Tag Archives: antioxidant

Heart Disease And Women

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Take Heart 
February is National Heart month, a time when our thoughts turn to protecting this all-important organ.  

In my experience as a physician, I can categorically state that the majority of my women patients do not realistically assess the fact that they have a serious risk of cardiovascular disease.  There is a very popular, (although completely erroneous) concept, that heart disease is more of a male disease.  

In fact, the opposite is true.  After menopause, the risk of heart disease in women becomes comparable to the incidence in men.  When we consider that the majority of women will spend one-third to one-half of their lives in post menopause, we can see that heart disease is a very serious threat, to health, well-being, and even life itself.

Leading Cause of Death
Heart disease, in its many manifestations, is the # 1 cause of death for woman aged sixty-five and over.  

Conversely, only about one-third of younger women with heart disease die before the age of sixty five.  

However, it is not on most of our radar screens.  Instead, there is a tremendous awareness among women, well-fostered by the media, of the threat of breast cancer.  While this is a threat, it palls in comparison to the mortality rate of heart disease, which kills 10 times as many women as breast cancer.  
Unfortunately, women are at a disadvantage (compared to men) when it comes to treating or even recognizing heart disease.  CNN recently reported the findings of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which stated that women may not be diagnosed or treated as aggressively as men.  
However with proper guidance, a few simple tests and lifestyle changes, we can significantly decrease this cardiovascular risk.  

“C-ing” the Light
Scientists and physicians now recognize that heart disease is mediated by inflammatory chemicals.  This should come as no surprise to Perricone readers, as I have long held inflammation to be at the base of most diseases.   

So what to do? Follow an anti-inflamatory diet, get your antioxidants through diet and supplements, take supplements like Vitamin C ester, Omega-3, and pursue a healthy exercise regimen.

Barking up the Right Tree

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Lighten and Brighten sun damaged skin the Perricone Way

Now that the long, hot summer has drawn to a close, the toll of excess sun exposure may be appearing on your face and body. Hyperpigmentation is one of the negative effects of chronic overexposure to sunlight, which also plays a role in skin aging and the development of skin cancer. In fact, it is UV radiation that is the main environmental factor that causes human skin aging. Fortunately, a new generation of anti-inflammatory, antioxidants can help counteract these problems

Human skin, like other organs, undergoes chronological aging; however, unlike other organs, our skin is in direct contact with the environment. Even worse, our face and hands are the two areas that do not have protection from clothing, exacerbating the problem. However, it is not just the sun exposure at fault. Hormonal imbalances and other factors also contribute to the loss of radiance, uneven skin tone and skin discolorations; ongoing problems that worsen with each passing year. But all the news is not bad. Tomorrow we will learn about a remarkable anti-oxidant with the power to lighten and brighten the skin.

Dr. Perricone’s Top 10 Super Supplements – #1 – Omega 3 Fish Oil

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Super Supplement # 1: Omega-3 Fish Oil

The incredible anti-inflammatory power of Omega-3 essential fatty acids found in the high fat fish and in fish oil can accomplish the following:

Reduce inflammation in all organ systems
Accelerate the loss of body fat
Elevate mood
Improve attention span
Stabilize blood sugar levels
Lower insulin levels
Create and maintain healthy serotonin levels
Stop the roller coaster effects of the carbohydrate highs and lows
Decrease appetite
Increase radiance to skin
Increase health of immune system
Increase energy levels
Decrease symptoms and severity of rheumatoid arthritis
Reduced symptoms and severity of chronic skin conditions such as eczema
Decreased cardiovascular risk

DOSAGE RECOMMENDATION: 3,000 mg per day of fish oil—however for those who need to lose significant weight I recommend three 1000 mg capsules 3 times per day with meals for a total of 9 capsules per day—this higher doses need to be approved by your physician.

Omega 3 Fish Oil Tips:
To avoid any dietary side effects from the omega 3 fish oils, (such as belching or stomach upset) divide the dose into three—for example, if you are taking 3,000 mg per day of fish oil, take one 1000 mg capsule with a meal three times per day.

