Doctor is pain medicine 'visionary' - CNN.com

 

Dr. Garret FitzGerald

Philadelphia (CNN) — Dr. Garret FitzGerald’s career in medicine almost fell through because of a cockroach.

“He’s fearless, he’s passionate, he’s curious, visionary, very, very, collaborative, and most important, he’s very nurturing. In my opinion he’s the real deal,” Kaul said.

Beginnings

FitzGerald’s spacious office has a full view of the Philadelphia skyline, but his accent betrays his Irish origins. He grew up in Dublin during a time of austerity in the 1950s and ’60s.

He trained clinically in Dublin, but the institutions there didn’t have a lot of money for science. FitzGerald was interested in mechanisms, and wanted to work in laboratories, so he headed to London. He worked at what was then called the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, a pre-eminent spot for physician researchers in Europe. He also completed a master’s degree in statistics at the London School of Hygiene.

The late 1970s were a difficult time to be Irish in Britain, because of violent attacks by the Irish Republican Army. FitzGerald commonly heard Irish jokes as well as hostile comments.

“It taught me a little bit about being a despised minority, and gave me a certain empathy with people who have to fill that role in this country,” he said.

How aspirin works

FitzGerald fell into cardiovascular disease research without any personal connection to the subject. Much later, he found out his father had some cardiovascular problems, and his mother had hypertension, but most people do as they age, he said.

“If any of us discover one thing that matters, we’re lucky, because most of us don’t,” he said. “I think what people often don’t understand is that it takes decades for stories to unfold, particularly to know if something stands the test of time. Persistence, focus and hard work are really important.”

FitzGerald and his wife headed to the United States to Vanderbilt University in Tennessee in 1980. This is where FitzGerald began to focus on aspirin.

From a tree, a ‘miracle’ called aspirin

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Doctor is pain medicine 'visionary' - CNN.com

A new wrinkle in smoking research and ageing

 

Smoking cessation (Photo credits: www.mysafetysign.com)

June 19, 2013 — If health concerns won’t get college students to quit smoking, maybe experiencing the future will.

That’s the finding of Hayeon Song, an assistant professor of communication at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), who developed a video game that showed social smokers what they might look like after 20 years of smoking.

The smokers who viewed their own future face affected by the negative consequences of smoking in the video game had more negative attitudes toward social smoking and were more interested in quitting than those who didn’t see what the future would look like, according to Song’s study, recently published in Computers in Human Behavior.

The research grew out of Song’s ongoing interests in computers and human behavior, particularly health habits.

“My research area is using virtual reality to change real-life behaviors,” she says. “Everybody knows smoking is bad, but still they smoke.”

Changing attitudes among young people is particularly challenging, she says, because talking to them about future health problems doesn’t have an impact — even though national figures identify smoking as the leading cause of preventable health problems in the U.S. For every person who dies from a smoking-related disease, another 20 suffer at least one serious illness related to smoking, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Song believes, she says, that smokers still smoke because they don’t think they will be affected by these horrible health problems.

Humans tend to have inaccurate beliefs about their own future, and those beliefs are often unreasonably optimistic, she says.

Would their attitudes change, she wondered, if quit-smoking efforts focuses on providing more specific information about the future, and they could see right now what they might look like after 20 years of smoking?

Smoke and mirrors To test that hypothesis, she designed an anti-smoking educational video game that incorporated avatars, digital photos of participants and a simple age-progression app.

She chose so-called “social smokers” for her research because this is the category about half of college-age smokers fall into. They don’t consider themselves habitual smokers, but smoke when they are stressed out or at a bar or party, for example, says Song. They don’t carry around a pack of cigarettes, but will take one when offered. “They are less addicted to smoking,” she says, “thus it would be easier for them to quit compared to daily smokers.”

Song chose a sample of 62 social smokers to take part in the study, after screening more than 400 in an online survey about their smoking habits. The participants’ average age was just over 22.

Song then created a video game called “Super Smoky” that educates players about the risks of social smoking. The study participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups — those who played with an avatar representing their own future self, those who played with an avatar of their current selves, those who played with a generic present-time avatar and those who played with a generic future-time avatar.

The future faces were aged using a widely available age-progression software called “Aging Booth,” with the extra wrinkles common to long-time smokers added. Each level of the game offered rewards and consequences for various actions such as trying to avoiding friends who offered them cigarettes. If the participants using their own faces on the avatar couldn’t successfully avoid smoking in Level 1, they progressed to their own future, smoking-aged avatar faces, in Level 2.

