Anti-Aging at Affordable Enhancements

     What is aging?  Aging is a natural process in the body.  The effects of aging range from loss of skin elasticity (wrinkle increase and sagging skin), body aches and pains, joint tissue degradation, lack of energy, poor quality sleep, and slowing down of hormone production for both men and women.  The process of aging is increased by stress, poor quality diet, and environmental damage.  All these processes cause free radical damage.  The best example of free radical damage is a piece of metal that has rusted from environmental stresses.  The same types of things happen within the body causing the above effects. 

     Preventive measures will help in the anti-aging battle.   Targeting the body both internally and externally would be a goal well worth doing.  Quality sleep, good nutrition and supplementation would be areas to work on internally, as well as our newly added medicinal herbal healing soups (click on the navigation bar to locate the soup informationals).  External procedures would include microdermabrasion, IPL photo facials, skin care regimens, and exercise.

     Quality sleep means 6-8 hours of solid rested sleep.  Sleep is the time where your body does its healing and recuperative processes.  A person may consider supplementation or medicine if there are sleep issues.  Supplementation would be a first resort due to possible side effects of medicines.  If after 3 months sleep has not improved with supplementation then it would be time to try a medicine from your doctor.  Yes, sleep is that important!

     Nutrition and supplementation would be the next piece of the anti aging puzzle.  Are you eating a good diet?  A good, quality diet consists of protein such as free range chicken, cold water fish, omega 3 eggs, free range beef or buffalo, and soy.  Free range products provide a higher nutrient basis for the body.  Organic fruits and vegetables also provide a higher nutrient dense product.  Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants.  Antioxidants help to prevent free radical damage.  Organic produce has less or no pesticides/herbicides and are grown in nutrient dense soil.  Grains, nuts, and seeds will provide fiber and quality fats.  Fiber keeps the colon clean.  The cleaner the colon, the better the skin health will be.  Try to avoid white flour products such as white bread.  It has been devitalized of nutrients.  Organic dairy is advisable because of all the added hormones and antibiotics that are added to conventional dairy products.  Good fats should be included in the diet.  Fats help to regulate blood sugar levels, transport fat soluble vitamins, and help in joint, brain, and cardiovascular functions.  Quality fats come from avocados, nuts, olive oil, flax oil, and essential fatty acid supplements. For our busy lifestyles--we recommend www.dinnersalacarte.com ---fresh, healthy and homemade.

     This brings us to supplements as part of an anti aging program.  If we lived in a perfect world and ate exactly as we needed to then we wouldn’t need supplements.  Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world.  Think of supplements as an insurance policy.  A good program for supplements would be the following:

Multivitamin –This provides all the vitamins ad minerals (except iron, unless needed) that we may not get in our foods.  Not everybody needs iron!  We recommend Somalife SomaVitPlus.  This is a well balanced multi that is neither too weak nor too strong.  This is a tablet format.  (click Somalife gHP on the homepage to order)

Antioxidants – Antioxidants fight free radical damage.  They are mostly found in fruits, vegetables, and herbs.  We recommend Somalife Super X or Super XC. (click Somalife gHP on the homepage to order.)

Essential Fatty Acids – EFA’s support every function in the body.  Most people do not get enough.  EFA’s support brain, cardiovascular, digestive and joint functions.  They also help to reduce inflammation within the body and transport your fat soluble vitamins in the body.  We recommend Sanitas EFA Complete.  This product is well balanced in Omega 3, 6, and 9.  This is a soft gel format. (Affordable Enhancements stocks this product.) 

Amino Acids – Amino Acids support every structure and function in the body.  They build tissues, breakdown vitamins and minerals in the gut, help with sleep problems, support energy levels and mood.  Amino acids are also precursors in the body to hormones.  One in particular is Human Growth Hormone.  HGH production slows down as we get older.  HGH is what helps with anti ageing.  We recommend Somalife GHP or Somalife GHP Sport.  GHP Sport has been certified by the NSF for all sports related agencies/fields.  These products come in a capsule format.  (Affodable Enhancements stocks this product or click on Somalife gHP to be placed on a monthly autoship, located on the homepage.) 

     The external body is just as important as the internal body.  The skin is the first line of defense against the environment. It also shows the first signs of ageing.  Anti-aging topical procedures can be done for immediate effects while internal procedures are being introduced.  External procedures are the following:

Microdermabrasions and chemical peels- These type of procedures scrub and peel off old dead skin cells leaving behind smooth fresh skin.  Skin looks beautiful the following day and your regular skin care regimen will be more effective. ($85)

Intense Pulse Light photo facials- The following procedure involves using pulses of light on the skin surface.  Pigmentation from sunspots and blood vessels absorb the light and convert in to heat.  The heat shrinks the vessels and dissolves the cells that create the pigmentation.  This is a great in evasive procedure for rosacea, sun damage, spider veins and fine lines.  Skin recovery time is 7-10 days.  Make up can be worn on the skin while healing.  This can also be done on other areas of the body. ($375)

Hair removal- Can be done on all body areas such as nose, ears, face, back, legs, and underarms. (Consult needed to determine cost.)

Skincare regimens- Good skin care includes cleansing, toning, peptides, moisturizing and sun protection.  We recommend Vital Therapy Peptides or Ultra Peptides.  Peptides are amino acid bonds that support the collagen and other structural fibers of the skin, therefore reducing and minimizing fine lines.  We also recommend Solar Protection Sun blocks 58-60 SPF and Sanitas Solar Block 25 SPF.

Permanent Makeup- A process that uses single probe or clusters of very fine probes that are dipped into a permanent pigment and then applied to the skin according to the desired shape or design that is pleasing to the client.  Eyebrows, eyeliner and lip liner are beautifully done and require no maintenance every single day of the week, therefore saving time and money on store bought products.  Recovery time is 3-7 days depending on personal body chemistry. (Consult needed to determine cost.)

     The last item in an anti-aging program is exercise.  Exercise supports heart health, cleanses the body of toxins via perspiration, increases dopamine levels (dopamine makes you feel good), and supports weight maintenance.  Exercise should be done 30 minutes 3 times a week.  Walking is an excellent form of exercise.

     Anti-aging is a multifaceted process.  Balances of the internal and external bodies are key to looking and feeling your best!

Article written by Marcella Valentine, Certified Nutritionist exclusively for Affordable Enhancements 2007       

Prices subject to change without notice.