We are talking about putting on a pair of sneakers and walking—every day. How hard is that? How hard is it to wash an apple, open mouth, and chew? Or cut up vegetables and throw them in a large salad for lunch and dinner?

As Henry Ford says, "Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right."

Learning new tricks, aging-friendly eating, exercise, and lifestyle habits, is simple. The tricky part is practicing the new tricks. Shifting daily choices and creating new habits may be a challenge, but certainly easier than facing early debilitation of mind and body. Just take a stroll around a nursing home if you want to know what challenging is.

Do you picture yourself old and decrepit, or aging with comfort, mobility, grace, and purpose? As John Leonard says, "Aging is not simply decay; it is an accumulation of choices and consequences."

What are your choices now and what will be your consequences later?

Dr.Leslie Van Romer is a motivational health speaker, writer and lifestyle coach. Visit Dr. Leslie at http://DrLeslieVanRomer.com for practical direction, hope and inspiration.

Discount Skin Care Products Reversing Aging, Advancing Hope
Discount Skin Care Products reviews and comparisons. Which product will the best from your online pharmacy. Many Anti Aging Products are out there... but which would be the best for you. Flawless skin, refined texture, and the softness you would love to touch—these are the constant promises and benefits of Anti Aging Creams and discount skin care products we find in cosmetics department stores, today. Women are constantly in search for the best products in the market which could provide them with the rejuvenating miracle they have always been looking for in various Anti Aging products. Whether the product is imported or locally made, whether it is pricey or affordable, as long as it can fulfill the nagging need in most women to retain their youth, cash registers would always have a field day in stores.

If we take a look at the shelf giants today like Biotherm, L’Oreal, Zirh, among others, they are known for the "special" ingredients they contain—the ones guaranteed to offer the best results overnight or for a considerable length of time depending on skin type and the individual’s beauty and anti-aging demands. However, there are only two kinds of anti-aging cream in the market today regardless what is stated on their labels. It is time to define the difference between naturally and chemically manufactured products. Yes, we set our sights on the benefits, but the ingredients worth a look, too.

Beauty products and Professional Natural Skin Care Products always carry taglines whichtitillates the senses – everyone wants to become beautiful. Beauty always captures the world, so they say, in fact, every famous man or woman in history always has another man or woman behind who influenced the course of their fate. What we don’t see beneath the surface of elegant plastic container and within plastic cream bottles are beauty ingredients that may be harmful.

Let us separate the common setting of a grocery shelf into two: natural skin creams from artificial creams. Although the packaging will tell us that they offer common benefits, the packaging will never tell us if they have side effects, and most importantly what they truly contain.

Let us take a bottle of natural anti aging cream for an example. The product’s contents may come from leaves like natural Aloe Vera, Asian Papaya, fruit and vegetable essence, and other naturally acquired substances. Evaluating the ingredients of this cream, we will surely agree to one thought: there are less chances of having side effects due to the natural aspects of the product.

Natural anti aging creams have always been less suspected to cause cancer and skin problems. Irritation and allergies have less chances of occurring due to the compatibility of natural essence to most skin types. Natural anti aging creams are known for their special ability of adapting to different skin types without causing irritations, wounds, and rashes. Aside from being just the "friendly type" of cream, natural anti aging creams can produce the same nanoparticles which artificial items are injected with. These nano-particles, also termed microenscapulation, make the natural ingredients easier to be absorbed by the skin.

Unfortunately, not all natural creams last long enough to provide the user their best results. Natural creams are easily spoiled unless injected with preservatives; but opting for that would mean losing the natural essence of the product.

Let us now pick up a household name from the shelf were artificial creams belong to. If we view them closely, they may contain uncommon ingredients. They either contain most of the laboratory-infused ingredients or they are plainly too artificial thus unsafe for usage. Also known as artificial anti aging creams, these products contain unnatural peptides, Vitamin A or retina-A, Alph-Lipoic Acid, and Hyaluronic Acid or DMAE. These products are possible factors for skin rashes when used onto the wrong skin type, and worse, they could be the very sources of skin cancer and other skin abnormalities

As a cosmetics user, you are always open to two options: go artificial or go natural, but for the choice of safety and for the choice of receiving par benefits, going natural would be the best option. Look online for reputable online pharmacy that offers anti skin products.

