28-Day Flat Belly Guide

Discover the 28-Day Flat Belly Blueprint That Gets You a Flat Stomach, Even if You Have Struggled in the Past – While Still Allowing All of Your Favorite Foods – on this “Anti-Diet”

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10 Easy and Inexpensive Ways to Take Years Off of Your Appearance For MEN

With all of the makeover shows on television, new anti-aging cosmetics, and general obsession with staying young looking, its no surprise that people are willing to spend small fortunes on products and procedures to look and feel younger. But you don’t have to break the bank to look and feel your best. Here are ten easy and inexpensive ways to take years off of your appearance and keep it that way.

Keep those pearly whites white! You can use over the counter tooth whiteners which have become very popular, or have your dentist help you out with professional grade options. Either way, everyone likes a brilliant smile.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times, moisturize! Dry skin looks dull and lackluster. So not only do you want to use a moisturizer on your face (including an eye cream) but also on your hands and body. And since your hands especially get a lot of abuse, and can show age almost more than your face, keep some hand cream handy at your desk or by the sink. There are plenty of great moisturizes for men out there.

Always use sunscreen! We all know that the sun is the single most damaging thing to your skin, so make sure to protect yourself. 

Maintain your brows! Be sure to keep your brows neat and trimmed, especially between the eyes! The uni-brow isn’t something to be proud of.

Say no to facial hair! Some folks like their beards and goatees and that okay, but if you want to look younger, shave it off since facial hair ages you. 

Nose and ear hair? Not! It’s an unfortunate reality for men as they age, but hair starts popping out from unwanted places, so you will want to keep that nose and ear hair in check. You can pick up an ear and nose hair trimmer at your local drug store among other places. They are simple and easy to use.

Wear colour! Especially wear colour that complements your skin and eye colour. 

Manage those dark circles under your eyes! There are products out there  that can help alleviate this problem, especially if it is chronic or hereditary. It is also proven that you can combat dark circles by getting a good night’s sleep and eating well. And if you still need help, try an under-eye concealer for men. Yes, they do exist.

Lose the glasses! Contact lenses will help you go from studious to stunning!

Hit the gym or take a walk! Even if it is just to walk on the treadmill, exercise will help you maintain good posture, alleviate stress (which causes wrinkles), and increase blood flow (which keeps your whole body well oxygenated), not to mention that it keeps you fit!

Source: mensfashion.about.com/od/groomingbody/a/10WaysLookYoung.htm

How choosing the right clothes can make you look 15 YEARS younger

If you dream of looking years younger then forget the facelift and invest in a new wardrobe instead.

A study has found that an outfit can make all the difference to how old a woman's face looks. 

Researchers put the same 55-year-old in 12 different ensembles and asked the British public to guess her age. The results revealed that a well-cut wardrobe miraculously sheds up to eight years from a woman’s face. In contrast, ill-fitting, unflattering items can age her by seven years in the blink of an eye.

                    

Holding back the years: This 55-year-old model was said to look eight years younger when she wore clothes that were fitting and flattering, left. But in the ill-fitting jeans and polo shirt, she was said to look 62-years-old



Former Clothes Show presenter Caryn Franklin who helped to carry out the tests, said: 'This confirms what I have always known: that clothes are a very powerful beauty aid, and when women make clever clothing choices they are more youthful and fully of vitality in the eyes of others.



      

How to wear a mac: With a belt to pull in the waist, on trend accessories and fitted jeans, the model looked as young as 47, left, to those questioned compared to the unflattering look, right, that aged her

A 55-year-old size 12 model was pictured in different outfits with identical hair, makeup, lighting and posture.

Of the 2,400 Brits polled their guesses varied greatly from 47 to 62-years-old depending on the outfit.

Six outfits were taken from the isme.com, a mature women’s online retailer who commissioned the research, while another six were taken from the wardrobes of everyday fifty-plus women.

The team discovered that not only did all participants believe the model was much younger-looking when wearing the correctly fitted and styled clothing, they were also more likely to base their age assessment on her face.

Nearly two thirds (65 per cent) said it was the face that gave their age assessment rather than the clothes themselves which were judged by just 31 per cent - suggesting that style has a powerful subliminal effect on the appearance of physical features.

    

Don't be frumpy: Wearing bold colours, a belt and tailoring makes the 55-year-old look much younger, left, than she did in a drab cardigan, right

When sporting on-trend skinny jeans and a short summer mac, three quarters of respondents believed that the 55-year-old model had the face of a 47-year-old.

