Author Archives: Editor

Video – Celebrity chef Brian Turner on macho men’s cancer risk

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London: Celebrity chef Brian Turner, pictured, is teaming with Prostate UK and the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) in Glasgow to highlight how up to 10,000 thousand male lives in the UK could be saved every year if men only overcame their male pride, booked themselves a simple medical check up and made some important changes in their diet to prevent the on-set of prostate cancer.

The new report revealed at the BAUS annual conference shows that despite the fact that 9 out of 10 men know where their prostate gland is, 4 our of 10 men (39%) are still unwilling to have a medical check-up because they don’t think they are at risk of developing any disease. A quarter of men live in fear of the medical examination believing that the check-up is too intrusive, 10% of men believe the check-up is too embarrassing and 1 in 25 feel that a prostate check is an invasion of their masculinity.

Each year 221,000 men die of prostate cancer and 678,000 men live with the condition. If caught early it’s a treatable disease but it seems that embarrassment, ignorance and macho attitudes are preventing men from getting it checked out.

The conference aims to communicate a holistic approach to treating prostate cancer – in effect, a new approach to treating the disease. As well as discussing progress in hormone therapy, topics for debate at the conference will also touch on diet, exercise and sexuality. Attending delegates are made up of urological surgeons and specialists from the UK and around the world. Celebrity chef Brian Turner will be cooking prostate cancer friendly recipes on the stand, and there will also be exercise bikes with men demonstrating exercises that are beneficial for men with prostate cancer.

Watch the video here:

Learn more about this disease www.prostateuk.org

US elderly have better mental function than those in UK

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US elder have better cognitive function compared to their counterparts of the same age in the UK, according to a joint UK-US study.

The researchers said that mental function of the US elder was better despite the greater incidence of cardiovascular disease risk factors, which was managed better in the US with drugs.

They said: “Cognitive function is a key determinant of independence and quality of life among older adults. Compared to adults in England, US adults have a greater prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and disease that may lead to poorer cognitive function.

“We compared cognitive performance of older adults in the US and England, and sought to identify sociodemographic and medical factors associated with differences in cognitive function between the two countries.”

The esearcher was carried out at Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge,UK; Epidemiology and Public Health, Peninsula Medical School, Exeter, UK; Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

They studied 13,566 ethnic white individuals over the age of 60, beginning in 2002.

They found that adults in the UK were economically poorer and suffered more from depression than the US adults, where more money is spent on healthcare and also managing symptoms associated with impaired cognitive function, such as high-blood pressure, with drugs. US adults were also better educated.

The researchers concluded: “We found that despite a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risks and cardiovascular disease among older US adults, they performed significantly better than their English counterparts on tests of memory, suggesting an advantage in cognitive health in the United States.

“While we were unable to confidently identify thecause or causes of this US advantage, higher levels of education and wealth, lower levels of depressive symptoms, and more aggressive treatment of cardiovascular risks
such as hypertension, may be important contributing factors. Given the growing number of older adults worldwide, future cross-national studies aimed at identifying the medical and social factors that might prevent or delay cognitive decline in older adultswould make important and valuable contributions to public health.

Read the full study at Full Paper

Slightly obese who exercise live longer than skinnies

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New York: Slightly overweight people live longer than those of a “healthy” weight, according to new research.

The researchers in the US and Canada concluded that a person’s weight was not the full picture in good health. It is better to be plumpish and exercise than to be slim and sedentary, the study found

For instance, a stressed-out, sedentary person of normal weight may be in worse shape than a plumpish individual who exercises and keeps stress levels under control.

The researchers tracked the health and habits of more than 11,000 Canadians for 12 years.

The men and women were divided into five categories based on their Body Mass Index, calculated by dividing their weight in kilograms by their height in metres squared.

Using pounds and ounces, the weight in pounds is multiplied by 703 and divided by the height in inches squared.

This means that a 5ft 10in man weighing 11st 2lb would have a BMI of 22.3, placing him within the ‘normal’ weight range.

A rating below 18.5 is regarded as underweight, above 25 is overweight and above 30 regarded as obese.

Those with a BMI of above 35 were classed as extremely obese.

During the period studied, the underweight were 70 per cent more likely to have died than those of normal weight, followed by the extremely obese. However, the obese lived roughly as long as those of normal weight.

Those classed as overweight, meaning they were carrying a stone or so too much for their height, were 17 per cent less likely to have died, the journal Obesity reports.

Researcher David Feeny, of Kaiser Permanente Northwest Centre for Health Research in Oregon, said: ‘It’s not surprising that extreme underweight and extreme obesity increase the risk of dying but it is surprising that carrying a little extra weight may give people a longevity advantage.’

Dr Feeny, who falls into the overweight category, said there could be several explanations for the result.

For instance, concern about the health of the overweight and obese may mean that problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes are more likely to be spotted and treated, improving health.

And those who start out slightly heavier will have more reserves to call on should they lose weight due to ill health as they get older.

Finally, a person’s lifestyle has to be factored in.

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) – the latest research

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AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION (AMD)

What is AMD?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows a person to see fine detail. AMD gradually destroys the sharp, central vision, which is needed for seeing objects clearly, and for common daily tasks such as reading and driving.

AMD causes no pain and, in some cases, advances so slowly that people notice little change in their vision. In others, the disease progresses faster and may lead to a rapid loss of vision in both eyes. AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in the western world for individuals over the age of 60, and is thought to affect over three million people in the UK alone. AMD occurs in two forms: wet and dry.

Where is the macula?

The macula is located in the centre of the retina – the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The retina instantly converts light into electrical impulses, known as nerve signals, and sends them on to the brain for image interpretation.

What is dry AMD?

Dry AMD occurs when the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down, gradually blurring central vision in the affected eye. As dry AMD gets worse, a person may see a blurred spot in the centre of his or her vision. Over time, central vision is gradually lost in the affected eye.

The most common symptom of dry AMD is slightly blurred vision. A person may have difficulty recognising faces and may need more light for reading and other tasks. Dry AMD generally affects both eyes, but vision can be lost in one eye while the other eye seems unaffected. One of the most common early signs of dry AMD is ‘drusen’ in the eye, possibly combined with pigment abnormalities.

What is drusen?

Drusen are yellow deposits under the retina often found in people over age 60, and in isolation do not normally cause vision loss. In fact, scientists are unclear about the connection between drusen and AMD, but have found that an increase in the size or number of drusen raises a person’s risk of developing either advanced dry AMD or wet AMD.

An eye care professional can detect drusen during a comprehensive dilated eye exam.

What is wet AMD?

Wet AMD is another advanced stage of AMD and is generally preceded by early or intermediate dry AMD. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels behind the retina start to grow under the macula. These new blood vessels tend to be very fragile and often leak blood and fluid. The blood and fluid raise the macula from its normal place at the back of the eye, and damage to the macula occurs rapidly.

With wet AMD, loss of central vision can occur quickly.

What are the stages of AMD?

AMD has three stages, all of which may occur in one or both eyes:

1. Early AMD – people with early AMD have either several small, or a few medium-sized drusen. At this stage, there are no other symptoms and no vision loss.

2. Intermediate AMD – people with intermediate AMD have either many medium-sized or one or more large drusen. Some people see a blurred spot in the centre of their vision. More light may be needed for reading and other tasks.

3. Advanced AMD – in addition to drusen, people with advanced dry AMD or advanced wet AMD have a breakdown of light-sensitive cells and supporting tissue in the central retinal area. This breakdown can cause a blurred spot in the centre of the vision. Over time, the blurred spot may get bigger and darker, taking more of the central vision. Individuals may have difficulty reading or recognising faces until they are very close.

If a person has vision loss from dry AMD in one eye only, he or she may not notice any changes in overall vision. With the other eye seeing clearly, the individual can still drive, read and see fine details, and may notice changes in vision only if AMD affects both eyes.

Which is more common – the dry form or the wet form?

The dry form is much more common, although scientists are still not sure what causes it. More than 85 per cent of all people with intermediate and advanced AMD combined have the dry form.

However, if only advanced AMD is considered, about two-thirds of patients have the wet form. Because almost all vision loss comes from advanced AMD, the wet form leads to significantly more vision loss than the dry form.

Can the dry form turn into the wet form?