Even though fish oil is basically a “food,” always check with your primary healthcare professional before embarking on any new supplement. Any therapeutic intervention, even nutritional supplements, can be contraindicated in certain health conditions.

Perricone MD products with this super supplement (click below to shop PerriconeMD.com)
Perricone MD Omega 3
Perricone MD Skin & Total Body

Dr. Perricone’s Top 10 Super Supplements – #2 – Alpha Lipoic Acid

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Super Supplement #2: Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)
Alpha lipoic acid is a superior anti-inflammatory, that penetrates all portions of the cell because it is both fat and water soluble. On a cellular level alpha lipoic acid exerts a wide variety of positive actions, all of them anti-inflammatory. In addition to its function as a powerful antioxidant/anti-inflammatory, alpha lipoic acid increases the body’s ability to take glucose into the cells. This increased sensitivity to insulin results in decreased blood sugar levels and accelerated weight loss.

DOSAGE RECOMMENDATIONS: Because alpha lipoic acid is found only in trace amounts in food, it must be taken as a supplement. Twenty-five to thirty milligrams is adequate for a young healthy person. I recommend anywhere from two to four hundred milligrams of alpha lipoic acid per day to my patients with specific health problems, or who are trying to lose body fat.

Alpha Lipoic Tips:
In the metabolic cycle, Alpha Lipoic Acid acts as a coenzyme in the production of energy by converting carbohydrates into energy (ATP).

ALA is the only antioxidant that can boost cellular levels of glutathione, the body’s most important antioxidant to overall health and longevity.

Take with meals.

Perricone MD products with this super supplement (click below to shop PerriconeMD.com)
Perricone MD Alpha Lipoic Acid
Perricone MD Skin & Total Body
Perricone MD Health & Weight Management
Perricone MD Super Antioxidant

Dr. Perricone’s Top 10 Super Supplements – #5 – Acetyl L-Carnitine

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Super Supplement #5: Acetyl L-Carnitine
Like carnitine, acetyl-l-carnitine improves mitochondrial function, but to an even greater degree – because it can pass through the mitochondrial membrane. And like carnitine, acetyl-l-carnitine functions best when there is adequate dietary intake of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Both forms of carnitine are important in a weight loss regimen because they act as natural anti-inflammatories, they aid in transportation of fats into the mitochondria to be burned. They also enhance the sensitivity of insulin receptors, helping to decrease blood sugar and circulating levels of insulin. As we have learned, high levels of insulin are inflammatory and ‘lock’ our body fat in place.

DOSAGE RECOMMENDATION: 500 milligrams per day; however, individuals on a weight loss program may take up to 1500 milligrams of acetyl-carnitine daily.

Acetyl-l-Carnitine tips:
Carnitine and acetyl-l-carnitine are not to be used by people with bipolar disease (manic depression) or those who are susceptible to seizures (epilepsy) unless recommended by their physician.

Do not take acetyl-l-carnitine after 3 PM to prevent any difficulties with sleeping.

Exercise naturally increases our levels of acetyl-l-carnitine, however, if we are obese, over thirty, or have other health problems, it will not raise them to therapeutic levels; therefore supplementation is necessary.

Acetyl-l-carnitine may be taken with or without food.

For better utilization of fat for energy take omega 3 fish oil with carnitine.

Perricone MD products with this super supplement (click below to shop PerriconeMD.com):
Perricone MD Health & Weight Management

Doctor’s Orders – Eat Healthy And Delicious Food

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In my quest to find workable health and beauty solutions for my patients and my readers, I have discovered that the greatest gift I can give is permission to eat healthy and delicious food.

This might seem strange – using a word such as permission, but we are in the grip of an obesity and disease epidemic, affecting not just adults, but children as well. We need common sense information to reverse this alarming trend and the best place to start is by learning about the many nutrients that can help us to burn body fat while preserving all-important muscle mass.

Interestingly, the same antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory foods and nutrients that keep us healthy and youthful, with supple, clear and radiant skin, significantly contribute to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

I first discovered this through my experience with patients on the anti inflammatory diet for anti-aging purposes. I quickly discovered that the patients that had excess of body fat rapidly lost it. And best of all, they looked absolutely radiant; not a trace of that haggard look we see with most dieters.

