FEATURES
PLUMP UP THE VOLUME
BY MARY L. HUGHES

FEATURES
THE NEW WORLD OF CELLULAR HEALING
BY J.P. FABER
Imagine if you could go into a hospital where doctors could remove some of your fat—naturally, from some place you really didn’t want it any way—then process that fat to produce special healing cells that could repair damaged organs in your body, such as your heart or your lungs. And imagine that within a matter of weeks you could start to function again, like you did before your organs went bad. Does that sound futuristic? Maybe so, but it’s happening right now, in special clinics around the world, and in experimental trials here in the U.S. And those special cells? Stem cells. Not the embryonic stem cells that were taboo because they came from unborn fetuses, but something called ‘adult’ stem cells, which are found abundantly in our own fat…READ MORE

FEATURES
THE SCIENCE OF BEAUTY: LIP SERVICE
BY IVETTE FIGUEROA
You just can’t seem to pick up a supermarket tabloid without seeing “the horrors of plastic surgery”—especially bad lip jobs. Believe it or not, good lip augmentations are actually the norm, but you wouldn’t think so paging through one of these magazines. Yes, we all know bad news sells, but that doesn’t answer the question: Why the botched lips? What are they doing wrong? In order to clear up the mystery behind lip augmentation, we interviewed Dr. Robert Gordon, D.D.S., a Tampa-based cosmetic dentist and oral/facial specialist known as Dr. Lips, along with other cosmetic surgeons who practice his techniques.…READ MORE

ACHIEVING THE LOOK
THE LAST 10 POUNDS
BY LISA COHEN LEE
Nadine, 39, had been eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. But she was simply unable to shed the last pounds she wanted to, or to get rid of fat from certain critical areas around her midsection. “I had really changed up my diet to include more fish and less carbs. I’m also very active. I lost some weight on my own, but it wasn’t as fast or significant as I would have liked,” she says. Nadine expressed her concern to Dr. Walter Tom, a cosmetic surgeon who practices in Santa Rosa, Calif., and who has pioneered a combination of laser and hormone therapy that seems to not only melt off those final pounds, but keep them off. “She was a perfect candidate: someone who has already done all the obvious things in terms of diet and exercise,” says Dr. Tom…READ MORE

ACHIEVING THE LOOK
THE BOTTOM LINE
BY LISETTE HILTON
Crystal Andrews, of Dallas, Texas, wanted a fuller, more contoured bottom, giving her body what she calls a Coke-bottle shape. Now she has her dream body, thanks to a surgical procedure that involves taking fat from one part of the body and injecting it into the buttocks. The 26-year-old says she feels sexier and shapelier since having the surgery. “It has changed my life…. My jeans and other tight clothing look amazing on me…,” Crystal says. Calling the procedure a “butt lift” or “Brazilian butt lift” is misleading, according to Nedra Dodds, M.D., Crystal’s cosmetic surgeon. Lifting describes a procedure that pulls and tightens, eliminating excess skin. Today’s procedure is more focused on adding volume and shape to the buttocks, says Dr. Dodds, who practices in Kennesaw, Ga…READ MORE

ACHIEVING THE LOOK
SOLVING SMOKERS’ LINES
BY IVETTE FIGUEROA
Lipstick lines, smokers’ lines, marionette lines—call them what you will, but lip lines are a cosmetic red flag that brand you as deeply as they are carved into your skin. And while there are tons of products that claim to fill in those crêpe-like wrinkles, these surface solutions are usually not enough to recapture the lips of youth. Luckily, there’s a wide array of cosmetic procedures, from fillers to lasers, which can plump up and smooth out those obstinate creases. While natural aging plays a part in the formation of these lines, so do sun damage and cigarette smoke. In fact, these lines are sometimes called smokers’ lines because they’re much more common in people who smoke…READ MORE

INSPIRED STORIES
A COUPLE TRANSFORMS: MORE AND LESS
Before having her kids, Julie was a 34-B cup. Four years and three kids later, her size had dropped dramatically. “You could actually count my ribs on both sides; that’s how much breast tissue I had left.” She would have to alter her clothing because those that fit her hips and shoulders would be too big for her chest. “I literally had to buy bras from the pre-teen department.” So Julie decided to get a natural breast augmentation. The closest doctor she could find to perform this was Dr. Ernest De Bourbon of the Artemis Center in Ohio…READ MORE

INSPIRED STORIES
REBOOT REQUIRED
A hereditary illness had given Kristi Mattauch more than one reason to seek out Dr. Alejandro Quiroz—rapid weight gain and weight loss had left excess skin hanging from her jawline and an oversized bust. “It was bad enough that I was sick. I didn’t want to look prematurely older.” Kristi was afraid of looking like “one of those Newport Beach babes with their stretched faces,” but the results belied her concerns. “My face looked natural and there were no scars or telltale signs,” she says. “I had my face back and it was even better than what I anticipated it to be—I looked younger than when I was 41, before I got sick…”READ MORE

INSPIRED STORIES
MOMMY MAKEOVER
“Please help. I’m a divorced, 50-year-old mother of two teenage daughters.” This is how Michelle Hutflesz began her submission letter to Dr. Tom Barnard’s makeover giveaway contest. “I was taking care of my disabled brother and I never took any time out for me. All these stressful situations were taking their toll on my body,” she says. “I told them that I felt like I’d been through a war— and then menopause came…”READ MORE