Yes. All people who have the wet form of AMD had the dry form first. Dry AMD can advance and cause vision loss without turning into the wet form of the disease. The dry form also can suddenly turn into the wet form, even during early stage AMD. There is no way to tell if or when dry will turn into wet AMD.

The dry form has early and intermediate stages. Does the wet form have similar stages?
No. The wet form is considered advanced AMD.

Can advanced AMD be either the dry form or the wet form?

Yes. Both the wet form and the advanced dry form are considered advanced AMD, and vision loss can occur with either form, although in most cases, only advanced AMD can cause vision loss. People who have advanced AMD in one eye are at especially high risk of developing advanced AMD in the other eye.

Causes and Risk Factors

Who is at risk of developing AMD?

The greatest risk factor is age. Although AMD may occur during middle age, studies show that people over age 60 are clearly at greater risk than other age groups. For instance, a large study found that middle-aged people have about a two per cent risk of developing AMD, but this risk increased to nearly 30 per cent in those over age 75.

Other risk factors include:

• Smoking – smokers have an increased risk of developing AMD

• Family History – individuals with immediate family members who have AMD are at a higher risk of developing the disease

• Obesity – research studies suggest a link between obesity and the progression of early and intermediate stage AMD to advanced AMD

• Poor nutrition lacking in lutein /zeaxanthin rich diet (nutrients found in green leafy vegetables such as curly kale and egg yolk)

• Race – Caucasians seem to be more likely to lose vision from AMD than those with darker skin

• Gender – women appear to be at greater risk than men

Can a person’s lifestyle make a difference?

A person’s lifestyle can play a role in reducing the risk of developing AMD. So it’s important to remember to:

• Eat a healthy diet that’s high in fruit, fish and vegetables, specifically green leafy vegetables

• Avoid smoking

• Maintain a normal blood pressure

• Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly

Symptoms and Detection

What are the symptoms of AMD?

Dry AMD: The most common early sign for dry AMD is blurred vision. As fewer cells in the macula are able to function, people will see details such as faces or words in a book less clearly.

Often this blurred vision disappears in brighter light. If the loss of these light-sensing cells becomes great, people may see a small but growing blind spot in the middle of their field of vision.

Wet AMD: The classic early symptom for wet AMD is that straight lines appear crooked. This results when fluid from the leaking blood vessels gathers and lifts the macula, distorting vision. A small blind spot may also appear in wet AMD, resulting in loss of one’s central vision.

Neither dry nor wet AMD cause pain.

How is AMD detected?

An eye care professional may suspect AMD if the person is over age 60 and has had recent changes in central vision. AMD is detected during a comprehensive eye exam that includes a visual acuity test, dilated eye exam, and tonometry (a measurement of intraocular pressure).

An eye care professional also may perform other tests to learn more about the structure and health of the eye. For example during an eye exam, the patient may be asked to look at an Amsler grid – a grid of straight lines with a black dot in the centre. The patient will be asked to cover one eye and stare at the black dot. While staring at the dot, they may notice that the straight lines in the pattern appear wavy, and that some of the lines are missing. These may be signs of AMD.

If an eye care professional believes the patient needs treatment for wet AMD, he or she will suggest a ‘fluorescein’ and/or ‘indocyanin green angiogram’ to identify any leaking blood vessels and recommend treatment.

What does AMD mean for the patient?

For many, AMD is a shock which can be compounded by lack of information, empathy and support available. Patients are frequently told that little can be done to treat the condition, leaving them feeling both angry and depressed.

People with AMD are more likely to become depressed than the general population, and depression can increase the difficulty of adjusting to the disease (Quality of life in age-related macular degeneration – Royal Holloway University of London, 2006). Indeed, a US cross-sectional study of 151 patients living with AMD reported that the rate of depressive disorder was twice that generally found among elderly people living in the community.

Those living with AMD may lose their independence, requiring help with personal and household tasks and other aspects of daily life. Shopping, cooking and general mobility are also more difficult for people with AMD than those of a similar age with no visual impairment. An additional prospective study of AMD patients with recent (within six weeks) loss of vision to their second eye found that of the 51 participants, 33% met the criteria for clinical depression (a higher rate than 16% found in the wider community), of whom only one was receiving treatment for depression, suggesting low levels of pre-existing depression (Source: Rovner, Casten and Tasman – Effect of depression on vision function in age-related macular degeneration (Journals of Ophthalmology, 2002).

Other health problems associated with age such as arthritis and osteoporosis serve to impair quality of life still further.

Visual hallucinations, known as Charles Bonnet Syndrome, and common in those with visual impairments, can also occur with AMD. While benign and frequently short-lived, research suggests that few are warned that AMD can cause hallucinations and may not report them, featuring dementia. Such unnecessary worry may further damage quality of life.

Rehabilitation, including the provision of low vision aids and training in their use, has been proven to benefit those with AMD, improving visual function and assisting quality of life. Psycho-social interventions, such as peer support groups, also help sufferers adjust to the disease.

Treatment

How is wet AMD treated?

Wet AMD can be treated with laser surgery, photodynamic therapy, and injections into the eye. None of these treatments are a cure for wet AMD, and the disease and loss of vision may progress despite treatment.

1. Laser surgery – this procedure, which is performed in a doctor’s office or eye clinic, uses a laser to destroy the fragile, leaky blood vessels. A high-energy beam of light is aimed directly onto the new blood vessels and destroys them, preventing further loss of vision.

However, laser treatment may also destroy some surrounding healthy tissue and some vision. Only a small percentage of people with wet AMD can be treated with laser surgery. It is more effective if the leaky blood vessels have developed away from the fovea, the central part of the macula.

The risk of new blood vessels developing after laser treatment is high. Repeated treatments may be necessary, and in some cases, vision loss may progress despite repeated treatments.

2. Photodynamic therapy – a drug called ‘verteporfin’ is injected into the arm. It travels through the body, including the new blood vessels in the eye, and tends to “stick” to the surface of the new vessels.

Next, a light which activates the drug is beamed into the eye for around 90 seconds, which destroys the new blood vessels and leads to a slower rate of vision decline. Unlike laser surgery, this drug does not destroy surrounding healthy tissue. Because the drug is activated by light, the patient must avoid exposing skin or eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light for five days after treatment.

Photodynamic therapy slows the rate of vision loss, but does not stop it or restore vision in eyes already damaged by advanced AMD. Treatment results often are temporary and a person may need to be treated again. Photodynamic therapy is relatively painless, takes about 20 minutes and is normally performed in a dedicated hospital clinic.

3. Injections – wet AMD can now be treated with new drugs that are injected into the eye (anti-VEGF or anti-angiogenic therapy). Abnormally high levels of a specific growth factor occur in eyes with wet AMD and promote the growth of abnormal new blood vessels. This drug treatment blocks the effects of the growth factor.

A person will need multiple injections that may be given as often as every month. The eye is numbed before each injection, and the patient may need to remain in hospital for a period of time after each session for monitoring. This drug treatment can help slow down vision loss from AMD and in some cases improve sight.

How is dry AMD treated?

Once dry AMD reaches the advanced stage, no form of treatment can prevent vision loss. However, intake of certain antioxidant vitamins and zinc can delay and possibly prevent intermediate AMD from progressing to the advanced stage, in which vision loss occurs.

The US National Eye Institute’s Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) found that taking Bausch & Lomb’s PreserVision, a high-potency nutritional supplement containing antioxidants and zinc, significantly reduces the risk of advanced AMD and its associated vision loss. Slowing AMD’s progression from the intermediate stage to the advanced stage will save the vision of many people.

Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS)

What is the dosage of the AREDS formulation?

The specific quantities of antioxidants and zinc used by the AREDS researchers were 500 milligrams of vitamin C; 400 International Units of vitamin E; 15 milligrams of beta-carotene (often labelled as equivalent to 25,000 International Units of vitamin A); 80 milligrams of zinc as zinc oxide; and two milligrams of copper as cupric oxide. Copper was added to the AREDS formulation containing zinc to prevent copper deficiency anaemia, a condition associated with high levels of zinc intake.

Bausch & Lomb’s PreserVision Original formulation, which was proven safe and effective by the AREDS study, is available in soft gel and tablet forms. The new PreserVision Lutein soft gels replace beta-carotene with lutein and are suitable for smokers.

Who should take the AREDS formulation?

