ELIXIR AND ELIXIR INTERNATIONAL - PUBLISHED BY ELIXIR MAGAZINE LTD LONDON

Elixir Magazine and Elixir International Magazine ISSN 1753-3864 are based on an original concept by journalist Avril O'Connor and published by Elixir Magazine Ltd London.

Elixir is the first and only consumer glossy magazine and web e-zine www.elixirnews.comto totally focus on the demand for anti-ageing products and services and support it with expert information on emotional and physical wellbeing.

The website www.elixirnews.com was launched by Avril O'Connor on 2 April 2005.

Elixir Magazine Ltd London

ELIXIR INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY AVRIL O'CONNOR LONDON

Elixir Magazine and Elixir International Magazine have the ISSN 1753-3864 and are published by Avril O'Connor and its sister web e-zine www.elixirnews.com

ELIXIR MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY AVRIL O'CONNOR

Elixir Magazine and Elixir International Magazine have the ISSN 1753-3864 and are published by Avril O'Connor and its sister web e-zine www.elixirnews.com

GROWTH HORMONE - THE JURY IS STILL OUT ON THIS ONE!

The medical controversy over Human Growth Hormone continues to rumble on.

On the one hand you have anti-ageing doctors who promote its use in advanced Hormone Replacement Therapy for ageing adults. And on the other you have the "Old fashioned" medical lobby who say its a dangerous hormone to play around with.

I personally know anti-aging doctors who take this hormone on a daily basis and prescribe it to patients. These doctors are not just in the US but also in the UK, Europe and elsewhere.

Most of them are keeping their heads below the parapit and precribe it discreetly even in London's Harley Street.

The reason for this is that Human Growth Hormone is manufactured synethetically by only three pharamaceutical companies and in most countries it only has approval as a treatment for children with severe growth problems, for some of the symptoms of AIDS and in adults with abnormally low levels - and the decline caused by ageing is not one.

Yet we still continue to hope that there will be some magical pill that can restore the physical and mental attributes of our youth.

Human Growth Hormone is made by the pituitary gland in the brain and helps build lean muscle. Like most of our hormones it declines with age - from about the age of 30.


I do know of actors and actresses and wealthy individuals who take this drug in the hope that it will turn back time...but at what cost literally? Sly Stallone pictured above working out his gymwas caught with some in his luggage while he was passing through Australian customs.

I have never taken this myself. I prefer using a combination of amino acids - Hgh is actually composed of a vast number of these - which help promote Hgh in the body. Its important to take the amino acids at the right time such as before exercise or at night when Hgh production peaks naturally.

There have not been any long-term trials of Hgh which is why everybody is so hesitant to support its use.

Dr Hau Liu, the associate chief of endocrinology and co-director of chronic care management at the Valley Medical Centre, San Jose, California was the lead author of data from randomized, controlled trials of growth hormone in healthy older adults.

In his conclusion published in the Annals of Internal Medicine last year, he concluded that there was an association between growth hormone use and slight changes in body composition, but no other important health changes.

Worryingly users of growth hormone had high rates of soft tissue swelling and joint pain, compared to people who didn't get these injections. There also was an increased risk of impaired blood sugar control or diabetes. This finding was not statistically significant, but still worrying given the epidemic of type 2 diabetes in developed countries.

Just like weightloss and getting a six-pack it looks as if there is no quick fix for turning back the clock...at least not yet

CALORIE RESTRICTION - CAN IT BUY YOU EXTRA TIME ON EARTH?

CALORIE RESTRICTION AND LONGEVITY

While those who are jumping on the cosmetic surgery bandwagon - may look younger on the outside it is only a short-term triumph.

A balanced diet and sufficient exercise are the real Holy Grail of anti-ageing! It also true to say that better living conditions and medical interventions keep a lot of people living longer than they would typically.

Whilst the nutrient reservratrol, found in red wine and grapes, seems to be the only hope so far of an anti-ageing pill, that is aside from gene and stem cell therapies which are not available for financial and ethical reasons to most of us, is there anything we can do to extend our life?

Currently, the only proven method is calorie restriction, which it is estimated will add an extra five years to life expectancy. There is the argument that living on such a diet is really not worth it for so little reward and the pain of eating virtually nothing for years on end. It is also likely the suffering and misery and subsequent depression caused by this sort of supreme effort to stay super skinny would definitely take years off anyone's life!

I suspect there is a happy medium - eating in moderation: a healthy diet that will save you from having to have a "nip and tuck" and will help you look younger and be healthier.