However, when the same model was dressed at the other end of the sartorial spectrum, in a loose polo shirt over boot-cut jeans, her average perceived age was 62 - adding on an unwanted 15 years on the previous perception of 47.

Ms Franklin continued: 'Women my age are experiencing increasing age-hysteria from companies selling expensive beauty treatments and invasive procedures that cost a fortune.

'This research can reassure every woman that the best and most effective way to shed years and shine is to dress well.'

TOP TIPS ON DRESSING TO LOOK YOUNGER

• Always pick the right bra as clothes mould to your shape and even tightening the straps can make a difference. A tighter band and fuller cup appears more youthful. 
• Play to your strengths by picking one area and choosing garments with features that draw attention to it. 
• Avoid washed out or drab colours all over your body and instead make a colour statement.
• Choose classic garments that are shaped with gentle tailoring to give a youthful silhouette, with vertical seaming giving a streamlining effect.
• Have fun with accessories. Bags, shoes, belts and statement jewellery are a great way to bring an up to the minute trend into your wardrobe and re-invigorate your look.

Source: dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2172618/How-choosing-right-clothes-make-look-15-years-younger.html#ixzz3HLs7qv4P

Why eating your lunch at your desk can make you fat

Tucking in at the office is a fast track to obesity, say experts.

• A new study has found people who eat at work are more likely to be fat
• They are also more likely to lack vitamins and suffer from high cholesterol
• According to the most recent NHS figures, 64% of adults are overweight

Most of us are guilty of tucking into the odd sandwich while hunched over our desks but while eating lunch at the office might seem harmless, experts say it is quite the opposite.

According to researchers, people who regularly eat at their desks or in the office canteen are not only more likely to be obese, they also tend to have lower levels of vitamins and sky high cholesterol as well.

The findings are the result of a new study that looked at the link between health and the number of meals eaten away from home

'We found participants who ate six or more meals a week away from home had a higher body mass index and lower concentrations of high-density lipoprotein - a molecule that removes excess cholesterol from the blood,' Ashima Kant, who led the study, told The Sunday Times.

'They also had lower concentrations of nutrients, including vitamins C and E, in their blood. This effect was found to be more pronounced in women and in adults over the age of 50.'

The study looked at 8,314 people over five years and focused on the relationship between participants' health and the number of meals eaten outside the home.

Although many did eat meals in fast food restaurants, the study was designed to look beyond traditionally unhealthy foods and at people who chose 'healthy' options from high street cafes such as Pret A Manger.

Interestingly, the results held true for all meals eaten outside the home, regardless of whether workers made a healthy choice or not.

Obesity is becoming an increasingly weighty problem in the UK, with the most recent figures showing that 24.4 per cent of British men are obese and 25 per cent of women.

In total, 64 per cent of all British adults can be classed as overweight or obese, according to NHS figures.

As a result, public spending on obesity is set to rise to £50m a year, with sharp rises in heart-attacks, diabetes and strokes expected.

Source: dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2798956/why-eating-lunch-desk-make-fat-tucking-office-fast-track-obesity-say-experts.html

‘Power brows’ in a bottle. Look younger and feel more confident.

Bushier eyebrows have been a must for any fashion conscious female

• Now they are available in a bottle in form of revolutionary new powder
• Silk Fibre Brow Enhancer has hundreds of tiny fibres which mimic real hair
• It can create brows if no hair exists at all - restoring confidence for many 

Ever since the Duchess of Cambridge and model Cara Delevingne began sporting bolder, bushier eye brows, they have been a must for any fashion conscious female.

But for some women cultivating a trendy and natural-looking ‘power brow’ was impossible after years of over-plucking.

Now experts have finally come up with a solution – eyebrows in a bottle.

Silk Fibre Brow Enhancer is revolutionary new powder, containing hundreds of tiny fibres which mimic real hair, that can simply be brushed onto existing brows or the forehead in seconds.

The synthetic fibres, which are made from nylon and come in four shades, cling to existing hair or skin, thickening up sparse patches, lengthening brows and giving a much more natural, shapely look than one achieved with an eyebrow pencil or pen.

It can even create brows if no hair exists at all, which means the powder can help restore the looks and confidence to cancer sufferers who’ve lost their eyebrows through chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

The fibres are suspended in an ultra-fine powder, which is water-proof and derived from minerals found in sea clay. It sets within 60 seconds and can be washed off and applied daily like ordinary make-up.