People who are at high risk for developing advanced AMD should consider taking the formulation in consultations with their health care provider or personal physician. A person is at high risk of developing advanced AMD if he or she has either:

1. Intermediate AMD in one or both eyes.
-OR-
2. Advanced AMD (dry or wet) in one eye, but not the other.

The AREDS formulation is not a cure for AMD, nor will it restore vision already lost from the disease. However, it may delay the onset of advanced AMD. It may also help people who are at high risk of developing advanced AMD keep their vision.

Can diet alone provide the same high levels of antioxidants and zinc as the AREDS formulation?

No. High levels of vitamins and minerals are difficult to achieve from diet alone. However, previous studies have suggested that people who have diets rich in fruit, fish and vegetables, specifically, green leafy vegetables, have a lower risk of developing AMD.

Can a daily multi-vitamin alone provide the same high levels of antioxidants and zinc as the AREDS formulation?

No. The formulation’s levels of antioxidants and zinc are considerably higher than the amounts in any daily multi-vitamin. If a person is already taking daily multi-vitamins and his or her doctor suggests taking the high-dose AREDS formulation, it is recommended that the individual review all vitamin supplements with his or her doctor prior to taking the AREDS formulation.

Because multi-vitamins contain many important vitamins not found in the AREDS formulation, a person may wish to take a multi-vitamin along with the AREDS formulation. For example, people with osteoporosis need to be particularly concerned about taking vitamin D, which is not in the AREDS formulation.

How can a person take care of his or her vision once diagnosed with AMD?
If a person has dry AMD, he or she should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. An eye care professional can monitor his or her condition and check for other eye diseases. Also, if a person has intermediate AMD in one or both eyes, or advanced AMD in one eye only, the doctor may suggest that the individual take the AREDS formulation containing the high levels of antioxidants and zinc.

Because dry AMD can turn into wet AMD at any time, a person should obtain an Amsler grid from their eye care professional. It is recommended that the individual use the grid every day to evaluate his or her vision for signs of wet AMD. This quick test works best for people who still have good central vision. If a person detects any changes in the appearance of this grid or in his or her everyday vision while reading the newspaper or watching television, he or she needs a comprehensive dilated eye exam.

If a person has wet AMD, a doctor would normally advise immediate treatment. After laser surgery or photodynamic therapy or anti-VEGF anti-angiogenic therapy, a person will need frequent eye exams to detect any recurrence of leaking blood vessels.

Studies show that people who smoke have a greater risk of recurrence than those who don’t. In addition, a person should check his or her vision daily at home using the Amsler grid and will need to schedule an eye exam immediately if any changes are detected.

What can a person do if he or she has already lost some vision from AMD?
If a person has lost some sight from AMD, he or she should not be afraid to use his or her eyes for reading, watching TV, and other routine activities. Normal eye use will not cause further vision damage. These individuals should also ask their eye care professional about low-vision services and devices that may help make the most of their remaining vision.

Many community organisations and agencies offer information about low-vision counselling, training, and other special services for people with visual impairments. Macular Disease Society is of particular value to many existing AMD sufferers. The Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) also provides support and services for those experiencing vision difficulties and loss.

Current Research

What AMD research is currently being conducted?
Research is conducted globally to help provide better ways to detect, treat, and prevent vision loss through AMD. Currently, scientists are:

• Studying the possibility of transplanting healthy cells into a diseased retina – a London-based project to cure AMD has recently been launched, following £4 million donation from an anonymous American donor. This will involve a study where patients will be treated for dry AMD with injections of Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) into the eye. The RPE itself has been developed under laboratory conditions from embryonic stem cells. The study is likely to take at least five years to complete, and will be undertaken by Moorfields Eye Hospital in conjunction with the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London and the University of Sheffield

• Evaluating families with a history of AMD to understand genetic and hereditary factors that may cause the disease

• Looking at certain anti-inflammatory treatments for the wet form of AMD
• AREDS II further examining the role of vitamins, lutein, omega-3 fatty acids and zinc

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Philips shows you how to get rid of nose hair

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As we get older hair sprouts in unexpected places. And nothing is more ageing and unsightly than nose hair.

Philips the electrical gadget expert has a special device to make the removal of nose hair quick and easy. Click here to see the latest gadget which is on special offer Philips NT9110 Nose Hair Trimmer

Lutein & Zeaxanthin diet supplements slow down ageing eye disease

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Belfast: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease of the eye which is the leading cause of blindness for adults aged over 60, may be accelerated by deficiencies in the diet.

And new research has confirmed that two nutrients in particularl, lutein and zeaxanthin can prevent and even slow down the disease. AMD attacks the macular, which is responsible for sharp central vision and is a disease over and above the normal wear and tear experienced by ageing eyes.

But Professor Usha Chakravarthy of Queen’s University Centre of Vision and Vascular Science and Dr Stephen Beatty of the Waterford Institute of Technology reported that a supplement containing high amounts of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin in addition to the antioxidant nutrients zinc and vitamins C and E, helped preserve macular pigments in patients with age related macular degeneration (AMD), retarding the progression of early to late stage disease. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss among older individuals residing in western nations.

Professor Chakravarthy and colleagues administered the nutritional supplement or a placebo to 433 participants with early macular degeneration enrolled in centers in Belfast and Waterford, Ireland. The subjects, whose average age was 77 upon enrollment, were followed from October, 2004 to March, 2008.

While participants who received the placebo experienced a steady decline in protective macular pigments, these pigments were preserved in those who received lutein and zeaxanthin.

“Late AMD causes severe sight loss and has a huge economic impact both in terms of the effects of sight loss itself and in terms of the expensive treatments that are needed to deal with the condition,” Dr Chakravarthy stated.

“Up to 500 people a year in Northern Ireland will lose sight in one or both eyes as a result of late AMD . . . Prevention of progression to late AMD can result in a reduced financial and societal burden.”

“These findings are important because this is the first randomized controlled clinical trial to document a beneficial effect through improved function and maintained macular pigments,” he noted. “Further research is needed to confirm these findings.”

There are two types of AMD – dry when the light sensitive cells in the macular break down and wet when the normal blood vessels in the retina start to grow under the macular.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin are thought to be particularly helpful to eye health when combined with a mult-vitamin.

Read more about eye health Eye Care

Try Blink Intensive Tears FREE

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London: If you have tired, irritated dry eyes – then try Blink Intensive Tears. Blink is offering 10 readers the chance to try their advanced formula free – all you have to do is answer the competition question below.

Some irritating eye facts – 47% of 16-64 year olds suffer from dry, irritated and uncomfortable feeling eyes

19% say this occurs frequently and leaves them feeling less able to cope with their busy lives.[1]

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blink® intensive tears protective eye drops are available in multi-dose bottles and preservative-free single dose vials. Available from selected supermarkets, opticians and pharmacy stores. For further details visit www.blinkintensive.com

[1] Independent consumer survey of 1,000 people. AMO data.

For your chance to win one of 10 multi-dose bottles of blink® intensive tears protective eye drops answer the following question:

How long does the viscosity-enhanced formulation of blink® intensive tears protective eye drops hold moisture in the eye for?

a) Under five minutes?

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Please email us your answer to readeroffer@elixirnews.com

Underactive thyroid may be sign of longevity

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New York: Low thyroid activity, one of the most treated conditions in the United States, may actually be a sign of longevity, US researchers have discovered.

While they said it was far too soon for people taking thyroid pills to stop, they will be looking to see if the thyroid may hold the key to a long life, at least for some people.

Dr Martin Surks and colleagues at the Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York studied hundreds of people who had lived to be 100, and found evidence that people with low thyroid activity were more likely to be in that group.

Dr Surks told a meeting of the Endocrine Society, specialists in human hormones: “We studied a large group of Ashkenazi Jews with exceptional longevity.”

They used a large national survey of health to see what the average hormone levels are for people of various ages.

The thyroid, located in the neck, is a master gland, secreting hormones that affect metabolism. Doctors usually check its activity by an indirect measure — looking at levels of TSH, or thyroid stimulating hormone.

High TSH levels suggest the thyroid is underactive, a condition known as hypothyroidism. Low levels suggest it is overactive, known as hyperthyroidism.

People with low thyroid function may lose hair, gain weight and feel sluggish, while those with overactive thyroids may lose weight, feel their hearts race and have trembling hands Both can be easily treated with a daily pill.

The researchers found 15 to 20 percent of people over the age of 60 had TSH levels that suggest an underactive thyroid gland. He told the meeting he believed that may be normal for older people and may in fact be a sign of longevity.