I previously discussed the powers of l-glutamine and its ability to stop food cravings, the downfall of many of us. Stay tuned for Top Ten favorite weight loss, health and beauty supplements.

Dr. Perricone Q&A – Complex Skin Types

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Q: I’ve been told that my face is a “complex skin type.” That is, while my cheeks are often oily, my chin and the area around my nose are usually dry. Please tell me the best way to take care of my dual-personality skin, and what products are best for me.

A: Always use a gentle cleanser that has anti-inflammatory properties and is not harsh or drying the way soap can be. Try a tinted moisturizer or toner pads that contain DMAE on the oilier portions of your face, and use an oil-free moisturizer on the dry areas. Take body supplements to help your skin from the inside-out!

The Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory Power Of Olive Oil Polyphenols

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Olive oil polyphenols are important antioxidants (natural anti-inflammatories) found in highest concentrations in extra virgin olive oil. They are essential to an anti-inflammatory diet.
One of the most important components of olive oil is hydroxytyrosol, an extremely rare, highly potent polyphenol. Hydroxytyrosol can actually slow the aging process in the skin by stabilizing the part of the cell known as the cell plasma membrane.
Researchers worldwide find that diets rich in olive oil polyphenols are associated with healthier breast tissue, colon function, and cardiovascular function, and offer significant extra protection from secondary smoke and sun-related skin damage.
Extra virgin olive oil is unique when it comes to foods that have a direct impact on beautiful skin and is a critical part of the Perricone Prescription Diet.
A few of the benefits of a diet rich in anti-inflammatory antioxidant extra virgin olive oil include:

• Increases the skins ability to maintain moisture;
• decreases “bad cholesterol”;
• increases “good cholesterol”;
• helps intestinal absorption;
• helps gall bladder activity;
• lowers probability of gallstones;
• lowers blood pressure;
• decreases gastric acid secretion in ulcers;
• stimulates pancreas secretion;
• aids developing bone in children;
• prevents osteoporosis;
• lowers glucose levels in diabetics;
• reduces risk of prostate cancer; and
• reduces the risk of breast cancer

Olive oil polyphenols offer additional benefits when incorporated into topical formulations, including the following:

• The delivery of the polyphenol anti-oxidant benefits directly to the skin
• Provides an all-natural approach to the prevention of free-radical damage
• Minimizes the appearance of lines and wrinkles while it brightens and evens skin tone.
• Extremely gentle and non-irritating; safe for even the most sensitive skin
• Guards against signs of premature aging

How Does Our Super Berry ‘Skin Drink’ Work?

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Super Berry Powder is a powder drink that contains a high amount of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. This innovative drink maintains cell health and protection from free radical damage, as well as supports the major organ functions in the body.

Ingredients:

• Raspberry, Blackberry and Cranberry contains phytonutrients which add the coloring in fruit. They have been proven to hold powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits to fight off heart disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, and wrinkled, sagging skin.

• Blueberry speeds up brain communication and reverses the deterioration of motor functions. This powerful antioxidant encourages the release of dopamine, an energizing stimulatory neurotransmitter. All of the benefits found in the blueberry lead to extended youth and beauty.

• Acai contains a remarkable concentration of antioxidants and an almost perfect essential amino acid complex with trace minerals vital to muscles. This energy drink comes straight from nature and has a synergy of healthy fats and dietary fiber for cardiovascular and digestive track health.

Keep on the Grass

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When choosing milk-based dairy products, look for organic brands whose cows are grass fed and raised without antibiotics or hormones. Read labels and avoid products containing preservatives such as postassium sorbate, fillers, stabilizers, guar gum, carageenan, and other unnecessary, unpronounceable ingredients! The label for cottage cheese for example, should list only the following ingredients: Cultured Pasteurized Grade A Skim Milk, Milk, Cream, and Salt. Not only are these products more eco-friendly, they also are effective components of a healthy lifestyle and the Perricone Prescription Diet.