Scientists agree that a decent diet cuts your risk for many of the diseases of ageing, including cutting your risk of hereditary diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Eric Ravussin, a scientist at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana estimates that if you start to eat 15% less from the age of 25 you might get an extra 4.5 years. But so far this finding is restricted to mice and fruit flies and may not apply to humans!

One of the main arguments for hanging around longer is that you will still be here when drug therapies are found for Alzheimer's and cancer.

One theory on calorie restriction is that it decreases the release of one of the two thyroid hormones - triiodothyronine (T3), which then slows metabolism and tissue ageing.

As one of those who has a low metabolic rate this is extremely good news and must be the reason I look younger than most people my age! Hmm.. I discovered on a recent trip to La Prairie Clinique in Montreux that I have a very low calorie requirement - 1,200 calories a day just to same the same weight. A typical calorie restriction diet is 1,600 calories so I would need to go even lower.

It makes commonsense to eat sufficient nutrients for optimum health. You only have to look at some very thin people and long-term anorexia sufferers to see that deprivation of nutrients will prematurely age you rather than helping to keep you young. Those socalled "Social X-rays" usually have very badly lined skin...and the future health consquences of bad nutrition include osteoporosis amongst other things.

As part of my own rejuvenation regime I am going to keep my calorie intake below 1,000 a day. This is because I need to loose some pounds and want to give myself a pyschological kick-start. But I will make sure I get key nutrients.

To help me I am trying a new "diet" pill from the French company Arkopharma.I hesitate to call it a diet pill because it is not a synethetic drug (with unpleasant side effects) but a completely natural herbal remedy which is a new edition to their 4.3.2.1. detox drink. It is aimed at taking the edge of those hunger pangs that tend to sabotage your good intentions. It helps cut hunger pangs, detoxes and encourages fat burn.



I am not a great fan of supplements with strong smells - this is fairly strong - but if you take the tablet with a large glass of water it's it fine - there is no taste and no kickback. You take two tablets a day, one in the morning and one at lunch - I suspect this is because it contains herbs that may interfere with sleep if you take them too late.

There is more about 4.3.2.1. Shape Up Ultimate in my earlier blog below - but I will give you feedback on how it goes.



Another helpful diet supplement is to add fibre to meals. This helps stop any possible sugar spikes that may make you feel hungry. Metabolic Modulator is a great product containing beta glucan (porridge oats) which is virtually tasteless so great for adding to soups, smoothies etc. More info at Vitality Shop

I also find it difficult to keep to a diet if there is temptation in the fridge - so its empty! And if I do feel hungry or need something filling but nutritional I will reach for a mega nutritional shake from David Kirsch Wellness. These shakes contain everything known to help you stay on track and loose those pounds including chromium (keeps blood sugar stable) and iodine to keep the metabolism up.

I will be off to Harley Street in London again later this week to speak with a nutrition about the best way to eat for beauty, vitality and good health.

My own conclusion on calorie restriction is that it may well give you a buzz - hunger does apparently; but long-term it would be very miserable for very little gain. On the other hand I suspect changing the way we view good and diets may do the trick. Rather think of it has a beauty and health regime rather than a diet? Or are you eating an poison that is seriously damaging your body or a rejuvenating nutrient?

TODAY IS THE START OF MY REJUVENATION JOURNEY

AVRIL's REJUVENATION JOURNEY BEGINS HERE...

I am lucky because my genetics mean I don't look as old as perhaps I should. I know that I cannot change my chronological age but I change my biological age.

You may be wondering why anyone would want to do this? My answer to that is that we are all living longer, mainly because of modern medicine, but we are not necessarily living a better quality of life.

The developed world is suffering from an epidemic of lifestyle diseases including cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, stroke and Alzheimer's - mostly caused by eating too much of the wrong food and taking too little exercise. The cost of treating these self-induced illnesses is crippling public health systems.

Meanwhile health administrators question the value of treating the elderly. Is it worth it? There is no dignity for the elderly in the current socio-economic climate - not a week goes by without some horror story about an elderly person who died in a hospital corridor.

So it makes sense, as we age, for us to take control and keep ourselves as healthy as we possibly can. We can enjoy ourselves, our family, our friends and our life more if we are fit, agile and as happy as we can be. We can do this by adopting a positive lifestyle including a healthy diet and exercise, managing our life-work balance and stress.

My anti-ageing journey will take you to the world's top anti-ageing doctors and clinics. I will show you how you really can turn back the clock...