“We estimate that 70 percent of old people whose TSH was minimally elevated and who were considered to have hypothyroidism were actually in their age-specific limits,” Surks added.

The research looked at 200 Jews who had lived to be 100, and 400 of their children. Two genetic changes were linked with low thyroid function but also with extreme old age.

Metabolic rate affects life span in animals. For instance, elephants have slow metabolic rates, slow heartbeats, and can live for decades, as opposed to mice, which have fast metabolisms and live for just months.

It may be, Surks said, that people with low thyroid function in old age were “elephants” with a slow metabolism who can live longer, as compared to ‘mice” with fast metabolic rates who may have shorter natural life spans.

“If you are an older person with high TSH, this suggests you are on the road to a long life,” Surks said.

What worries him is that millions of people in the United States are being treated for hypothyroidism. “In North America, thyroid hormone is used at the drop of a hat,” he said.

His group is seeking to see if that might interfere with a person’s natural life span.

Surks noted that having a low thyroid function before about age 50 is a separate condition and appropriately treated with hormones.

He also plans studies to see what the biological function of having high TSH levels might mean for cells and ageing.

How Invisalign can give you a radiant smile

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London: Nearly half of us are embarrassed by our teeth – now you can flash those perfect pearlies… with confidence!

It’s the simplest of secrets to looking great, but so many of us still don’t make the most of nature’s greatest beauty tool, a great smile. Your smile is a genuine reflection of your deepest feelings; it costs nothing and enriches those you encounter, a smile conveys your self-esteem and exudes confidence to the world around you.

Yet, according to a new survey by Align Technology, makers of the Invisalign system, which uses a series of removable clear aligners to gradually move the teeth, nearly half of us Brits (46%) are well and truly embarrassed about the state of our teeth. Having a smile to be proud of is really important – your smile is in fact one of the first things people notice when they meet you. Research shows that not only is a great smile the first thing a third of women notice in a potential love interest, but six in ten of us also agree that a winning smile makes you appear more confident – and thus far more attractive.

While many of us still long for a perfectly straight smile, we’re haunted with visions of the metal train tracks and hours in the dentist’s chair. So what do we need to do to achieve perfectly straight pearly whites? Help is at hand from Dental practitioner Dr Paul Humber and relationship psychologist Dr. Pam Spurr who offer some simple tips to making your teeth something to be proud of:

Click here to view video:Perfect Smile Video

Top Tips for a perfect smile, for every step of the way

1. Watch what you eat and drink – We all know red wine and coffee can stain your teeth, but sticking to lighter drinks can make a huge difference.

2. Keep a toothbrush in your bag – You can get rid of the post lunch build up at work, so the hot guy in the office always sees you at your best

3. Use your mirror – Find the teeth that are the most stained and concentrate on those when brushing to get an even better smile!

4. Floss – Get in the gaps to remove build up; bottle brushes are great too and available in most shops

5. Keep up with latest technology – From teeth straightening and whitening, it has come along way, which means it’s never too late to sort out your teeth.

For more information visit www.invisalign.com

Zirtek joins with Elixir to offer you the chance to win a designer tent and picnic goodies

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London: Don’t let the dreaded hayfever get in the way this summer and win yourself a super stylish 3-man tent and a picnic rucksack for four.

If you suffer from hayfever, the itching, sneezing and sore eyes might already be out in full force! All the planned fun in the sun soon looses its appeal when you’re sneezing into your picnic, or can’t see your favorite band at Glastonbury because your eyes are streaming so much. But don’t fret… we have a little something that will help to have you prancing carefree through the English countryside before you know it!

Zirtek can provide effective 24-hour relief from all the symptoms of hayfever, including itchy eyes and a blocked nose – leaving you free to enjoy the summer. It’s a second generation antihistamine and comes in a range of formats, including a sugar-free, banana flavored solution which can be taken by children as young as two years old.

For more information and a daily pollen forecast visit www.zirtek.co.uk

To help you get out and enjoy your new found hayfever freedom, Zirtek are giving you the chance to win a trendy (yet very practical) 3-man Celia Birtwell Candy Flower Dome Tent and a picnic rucksack with cutlery and crockery for four so you’ll be ready for any occasion whether it’s a picnic in your back garden or camping in a deserted field!

To get your hands on this fantastic prize just answer the question below:

Q1. How many hours does Zirtek provide relief from hay fever symptons?
Please email your answer to readeroffer@elixirnews.com. Please put Zirtek in the email header. This competition closes on 30 June 2009 and no money equivalent is being offered. The Editor’s decisiion is final.

For more information visit www.zirtek.co.uk

Grey hair reveals DNA stress, say scientists

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Tokyo: Stress can make your hair turn grey, according to a new study published in the medical journal Cell.

In a new study from Tokyo Medical and Dental University, researchers confirm that the daily wear and tear on our DNA from damage caused by chemicals, ultraviolet light, and ionizing radiation, may be responsible.

according to study lead author Emi Nishimura of Tokyo Medical and Dental University.

Lead reseracher Emi Nishimura said that cells can undergo up to 100,000 events a day that damage DNA.The stem cells within hair follicles responsible for colour are most affected by this constant attack.

Stem cells are cells in the body that can reproduce indefinitely and that have the potential to “mature” into other, more specialized cells. The stem cells in hair follicles mature into melanocytes, or cells that produce the pigment melanin.

In younger people, the hair’s stem cells maintain a balance between those that reproduce and those that turn into pigment cells, so that pigment is constantly being added to growing hair.

But as a person ages, too many of the stem cells mature until the pool of pigment cells gets totally drained and hair grows gray.

Scientists have been unsure what exactly spurs the stem cells to change. According to Nishimura, the answer may be accumulated DNA damage.

Forcing the cells to mature may be the body’s “more sophisticated way” of purging the damaged stem cells without killing them off, she said.

The study focused on greying because it is a typical sign of ageing in mammals, the authors wrote.

The researchers put laboratory mice through whole-body x-rays and chemical injections.

When the team examined the mice’s hair follicles, they found that the stem cells showed permanent damage. These mice then regrew hair with no pigment.

The research supports the idea that instability in genes may be a major factor in aging, the authors say. It also lends credence to the theory that damage to stem cells may be the main driver of aging.

The DNA damage observed in the study is mainly “unavoidable,” the authors write.

However, the study helps scientists understand graying, Cheng said by email, which may lead to new chemicals that can prevent the hair’s stem cells from switching roles.

“We may soon have anti-greying creams for aging populations,” he said.

Black tea promotes healthy cardiovascular system

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Black tea is as potent as green tea in promoting beneficial effects in the cardiovascular system, according to a new study.

Commenting on the study, independent nutritionist, Dr Carrie Ruxton from the Tea Advisory Panel notes: “Drinking tea has been linked with beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, including slowing the progression of atherosclerosis. However, many studies showing these effects originate in East Asia where green tea is the main type of tea consumed. Given that black tea accounts for 75% of tea consumption worldwide, it is important to find out whether black tea is equivalent to green tea in relation to heart health.

“In this laboratory study, the effects of black and green tea on nitric oxide production and dilation of the blood vessels were compared. (Nitric oxide production is associated with relaxation and widening of the arteries which is good news for heart health.) Both types of tea stimulated production of nitric oxide and relaxation of the aorta, the large artery through which blood leaves the heart..

“When individual ingredients in the two types of tea were investigated some very interesting findings emerged. The only ingredient in green tea to cause nitric oxide production and relaxation of the arteries was epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). However, ingredients in black tea – the theaflavins and thearubigins, which are produced during black tea manufacture – were far more potent than EGCG in stimulating nitric oxide production and relaxation of the aorta.

“Cardiovascular disease remains the UK’s biggest and most silent killer so this latest study is great news for black tea drinkers and demonstrates the mechanism by which tea may contribute to heart health. Other studies show that around 4 cups of tea a day is the optimal level to drink.”

Adding further comment regarding black tea consumption and heart health, guest advisor to TAP, Dr Sanjay Prasad from the heart and stroke charity CORDA notes in conclusion: “It should also be noted that several studies suggest that increased tea consumption is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis and vascular event.[2] Increased tea consumption is also associated with reduced carotid plaque, so suggesting a protective effect of drinking three or more cups a day on carotid atherosclerosis[3]. Further work is required to validate these findings.”