It can even create brows if no hair exists at all, which means it could restore confidence for cancer sufferers

The synthetic fibres, which are made from nylon and come in four shades, cling to existing hair or skin

Fibre Brow Enhancer is already a best-seller in Australia, where it was launched last year.

Buy it here:
SILK OF MOROCCO FIBRE BROW ENHANCER EXTENSIONS WAND (SILK LATTE LIGHT) 

Sam Franklin, 28, from Brighton, Sussex, lost her eyebrows and hair after undergoing treatment for cervical cancer.

‘After I lost my hair and brows I really didn’t feel like myself anymore, in fact how I looked made me feel quite depressed,’ she said.

‘While I can wear a wig to disguise hair loss, I struggled to find a product that would give me brows. Every product I tried didn’t look realistic and didn’t stay very long on my skin.

‘I tried the Silk Fibre Brow Enhancer and I haven’t looked back. It is waterproof, lasts at least 12 hours and the tiny fibres look so realistic, it’s completely changed the way I feel about myself while I’m undergoing treatment.’

The trend for thicker, bushier brows, dubbed the ‘Scouse Brow,’ was sparked by the stars of Liverpool-based E4 reality TV show Desperate Scousewives, and Merseyside WAGS Alex Curran and Coleen Rooney.

It further increased in popularity when the Duchess of Cambridge cultivated thicker, bolder brows and many celebrities, including fashion model Cara Delevingne and actresses Natalie Portman and Keira Knightly, have also ditched thinner brows in favour of a bushier look.

Buy it NOW!

SILK OF MOROCCO FIBRE BROW ENHANCER EXTENSIONS WAND (SILK LATTE LIGHT)

Source: dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2797957/want-cara-delevingne-look-power-brows-bottle-sale-20.html#ixzz3GgRVRn8E 

Gaining Weight Can Be A Problem For Some

With many of us engaged in a constant battle of the bulge, the idea of being too thin makes us green with envy.

It’s not much fun, though, for people who are desperately trying to put on weight. It definitely isn’t something to be jealous of.

For people who struggle to maintain a healthy weight or are trying to gain weight, it can be a real challenge.  Reasons for needing to gain weight include health issues, lack of appetite, fuelling sport, building muscle or just trying to overcome skinny genes.

There’s no real health problem with being skinny naturally. However, if you want or need to gain weight, do it the healthy way - which is not about stuffing your face at the all-you-can-eat buffet.

Calories count, but so do nutrients

Focus on healthy foods to gain weight, because even though you have more leeway with calories, good nutrition is still paramount.

If you're underweight, aim to gain weight gradually until you're a weight that is healthy for your height and age.

It’s crucial that you gain weight the right way, not by eating chips, sweets or cakes and other high-calorie junk foods full of saturated fat and sugar, or with fizzy drinks. These foods can increase your body fat instead of your lean body mass.

Instead, aim for three meals and several snacks a day and base your diet on healthy eating principles.

Foods that pack a punch

Foods highest in calories and nutrients are those high in fat.. Plant fats from nuts, peanuts, seeds, peanut butter, almond butter, avocados, hummus and oils are great sources of healthy fats loaded with nutrients and calories.

Animal fats provide nutrients and the same amount of calories as plant fats, but they also contain saturated fats, which can increase bad cholesterol.

Drink high-calorie juices instead of water and choose high-calorie condiments, such as mayonnaise, thousand island, and caesar salad dressings.

Meal replacement drinks and smoothies are very convenient. Eat nuts by the handful or sprinkle them on top of soups, salads, cereal, desserts and casseroles for added protein, fibre, healthy fat and calories. Granola, loaded with nuts and dried fruits, is a concentrated source of nutritious calories, especially when eaten with full-fat Greek-style yogurt, which is higher in protein than milk?

Dried fruits are a concentrated source of calories that can be tossed on salads, yogurts, cereals, desserts and trail mixes or eaten alone.

Potatoes are a great vehicle for toppings. When you cook potatoes, add in flavoured oils, milk, cheese, chilli, vegetables and beans.

Another easy way to add calories is to drizzle olive oil on vegetables, salads, whole grains, soups, casseroles and stews.

Eat often to gain weight

Regardless of why you want to gain weight, eating meals or substantial snacks (think mini-meals) more often is the way to pack more calories into the day.
Maybe have six mini meals a day.

Dietitian Sasha Watkins says: "Those with a small appetite may really benefit from eating 'little and often' and by increasing the number of snacks they have throughout a day."