After playing the game, the participants were questioned about their attitudes toward social smoking and possible risks from continued smoking. Results showed that those who had played the game and viewed their own future, smoking-damaged faces, were most likely to have negative attitudes toward smoking and be willing to try to quit.

Song concluded that providing concrete and realistic information about an individual’s potential future and using the aged face of a game avatar as a way to get the quit-smoking message across to college-age students could be very effective.

“One of the cool things about health games is that individuals can learn from their own experience,” she says, “while testimonials using other media are based on learning from other people’s experience.” One of her other studies demonstrated that a game makes the quit-smoking message more effective than ochures, Hong says.

And, she adds, “If you’re viewing smoking with a stranger’s aged face, the message is not as effective as if you see the impact on your own aged face. That’s much more powerful.”

 

See full story on sciencedaily.com

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A new wrinkle in smoking research and ageing

stem cells | anti-ageing

 

Stem cells: future of beauty? Photo: Paul Harris

Are stem cells about to change the way we think about in anti-ageing creams?

In America and Europe, stem cells are being hailed as a revolution in anti-ageing. It all started when stem cells were used in medical procedures and transferred out of the body, put through a centrifuge-like process and injected back into the same body to heal joint problems such asarthritis.Patients discovered an added benefit – their skin looked smoother, less wrinkled and within days their family and friends said they looked younger.

Sydney cosmetic doctor and stem cell clinicianRalph Bright has been using stem cells to successfully treat a range of medical issues, but says anti-ageing is relatively new.

“I’ll never forget the woman whose knee was injected with stem cells to repair it, and came backtwo months later saying her skin on her face was smoother and more elastic. We hadn’t touched her face,” he says.

The benefits of stem cells to relieve joint pain for men and women have been around for many years, but their cosmetic use is relatively new, and their derivatives are now being put into a new generation of face creams, the first of which is available in Australia.

SydneysurgeonBill Lyon says “many people believe stem cells are the holy grail in many aspects of medicine with excellent results. In animal experiments, stem cells have been shown to improve skin quality and integrity. They are thought to replenish the aged cells and tissues within the skin.”

US cosmetic company Jeunesse has released Luminesce, a range of creams and serums containing cytokines, the stem-cell derived messengers (or growth factors) that communicate between stem cells within the human body. They are found in and around stem cells.

New York plastic surgeon and anti-ageing doctorVincent Giampapa, who is a spokesman,for the and, explains:”Growth factors or cytokines are the cell’s language. In other words, the way thousands of cells communicate allowing them to do one vital function – repair and regenerate the tissue in the body. These cytokines are packed with vitamins and nutrients to nourish skin, and send signals to the body to slow down the signs of aging . After extraction, the stem cells go through an extensive process to isolate the cytokines. These are in the creams.”

“It is important to understand these stem cells and their receptors are extracted from the fat cells of grown adults. Human adult fat cells are packed with stem cells,” Dr Giampapa stresses.

Dr Bright says it’s not possible to have live stem cells in a cream, so for now, this is the next best thing. “You cannot keep stem cells active in a cream, so the use of cytokines, the cell’s messengers if you like is the closest we can get in a cream.”

Dr Lyon is sceptical when it comes to creams. “Cosmeceuticals with stem cell extracts will work as well as any other product as long as the base ingredients are effective,” he says. “The problem with any topically derived cream is getting the ingredients through the barrier [the skin] unchanged and still active. If this has been achieved they could be effective.”

Sydney cosmetic surgeon Dr Ron Bezicagrees:”I haven’t seen the creams, but active cytokines would potentially be effective in switching on the body’s own healing mechanisms. Stem cellsand their mediators have shown enormous potential in the area of tissue regeneration and anti-ageing. This could lead to increased skin elasticity, reduced wrinkles and improved texture, but it’s important to remember there is not just one magical treatment. Basics like sunscreen, for example, are still critical regardless of other creams or treatments.”

In the meantime it’s clear this is just the beginning in terms of stem cell products and technology. “There is a lot of research going on in this field at the moment worldwide,” says Dr Bezic.

“The technology behind human stem cell-derived skincare, created from human adipose tissue, is the fastest growing area in facial rejuvenation, with the USA leading the charge in research and development,” claims Dr Giampapa. “Stem cells are a key element in the ageing process. We are just at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to using human adult stem cells to regenerate the skin’s growth factors that support skin rejuvenation.”