The Tea Advisory Panel: The Tea Advisory Panel is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from the UK TEA COUNCIL, the trade association for the UK tea industry. For further information please call 0207 7058989.

2. CORDA was founded in 1976 to support clinical research into the prevention of heart disease and stroke using non-surgical methods. They have provided vital funding for the development of ultrasound and other non-invasive techniques used by the researchers at the Institute of Child Health to evaluate cardiovascular disease in the young. In fact, CORDA funded the world’s first cardiovascular magnetic resonance scanner at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) does not involve harmful X-rays. It provides the most powerful pictures of the body without surgery. As a result CORDA has enabled major medical advances in the understanding of the causes and development of heart disease and stroke. To find out more about CORDA log on to www.corda.org.uk

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Radio wave fat buster proven in patient trials

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Tel Aviv: A new scientific study of the regen™ system, the newest aesthetic solution powered by 3rd generation TriPollar RF technology on cellulite treatment and body contouring, has confirmed its effect in zapping body fat.

The new study, which examined the technology used by the latest home use Tipollar Pose body contouring device, have been published in the online Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

The peer reviewed study, conducted by Dr. Manuskiatti et al. at the Mahidol University Hospital, Bangkok entitled “Circumference reduction and cellulite treatment with a TriPollar radiofrequency device: a pilot study” was accept in February 2009. It can be viewed online at Tripollar Technology

The study demonstrated long term measurable and durable body circumference and fat thickness reduction using objective measurement system (imaging Ultrasound). The study involved 37 patients treated once a week with the regen system for a total of eight treatments.

Results showed that there was significant circumference reduction of 3.5 cm on average at the abdomen with a maximum of 14.4 cm, and 1.71 cm reduction at the thigh with a maximum of 9.1 cm. These results were maintained four weeks following the last treatment. In addition, ultrasound measurements of the distance between the epidermis and the superficial fascia showed an average reduction of 10.5% in the thickness of adipose tissue with a maximum reduction of 39% at the thigh region.

“TriPollar is a truly innovative technology that delivers what patients worldwide have been waiting for- a pain free, safe and effective solution for body contouring. The latest study clearly demonstrated that TriPollar RF technology provides beneficial effects on the reduction of abdomen and thigh circumferences and an overall improvement in the appearance of cellulite” said Dr. Manuskiatti, lead investigator for Pollogen’s clinical trial and Associate Professor at the Department of Dermatology at the Siniraj Hospital, Thailand.

Ms Yfat Scialom, CEO of Pollogen commented: ” The study show that the innovative TriPollar RF technology, developed by Pollogen, delivers consistent and effective results without pain and adverse side effects as proven once again by the leading scientists and labs in the world. Our customers worldwide are benefiting from the most advance RF technology bringing safe, effective solution to a new standard. Since the launch of Pollogen’s professional anti-aging and body contouring products two years ago, we have successfully captured the attention of physicians and estheticians in over 50 countries world wide, and we look forward to continued success in the future”.

Find out more at Tripollar

Win the latest anti-ageing creams from Dr Tuhin Dev

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London: Skincare expert, Dr Tuhin Dev has used his knowledge and most trusted age defence technology to develop this paraben-free skincare range.

Dr Dev has joined Elixir to offer a set of special skincare goodies, consisting of the Dr. Tuhin Dev core Protect Day Cream, the Dr. Tuhin Dev Core Rejuve Night Cream (both containing Syn-ake – synthetic snake venom, great for wrinkles and fine lines) and the Dr. Tuhin Dev Summer Mist Facial Toner with slow-releasing menthol), worth £174!!

Five lucky runners up will win a Dr. Tuhin Dev Summer Mist Facial Toner (with slow-releasing menthol) worth £19.95!

If you would like the opportunity to receive one of these prizes please email us at readeroffer@elixirnews.com with Dr Dev in the email header and your name and address. Your details will be put into a draw for the prizes. Please note that no financial equivalent is being offered and the Editor’s decision is final. This promotion closes on 31 July 2009.
For more information or to buy online, visit www.drtuhindevskincare.co.uk

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Omega 3 fatty acids keep eyes younger

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London: Increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish and fish oil, could help to reduce progression of a serious eye disease that causes blindness in older people, reveals research published ahead of print in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Commenting on the study, Dr Ruxton, an independent advisor to the Health Supplements Information Service, notes: “The researchers based their findings on nearly 3,000 people, all of whom were taking part in a supplements trial called the Age Related Eye Disease Study. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either a daily placebo pill or one of three active pills namely: (1) antioxidant vitamins C (500 mg), E (268 mg) plus beta carotene (15 mg); or (2) minerals zinc (80 mg) and copper (2 mg); or (3) antioxidants plus zinc.

“Participants were also quizzed about their diets, using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and were periodically given general physical and eye exams. Detailed photographs of the macula (area at the back of the eye) were taken at the start of the study, after two years, and then again annually until eight years. The trial participants were monitored during this time for the development of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).

“An earlier publication showed that the antioxidants plus zinc supplement significantly reduced the risk of ARMD. The current study showed that people in the placebo group had a 25% lower risk of developing ARMD if their intake of omega 3 fatty acids from fish was high.

“These findings agree with two other studies from 2009 which also found that omega-three fatty acids were linked with reduced risk of ARMD. An Australian meta-analysis also concluded that consumption of omega 3 fatty acids appeared to be protective against ARMD development.

“Consumption of omega 3 fatty acids in the UK is significantly lower than recommendations. The Food Standards Agency suggests that adults consume two portions of fish a week, one of which should be oily. This equates to 450mg omega 3 fatty acids per day. Among people in Britain who do eat oily fish – less than a third of the population – the average daily intake of omega 3 fatty acids is only 270mg. Amongst those who never eat oily fish, the average daily omega 3 intake is a dismal 147mg . In the context of these low intakes and the increasing evidence that omega 3s seem to lower the risk of ARMD, a supplement containing omega 3 fatty acids could make a useful contribution to eye care.”

Note: ARMD is a progressive degenerative condition, which affects the back of the eye (macula). It robs people of the capacity to see fine detail, and eventually blinds them. In the UK, an estimated 200,000 people have visual loss due to AMD. This number will increase as the population ages. It is estimated there will be 239,000 people visually impaired due to AMD in the UK by 2011. Over half of 33,000 people certified as blind or partially sighted in 1999/2000 were affected by AMD.

[1] Chiu C-J, Klein R, Milton RC, Gensler G, Taylor A. Does eating particular diets alter the risk of age related macular degeneration in users of Age-Related Eye Disease Study Supplements? Br J Ophthalmol 2009, doi: 10.1136/bjo.2008.143412

[2] Chong EW et al. Dietary omega-3 fatty acid and fish intake in the primary prevention of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 Jun;126(6):826-33

[3] Mason P. Towards a healthier Britain. The Potential Role of Food Supplements in Government Food Policy. Available from HSIS.

[4] Bunce C, Wormald R. Leading causes of certification for blindness and partial sight in England & Wales. BMC Public Health 2006;6(1):58

[5] Owen CG, Fletcher AE, Donoghue M, Rudnicka AR. How big is the burden of visual loss caused by age-related macular degeneration in the UK? Br.J.Ophthalmol. 2003;87:312-7

[6] Bunce C, Wormald R. Leading causes of certification for blindness and partial sight in England & Wales. BMC Public Health 2006;6(1):58

US scientists use stem cells to reverse MS

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Chicago: US researchers have reversed multiple sclerosis symptoms in early stage patients by using bone marrow stem cell transplants to reset the immune system.

Commenting on the study, Helen Yates, Chief Executive of the UK’s Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre said: “This further piece of research into the use of stem cells with Multiple Sclerosis patients provides another piece of evidence that stem cells could one day provide clear therapies and treatments for MS. MSRC hopes that further work in this area proves as positive as this piece of research”

Some 81 percent of patients in the early phase study showed signs of improvement with the treatment, which used chemotherapy to destroy the immune system, and injections of the patient’s bone marrow cells taken beforehand to rebuild it.

“We just start over with new cells from the stem cells,” said Dr. Richard Burt of Northwestern University in Chicago, whose study appears in the journal Lancet Neurology.

Multiple sclerosis occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath protecting nerve cells. It affects 2.5 million people globally and can cause mild illness in some people and permanent disability in others.