A sample meal would maybe include a turkey sandwich on whole-grain bread with mayonnaise and tomatoes, and a fruit smoothie.
Eat often and choose wisely, and you can expect to gain an average of half a pound to a pound per week.

The goal is to choose foods that are packed with vitamins, minerals, nutrients and calories so each bite is loaded with good nutrition.

Gaining muscle mass

Athletes and sports people who want to bulk up need to take in enough calories and ally that with proper strength training to make sure they gain weight in the right places.

Gavin Allinson, a sports nutritionist, says: "The best foods to eat for muscle mass are lean proteins like chicken and white fish.
"You need to combine these foods with high GI carbs like white rice and quinoa in the post work out meal."

Gavin adds: "Immediately after a workout have a whey protein and carb drink."

Avid exercisers who are not trying to build muscle mass also need frequent healthy snacks to fuel their physical activity and to maintain or gain weight.

Gaining weight and illness

Weight loss is often associated with illness because of a lack of appetite or certain disease conditions. During illness, most people’s diets are inadequate in calories, protein, vitamins and minerals - all the nutrients you need to get back to good nutritional status.

Drinking smoothies or meal replacement drinks, eating egg dishes and choosing bland, mild foods is usually the best diet prescription during the transition back to a healthy diet. These foods are easy to digest, loaded with good nutrition and simple to prepare.

Martin Ledwick, head information nurse at Cancer Research UK, says: "It is important to have a high calorie diet to gain weight after cancer treatment.  Until your weight is back to normal, use full fat milk, eat high calorie snacks between meals and generally increase your calorie intake. 

"Get advice from a dietitian at the hospital too."

Sasha Watkins says: "We often advise patients who have a very low weight due to illness to boost their calorie intake."

There are various ways of adding calories to your meals and snacks. Remember to choose full fat and high calorie options whenever you can. Below are some ways you can boost your diet after illness or cancer that are not generally recommended for healthy eating.

• Use full cream milk instead of semi-skimmed.
• Put two to four tablespoons of milk powder into a pint of full cream milk to make fortified milk. Use it instead of regular milk.
• Make milky coffee (or use fortified milk).
• Add fortified milk to tea and coffee or bedtime drinks such as Horlicks, Ovaltine or drinking chocolate.
• Make up packet sauces or soups with milk instead of water.
• Make sauces with milk instead of water or fortified milk instead of standard milk.
• Stir a tablespoon of cream into canned soups.
• Soak porridge oats with added sugar overnight in full cream milk. This softens them and makes them easier to eat. You can then add dried fruit or seeds to boost nutrients and calories. About 3oz of oats treated this way will give you about 500 calories.
• Mix grated cheese or cream with mashed potato.
• Keep snacks like nuts, pasteurised cheese, fresh and dried fruit, biscuits, crackers, full fat yoghurt or fromage frais handy to nibble at.
• Add ice cream, cream or evaporated milk to cold puddings.
• Add custard made with fortified milk to hot puddings.
• Add sugar, glucose powder, honey or syrup to desserts.
• Melt butter on top of hot vegetables or garnish hot vegetables with grated cheese or chopped hardboiled egg.
• Always use plenty of butter or margarine.
• Spread fillings thickly in sandwiches.
• Add a dessertspoon of mayonnaise to sandwich fillings like hardboiled egg or tuna fish.

Tips to pep up your appetite

When eating just doesn't appeal to you, there are some tricks of the trade that can help stimulate your appetite.

Taking a little walk before eating is one of the many ways to help fire up your appetite. When you are not hungry, choosing your favourite comfort foods may help. So can jazzing up foods with spices and herbs to enhance flavour.

Liquids, including water, can fill you up. So drink liquids separately to help make room for nourishing foods.

The sweet taste of fruit can rouse your appetite, especially when blended into an easy-to-tolerate smoothie.

Source: webmd.boots.com/healthy-eating/features/healthy-ways-to-gain-weight?page=3

How To Lose Arm Fat For Women

Losing arm fat is not as hard as it sounds. Even though this is a key fat storage area in the body, it can be worked on to look fabulous. If you have been longing for the day that you can wear your sleeveless outfit without having to bother about someone commenting about your arms, the following tips will be helpful in achieving just that.

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Watch your calories

Calories in and calories out is what matters mist here. It pays to start by knowing which foods are high in calories and which ones are low in calories. This way, you will be in a position to strike a balance with your meals. You also want to ensure that you burn more calories than you consume. It's a simple way of losing the fat without changing your diet completely.