See full story on theage.com.au

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stem cells | anti-ageing

Tips to Hide Thinning hair

With the introduction of anti-aging hair products, the issue of women’s thinning hair is finally getting the attention it deserves. Whether your hair thins as you age or you experience thinning your twenties (called alopecia, the condition is triggered by genetics and even bad nutrition choices), there are simple cuts, coloring techniques and styling tricks that can disguise sparse strands. We caught up with Diane Stevens, Lead Stylist for Nioxin(the brand known for treating hair thinning) on how she camouflages thinning hair on her clients. Go Ombré Starting with a darker base and slowly getting lighter towards the ends creates the visual effect of thicker hair at the tips. Go one or two shades lighter at the base for a subtle color change.

Add Multidimensional Color Create movement and the illusion of fullness with this color trick. “Have your stylist use different tones and levels to create a soft, multidimensional look,” Stevens says. “Oftentimes, I use three different formulas to do so. I use one shade that is my client’s natural base color, one that is slightly lighter and a third that is slightly darker. This creates a look that includes a play of light and dark shadows.” However, she warms against too many highlights. This draws attention to thinning hair at the roots. Create Volume With Your Cut Adding layers throughout the hair creates lift, volume and movement. Stevens recommends a strong bang with soft layers like Michelle Obama’s or a side swoop fringe with soft layers like Jennifer Lawrence’s.

Jennifer Lawrence on the red carpet at the 83rd Academy Awards (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

These styles “give the cut a much denser appearance and will make the hair look less fine and fragile,” she says. Style It Right “For instant volume, I love to start with Nioxin DiaMax ($50, nioxin.com), a leave-in scalp treatment that actually increases the diameter of each hair strand,” Stevens says. She recommends creating long-lasting shape by setting hair with hot rollers or pin curls. “Gradually layer in styling product and add as needed to achieve the desired result.” She also advises to not over-dry because hair will lose its manageability and fall flat.read More at DailyMakeover:

 

 

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YOUTH HORMONE FORMULA SEROVITAL-HGH POISED TO STEAL THE SHOW AT RENOWNED PITUITARY CONFERENCE :: AD HOC NEWS

SAN FRANCISCO, June 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — It seems everyone’s talking about human growth hormone (hGH) these days. CNN, Fox News, The Today Show, The Dr. Oz Show, Shape magazine… even Vanity Fair have all done features on hGH. And many of Hollywood’s “elite” have been visiting some of the most expensive clinics in the world for controversial hGH therapy. Why? Because they believe human growth hormone can reduce wrinkles, tighten saggy skin, decrease body fat, increase lean muscle mass, boost energy, rev up sex drive, and make you look and feel decades — not years, but DECADES — younger.

So it’s no surprise that hGH is slated to be a major topic of interest for professionals attending the prestigious Pituitary Society’s Thirteenth International Pituitary Congress in San Francisco, which opens today. After all, the pituitary gland manufactures hGH in the body. But what will really have conference goers buzzing is new Research showing that a eakthrough oral growth hormone booster called SeroVital-hgh not only increases mean, serum (blood) growth hormone levels by 682%, but — unlike controversial synthetic injections — achieves this increase by supporting pituitary health.

“That’s what makes SeroVital completely revolutionary,” says Dr. Amy Heaton, PhD, Director of Scientific Affairs for SanMedica Internationalâ„¢, SeroVital’s distributor. “This tiny little pill allows users to increase their hGH levels naturally and without the risks associated with injections.”

And what’s more, new Research shows SeroVital may also provide metabolic advantages. Synthetic hGH injections raise the amount of ghrelin (the hunger hormone) being produced by the body, which can trigger a serious appetite increase and cause many hGH users to bulk up. On the other hand, a recent study on SeroVital’s proprietary key compound shows it may increase hGH production not by boosting ghrelin, but by repressing somatostatin, a hormone that inhibits hGH production.

While SeroVital-hgh is sure to cause a huge stir at the Pituitary Congress, it began making a name for itself in the Research world when it was first introduced at the prestigious Obesity Society’s most recent Annual Scientific Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Since that time, SeroVital has also been presented at a number of academic conferences, including The Academy of Women’s Health’s 21st Annual Congress in Washington, D.C., and The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 61st Annual Clinical Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.

But it isn’t just those involved with the world of clinical Research that have become interested in SeroVital. It’s been featured in Shape and Ok! magazines, on The Dr. Oz Show, Radar Online, KMAX Good Day Sacramento, Examiner.com, and New York Live, to name a few, and makeup artists and celeity beauty gurus have been gushing about it for months.

In addition to its impact on the world of pituitary research, human growth hormone is quickly rising to the forefront of the “anti-aging” world thanks to a number of recent studies on its effects on skin and aging. With all the Research showing just how vital hGH is to so many of the body’s functions, an awful lot of people have stopped asking if they should be increasing their hGH levels and started asking which hGH-boosting option is right for them.