ANTI-AGING
PUMPING YOU UP
BY DOMINIQUE LE TOULLEC
Maybe it’s those images of female body builders we have all seen, with their bulging muscles, which puts off so many women. Or maybe it’s the conviction that weightlifting belongs to men, that it’s not feminine, or that it’s just too difficult. Well, think again. Most women simply do not understand the positive impact weightlifting can have, both for appearance and health. On the appearance side, adding weightlifting to your exercise routine will produce quick results—reducing weight, increasing muscle size, toning your body and sculpting your shape into the body you’ve always wanted. On the health side, weightlifting will improve your metabolism, prevent injuries, strengthen your bones and reduce stress…READ MORE

ANTI-AGING
WILD AT HEART
BY J.P. FABER
In the sometimes-controversial world of anti-aging nutrition, it’s refreshing when everybody is in agreement. That’s clearly the case with omega-3s, and the wonders of salmon and other cold-water fish that pack a wallop of these fatty acids essential for heart and brain health. Even the FDA, typically reluctant to endorse the benefits of any supplement, in 2004 gave a ‘qualified health claim’ status to omega-3s, saying there was some evidence it “may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.” If you know the FDA, that’s big stuff. The general agreement that omega-3s are good for you, and that you can get them from salmon, has helped spawn a global salmon farming industry that supplies consumers in the U.S. But beware, say the experts; these farmed fish don’t have the same omega-3s that the wild ones do…READ MORE

FEATURES

PLUMP UP THE VOLUME
THE NEW WORLD OF CELLULAR HEALING
THE SCIENCE OF BEAUTY: LIP SERVICE

ACHIEVING THE LOOK

THE LAST 10 POUNDS
THE BOTTOM LINE
TIME FOR AN UNDO
STUBBLE TROUBLE?
SOLVING SMOKERS’ LINES

INSPIRED STORIES

A COUPLE TRANSFORMS: MORE AND LESS
REBOOT REQUIRED
FROM FEELING 70 TO FEELING 30
BACK WITH THE PACK
TIME FOR A LIFT
MOMMY MAKEOVER
A BIG BEAUTY MESSAGE

GUY’S GUIDE

IN SEARCH OF SGT. ROCK
THE NO. 1 PROBLEM WITH MEN? INABILITY TO CHANGE

TRENDS

TRENDS
THE REAL VAMPIRE FACELIFT
GENE CREAM
TELOMERE TIME: TESTING YOUR REAL AGE

SKIN RX

SUMMER RECOVERY
HIGH-TECH BEAUTY
GET THE GLOW
AND THE PRESCRIPTION IS…
HAVING A ZIT FIT?
A FLAWLESS FOUNDATION

ANTI-AGING

THE LATEST SUPERHERO SUPPLEMENT: VITAMIN D
SIX SEXY HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS
THYROID: THE ENERGY HORMONE
OVERCOMING THE X FACTOR
FOODS THAT AGE YOU
THE OTHER NUTS
BLACK & BLUE BERRIES
WILD AT HEART
PUMPING YOU UP

PATIENT EXPERIENCE

THE LASER’S EDGE
SMILE INTERVENTION
DEAL ME A NEW HAND

SPAS

HIP AND DELICIOUS
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT
BEVERLY HILLS’ BAUBLES ]]> http://www.newyoumag.com/magazine/fall-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.newyoumag.com/magazine/fall-2011/get-the-glow/ http://www.newyoumag.com/magazine/fall-2011/get-the-glow/#comments Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:19:09 +0000 newyouadmin http://www.newyoumag.com/?p=7611

The future looks bright—especially with these new products that will bring your beauty regimen into the 21st century.

From microcurrent impulses to enzymes that mimic viper venom, these science-driven creams and gadgets address age-old beauty challenges with futuristic solutions—and offer you an alternative when you can’t make it to the dermatologist’s office. Incorporate them into a spa-like moment and you’ll get the best of both worlds.

Has summer left your skin dry, discolored and with more lines? Here’s how to erase sun damage.

Despite our best eff orts to shield our skin from harmful UV rays all summer, we often find ourselves with symptoms of sun damage come fall. From freckles and other discolorations to fine lines and rough texture, sun damage can happen to even the most diligent sunscreen users. Blame it on insufficient sunscreen, inadequate SPF or a product that doesn’t off er broadspectrum protection.

Fortunately, sun damage is reversible. The first step is to use at least SPF 30 every day, rain or shine. But when prevention just isn’t cutting it, here are some other ways to restore your skin’s youthful vigor.

Skin Care Products

Skin-lightening and brightening products are more popular than ever, with a slew of potent active ingredients that can help fade discoloration and give you a more even complexion. Over the counter, look for kojic acid, licorice extract or arbutin, which can deliver results over a few months time.

One new product that I’m especially excited about is called Elure. Available at doctors’ offi ces, this line includes a day cream and night cream, and features a first-of-its kind ingredient called Melanozyme. Elure is diff erent from other skin-lightening products because of its enzyme-based active ingredient that actually breaks up existing pigment (with visible results in about a month), whereas other ingredients work by preventing pigment from forming or making it to the surface of the skin. Elure most likely works best when combined with a skin lightener like hydroquinone and a retinoid.

Hydroquinone is available over the counter, but you can get stronger formulations by prescription from your doctor. Long considered the gold standard for lightening skin tone, studies have shown that hydroquinone works even better when used in conjunction with a retinoid like tretinoin (available by prescription).

Antioxidants are a vital component of any skin care regimen, and some even work double duty by shielding skin from damage and helping to fade pigment. Vitamin C has been proven to fight free radicals and have a brightening eff ect on the skin—but not all vitamin C products are created equal since the base must be acidic in order for the vitamin to penetrate the skin, which can mean stinging or burning for sensitive types. (I like iS Clinical Super Serum Advance+.) It’s also important to avoid mixing vitamin C with other ingredients like hydroquinone, glycolic acid and retinols, so I recommend using antioxidants in the morning and using other treatment products at night.