The Prostate Aging Problem And Prostate Cancer Prevention
Although there is considerable debate about the subject of prostate cancer prevention there is no doubt that the starting point is to clearly understand the risks involved and, having done this, there are then many steps that can be taken to significantly reduce these risks. Over the years there has been considerable debate about prostate cancer and the subject of prostate cancer prevention in particular remains somewhat controversial. Although, as with many cancers, men do not themselves cause the onset of prostate cancer, there are certainly a number of risk factors for developing the disease and there is a great deal that can be done, if not to prevent it, then certainly to reduce the risk of developing it.

The first step in preventing prostate cancer is to understand that you are at risk of developing the condition and to know just why you are at risk. Here the starting point in understanding the risk is heredity.

There is no doubt that men with a family history of prostate cancer are at greater risk and, in general, the risk for a man with one close relative having prostate cancer is about twice that of a man without any family history. With two close relatives this risk rises to about five times that of someone with no family history and with three close relatives reaches a staggering ninety-seven percent.

The problem here is that many men are unaware of their family history, not least because many grandfathers, fathers or brothers have died from other illnesses and were perhaps never even aware of the fact they have prostate cancer. This happens because prostate cancer will often develop late in life and can be a very slow growing cancer. As a consequence there is a good chance that individuals will develop other conditions alongside their prostate cancer on which attention is focused and which ultimately results in their death.

So, if you are not sure of your family history, then a good starting point is to check things out if you can. If this is not possible, then it's probably a good idea to err on the side of caution and assume that the risk might be there rather than assume that you're in the clear.

Another important factor is that of race. African American men for example, and men of African descent, are at a greater risk than Hispanic men who, in turn, are at more risk than Caucasian men. The risk for an African American man is about sixty percent higher than that of a Caucasian man.

The next risk factor is diet and men living in Western countries such as the United States or the United Kingdom are at increased risk because of the high levels of fat in many Western diets. Here for the first time is a risk factor that you can actually do something about and lowering the fat in your diet and eating such things as more fresh fruit and vegetables can lessen your risk quite considerably.

At this point we start to run into difficulty as, beyond the basic principle of reducing fat your diet, opinions begin to differ when it comes to other aspects of the diet which may be helpful in prostate cancer prevention.

There is little doubt that levels of such things as vitamins and minerals in your diet can have a dramatic effect on your health generally and will certainly have a part to play when it comes to prostate health. However, determining just which vitamins and minerals play a part is not an easy matter and is certainly a subject all of its own.

For more information about prostate cancer prevention and the search for a prostate cancer cure please, click here

Why Anti Aging Vitamins Are More Effective Than Skin Care Creams
Many of us love to pamper ourselves with beautiful skin care, however, it's important to understand the limitations of creams and lotions in the battle against wrinkles. Creams that promise to reverse the aging process are well marketed, but you'll find that anti aging vitamins will actually do far more for your skin. It's a real treat to indulge in a beautiful pot of skin cream that promises to get rid of fine lines and prevent wrinkles - but sadly, dermatologists agree that all you will achieve is an empty wallet.

Although many of these creams contain vitamins called antioxidants, few have any effect in preventing or reversing damage to the skin caused by free radicals.

WHAT ARE ANTIOXIDANTS AND FREE RADICALS?

Antioxidants counteract the damage that free radicals can do to skin cells. Free radicals are by-products of normal chemical reactions that occur in cells. Cosmetic creams do contain antioxidants - but as a preservative - to prevent the cream from spoiling. The concentrations are very low, don't absorb well into the skin and only have a short-term effect.

AND NOW THE GOOD NEWS...

New research suggests that improved formulations of two main antioxidants may soon be available in a form that may be effectively delivered via the skin.

SELENIUM

Selenium is a mineral which can help to protect the body from cancers. Recent studies have shown the if selenium is taken orally, it can provide protection against UV exposure. It has also been shown to maintain the elasticity of tissue and to slow down ageing. Dermatologists say that the results are promising but more studies on humans are needed.

If you can't wait that long, selenium is found in whole grain, seafood, garlic and eggs. Or you can take an oral daily supplement.

VITAMIN E

Dermatologists consider Vitamin E the most important antioxidant. It's known to protect cells and to prevent damage to enzymes associated with cells. Laboratory studies show that Vitamin E can help to make free radicals less able to cause damage to cells. Other studies say that Vitamin E applied to the skin can reduce damage by exposure to UV and may even limit the production of cells that may cause cancer.