Remain hydrated

This is a simple way of promoting proper bodily functions. Your body also tends to flush out toxins when you are well hydrated reducing the chances of fat accumulation. By promoting proper functioning, you will be working your way to health.

Exercise the arms

It is among the most effective arm fat loss tip. This is because by directly targeting the arm muscles, you will be making fast progress with the fat loss. The exercising can range from weights to simpler options such as lifting loads to target the triceps. Always go for something that you can handle comfortably when choosing the exercises.

Eat right

When you are not fit, it becomes harder for the arms to be toned. You therefore want to make sure that you are eating all the healthy foods. Meals that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates can be a good choice. You also want to go for healthy vegetables and fats as well as fruits. You will be supplying the body with all essential minerals and nutrients with proper diet.

Do regular stretches

They might sound simple, but can actually make all the difference when it comes to losing arm fat. When you stretch, proper blood circulation is promoted and this is important in fighting the fat deposits. The simple stretches can be done anywhere including the office. They do not demand too much time and work just as well.

Dance and walk frequently

They are both fun ways of losing arm fat. This is because the dancing will involve moving the arms vigorously helping tone them effectively. You can try fast moving music as compared to slow paced options. When walking, you should also focus on brisk walking which is more beneficial.

Lift weights

They come in different categories hence you will find those that you can lift easily. There are lots of weight moves that will target the arm muscles toning them in the process.Get the exercises or lifts right to avoid cases where you end up injuring yourself.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8566154

10 Powerful Ways to Destress and Lose Weight

One thing that comes up repeatedly when studying weight loss is the fact that while we live in a modern world, we do not live in modern bodies. Our bodies have changed little in the past 30,000 years, and many of the ways our hormones respond to things like hunger and stress are adapted to a lifestyle far, far less sedentary than the one we are living today. Due to the way our lifestyle has outpaced our bodies' ability to evolve, many of the "right" signals sent by our brains have the "wrong" result-rather than aiding in our survival, they can increase our risk of illness and death by promoting weight gain.

The hormone cortisol is one such example of this phenomenon. Studies are increasingly demonstrating that this hormone, which is released when you are under stress, contributes to weight gain and obesity today in a way it would not have in prehistoric times.

When you are under stress, your brain calls on cortisol to provide you with 'emergency' energy by tapping into the body's fat stores, moving them to the abdomen, and providing the body with protein for energy production. This occurs through the process of converting amino acids into glucose in the liver called gluconeogenesis. It also matures fat cells, and prompts the brain to crave more 'high energy' foods, such as sugars and fats, something which may cause your tendency to reach for "comfort foods" when upset.

Why does your brain send these signals? During prehistoric times, being under stress used to necessitate a lot more physical activity, and therefore required a lot more energy, than it does today. Those early stressors would have largely been due to events like running from a predator, being low on food and having to hunt and forage for long hours, or having one's shelter destroyed and having to build a new one-not having to pay the cell phone bill, or being late to an appointment due to rush hour traffic. Therefore, the body is trained to release its stores of energy and crave more of what produces energy when it is under stress, as it assumes a physical threat needs to be addressed.

This can be a real hurdle to those of you looking to lose weight, due to the fact that it's very hard to fight your basic instincts. Additionally, because of our current lifestyle, there is also no way to stop stress from entering our lives. However, all is not lost. If we learn to regulate and limit our body's production of cortisol, we can reduce our risk of disease and lose weight. Before you embark on reducing stress in your life, make sure that eating a healthy diet tops the list of things to employ.

Try these 10 helpful tips to reduce stress (cortisol levels) and lose weight:

1. Eliminate caffeine (or at least greatly reduce it).

Drinking caffeine causes a spike in cortisol levels, likely due to the fact that it raises your adrenaline levels and your heart rate, much like stress does.

2. Eliminate processed foods.

Ah, there are so many reasons to do this, aren't there? In addition to all the other issues processed foods can cause, they also raise your cortisol levels. Sugars and simple carbohydrates are the worst offenders. Eat a healthy diet enriched with vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

3. Drink plenty of water.

Dehydration can cause a rise in cortisol levels, which can develop into a dangerous cycle, as those who are stressed are also more prone to dehydration.

4. Exercise.

This one is just logical, isn't it? If your body is giving you energy because it's expecting you will need to do physical activity, burn off that energy by doing physical activity. Try a relaxing exercise, such as yoga, and get a double benefit by also lowering your heart rate. Another great way to reduce stress is by walking. It's also a fun way to walk away the pounds.