Regular exfoliation can also help refi ne the skin’s surface. A skin care brush like the Clarisonic gently sloughs off dull, damaged cells, and products with exfoliating acids (such as glycolic, lactic and salicylic) help with fi ne lines and mild discoloration.

In-Office Treatments

When used in tandem, skin care and office-based treatments can help improve skin tone and texture even faster. Treatments with no downtime, like superficial chemical peels, may work well, and light-based treatments can provide more dramatic results. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is effective for lightening areas of pigment and redness over a series of treatments, and there are a variety of deeper laser treatments that resurface skin revealing a fresh, healthy surface.

When you decide to do something about sun damage, your first step should be to review your skin care regimen. If you’re unsure whether you’re using the right ingredients, take our quiz at SkinTypeSolutions.com.  en, talk to your dermatologist. Together, you can come up with a plan of attack that works with your skin type, budget, lifestyle and desired results—for a more even, radiant complexion before you know it.

Words: Ivette Figueroa

They’re not all the same, but a diet rich in nutrient-packed nuts is the first step to optimal health.

Health nuts rave about the almond, the walnut and the peanut—but what about the other guys? Brazil nuts, hazelnuts and macadamia nuts are packed with health-promoting nutrients, fiber, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for optimal health. “Nuts are quite rich and are a great way to provide satiety (feelings of fullness),” says Felicia Stoler, a nutritionist & exercise physiologist in Holmdel, NJ, and author of “Living Skinny in Fat Genes.” They are full of monounsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic acid and linoleic acid, that help lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. Research suggests that a Mediterranean diet that is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids helps prevent coronary artery disease and strokes.

Extremely rich in selenium—Brazil nuts contain 2,500 times more than any other nut. Selenium can help prevent prostate cancer, delay the aging process, help counter free radicals and boost mood and mental performance. Just keep in mind that one Brazil nut provides about 96 micrograms—that’s 160 percent of the recommended daily allowance for selenium.

Also referred to as filberts or cobnuts, hazelnuts are the top nut source of monounsaturated fats. They contain nearly 91 percent monounsaturated fat and less than four percent saturated fat. This can lower cholesterol levels in a low saturated-fat diet. Hazelnuts are also an excellent source of B1, B2 and B6 vitamins, essential vitamins in blood formation and mental health.

High in monounsaturated fatty acid (“good” fat), which helps reduce overall cholesterol levels, macadamias contain the highest amounts of total fats and calories and should be eaten in moderation. They contain lots of potent antioxidants, including vitamin E, which help protect against cancer and heart disease. They’re also a good source of magnesium, which is essential for bone growth.

A typical serving of nuts is one ounce—a small handful—five or more times a week: Nuts can reduce your risk of both diabetes and heart disease, according to the ongoing Harvard Nurses’ Health Study of more than 80,000 women.

Q: Is roasting nuts unhealthy?
A: No. According to Stoler, roasting the nuts isn’t the problem. “Consuming oil-roasted nuts is not suggested because fat is being added to an already high-fat food,” she says. Essentially, it’s the hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oil that nuts are often roasted in that introduces cholesterol-raising trans fats. Opt for the unsalted and raw or dry-roasted varieties instead.

Did you know….? Oil obtained from nuts have many traditional medicinal applications, such as in pharmaceuticals and as an emollient in the cosmetic industry. Its emollient properties help keep skin protected from dryness.

Nuts: Natural Weight-Loss Food? Although nuts are high in fat, eating portion-controlled amounts can placate your cravings and keep you from over-indulging in something far more unhealthy.

To Protect and Serve: Fresh nuts are always available, although their growing and harvesting seasons may vary, says Stoler. Because of their high fat content, nuts must be protected from rancidity. Unshelled nuts can keep for a few months in a cool, dry location. But, once they’re shelled or the container is opened, refrigerate or freeze them.

By using nuts in cooking and baking, you can benefit from their nutrition without overdoing calories. “Usually nuts are chopped and used in dishes and salads,” says Stoler. Nuts on cereal can boost your morning fiber intake and a sprinkling over pasta, salads or yogurt adds crunch and flavor.

Age: 67
Occupation:Retired hotel manager
Home:Middleton, MA
Procedure: Neck lift
Doctor: Anna Petropoulos, MD

At 66, Elaine Lowell did not like her neck. She’d had cosmetic surgery for her eyes in her early 40s and, satisfied with the results, decided to go for a neck lift. She waited until retirement so she wouldn’t have to take time off for recuperation.

Elaine first went to a place called Lifestyle Lift but felt appalled at the service. “It felt like a factory,” she says. She wanted a doctor who was independent and could take the time to talk about her concerns. She settled on Dr. Petropoulos after one phone call. “She was friendly, personal, listened to what I cared about and didn’t talk me into something I didn’t want.”

Elaine was surprised the procedure would take six hours, but trusted the reason. “She spends her time on one patient a day with that type of procedure.” Elaine stayed one day at the hospital, then three days at home sleeping off the general anesthesia. Dr. Petropoulos called the day after surgery and offered to see her. “I’ve never had that attention from doctors.”

After two weeks Elaine returned to her normal routine, with only one small bruise showing. Today she feels great. “I can turn my neck and it doesn’t fall to my shoulder,” she laughs. “Even my friends are saying, ‘Boy, you just look great. Retirement must be doing wonders for you.’”