Vitamin E cream is extremely cheap to buy. To include more Vitamin E in your diet, eat more vegetables and sunflower oils, grains, oats, nuts and dairy products. Dermatologists advise that taking an oral supplement of 400mg each day is known to reduce damage from UV, to reduce wrinkles and improve the texture of the skin.

VITAMIN C

Vitamin C (otherwise known as ascorbic acid) is the most prevalent antioxidant found in the body. It's required for effective synthesis of collagen which is responsible for the strength and elasticity of the skin.

The body can't store Vitamin C and if constant supplies are not ingested, a deficiency quickly occurs. Creating a skin cream containing Vitamin C is difficult because it decreases when exposed to oxygen. Minimal exposure to UV can decrease the body's Vitamin C content by 30%. The ozone in city pollution can take this up to 50%.

Some medications can also lower the body's Vitamin C - Omeprazole (a drug to reduce stomach acid) can reduce it by two thirds.

Eating citrus fruit and taking supplements can help to optimize levels of Vitamin C. However, the body will only take what it needs at the time and then excrete the rest. For this reason, Vitamin C can cause diarrhea if taken to excess. Large doses can also cause acid indigestion which can be avoided by taking the supplement with a meal.

STICK TO THE DIET

It would seem that, for the time being, better anti ageing can be achieved through the use of Vitamins and minerals in the diet - although you might like to indulge in a very inexpensive pot of Vitamin E cream!

If you'd like to learn more about how to supplement the best skin care programs with an anti aging internal program, click here. Rebecca runs the site, www.VitaminsToHealth.com

Ginseng - The Perfect Body Tonic and Anti-Aging Supplement for All!

Ginseng is the most famous Chinese herb, and it is the most widely recognized plant used in traditional medicine – with a legendary reputation as an overall body tonic, rejuvenator and anti-aging supplement.

If you have not used Ginseng then you should consider it as part of your overall health regime.

Types of Ginseng

The Chinese have used ginseng in medicine for more than 7000 years, and today it is one of the world’s most popular supplements.

There are three main species of ginseng, Oriental, Siberian and American. All three forms share many common elements - there are however subtle differences between them:

· Oriental Ginseng (Panax Ginseng)

Is grown in both China and Korea. Red panax, as grown by the Koreans is the most popular form of ginseng. It gets its name from the processing of the root, which turns it red.

White Oriental ginseng on the other hand is the ginseng root, which has been allowed to dry naturally.

· American Ginseng (Panax Quinquefolium)

Used to be plentiful in the United States however, excessive harvesting in recent years has seen it become scarcer. Today, only licensed ginseng harvesters are allowed to harvest wild ginseng.

· Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus Senticocus)

In fact, Siberian ginseng is not actually ginseng at all, but is a derivative of the Oriental species.

It is a distant cousin to panax ginseng found in the Orient. While Siberian ginseng shares many of the same properties of the Oriental species, it is easier to cultivate and is generally cheaper.

An Adaptogen

Ginseng is an adaptogen, in that it normalizes physical functioning depending on what the individual needs. For example, it lowers high blood pressure, but raises low blood pressure.

A Tonic

It is used to reduce the effects of stress, improve performance, boost energy levels, enhance memory, and stimulate the immune system.

Research has shown that Ginseng support the central nervous system, liver function, lung function and circulatory system. Ginseng therefore acts as a general tonic for the whole body.

Sexual Health

Men have used the herb to improve sexual function and remedy impotence for centuries.

Ginseng is used in the treatment of menopausal symptoms, as it increases estrogen levels in women.

Prevention and Cure

Oriental medicine sees ginseng as an essential element in a wide range of prescriptions, and regards it as both a preventative and a cure.

It is said to remove both mental and body fatigue, cure pulmonary complaints, dissolve tumors, and reduce the effects of ageing.

Ginseng is used for:

· Diabetes

· Radiation and chemotherapy protection

· Colds

· Chest problems

· A sleep aid

· Appetite stimulation

Ginseng is prescribed to restore memory, and enhance concentration and cognitive abilities - which are impaired by improper blood supply to the brain.

Active Ingredients

Ginseng contains vitamins A, B-6, and the mineral Zinc, which aids in the production of thymic hormones, necessary for the functioning of the defence system.