Symptoms may include numbness or weakness in the limbs, loss of vision and an unsteady gait.

“MS usually occurs in adults,” Burt said in a telephone interview. Before they get the disease, their immune systems work well, he said, but something happens to make the immune system attack itself.

His approach is aimed at turning back the clock to a time before the immune system began attacking itself.

Burt said the approach — called autologous non-myeloablative hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation — is a bit gentler than the therapy used in cancer patients because rather than destroying the entire bone marrow, it attacks just the immune system component of the marrow, making it less toxic.

Burt and colleagues tried the treatment on 21 patients aged 20 to 53 with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, an earlier stage in the disease in which symptoms come and go.

Patients in the study were not helped by at least six months of standard treatment with interferon beta.

After an average follow-up of about three years, 17 patients improved by at least one measure on a disability scale, and the disease stabilized in all patients.

Patients continued to improve for up to 24 months after the transplant procedure, and then stabilized. Many had improvements in walking, vision, incontinence and limb strength.

“To date, all therapies for MS have been designed and approved because they slowed the rate of neurological decline. None of them has ever reversed neurological dysfunction, which is what this has done,” Burt said.

Other teams have seen improvements in patients using a more aggressive approach. In one study led by Dr. Mark Freedman of the University of Ottawa last year, 17 MS patients treated with the more aggressive approach were showing signs of remission two years after treatment.

Burt stressed that the treatment approach needed to be tested in a more scientifically rigorous randomized clinical trial, in which half of the patients get the transplant treatment and the other half get standard treatment.

That trial is under way.

Find more information at www.msrc.co.uk

Protecting your family if cancer strikes – video news

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London: One in four cancer patients have difficulty keeping up with everyday payments. Learn how to keep your family financially safe in our video below.

We all worry about our health to a certain degree, but when it comes to more serious issues such as cancer it’s still easy to take an ‘out-of-sight, out-of-mind’ approach. While many of us will know a female friend or family member who has been affected by the disease, we may still think it will never happen to us. Yet over 45,000 women across the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, that’s more than 100 British women being diagnosed on a daily basis, and three quarters of women affected are under 70 years of age.*

High profile celebrity cancer patients have helped increase public awareness in women’s cancer. This combined with the positive changes to the way such issues are now talked about in society, and improvements in technology has lead to earlier diagnosis, meaning more women are able to successfully fight the disease. Breast cancer survival rates in particular have improved dramatically over the last 20 years – 8 out of 10* of us would survive if we were diagnosed today.

Yet any one of us could be struck down with cancer at any time – contrary to popular belief, the disease does not just affect those with a family history or poor lifestyle. And it’s not just the health and emotional demands we need to think about, but the financial implications as well.

Many of us are unaware of the financial consequences a cancer diagnosis would have on our lives and family. With having to take time off work, many patients find themselves without enough money to cover the things we take for granted in good health, such as paying for bills or childcare costs.

According to Macmillan Cancer Support, one in four cancer patients admit having difficulty keeping up with payments whilst fighting the disease – with many suffering real financial hardship. It’s a stress we could all do without at a time when we should be concentrating on getting better.

For expert information on the risk and causes of female specific cancers, and how to insure you have the financial help you and your family need should you be diagnosed with cancer, watch the video below.

* Cancer Research UK

FINANCIAL INFORMATION VIDEO

For more information visit www.wellwomanplan.co.uk

Exclusive FREE offer – Dr Tuhin Dev’s Cleansing Balm

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Dr Tuhin Dev’s Cleansing Balm is a lovely mild rinse off cleansing balm, that will leave your skin feeling younger and healthier – a favourite of many celebrity beauties.

Cleansing Balm is a concentrated yet mild, rinse-off cleansing balm that cleans and purifies the skin to leave the face and neck soft and refreshed. The gentle action of the Sugar derived cleansing agents lift the impurities from the skin so that they can be rinsed away. Glycerin and Sweet Almond oil help to maintain hydration and retain the natural lipid balance. Lightly fragranced with Neroli essential oil- refreshing and uplifting.

In the past many years, Dr. Tuhin Dev – an international skincare specialist, has channelled his intellect and energy into the research and development of a sophisticated and luxurious range of anti aging skincare formulations. His objective was always clear – to create an age defence skincare range that would enter the market as the definitive standard-bearer and give clients what they really want – products that visibly reduce wrinkles – products that work….

If you would like one of these lavish cleansers, which normally £25 each, please email us at readeroffer@elixirnews.com with your name and address and with the word “cleanser” in the email header. This offer closes on 30 June 2009. No cash equivalent is offered and the Editor’s decision is final.

To learn more about this doctor specialist range to to www.drtuhindevskincare.co.uk

Millions wasted on bad footwear, new survey from Hotter

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London: Britons waste millions of pounds on ill-fitting footwear, according to a new survey by YouGov.

The survey commissioned by sassy shoe designer and manufacturer Hotter Shoes questioned the public on their critical shoe choices:

1.How many pairs of shoes do you own that you have only worn once because they were uncomfortable the first time you wore them?

* 67% (two thirds) of men have no shoes in their wardrobe that are uncomfortable

* 75 % (three in four) women have more than one pair of shoes in their wardrobe which they have only worn once because they were uncomfortable first time they wore them, with 3% owning more than 8 pairs of uncomfortable shoes

* 55% (more than half of the UK¡¦s women) have more than 2 pairs of shoes in their wardrobe they¡¦ve only worn once because they were uncomfortable the first time they wore then

* Northern Ireland wastes the most on uncomfortable shoes with 78% having one or more pairs of shoes in their wardrobe which they¡¦ve never been able to wear – compared to the Scotland at 49%

* However 5% of population in Scotland has more than 8 pairs of shoes in their wardrobe they can¡¦t wear because they are uncomfortable

2. How many pairs of shoes do you take on a summer holiday?

* 82% of women take up to 4 pairs on their summer holidays

* 50% men take one or two pairs of shoes on holiday compared with 26% of women

* 61% women take up to three pairs of shoes on holiday

* 33% women pack four or more pairs of shoes for a holiday

* 17% people over 55 take more than 4 pairs of shoes on holiday

* 37% of 18-24 year olds take more than 4 pairs of shoes

3. Approximately how old are the oldest pair of shoes you own?

* 22% of over 45 year olds have a pair of shoe more than 10 years old

* 15% of men and 16% or women have a pair of shoe more than 10 years old

* 42% of 18-24 year olds oldest shoes are less than 2 years old – double the national average (21%)

* 15% of over 45 year olds have a pair of shoe more than 16 years old

* 8 % of over 45 year olds have a pair of shoes more than 20 years old

4. What is most important factor to you when buying shoes?

* 64% of population select shoes as comfort as most important factor (15% price, 11% fashion)

* This first, second and third selection is reflected over all age except 18 to 24 year olds who select fashion first (36%), followed by comfort (33%) and price (17%).

* Biggest advocates of comfort regionally are wales (75%)

* Biggest advocates of selection by price is Northern Ireland at 23% (but still second to comfort at 60%)

5.I am actively seeking out products which are made in Britain to support the UK economy.

Generally in this category people neither agree nor disagree however:

* One in three (32%) of people over 55 believe shoppers should seek out products which are made in Britain to support the UK economy

* Only one in four people are actively seeking products made in Britain to support the UK economy

* Three in four people are not concerned about seeking products made in Britain to support the UK economy ¡V with one in four actively disagreeing that shoppers should change their buying habits.

* 81% of 18-24 year olds are not concerned with seeking products made in Brtain to support the UK economy ¡V with 42% actively disagreeing that shoppers should change their buying habits.

* People in London are most likely to disagree that shoppers should change their habits to buy British(32%), whereas people in Wales are the most patriotic shoppers with one in three (34%) agreeing that people should buy British to support the UK economy.

6.During the credit crunch I would rather give up a night each month that skip on buying new shoes.

* 17% of women would rather buy a new pair of shoes than blow their money on a night out

New tomato pill to cut heart disease

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London: UK scientists have created a natural supplement made from tomatoes, which they claim when taken daily, prevents heart disease and strokes.

The tomato pill, branded Ateronon, contains lycopene – an antioxidant that blocks “bad” (LDL) cholesterol that chokes the cardiovascular system.

The new lycopene pill is made by a biotechnology spin-out company within Cambridge University, and will eventually go on sale to consumers.