Age: 58
Occupation:Restaurant owner
Home: Santa Clarita, CA
Procedure: Comprehensive anti-aging program, followed by breast lift and tummy tuck
Doctor: Andre Berger, MD

When Marie Miano went in search of an anti-aging and wellness specialist, she was a highly successful entrepreneur who had burned herself out and was feeling miserable: overweight, menopausal, depressed, low energy and with no sex drive. She had just finished reading Suzanne Somers’ book about hormone replacement therapies, and that’s what she wanted—and just what the doctor ordered, as it turned out.

Her doctor, Andre Berger, M.D., of Beverly Hills, Calif., put her on a complete program that involved quitting smoking (via laser acupuncture), mandatory daily exercise (starting with 15 minutes a day, now an hour), a diet high in fruits and vegetables, daily nutrient supplements and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy that included progesterone, testosterone and human growth hormone.

Since beginning her program four years ago, Marie has become a new person. She has lost more than 70 pounds and is full of energy and enthusiasm for life. “I did this for me, not for anyone else. Now, when I get up and walk by the mirror and look at that person, I don’t hate who I am. This is the way I wanted to be,” says Marie. “I’m 58 and I feel great. I feel like I’m in my 30s. I went from feeling like I was in my 70s to feeling years younger.”

Leaving Cartier, Tiffany and Van Cleef & Arpels behind, we selected our shimmering gems from the newest signature treatment at The Peninsula Beverly Hills’ Spa.

When you arrive in Beverly Hills and have an hour or so before your next appointment, do you grab a double soy latte at the Starbucks in front of you or hold out for something better? We thought about that for just a moment, then headed straight to The Peninsula Spa.

Nestled amid tropical gardens, just a stone’s throw from Rodeo Drive, we pulled up to the famed hotelier’s South Santa Monica Boulevard location. Ten-deep with Ferraris, Bentleys and Lamborghinis, the porte-cochère area was foreboding; committed to winning our high-stakes game of beat-the-clock, we swiftly relinquished our keys to valet.

Located on the pool level, it’s the attention to detail that allows this 4,600-square-foot spa to make the most of its smallish space. Seven treatment rooms and a well-edited gym fit neatly into this efficient and luxurious retreat.

In addition to a robust menu of body, face, nail and massage therapies, clients can request a treatment in one of the rooftop cabanas overlooking the hotel’s 60-foot, heated outdoor lap pool. Not a bad view of surrounding Beverly Hills, either.

Newly launched is the spa’s Shiffa Gemstone Therapy collection, massage and body scrub treatments that incorporate gemstone oils. It’s actually a first in North America. We couldn’t resist having a go, as the gems are said to have healing powers: Diamonds for balance, emeralds for strength and rubies for vitality.

Asked to select our favorite from among the small glass bottles containing the micro-fine dust of rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds, we were keen on the ruby rub. Somewhat difficult to define why, but we liked its essence, a hint of vitality. True confession here? We are still not entirely clear about the benefits of crème-de-la-bling. But we must admit that just being sprinkled with the dust of precious stones does cast a certain spell.

After the sloughing and a slight stinging ended phase one—the extreme full-body exfoliation—we stumbled into our room’s private shower, where we quickly stepped under a delightful spray of seven strategically placed showerheads. Back to the massage table, replenished with a fresh set of linen, we surrendered to the final rubdown. Focusing on neck, shoulders and upper back it was a soothing topper, after which we literally glowed.

Relaxed, rested and remarkably stress free, this quick pick-me-up had dramatically altered our perception of the day. We seriously considered lingering for a post-treatment lunch. Our thoughts drifted along, past the Roof Garden restaurant, where becoming a permanent fixture poolside also crossed our mind.

Were it not for the professional and attentive staff that graciously yet jarringly reminded us, we most likely would have completely missed our afternoon meeting. Lucky too, being just around the corner, we could make it just in time. But after the morning’s sublime spa treatment, this city-fatigued urbanite felt it was more like a world away.

The Peninsula Beverly Hills Spa
9882 South Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
310-551-2888
www.peninsula.com

A hormonal imbalance can turn your quality of life upside down, but a healthy balance can be restored—along with the youthful vigor lost to a malfunctioning thyroid.

Mikalan Moiso, of Beaverton, Ore., says that what she felt was more than sluggishness. And she couldn’t understand why. The busy Realtor and single mother of two had always been so healthy. Yet now she felt low, unmotivated—not at all like normal.

A review of Mikalan’s symptoms led to a thorough check of her hormone levels, revealing that she had a hypoactive—meaning under active—thyroid. Th e prescription? Optimizing her thyroid hormone levels. The result? Mikalan says she feels like her young self.

Looking back, the 44-year-old says the condition affected every aspect of her life. “Certainly, [having a hormonal imbalance] affected my ability to work. It affected my ability to feel good about myself. It affected relationships, because when you’re not feeling right everything is affected in your life,” she says.

Underactive? Overactive?

The thyroid gland is critical to human health because it regulates the body’s metabolism through hormones it produces. According to Naina Sachdev, M.D., the Lake Oswego, Ore., physician who treated Mikalan, if you get too little of these hormones, the body’s metabolism slows down; if you get too much, your metabolic rate increases.

Generally speaking, many more individuals have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) than an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). The symptoms of a weak thyroid include fatigue, weight gain, low body temperature, fluid retention, thinning hair, slow thinking (memory issues), dry skin and a yellowish tinge to the skin.