The main active ingredients of ginseng are the more than 25 saponin triterpenoid glycosides called "ginsenosides." These ingredients provide the adaptogenic properties that enable ginseng to balance, and counter the effects of stress.

The glycosides seem likely to act on the adrenal glands, helping to prevent adrenal hypertrophy and excess corticosteroid production in response to physical, chemical or biological stress.

Ginseng and other Essential Herbs

Ginseng works well by itself - but when combined with other herbs, further health benefits result.

On all aspects of health and more on nutrition visit our website for a huge resource of articles, features and downloads or click here.

The Aging Athlete
As we grow older our body's slow down and become more prone to injury. Through preventative measures we should be able to exercise into very old age! The aging athlete describes the collection of 40-70 year old men and women who continue to participate in physical activity in one way or another. Some of these people are lifelong athletes while others have recently taken up regular exercise. Each aging athlete runs an increased risk of injury to due muscle, bone, tendon, and ligament changes as their body grows older. However, this risk can be counteracted with the necessary preventative measures.

The problem with the aging body comes from a number of angles. Those who continue to exercise into their later adult years in fact tend to slow down the aging process. However, as we get older our bones become less stable, our muscles begin to decrease in size, and tendons and ligaments are less elastic. As an athlete who continues to exercise vigorously, these body changes pose an increased risk to injury. In fact, overuse injury amongst the 40-60 year old group is markedly more common compared to an individual in their twenties.

The aging athlete is often separated into three different categories to help further explain their problems and needs. The older athlete is someone that is over 50 and still involved competitively in sports. This person most often exercises multiple times per week and has practiced this routine for a number of years. Their main concern is an acute injury that temporarily halts their ability to exercise and compete.

The second category of the aging athlete is known as the former athlete. As the title suggests this type of person was at a younger point in their life dedicated to a sport and therefore was in good physical condition. However, as they have aged they have become less involved in exercise and as a result have become deconditioned. The problems that face the former athlete are most often degenerative issues like tendonitis.

The final form of the aging athlete is labeled the prematurely mature athlete. This patient is always younger, twenty-five to forty, and has a history of frequent injury. Despite continuing swelling or trauma that the premature mature athlete displays, they continue to participate in demanding sports.

There are a number of preventative steps to take in order to decrease the risk of suffering from the common aches and pains the aging athlete suffers from. After all, in order to enjoy activities and reap the benefits of exercise an individual needs to be physically able to perform. One technique that has proven effective is altering your sport periodically. If you are a runner, try switching to cycling for a while to give your knees a rest. Flexibility is also crucial to avoiding muscle tears. Good flexibility also enables your body to align properly which goes a long way in preventing overuse injuries. A form of strengthening exercises also helps the body absorb impact from different sports. Finally, one of the most important things to remember as an aging athlete is aerobic conditioning. The risk of heart disease, among many other cardiovascular issues, can be greatly reduced by maintaining adequate aerobic endurance.

As we grow older many people believe our bodies simply stop working because of our age. However, this common misconception can be viewed from another angle; our bodies grow old because we stop moving. Regular bouts of aerobic and anaerobic exercise can help prevent adverse health effects and keep our body in great shape, despite our age. Consulting a physical therapist can help you create a training regimen to fit your needs, as well as effective injury prevention measures to keep in mind.

Robert Tendick is a student preparing himself to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. His experience as an athlete with various injuries has given him insight into the common aches an pains that trouble many athletes on a daily basis. He has also had the opportunity as a physical therapy aide to help heal a number of Los Angeles physical therapy patients through the use of cutting edge injury rehabilitation techniques.

OPC Review - An Anti Aging Miracle?
OPCs are a powerful antioxidant compound that is gaining popularity in the anti aging field. This review covers some of controversy associated with this nutritional supplement. I've only recently been introduced to OPC nutritional supplements. They've been around for over 50 years - why haven't I heard of them before? From what I've been reading, they sound like the next great frontier in anti-aging nutritional supplements.

If you are new to OPCs, here is a brief synopsis: OPC stands for oligomeric proanthocyanidins and is a molecular compound that is extracted from pine bark and grape seeds. Jacques Masquelier from France received the patent for the pine bark extraction in 1951 and then from grape seeds in 1970. In 1985, he got a US patent for his OPC.

Why should you care about the history of OPCs? Because whenever a good thing is discovered, there are always new products developed that claim to be the same thing, but really aren't. More about that later.