Although research is on-going early trials involving on150 people with heart disease indicate that Ateronon can reduce the oxidation of harmful fats in the blood to almost zero within eight weeks, a meeting of the British Cardiovascular Society will be told at Ateronon’s launch next week.

Neuroscientist Peter Kirkpatrick, who will lead a further research project at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge on behalf of Cambridge Theranostics Ltd, said the supplement could be much more effective than statin drugs that are currently used by doctors to treat high cholesterol.

Lycopene is already well-known as a powerful antioxidant which is found in the skin of tomatoes which gives them their red colour. But lycopene ingested in its natural form is poorly absorbed.

Ateronon contains a refined, more readily absorbed version of lycopene that was originally developed by Nestle.

Gum health tips from experts – join our web TV show

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London: Log on to our live web TV show to find out how you can break free from unhealthy habits Show date: 2nd June Show time: 2pm (London time).

Personal hygiene bad habits can not only be hard to kick but can also lead to serious medical problems. Take oral hygience, for example: our failure to look after our gums is implicated in a higher risk of heart disease and even miscarriage.

Nine in ten people experience gum disease in their lives – which is the main cause of lost teeth – and the thought of losing one or more teeth would distress most of us….

It’s clearly important that we get into good oral care habits – and by this we mean looking after our gums as well as our teeth – so how can we start to get into good habits?

The answer lies in training our brains to form different habit pathways. According to Dr Maxwell Maltz’s ‘21 Day Theory’, it only takes 21 days to replace old habits with new ones by repeating certain actions to strengthen the correct brain pathways. So if we start today, by the end of the month we could have eradicated our bad habits once and for all.

Join us in this live and interactive web TV show to find out how you can establish and maintain a regime that will help you keep on track. There’s expert advice on offer from GP Dr Pixie McKenna, Professor of Flavour Technology Andy Taylor and Dr James Russell of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, who will also be answering your questions live online.

Dr Pixie McKenna, Professor of Flavour Technology Andy Taylor and Dr James Russell of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry join us live online at Oral Health tips from the experts on 2nd June to discuss oral health care for women. If you would like to submit questions before the chat please also click on this link.
For more information visit www.gumsmart.co.uk

AGE DEFY SERUM PROMO OFFER – BUY 1 GET 3 FREE!

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London: What happens when you can’t find an anti-ageing serum that works for you? The answer for Denise Bell-King was to make it herself!

Unable to find a high quality, simple anti-ageing serum for her own use, Denise decided to create her own, offering a product that gave excellent results at affordable prices. Her product, Age Defy Serum has worked for women throughout the UK, selling via her website www.agedefyserum.com

Denise, 49, came up with the idea of creating her own serum a few years ago after using a well-know brand of skincare that included aromatherapy oils.

“Aromatherapy oils had been fantastic to my skin for 10 years, but the problem is, if you haven’t used them and you hit your 40’s, they’re really not going to actively anti-age you if you haven’t done that much before. From the research that I’d done over the past ten years I knew that mineral oils were absolutely out, but that some ingredients were great and the simpler I kept the formula, the better!”

Denise created a formula that included Retinol-A, Jojoba and Palm Oil that she tried out on herself and that fulfilled everything she wanted to achieve. “The results were fantastic, and since its launch in 2007, hundreds of men and women have written to me saying how great the results have been for them too.”

Age Defy Serum boosts your skin’s defences from the inside out and dramatically reduces wrinkles furrows and frown lines. It will soothe, strengthen and age proof your skin on your face, neck and is perfect for smoothing away the tell-tale signs of ageing on the backs of hands too.

Packed with high quality ingredients including Palmitoyl Pentapetide-3, Pro-Retinol, Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E, Age Defy Serum has helped thousands of women to achieve younger looking skin.

Age Defy Serum is particularly effective on the following areas:

• Age sports and pigmentation
• Crepey Neck syndrome
• Nasal-labial lines
• Crows Feet, wrinkles and saggy eye lids
• Decolletage
• Jowls

ELIXIR SPECIAL OFFER: BUY 1 GET 3 FREE OFFER!

Elixir News has teamed up with Age Defy Serum to bring you an amazing offer of buy 1, get 3 FREE! “Now you can get six months of our 200 ml size serum for an amazing price of just £39.95, which makes it incredible value. At these prices, you can buy 1, keep one, give 2 away to friends and still get great skin yourself!” Said Denise.

To take up this brilliant offer, simply call 0800 848 8101/8122 or visit www.agedefyserum.com quoting Elixir News to bag your purchase – remember, you need to hurry as this offer is only valid until end of July 2009!

Please also note that no money equivalent is offered and the Editor’s decision is final.

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Defy ageing – New York skin guru Nicholas Perricone reveals his secrets

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True beauty is simply a manifestation of radiant health, says New York’s top skin guru Dr Nicholas Perricone, who believes that cellular rejuvenation is the path to beautiful radiant skin. Here he shares his fascinating views and latest insights with ELIXIR readers in our exclusive interview

Dr Nicholas Perricone is one of the world’s most innovative dermatologists, as well as being a best-selling author. His skincare range is based on delivering “magic bullet” ingredients, together with an integrated approach to health and beauty that transforms skin in a matter of days.

His New York flagship store on Madison Avenue is not a simple shop but what he describes as “a unique, interactive lifestyle centre”, where clients experience the Perricone Prescription® Personal Consults – a personalised consulation for health and skin based on an interactive, in-depth evaluation of an individual’s current diet, health and lifestyle profile. There is also a health library where visitors can sip green tea and relax while browsing through a wide selection of health and nutrition newsletters and books, including Dr. Perricone’s five best sellers. Regular lectures also take on subjects such as the Beauty- Brain Connection program that explains the science behind Dr. Perricone’s philosophy which is aimed at reducing cellular inflammation which is believed to be the greatest precipitator of ageing and age-related diseases.

His 70 products, including books, nutritional supplements and skincare products are sold in 11 countries. They range from the least expensive Olive Moist Lips which costs 34 (£18, Euro 27) to Neuropeptide Facial Conformer at $843 (£445,Euro 657)

Here Dr Perricone tells ELIXIR what he thinks about the latest trends in skin rejuvenation:

Why do you think your products are so successful?

My goal has been to create a program that is easy to follow and would enable people to create beauty through health. My decades of research has shown that The Inflammation/Aging Connection is the single greatest precipitator of ageing and age-related diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, certain forms of cancer, and wrinkled, sagging skin. I developed a three-tiered lifestyle program to eliminate the inflammation by the foods we eat, through taking antioxidant anti-inflammatory supplements and by treating the skin with topical antioxidants which as natural anti-inflammatories, and result in a smooth, youthful, supple, toned and radiant appearance to face and body. The highly visible results are key to the programme’s ongoing success.

What are your predictions for the next big thing in anti-ageing skin care?

The future of beauty lies in learning how to rejuvenate the face and body on a cellular level – where it really counts. Science is showing us that we are not subjected to our genes but can actually change them with the latest generation of essential nutrients, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances. These state of the art magic bullets significantly support cellular repair and rejuvenation both internally and topically by fighting free radical activity, reducing inflammation, and in supporting healthy blood flow, while helping to prevent and reverse damage to genetic material. This truly holistic approach will reverse many signs of aging, turn off the genes that cause us to store fat, rejuvenate the brain, etc.

In addition to targeted cosmeceuticals, exciting developments in other areas will also enable us to look younger – I am particularly excited about the age-reversing effects of light – non-laser light, as well as electronic muscle stimulation. Just as exercising the body creates a firm, rounded well-muscled and attractive body, exercising the face can do the same. Electronic muscle stimulation to the face can help shorten elongated, drooping muscles to create a more youthful appearance, while helping to stimulate blood flow to the face, increasing circulation, decreasing puffiness and pallor.

What are your predictions for anti-ageing medicine?

Exciting new scientific developments are showing us that we can actually rebuild our bodies on a cellular level. Brain, bone, muscle, skin can all benefit in a process known as cellular rejuvenation. When we understand that a young cell is characterized by energy production, it becomes clear that when we slow down that production, we begin the ageing process. The goal, therefore, is to rev up your cellular metabolism – the chemical and physiological processes by which the body builds and maintains itself and by which it breaks down food and nutrients to produce energy.

What is your opinion on stem cells in the treatment of the mechanisms of ageing?