Symptoms of an overactive thyroid include sweating, heart palpitations, fatigue, increased appetite, exophthalmos eye condition (or eye bulging) and hyperactivity, according to Dr. Sachdev, who is board-certified in anti-aging medicine and fellowship- trained in functional medicine.

Thyroid Hormone 101

The thyroid gland makes about a dozen hormones, according to Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., a naturopathic doctor who practices in Renton, Wash., and lectures for the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Two, however, stand out as critical when it comes to our health and quality of life: triiodothyronine, or T3, and thyroxine, or T4.

“The one that everybody knows about is T3, because even though there’s only a tiny amount made by the thyroid gland, it’s very powerful at helping our cells burn energy,” Dr. Wright says. “T4 is not the active hormone. T4 is the storage and transportation hormone.”

T4 is also the source of most of your T3, and a healthy thyroid gland converts T4 into T3. But that’s not what always happens. Stress, diabetes, a deficiency in the essential trace element selenium, and much more can affect the body’s ability to make healthy amounts of T3. “That means that you would have less T3 entering into the cell, so you don’t have a proper tissue response function,” says Dr. Sachdev.

Finding Balance

Treatment for thyroid hormone imbalance, as you might expect, depends on whether you have too much (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism). “Treating patients with hyperactive thyroid is more complex,” according to Dr. Sachdev. “Treatment options [include] medication to suppress the thyroid, or irradiation to the thyroid gland, or surgery.” Cases of the more common hypothyroidism, on the other hand, require the use of bio-identical hormone replacement to bring patients to normal thyroid hormone levels.

Both Drs. Wright and Sachdev say their approaches differ from what conventional family doctors or internists prescribe. Mainstream doctors typically prescribe T4 hormone treatments, which they say misses the point—to restore the level of the energy burning T3 hormone.

Dr. Wright often prescribes whole thyroid, which has not only T4, but T3 and all the other thyroid hormones. “We give enough to reverse the clinical signs. So, when people who are hypothyroid start taking the whole group of hormones, they should start feeling more energy, their temperature goes up, the orange skin color should go away, and hair growth should be stronger,” he says.

A porcine-desiccated hormone treatment such as Nature-Throid contains both the inactive T4 hormone and the active T3 hormone. “From the initial point of taking Nature-Throid, patients receive immediate benefits because of the active thyroid hormones,” says Dai Jinn, the Chief Science Officer of Nature-Throid.

Desiccated thyroid or thyroid extract refers to porcine (or pig) thyroid glands, dried and powdered for therapeutic use. Despite some reports of adverse effects, “it turns out pigs, sheep and cows make the same array of hormones and the exact same molecules as human thyroid. Literally, [whole thyroid] is bio-identical,” Dr. Wright says.

Based on a patient’s blood and other test results, Dr. Sachdev also often recommends foods high in vitamins D, B12 and C, and minerals such as zinc, magnesium, selenium and iodine. These levels, she says, can affect optimal thyroid function. “Diet is a big factor. You have to be careful, for example, what your source of soy is because that can disrupt thyroid hormone. Be careful with pesticides, medications… and stress,” she says. “The goal of the treatment is to optimize T4-to-T3 conversion and correlate that with a positive clinical response.”

Thyroid hormone treatment for hypothyroidism is usually for the long term, especially for people older than 40 whose thyroid function often declines with age. Side effects, if any, are usually associated with getting incorrect amounts of the replacement hormone. Taking too much can result in symptoms that mimic those of a hyperactive thyroid. Fortunately, the remedy is simple: Take less. “The only people who have to be extra careful [about taking thyroid hormone] are people who have congestive heart failure. Thyroid speeds the function of every organ in the body, so if you have a weak heart, that may be hard on you,” Dr. Wright says.

The cost to address an imbalanced thyroid? Relatively low, according to Dr. Sachdev. “Medications are usually less than $100 a month, [though] needed nutraceuticals can be extra,” she says, “This is a big bang for your money. The result is quality of life and energy.”

Sweets and meats are among the culprits with the highest wrinkle factors.

Ever justified your sweet tooth with the notion that a few extra pounds will make wrinkles less noticeable? Like the idea of grape vs. raisin, it would seem that plumpness is next to smoothness.

Actually, high sugar intake itself harms skin elasticity. Excess sugar attaches to proteins in your bloodstream to form advanced glycation endproducts, aptly abbreviated as AGEs. Potentially, these toxins accelerate skin aging by: 1) increasing cell oxidation (think rust); 2) triggering inflammation; and 3) creating “hard” bonds on collagen and elastin fibers, restricting their youthful elasticity.

While most women I know—myself included—avoid sweets and meats in part for weight management reasons, we all know a few of those naturally thin women, unchastened by weight worries, who prefer to subsist on junk food. But these findings suggest nutrition is important not just for your waist but for your face.

If vanity fails to move you, then consider that accumulation of AGEs may also harden your arteries and hasten dementia. Chronic high blood sugar suffered by diabetics can increase their AGE levels by fifty-fold. What you eat isn’t the only factor affecting AGEs; how you cook your food matters too. High, dry heat (grilling, broiling, microwave) creates more AGEs than moister methods, like boiling or poaching. Using lemon juice and vinegar in marinades helps off set AGE production. Processed meats contain the most AGEs, while raw food, fruit and vegetables contain the fewest.

Cutting back on fatty meats and sugar will also help you avoid obesity, which some research suggests may accelerate aging even more than smoking. British researchers looked at blood samples of over 1,100 women (ages 18 to 76) and found that obese subjects were the equivalent of nine years older than their leaner peers, vs. a 7.4 age increase for long-term smokers.