5. Listen to some music.

Music has been shown to reduce cortisol levels in patients about to undergo surgery, and it raises levels of serotonin in the brain, too. Select your favorite music and relax.

6. Laugh.

Laughter greatly curbs your body's production of cortisol. If you're feeling stressed, unwind with a good comedy, or joke around with friends. It will take the weight of the world right off your shoulders, and off your belly.

7. Meditate.

This age-old stress reducer activates the Vagus nerve, which triggers your body to lower cortisol levels. Try meditating for 30 minutes a day, at least three times a week, and see if you don't feel a difference in your ability to handle stress.

8. Get your 8 hours.

Sleep deprivation has been proven to cause weight gain, and once again cortisol comes into play. Not getting enough sleep causes the body to produce more cortisol, and it's another "vicious cycle" type of situation, because stress keeps us up at night. Exercise, chamomile tea, and natural sleep aids can all go a long way towards helping you get your rest.

9. Spend some quality time with your pets.

There's a reason animals are used as a form of therapy-your furry friends can raise your endorphins and lower your cortisol levels in no time.

10. Get creative.

Whether your passion is art, music, writing, or something else altogether, creative expression releases endorphins while activating the parasympathetic nervous system and lowering your heart rate. This in  turn lowers cortisol levels, all while adding beauty to your life and boosting your confidence.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8551916

Exercise lowers risk of breast cancer after menopause.

Women who exercise regularly for four years after the menopause can “rapidly decrease” their risk of breast cancer, a new study has found.

The study found women who exercised just moderately saw their risk of cancer drop by up to 10 per cent, but those who had abandoned exercise regimes saw no benefit. Even low levels of exercise, would be enough to have an impact if carried out regularly.

It follows work published in March, which bought together 37 studies across 26 years to show regular physical exercise can reduce the risk of breast cancer in women of all ages by around 12 per cent.

Postmenopausal women have a higher risk of breast cancer, with the risk highest in those who experience it late. In the UK, 51 is the average age for a woman to reach the menopause, although some women will experience it in their 30s or 40s.

The study, published today in a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, showed postmenopausal women who had regularly burned calories equivalent to four hours of walking per week saw a benefit.

Researchers analysed data from questionnaires completed by almost 60,000 women, enrolled into a French cancer study over eight years. Among these women, 2,155 were diagnosed with breast cancer.

The diagnosis rate was 10 per cent lower among those who had carried out regular exercise over the last four years. Those who had exercised regularly five to nine years previously but had since stopped did not see a lowered risk.

Sally Greenbrook, senior policy officer at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, says: “Being physically activity doesn’t need to be running or going to the gym - it can be anything from playing actively with your children, walking or gardening - anything that raises your pulse reduces your risk.

“Breast cancer is most common in postmenopausal women so it is great to see evidence like this which supports the message that physical activity in this age group is beneficial.”

The study is the first to demonstrate how quickly the link between exercise and decreased risk can develop after regular exercise starts and how fast it disappears once exercise stops.

The findings were independent of weight and the level of activity from earlier in the women’s lives.

Agnès Fournier, PhD, a researcher at the Institut Gustave Roussy in Villejuif, France, who helped carry out the research, said: “It was not [previously] clear how rapidly [the link between exercise and cancer risk] is observed after regular physical activity is 

exercise stops. Our study answers these questions. We found that recreational physical activity, even of modest intensity, seemed to have a rapid impact on breast cancer risk.

“As a result, postmenopausal women who do not exercise should consider starting because their risk of breast cancer may decrease rapidly.”

Source:Provided by The Independent 11/08/14

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment used to relieve symptoms of the menopause. It replaces female hormones that are at a lower level as you approach the menopause.

The menopause, sometimes referred to as the "change of life", is when a woman's ovaries stop producing an egg every four weeks. This means she will no longer have monthly periods or be able to have children naturally.

The menopause usually occurs when a woman is in her 50s (the average age is 51 in the UK), but some women experience the menopause in their 30s or 40s.

Read more about the menopause.

Oestrogen and progesterone (see below) are female hormones that play important roles in a woman’s body. Falling levels cause a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including hot flushes, mood swings and vaginal dryness.

The aim of HRT is to restore female hormone levels, allowing the body to function normally again.

Oestrogen

Oestrogen helps to release eggs from the ovaries. It also regulates a woman’s periods and helps her to conceive.