Certainly stem cells are looking interesting at this point but I don’t see this happening any time within three to five years and even then it would need to be developed by a pharmaceutical company.

Are we becoming overly obsessed with our looks – what is the balance?

This question can cut both ways. For example, if you are obsessed with your looks and holding onto youth it could be a good thing if it encourages you to give up an unhealthy life style (smoking, excess drinking, junk food, not enough sleep).

If we follow the anti-inflammatory lifestyle, take the supplements, avoid sugar and starchy foods, which are pro-inflammatory and use topical anti-oxidants on skin, we will go a long way towards retaining physical beauty. We will eliminate weight problems, bags and puffiness in the eye and face area, excess body fat, loss of youthful muscle mass in face and body and so forth – in fact dramatic results will be visible in both face and body in as little as three days. In addition, we will keep our brains working at optimum levels, our memories sharp and our moods up beat with a general sense of well being. For example, if you don’t get enough omega 3 essential fatty acids every day (from wild salmon, sardines, herring, trout, anchovies, high quality fish oil, etc.) you will be overweight, wrinkled and depressed. We will see our face and body gradually show signs of deterioration. Unfortunately, no amount of Botox or surgical procedures can take the place of proper nutrition or reverse the decline.

What is your daily fitness and health programme?

I go for a run every day, lift weights and practice yoga. I also follow the anti-inflammatory diet, which consists of the following components:

• high-quality protein, like that found in fish, shellfish, poultry and tofu;
• low-glycemic (will not provoke a glycemic response when consumed in moderation) carbohydrates including colorful fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains such as old-fashioned oatmeal, legumes such as beans and lentils;
• healthy fats, such as those found in cold water fish (especially wild Alaskan salmon, halibut, sardines, herring, anchovies, etc.), nuts, seeds, and olive oil
• 8 -10 glasses of pure spring water per day.
• Anti-oxidant rich beverages such as green tea

These foods and beverages act as natural anti-inflammatories and help to maintain normal levels of insulin and blood sugar.

I also take supplements regularly including the complete spectrum of vitamins and minerals recommended by nutrition experts world-wide, (B-complex, Vitamin E, Calcium-magnesium, etc.), as well as the following

Active ingredients recommended by Dr. Perricone include:
• Alpha Lipoic Acid
o Vitamin C Ester
o DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol)
o Coenzyme Q-10
o Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
o Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA)
o L-Carnitine Fumerate
o N-Acetyl Carnitine
o L-Tyrosine
o Omega-3
o Carnosine
o Benfotiamine
o Astaxanthin

How do you cope with stress, difficult people – to you have any tips?

I eat a lot of wild salmon – which is high in the omega 3 essential fatty acids. As mentioned before, they not only relieve stress and keep your mood upbeat; they also keep skin radiant and supple and increase mental and physical energy. It might sound simplistic but people on low fat diets and/or those who don’t get enough omega 3 fatty acids (which is practically everyone in the modern society) actually have much higher levels of depression and irritability.

Is there anything new we can expect in the Perricone range?

I continue to work on and expand our Neuropeptide line because the topical results are so phenomenal for aging skin providing the following benefits to skin:
• A visible increase in radiance and glow to the skin. This is the result of their powerful anti-inflammatory activity, as well as their effects on blood circulation and cell metabolism.
• An increase in firmness, as the neuropeptides aid in collagen and elastin production.
• improved appearance of the skin’s resilience, tone, and texture
• decreased appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• decreased appearance of tiny veins and capillaries
• maximized regeneration and hydration of the skin

Because of their efficacy, they can be used alternately with the original flagship products of the line, the Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin C Ester lines, both of which contain high levels of DMAE and continue to be the must have skin rejuvenating products for women around the world.

We have also recently debuted a Men’s Line, Men’s Total Fitness that introduces a new delivery system containing Fullerenes, so named because the 60 atoms that make up their spherical molecule resemble Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes, which are lighter than plastic yet stronger than steel.

Also known as “Buckyballs,’ they were first identified in 1985 by three scientists who later received a Nobel Prize for the discovery. The fullerenes used in our delivery system are highly stable, microscopic, hollow carbon balls that function as a potent reservoir for the transport of the Perricone patented technology to the skin. Fullerenes deliver active ingredients to protect and nourish the skin round the clock. This revolutionary system brings the intriguing and transformative world of nanotechnology to the fine art and science of high performance anti-aging skin care formulation.

How do you define beauty?

True beauty is simply a manifestation of radiant health.

Get emergency snack attack advice here

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London: Leading TV nutritionist Nigel Denby shows you how you CAN have a nibble and manage your body shape.

Women are always being told that the key to staying trim is to avoid the snack trap. However, evidence supports the fact that snacking isn’t inherently bad for you – the issue is in fact choosing the right snacks that can become part of a balanced diet and help you on your way to longer term weight management.

Shocking as it sounds to many dedicated dieters, well timed and planned out nibbling can actually be good for you because it can help keep your metabolism working at a consistent rate throughout the day and help fill the hunger gap so you don’t over-indulge at meal times.

One of the first and most important things to identify is what type of a snacking personality type you are; when you find yourself snacking and the reasons why you snack. Once you’ve identified this, it’s easy to plan out your steps to avoid any ‘bad’ snack pitfalls. It could be that you’re a mum, who can’t help picking at food whilst making your kids’ tea or perhaps you get home from work exhausted, and slump in front of the TV with anything you can find to pick at from the fridge.

The truth is that it can be very hard not to have a little nibble as most women crave snacks throughout the day and the denial of these cravings can often lead to us reaching for the biscuit tin. A massive 97% of women said they felt guilty after snacking alone, with 43% concerned about the weight gain potential of snacking.

Lucky for us though we have expert advice on hand from leading TV nutritionist Nigel Denby who talks us through the best route to successful
nibbling, so that the sweet doughnuts and cakes stay in the box. Click on the link below to find out what type you are and get some nibbling know how:
Nibble Know How from Nigel Denby
For more information visit
www.kelloggs.co.uk

Free holiday ear protectors from Specsavers

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London: Are you fed up with ear painwhen a plane takes off or lands? That’s the sound of permanent damage to your hearing.

Specsavers hearing centres has joined with Elxir to offer ten pairs of hearing protectors worth £15 each.The instant-fit hearing protectors are small and discreet and will protect your ears from the pressure of taking off, landing and background engine noise.

The special acoustic filters in the FlyFit earplugs protect you against excessive ambient noise. During a flight, the unpleasant pressure on the eardrum during landing and takeoff is carefully regulated.

Specsavers also offers custom fit hearing protectors, suited to those regularly working in noisy environments. For more information on these or to locate your nearest Specsavers hearing centre, please visit www.specsavers.co.uk/hearing-centresor call 0808 143 1143.

For your chance to win a set of FlyFit Hearing Protectors please answer the following question, Which famous optical chain also offers a hearing service?

Please email your answer to us at readeroffer@elixirnews.com with “Ear” in the header and your name and address by 31 May 2009. Please note that no cash equivalent is offered and the Editor’s decision is fina.

About Specsavers
• Specsavers was founded by Doug and Dame Mary Perkins in 1984 and is now the largest privately owned opticians in the world
• The couple still run the company, along with their three children. Their eldest son John is joint managing director
• Specsavers has more than 1,060 stores throughout the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Spain and Australia
• Annual turnover for the Specsavers Group is forecast to reach a record £1.05 billion for the financial year 2008/9
• The group plans to continue its successful international expansion by opening stores in New Zealand
• Specsavers optical stores and hearing centres are owned and run by joint venture or franchise partners.
• Specsavers employs more than 26,000 staff
• Specsavers was voted Britain’s most trusted brand of opticians for the seventh year running by Reader’s Digest in 2008
• One in three people who wear glasses in the UK buy them from Specsavers Opticians – eight and a half million glasses were sold during 2007
• Specsavers is the largest retail provider of home delivery contact lenses in Europe and one of the top two retail suppliers of continuous wear lenses in the world
• Specsavers is now the largest retail dispenser of digital hearing aids in the UK and will offer a hearing service from more than 400 locations by the end of 2008
• Specsavers supports numerous optical and hearing charities, including Diabetes UK, for whom they have raised more than £250,000 to fund research into diabetic retinopathy
• Since 2003 a quarter of a million glasses have been collected and recycled by Specsavers stores for Vision Aid Overseas for use in developing countries

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