“We’ve known obesity increases your risk of many diseases and of dying early. What’s novel here is that it seems that fat itself actually accelerates the aging process,” says study author Dr. Tim Spector of St. Thomas Hospital in London.

Fruits and vegetables are your best bulwark against age-accelerating obesity. Moreover, such nutrient-dense foods help to thwart nutrient deficiencies—another potential cause of accelerated aging.

Dr. Bruce Ames, a molecular geneticist internationally celebrated for his groundbreaking work on the link between nutrition and DNA integrity, is famous for his “triage theory” of nutrition, which holds that nutrient deficiencies can accelerate aging by forcing the body to sacrifice long-term DNA repair in favor of the body’s immediate needs.

In a recent study, Dr. Ames used vitamin K as a case-in-point, analyzing hundreds of studies over the past four decades to show how low levels are associated with higher rates of age-related ailments. He also completed an additional study with mice, showing how restricted vitamin K speeds up the aging process.

Poor diets, whether it’s low-carb diets or fast food diets, tend to skimp on those foods that will give you the nutrients and antioxidants you need to both protect and repair DNA damage. That’s why fruits and vegetables are so important—they’re rich sources of those compounds that serve as “armor” for your DNA.

Jennifer A. Grossman is a senior vice president of the Dole Food Company who directs the Dole Nutrition Institute in Westlake Village, Calif. She is a frequent writer about food and nutrition, including for the award-winning Dole Nutritional News.

Men who can’t go the course for anti-aging therapy fail for one big reason: They can’t give up their bad dietary habits.

Men come to anti-aging and age-management specialists for a variety of problems: lack of energy, a declining libido and excessive weight gain. What they are given in the way of therapy is a mix of nutritional changes, exercise programs, supplements and hormone injections. If they follow their doctor’s instructions, they typically enjoy a renaissance of youthful physical and mental energy.

The problem, says age-management specialist Dr. Joseph Jacko of Dallas, TX, is that older male patients find it hard to change their ways when it comes to eating. “The hardest part for the vast majority of our patients is nutrition,” says Dr. Jacko. “We give them this book called “Change or Die.” And you’d think scaring them would work, but it doesn’t.”

Dr. Jacko says that beyond being stubborn, his male patients have a tough time avoiding the perils that come with fast food, eating while traveling, or eating out. “A lot of them come out of the gate strong, but then they get some improvement, they get content, and they get sloppy again,” he says.

What Dr. Jacko tries to teach his male patients is that they are not undergoing a diet but rather a new approach to nutrition. “It’s not something you go on and off, it’s a change in your way of life…. And very few people can really change their lives.”

Words: J.P. Faber

Your ‘age,’ it turns out, has more to do with the shape you’re in than the number of years you’ve lived. Now modern science brings us a new test to determine your biological—versus your chronological—age.

Biologists have long recognized that all animals have ‘normal’ life programmed to live. Elephants typically live 70 years, for example, while fruit flies live only about 30 days.

The lifespan cap for any species is called its Hayflick Limit, named after microbiologist Leonard Hayflick. In the early 1960s, Hayflick animal body) are programmed to divide a certain number of times, then die. This natural cycle determines your lifespan.

According to the Hayfl ick Limit, humans should be able to reach 120 years of age (the same number the Bible says we are supposed to live, interestingly enough). The fact that most of us don’t make it is because we live and eat poorly, and are exposed to excessive toxins, carcinogens and stress.

What determines the Hayflick Limit for us humans is something called a “telomere,” which is the cap that holds the DNA strands together in our cells. The telomere acts something like the tip on a shoelace. Each time your cells reproduce, the telomere gets shorter. When it gets too short, the DNA strands fall apart and the cell dies.

What’s exciting about all this is that doctors can now measure the lengths of telomeres, and therefore fi gure out how much time our cells have left—in other words, how much we have aged.

“It’s a pretty unique service,” says Juan Remos, M.D., an anti-aging specialist at the Miami Institute for Age Management and Intervention. “We can tell people how long their telomeres are
compared to other people their age.”

That is not exactly the same thing as giving you a definitive biological age, which Dr. Remos says is not possible without testing the telomeres of each organ in your body. “Your brain and your spleen can be diff erent ages,” he says. “We could look at 100 telomeres, and not tell a person’s precise age.” What Dr. Remos tests is the telomere length of of how fast you are aging overall—and which are easier to access than, say, liver cells you’d have to remove in order to test.

The length of your telomere is measured by an electron microscope—Dr. Remos uses a Texas-based lab—and then compared to the length of telomeres from a national database. “If your telomere is in the 98th percentile, it means your telomere is longer than 98 percent of the people darn good shape.

But what happens when your telomeres are short?

First, it means that you are aging rapidly, and that illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. Next, it means you should change your lifestyle to include a better diet, more exercise, more sleep, and lots of quality vitamins and anti-oxidant supplements—‘basically anything that helps repair your DNA,” says Dr. Remos.

Indeed, researchers have already shown that a healthy lifestyle can lengthen your telomeres. In one study conducted in Germany in 2009, a group of serious middle-aged runners (average age of 51, length in their white blood cells. These were compared to other middle-aged but sedentary Germans. The conclusion: Telomere length was 40 percent shorter in the sedentary subjects. Exercise, noted study author Dr. Christian Werner, “at the molecular level has an anti-aging effect.”

So what’s a person to do? Beyond a healthy diet, proper sleep, lots of exercise and a regimen of anti-oxidant supplements, the ultimate solution may be an enzyme called telomerase, which can be produced by genes in our cells and is able to restore telomere length. Dr. Werner reported that his older runners had more telomerase, and he speculated that exercise might affect telomerase activity rather than telomeres themselves.