Oestrogen also plays a part in controlling other functions, including bone density, skin temperature and keeping the vagina moist. It is a reduction in oestrogen that causes most symptoms associated with the menopause, including:

• hot flushes
• night sweats  
• vaginal dryness 
• loss of libido (sex drive)
• stress incontinence (leaking urine when you cough or sneeze)
• bone thinning – which can lead to osteoporosis and fractures

Most symptoms will pass within two to five years, although vaginal dryness is likely to get worse if not treated. Stress incontinence may also persist and the risk of osteoporosis will increase with age.

Progesterone

The main role of progesterone is to prepare the womb for pregnancy. It also helps to protect the lining of the womb, known as the endometrium.

A decrease in the level of progesterone does not affect your body in the same way as falling levels of oestrogen. However, taking oestrogen as HRT on is own when you have a womb increases the risk of womb (uterus) cancer, sometimes called endometrial cancer.

Progesterone is therefore usually used in combination with oestrogen in HRT.

However, if you have had a hysterectomy (an operation to remove your womb), you do not need progesterone and can take oestrogen-only HRT.

Read more about the different types of HRT.

How systemic HRT is taken

Tablets, patches or implants are only needed if you have menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, and have weighed up the benefits and risks of treatment.

There are many different combinations of HRT, so deciding which type to use can be difficult. Your GP will be able to advise you.

There are several ways HRT can be taken, including:

• tablets – which can be taken by mouth
• a patch that you stick on your skin
• an implant – under local anaesthetic, small pellets of oestrogen are inserted under the skin of your tummy, buttock or thigh 
• oestrogen gel – which is applied to the skin and absorbed

Local oestrogen for vaginal dryness

If you are only experiencing vaginal dryness, you will probably be recommended oestrogen preparations that can be applied directly to your vagina.

As the dose of oestrogen is so low, you do not require the protective effect of the progestogen. Local oestrogens do not carry the same risks associated with systemic combined HRT.

Local oestrogens can be in the form of:

• pessaries placed directly into the vagina
• a vaginal ring
• vaginal creams

When to stop taking HRT

Most women are able to stop taking HRT after their menopausal symptoms finish, which is usually two to five years after they start.

Gradually decreasing your HRT dose is usually recommended, rather than stopping suddenly. You may have a relapse of menopausal symptoms after you stop HRT, but these should pass within a few months.

If you have symptoms that persist for several months after you stop HRT, or if you have particularly severe symptoms, contact your GP because treatment may need to be restarted, usually at a lower dose.

After you have stopped HRT, you may need additional treatment for vaginal dryness and to prevent osteoporosis(brittle bones). Read about the best ways to prevent osteoporosis. 

Creams and lubricants are available for vaginal dryness, as are local oestrogen preparations (see above).

Who can use HRT?

You can start HRT as soon as you begin to experience menopausal symptoms. However, HRT may not be suitable if you are pregnant or have:

• a history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer or womb cancer
• a history of blood clots
• a history of heart disease or stroke
• untreated high blood pressure – your blood pressure will need to be controlled before you can start HRT
• liver disease

If you have irregular periods, this will also need to be diagnosed before HRT is used.

Read more about who can use HRT.

If you are unable to have HRT, different medication may be prescribed to help control your menopausal symptoms.

Read more about alternatives to HRT.

Side effects of HRT

Hormones used in HRT can have associated side effects, including:

• fluid retention
• bloating
• breast tenderness or swelling
• headaches
• indigestion 
• depression 

Read more about possible side effects of HRT and how to ease them.

Benefits and risks

Over the years, many studies examining the benefits and risks of HRT have been carried out.

The main benefit is that it is a very effective method of controlling menopausal symptoms, and it can make a significant difference to a woman’s quality of life and wellbeing.

HRT can also reduce a woman’s risk of developing osteoporosis and cancer of the colon and rectum. However, long-term use is rarely recommended, and bone density will decrease rapidly after HRT is stopped.

Combined HRT slightly increases the risk of developing breast cancer, womb cancer, ovarian cancer and stroke. Systemic HRT also increases your risks of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (blockage in the pulmonary artery). Other medicines are available to treat osteoporosis that do not carry the same level of associated risk.

Most experts agree that if HRT is used on a short-term basis (no more than five years), the benefits outweigh the risks.

If HRT is taken for longer, particularly for more than 10 years, you should discuss your individual risks with your GP and review them on an annual basis.

Read more about the risks of HRT.