As expected with any research on nutritional supplements, there are widely conflicting reports on what OPCs can do. Here is a list of some of the claims I read:

"Prevents heart attacks and strokes
"Strengthens capillary walls
"Reduces varicose veins
"Relieves leg cramps & pains
"Protects smokers from oxidative stress (lowered risk of heart attacks)
"Reduces swelling and edema
"Improves collagen and helps with the following ailments
"Lupus
"Liver Cirrhosis
"Hypertension
"Cancer prevention
"Asthma
"Allergies
"Diabetes
"Periodontal disease
"Impotence
"Hemorrhoids
"Impaired vision & macular degeneration
"ADHD
"PMS symptoms

Seriously, can it REALLY do all that? How come everyone isn't taking this miracle supplement? Here's what the sources DO agree on:

OPCs are powerful antioxidants.
There is plenty of debate on the health benefits of antioxidants. I won't go into that here. If you believe in antioxidants to help combat the damage of free radicals, then OPCs should be on your shopping list of nutritional supplements. This is one supplement you'll have to pop the pill for. I doubt you can eat enough pine bark and grape seeds to get the full benefit of OPCs.

Varicose Veins
They seem to provide relief from problems associated with varicose veins. This was one study that seemed pretty conclusive.

Swelling from surgery or injury
OPCs seemed to reduce the swelling from surgery in breast cancer patients, facial surgery patients and sports injuries. You can see the possibilities here.

Gingivitis and plaque formation
They used an OPC gum for this study, but it seemed to work pretty well on the test subjects.

Blood clots after long plane rides
They found it significantly reduced the risk of blood clots on plane rides around 8 hours long.

What about all the other claims? Although testing has been done on many of the claims, sometimes the results were in animal studies or evidence SUGGESTS that a benefit may be there but there is no DIRECT evidence. So does that mean it doesn't work on all those other claims? Not at all. Medical testing is a slow and arduous task. As with all supplementation, proceed with caution and follow directions for use.

Are they safe? Apparently, yes. They are considered non-toxic. Side effects are pretty rare and can include digestive distress or an allergic reaction. One thing to note: if you take a blood-thinning drug, you should consult your doctor first. High doses of OPCs may have some anticoagulant properties.

Are all OPCs the same? Apparently not, although that doesn't mean you won't get some benefit from the various brands of OPCs. I would suggest you look for OPCs endorsed by or with Masquelier's name on them. It is a patented product, so you should be using the original patented formula. Currently there are several places on the internet to find them. See the website below for sources.

To find out more about OPCs and get Anti Aging Tips, visit Free Anti Aging Report

Anti Aging Skincare Products - 10 Frequently Asked Questions

Are you really searching out for some remedies that can bring back your youthful look without putting your skin at risk? The anti aging skin care treatment is the only remedy for you. Here are some tips to guide you with the proper anti aging skin treatment.

Do you know the cause of skin aging?

The primary cause of skin aging is due to sun damage and to some extent genetic factors are responsible.

When do you start aging process?

Normally, when you are in your late 20s or 30s, your skin aging process starts.

What are the signs?

The visible signs may include wrinkles, loose skin, fine line or even larger pores on your skin.

How anti aging skin care supplements revitalize your dull and dry skin?

Anti aging skin care supplements radically improve your outlook by nourishing you from inside out.

What are anti aging skin care products?

Anti aging skin care products prevent general ageing of the skin by providing reinforced protection against daily aggression.

What are the types of anti aging skin care products?

Anti aging skin care products are available for both men and women. You can select from cleansing gels, facial creams & lotions, multi-active toner, face emulsions, shaving creams, shaving lotions, etc.

What about those dark under eye circles, or your lips?

There are effctive anti aging cosmetic products for that also.

Are there separate anti aging products for either sex?

Anti-aging products for men are specifically formulated to enhance the texture of a man’s thicker and tougher skin as compared to a woman’s skin that is far more soft and delicate.

What are anti aging skin care supplements usually composed of?

Anti aging skin care supplements contain a mixture of herbs; minerals and vitamins that are essential to slow the aging of your dry and dull skin and retain its youthfulness.

Worry about side effect?

Almost all of these anti aging skin care medicines are enriched with the kindness of nature. So you need not to worry about any severe side effects.

Our experts have executed the best research on anti aging skin care treatment. Check it out on the anti aging skin care supplements source