It will be years before scientists solve this riddle, though they’re already at work on the problem. “[Producing] telomerase is the ideal,” says Dr. Remos. “Already there are companies pursuing this, to prevent telomeres from shortening.” One firm is TA Sciences, a New York-based company that markets a molecule called TA-65, which causes cells to produce telomerase. TA-65 is extracted from astragalus, an ancient herb used in Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years.

“It’s not telomerase, which exists naturally in the cell,” says Dean Miller, vice president of TA Sciences. “The molecule has a way to turn on the telomerase gene, so it will release the telomerase in the cell.” The herb is expensive—about $200 a month—because it takes five to ten gallons of astragalus to produce one capsule.

So far, the effects of TA-65 are anecdotal, but clinical trials are underway to prove its effectiveness. But the fact that telomerase works was vindicated by three American scientists who received a 2009 Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology for proving its power.

Still, is this the path to immortality, or just to living out our full years? “The human cell has a cycle, and I’m not sure we can alter it,” says Dr. Remos. “In the meantime, you can see if you are relatively younger than most people your age.”

Men are increasingly using dermal fillers to look younger, but how they use them is very different from women.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that the use of facial fillers for men was up 10 percent last year, to 1.75 million procedures. For whatever reason—job competition, aging baby boomers—more men are looking for ways to restore a younger look. Men, like women, want a natural appearance in which they don’t “look done.” But men need another assurance as well—that the result is not going to be a “feminized” face.

In men, I often treat the traditional areas—the glabellar lines (the ‘11s” between the eyebrows), the nasolabial folds (the ‘parentheses’ around the mouth), and crow’s feet—with injectables. I try to soften these lines and contours, but I also balance the treatment by strengthening the masculine facial features to maintain a classic male look, as follows:

Cheek Bones. Using injectable fillers to define the cheekbones, this classic feature of a chiseled face can be enhanced. Along with strengthening the arch of the cheek, injections along the edge of the bone near the eye can soften the appearance of troughs and bags to give a more rested look.

Brow Bones. Similar to the cheekbone, definition of the brow bone can create a chiseled look.

Temples. The temples are even more important for a young look in men. As we age we lose soft tissue over the temples, sometimes resulting in a concave or “skeletonized” appearance. Replacing this loss can provide a subtle but significantly younger look.

Jaw Line and Chin. A strong jaw and chin are classic male features, which may become less conspicuous as we age, or perhaps we weren’t born with the chin or jaw we want. Injections along the jawbone or over the chin create a strong defined jawline.

Age: 66
Occupation:Owner of Anushka Spa, Salon and Cosmetic Center
Home: Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Procedure: Neograft FUE hair transplant
Doctor: Alan Bauman, MD

With her hair thinning due to age and hormonal changes, Anushka Blau saw a pattern she didn’t like. So she decided to undergo hair transplant surgery. Anushka had known Dr. Alan Bauman for many years as a healthcare colleague, and after reading up on the procedure and being convinced about the results, she decided to do the surgery with the Boca Raton doctor.

The procedure Dr. Bauman uses is called a Neograft FUE hair transplant, and consists of harvesting individual hair units from the back of the head (aka the donor area) and placing them in the thinning or balding areas on the top of the head. The procedure took a full day and was not painful, says Anushka, who used only Motrin for discomfort. “I had the procedure done on a Tuesday and I was out to a tradeshow on a Sunday,” she says. Dr. Bauman explained what to expect, from the first month to the first year, since the hair returns gradually.

As predicted, after the third or fourth month Anushka could see hair growing in areas where it had disappeared. “People who haven’t seen me for a while say I look younger,” she says. “Friends say, ‘Oh my gosh, your hair is really growing!’” Anushka believes that full, healthy hair sends a big beauty message. “Let’s face it, when you’re hair looks good, you look good.”

Herbalism—the use of plants for medicinal purposes—dates back thousands of years. Here is a quick guide to six sexy supplements known to boost sociability, diminish anxiety and rev up your sexuality.

Ancient cultures have long turned to herbs to address what ails us still today: stress, anxiety, tiredness and a dulled sexuality.

We interviewed Master Herbalist Trina Shore Sims, owner of Texas-based GreenStar Herbs, about six herbal supplements that offer a much-needed gentle jolt for those who want more energy and less stress. The dietary supplements she and other experts describe have long-standing traditional uses and are considered safe. “You can pick and choose among these to balance what you would like to achieve,” Sims says.

1. Finding Fertility

Common name: Maca.
Latin name: Lepidium meyenii.

Maca is a tuberous root that grows high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. “We’re talking 8,000 to 14,000 [and more] feet above sea level, where it is cold, and the land is sparse. There, it is a staple food crop… like potatoes or rice,” Sims explains.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified maca as safe, and research backing the herb’s gentle powers as an aphrodisiac and sexual potency enhancer is well-documented. Studies have shown that maca increases male sperm counts and male fertility. Women can benefit, as well, with what Sims cites as endocrine-stimulating and balancing effects.

In the U.S. maca is most commonly found as a powder, ideal for adding to a smoothie. Sims also recommends taking it in liquid form, from a reputable herbalist. There are no known safety concerns with ingesting maca, according to Sims.

2. No Worries, Fewer Inhibitions

Common name: Damiana.
Latin name: Turnera diffusa or Turnera aphrodisiaca.

