WE LOVE THE ROLLER-BLADING PENSIONER

At ELIXIR magazine we love rollerblading pensioner Geoff Dornan.

He is the fantastically fit septuggenarian who was fined by a UK court for 'endangering the public' by skating through a shopping mall.

We at ELIXIR think Mr Dornan should be given an award. At the age of 71 years he skated with respect to others, unlike others half his age. We assume the only reason he was caught because he did respect the law and stopped when he was asked.

The retired youth worker, who says regular skating keeps him fit and healthy, had now had his rollerblades confiscated by police.

The truth is that the rather large people in our community are far more of a danger. For example, how many times has a public bus braked abruptly and the huge person next to you come dangerously near to squashing the nearest passenger.

Mr Dornan, who now has a 2,075-person Facebook group devoted to him, was rollerblading in the seaside town of Southport, Merseyside and CCTV footage from a Marks and Spencer camera recorded in October 2008.

Outside court Mr Dornan said: 'In the months during which I have been unjustly deprived of my blades, I was shocked to discover how swiftly the health of someone of my age can deteriorate.
'At the time of my arrest, I was as fit as a flea, and entirely free of pain. Yet by Christmas, I found myself confined to bed with severe back trouble.'

He added: "I would never want to put anybody in danger and always adopt a good skating practice, which means nobody should ever feel threatened. I don't believe I'm a danger to anyone. This case should never have been brought to court.'

We have all seen people, mostly young men in my experience, cycling on public pavements even past policemen who take no notice. Since most policemen and women on foot appear to be overweight maybe if they were given some rollerblades they might not only get fit but also be fast enough to catch the real criminals rather than OAPs?

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

CARBOXY AND ANTI-AGEING SKIN DEVICES

Carboxy Therapy

I am fascinated by Carboxy Therapy. It was launched several months ago as a skin rejuvenation treatment. It uses carbon dioxide which is injected under the skin with a tiny needle.

This causes oxygen to rush to the area improving the metabolism in the tissues. This results in a tightening of the collagen.

I have seen flabby upper arms completely transformed after a course of these treatments. It also works wonders with stretch marks - they do not completely disappear but they are very much improved.

The beauty of this treatment is that it is non-toxic - carbon dioxide is found naturally in the body - and it really does work.

Try it out at http://www.beautyworkswest.com/ in London's Nottinghill. The expert there is Dr Daniel Sister who has a book of photographic case studies to show.

Ultratone

I have been asked to trial a new electronic device for the face by Ultratone called the Facial Plus.

Ultratone's research and development director Kirstin Schaefer tells me that it works through electrical stimulation.

This handheld device for home use is about the size of a TV remote control. It has fourprogrammes: Microcurrent - for deep penetration of moisturising creams, skin rejuvenation and fine line reduction ;Non-surgical facelift and tone - for exercising and lifting superficial medium and deep muscles; Lymphatic drainage & toxin release - for the reduction of puffiness and toxin elimination, to achieve a fresher and clear complexion and Anti-Ageing and maintenance - to enhance the results and ensure your face stays toned and looking good.

Each programme operates on a different frequency and within each programme there is a cocktail of currents that penetrate different depths and muscles via two metal contacts.

As with all the Ultratone devices, they also have uses in medical treatment. In the case of the Facial Plus it is used to treat Bell's Palsy.

Kirstin tells me that the microcurrent penetrates and rejuvenates the superficial layer of the skin, stimulating the fibroblasts that produce youth-promoting elastin and collagen.

The best results are obtained by using the unit little and often - say five minutes on each side of the face daily.

The anti-ageing programme gives the muscles of the face a thorough workout, moving everything upwards.

You have to follow a facial workout map - each muscle is worked on for about one minute - 25 impluses, then there is a beeb to indicate that you should now move to the next muscle area.

The lymphatic programme works for people who have facial puffiness - the current stimulates the lymph system and helps the skin to detox.

Ultratone has gathered medical evidence to support the efficacy of its devices, many of which are used in rehabilitative medicine.


Kirstin tells me that you don't need to use Botox if you use the Facial Plus regularly - I will let you know how I get on with it.

The Ultratone Facial Plus costs £149.00 and can be purchasd by phone 44 (0)207 935 0631. More information is online at www.ultratone.co.uk/

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?

NEW ANTI-AGEING GADGETS

STOP - the world's first salon grade radio frequency device for home use Today marked the exclusive world-wide launch of STOP, at the Imagination Gallery in Bloomsbury, London.

This is yet another amazing anti-ageing gadget from those technical innovators in Israel. Priced at just £395, it is a mini version of the in-salon ReGen treatment - to combat wrinkles and cellulite - that I mentioned a few days ago.

It works by using two kinds of radio frequencies to heat up the collagen under the skin. This has an immediate and visable tightening effect. Over the next few weeks it works on the fibroblasts in the epidermis which create new collagen and younger skin.

Powered by electricity, Stop has a safety feature which cuts out when the skin has reached the optimum temperature - and turns on again when it has cooled down.

The radio-frequency energy penetrates a mere 1-3mm and feels like a warm massage. STOP has four metal "poles" which you hold against the skin and massage in circular movements.

It is recommended mainly for facial, neck and decollete use - for lifting sagging jowels and chin, neck lines, facial wrinkles and marionette (nose to mouth) lines. And should be used 2-3 times a week until the desired effect has been achieved.

Certainly the before and after photos that I saw at the launch this device looked fantastic. The gadget is fairly affordable and would probably achieve optimum results after a few of the more powerful salon treatments. STOP goes on sale in September but if you want to be one of the first to get one, and the manufacturers are expecting huge demand, then email us with your name, address and phone number at info@elixirnews.com

WELLBOX TISSULAR THERAPY: Beauty without Surgery!

I was recently invited to try out this new machine, pictured above, from France, by the PR folk at Harrods.

The Wellbox has been one of the best kept secrets of French beauties for a few years now - and it really is non-invasive. It uses a combination of suction and rolling to slim and tone, the body and face.

Again, the theory of how it works is that it stimulates the collagen in the skin. It's a home use machine and easy to use. When I tried it out in the Pharmacy on the ground floor of the store, the technician used it to stimulate the area around my lips.

The suction is really quite gentle and it was an overall enjoyable experience. There was a little bit of redness but my lips looked plumper and younger afterwards.

The Wellbox is recommended for rejuvenating wrinkles, finelines, sagging, generally firming the skin on the neck and décolleté; reducing cellulite and love handles; a flatter stomach and even reduce muscle fatigue.

It may cost £1,000 but in my opinion its well worth it both for the results and the convenience of being able to use it at home. And of course it compares well when you consider how much salon treatments cost. It's on my Christmas present list! There's more info on the Harrods web site Harrods and you can also call the Harrods Beauty Concierge on +44 (0)20 7730 1234.