Source:nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy/pages/introduction.aspx

The Healthiest Way to Get a Natural Glow

You’ve heard that age-old myth: Eating too many carrots can make your skin turn orange. Well, it’s true. Sort of. The bright pigments found in vegetables and fruit like broccoli, sweet potatoes and melons do increase skin yellowness. And apparently, it can give you a more attractive glow than you would get from sitting out in the sun.

In a new study, 60 volunteers were asked to rate how pleasing they found faces with different types of coloration: ones with pigmentation caused by "carotenoid coloration" from fruits and vegetables, and ones from "melanin coloration" caused by the sun. And more than 75% of the participants preferred the faces with the more natural coloring from eating a healthy diet. Researchers believe the glow from fruit and vegetables sent an overall signal of good health.

Looking more healthy isn’t the only upside to adding more fruits and veggies to your meals. They're also full of antioxidants that help keep skin looking young, while tanning too much can age the skin prematurely. Guess this is one more reason why Mom was right to insist you eat your vegetables.

Source: goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/healthy-glow-from-vegetables

Instant Eye Lift

6 Awesome Ways Your Body Gets Better With Age

1. Fewer illnesses
You know how the flu often hits the youngest and oldest people the hardest? Your immune system will eventually weaken, but experts say you experience a sweet spot for fighting off infections in your thirties and forties.

"Over time, we store more and more different kinds of antibodies in what I like to call our 'antibody libraries,'" says Roxanne Sukol, M.D., staff physician at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute. "Years later, when we are once again exposed to that virus or a similar one, our antibodies become a powerful tool to prevent re-infection, either entirely or partially."

2. Better stamina
If you're thinking about signing up for a race, do it! Many of the world's top female marathoners have secured big wins during their thirties, falling right in line with research showing that our bodies reach peak fitness around age 35. "As women, we have an ability to maintain a very efficient use of our body fuel, especially our body fat," says Pamela Peeke, MD, author of Body For Life For Women.

But if you're not an elite athlete, you can absolutely still slug it out into your forties, say experts. In fact, one study found that among recreational runners, marathon, and half-marathon times were nearly identical for the age groups from 20 to 49. "So much of it is mental," says Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom. "Most of the time, in your early twenties, your life has not tested you, so you don't really know what your reserves are. But now you can tap those deep, inner resources to keep going."

3. Higher sexual satisfaction
Think you're destined to lose some of that between-the-sheets sizzle? We have great news: A shift in your hormonal balance in your early forties can actually increase your sex drive and your ability to have orgasms, says Dr. Peeke. "Plus you feel more comfortable in your body, you trust your partner more, you tap into experience, and the subtler ways to find pleasure during sex — all of these things translate into an ability to achieve orgasm and have heightened sexual enjoyment."

According to the nation's largest sex survey, just 61% of women ages 18 to 24 experienced orgasm the last time they had sex, compared to 65% of women in their thirties — and a whopping 70% of women in their forties and fifties.

4. Less upkeep
Remember all of that precious time you used to spend fussing in front of the mirror? Not only do we stress less about our appearance as we get older — but our body itself also requires less maintenance. "Your scalp produces less oil as you age, so you don't have to wash your hair as often," says Debra Jaliman, MD, a New York City dermatologist and author of Skin Rules.

"Body hair also decreases — thanks to lower estrogen levels — so you're not shaving and waxing as much, either." Bonus: As those hormone levels stabilize, many women notice clearer skin and fewer breakouts, too, says Dr. Jaliman.

5. Lower stress
You can call it the been-there-done-that benefit of getting older: While your body's stress response never changes, the list of what's going to send it into overdrive becomes much shorter, says Dr. Peeke. "How many times do you have to face a terrible commute or a micromanaging boss before you just accept that it is what it is?" she asks.

Plus, as time goes by, you grow more secure in your body, your relationships, your career, and your life choices — all while picking up a solid sense of what you can and can't control. "When you walk around with your skirt tucked into your tights, it's not the biggest deal in the world anymore," says Dr. Northrup. "Your addiction to worrying about how you look fades, giving you more energy for what truly feeds you on a soul level." Say it with us now: Ahhh.

6. More brain power
Sure, you might eventually get a little foggier or more forgetful, but new insight proves that some mental abilities actually grow stronger in middle age. "We have the term 'neuroplasticity' now, meaning that we have the ability to learn our entire lives," says Dr. Northrup.

But that's not all: Studies have found that you start using both sides of the brain to tackle routine tasks, making you better at problem solving, which may explain why women in their forties, fifties, and sixties tend to score higher on tests of complex cognitive skills, like vocabulary and verbal memory.

Source:goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/body-better-with-age