Common in Mexico and parts of Southwest Texas, damiana is a small shrub with a pretty yellow flower. It has an appealing strawberry scent. “We use its leaves to remove anxiety and lift mood, without making someone jittery,” Sims says.

Herbalists consider damiana to be anxiety-reducing, or anxiolytic. Some studies have shown the herb’s activity as a central nervous system depressant, which manifests more to alleviate anxiety than to promote sleep, another of its purported benefits. “You know, when you go through the day and there’s that slight stressful current or thread of tension? That calls for damiana,” she says.

It works, according to Sims, by dampening cortisol, which is the hormone associated with fear, anxiety, dread and chronic stress. An animal study also suggested the herb had a positive effect on sexual dysfunction and impotence. U.S. patents have been awarded for supplements that contain damiana, used to overcome inhibitors of human sexual response, as well as to relieve anxiety, depression, exhaustion and premenstrual syndrome in women.

People usually take damiana as a tea or as a liquid extract, according to Sims. “The best way to take a liquid extract is under the tongue,” she says. Here it’s absorbed more efficiently.

Damiana is considered safe, but, because it has somewhat of a stimulating effect, Sims says that women should be careful about taking it late in pregnancy. “No drug interactions with damiana have been shown, but it does have a mild hypoglycemic, or blood sugar lowering, effect in animal studies. So, people who are careful about their blood sugar levels should keep that in mind,” she advises.

3. Social Stimulation

Common name: Kava kava.
Latin name: Piper methysticum.

Kava kava is a root, in the same family as black pepper. People have adopted its use from the Pacific Islanders and cultures in Pacific Rim countries.

“Traditionally, it was used by the men in the tribe for social situations…. The women in the tribe would take the peeled root—you can’t use the leaves or the stem because those appear to be dangerous to the liver—and they would chew pieces of that root. Once well masticated, they would spit the mush into a communal bowl,” she says. “The men would then… eat it to enhance their sociability.

Described by herbalists as an anxiolytic, kava kava removes jitteriness without making one sleepy—although it can be used as part of a sedative blend.

“Research shows that it results in mild sedation, vivid dreams, improves cognitive performance and promotes a cheerful mood,” says Sims.

Used correctly (peeled root only), kava kava is safe in liquid extract form from a reputable herbalist, according to Sims.

4. Sense & Sexuality

Common name: Ginkgo.
Latin name: Ginkgo biloba.

Ginkgo trees are native to China. Sims says gingko trees are known for their longevity, growing thousands of years old.

Researchers have shown that ginkgo improves microcirculation to the brain and throughout the tissues. Microcirculation, according to Sims, is vital to our senses and sexuality.

“I’ve used it in my own clinical practice with great success to help people whose libido has been affected by antidepressant medications,” Sims says. “Ginkgo has been shown to help sexual dysfunction in women and antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction.”

It has not, however, been shown to help slow the degeneration associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Most take ginkgo in its liquid extract form. Ginkgo can interact with some medications; notably, anticoagulants, or blood thinners, as well as antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

5. Some Like it Hot

Common names: Cinnamon, Ginger, Cayenne.
Latin names: Cinnamomum aromaticum or zeylanicum; Zingiber officinale; and Capsicum minimum.

These common food spices work similarly, offering a thermogenic (or body-warming) effect and improved circulation. “They all increase the general juicy-ness of the body, which includes saliva and vaginal secretions—even moister skin. They raise body temperature and get the blood flowing. We get pink; we get warm; our lips get a little redder and fuller. We’re infused with blood, just like when we’re sexually excited,” Sim says.

When it comes to cinnamon, Sims notes that consumers should look for either the Latin names Cinnamomum aromaticum or zeylanicum; not Cinnamomum cassia. “Cinnamomum cassia is sold as cinnamon but is a… different plant. Since cassia is cheaper… that’s what we often get in the spice aisle,” she says.

Cinnamon bark enhances the bioavailability of other herbs and helps warm the body, especially in cold and damp months, which makes it a great addition to herbal tea to soothe colds, according to Alana Kessler, RD, a registered dietitian and founder of Sangha Yoga Shala in New York City.

“Its oil is also used to pacify headaches and keep joints healthy,” Kessler says. Of course, any hot pepper will do in the Cayenne category, including all those chili peppers that bite us when we bite them.

“Cayenne is wonderful for helping digestion and prevention of stomach bloating after a meal. At the same time, it stops blood from clotting and preserves heart health,” says Shane Ellison, M.S., author of “Over-the-Counter Natural Cures.”

The three herbs are safe and studied, according to the herbalist. Ginger, for example, is one of the most widely used herbs in the world to relieve upset stomachs. They are good alone or in combination, in a tea, for example.

“Ginger should be consumed before lunch and dinner to enhance digestion because when it whets the appetite it improves assimilation and transportation of nutrients to targeted body tissues and clears the circulation channels in the body,” Kessler says.

6. Firming Up

Common name: Muira Puama.
Latin name: Ptychopetalum olacoides.

Another herb that flourishes in South America, Muira Puama translates in English to potency wood. This little tree bears nutrients that have been shown in studies to help people with
potency issues, according to Sims.

The Brazilian government lists Muira Puama as an approved drug for male and female impotence. It is also an approved herb in Great Britain and elsewhere in Europe, she says. “If you use it to enhance libido and potency, it has to be used at least partially as an alcoholic extraction, in a good commercially made liquid extract,” Sims says.

While there are no widely known drug interactions or contraindications when taking Muira Puama, Sims’ patients have reported stomach upset if they take too much. As with all therapies, it is recommended that you consult with and are monitored by a knowledgable physician when considering herbal therapy.