Because of all the controversy surrounding synthetic hGH injections — not to mention the expense (costs can run as high as $1500 per month) — many people are unwilling to use them. But now that there’s an easy-to-swallow capsule that can raise growth hormone naturally, the hGH revolution is exploding.

Still, some skeptics are saying SeroVital sounds too good to be true. So is there a catch? Well, there are three. First, as with HGH injections, SeroVital is not a “magic bullet,” but one part of a healthy lifestyle choice including a sensible diet and exercise regimen.

Second, for proper absorption, you have to take SeroVital-hgh on an empty stomach. That means you either have to take it first thing in the morning and then not eat anything for two hours, or take it at night, at least two hours after your last meal… before you go to bed.

And last but not least, while SeroVital is far less expensive than prescription HGH injections, it’s still not cheap… SeroVital will cost you about $100 a month.

But is it worth it? To most people, anything that may reduce wrinkles, tighten saggy skin, decrease body fat, increase lean muscle mass, strengthen bones, and boost mood, while giving you plenty of energy, improving your sex drive and helping you sleep better is a no-ainer. However, make no mistake about it, the “established” medical community (and of course, they know everything) would say its benefits are largely anecdotal, with Research that’s preliminary. But there’s no denying that something that has a chance of making you look and feel decades, not years, but DECADES, younger, is… at the very least… irresistible.

For more information about the Pituitary Congress, which runs through Friday, visit www.PituitarySociety.org. For additional information about SeroVital-hgh, go to www.SeroVital.com or call 1-800-519-2758. If you’re anxious to try SeroVital, use promo code SERO33 at checkout and get free shipping.*

See full story on www.ad-hoc-news.de

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YOUTH HORMONE FORMULA SEROVITAL-HGH POISED TO STEAL THE SHOW AT RENOWNED PITUITARY CONFERENCE :: AD HOC NEWS

Switching to Radio 2, drinking sherry and feeding birds: The top 50 signs that you're getting old | Mail Online

Are you reading this in your slippers round at whatsername’s house?

Have you both got a sherry on the go and the latest episode of the Archers playing on the wireless?

If you’re nodding – and that’s hurting your neck a bit – you’re officially getting old.

Not that you lot who are listening to Radio 2 and feeding the birds should feel smug. You’re pushing on a bit too.

Over the hill? Losing touch with everyday technology (left) or forgetting people’s names (right) are said to be signs you’re getting old in research which revealed the top 50 physical and attitudinal changes we recognise as we get older

Most of us like to think we’re young, or youngish, but yesterday researchers came up with a list of 50 tell-tale signs of ageing that might make you think otherwise.

Their study found that losing head hair but gaining it elsewhere and declaring ‘It wasn’t like that when I was young’ are also an indication that your youth is firmly behind you.

Other things to look out for include taking a flask of tea on days out and falling asleep in front of the television.

Tell-tale signs: Feeling stiff and groaning when you bend over mean you’re on the dreaded path to old age according to a new survey

The report said people feel older if their understanding of technology falls by the wayside, either by struggling to use it, or losing touch with more modern inventions such as tablets or the latest digital TV options.

Fashion sense starts to go out of the window as age creeps up – as people choose clothes for comfort over style, start wearing their glasses around their neck and never leave thehouse without a coat.

The majority of the 2,000 surveyed didn’t feel there was a set age at which someone becomes ‘old’.

Changing age group: Packing a pair of slippers to stay at a friend’s house, or knowing what Opal Fruits are could mean you’re on the path to old age

In fact, eight in ten think you’re only as old as you feel, and 76 per cent intend to enjoy their youth foras long as possible.

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See full story on dailymail.co.uk

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Switching to Radio 2, drinking sherry and feeding birds: The top 50 signs that you're getting old | Mail Online

Chlorella smoothies: The secret smoothie craze of the stars - sofeminine

This health-boosting smoothie is made from a green algae supplement called Chlorella A and we’ve found out why so many celebs have gone Chlorella crazy.

This Chlorella A is big news. It’s apparently been dubbed the new Crme De La Mer in terms of saving your skin, and the best thing about it is that it doesn’t come with the celeity price tag. As well as giving your body a well-needed boost, Chlorella can help with a whole load of other ailments as well as anti-ageing too – no wonder the models have gone mad for it.

Victoria’s Secret Angel, Miranda Kerr, has admitted to taking the supplement to keep her body looking extra hot and healthy and if her figure is anything to go by it’s working a treat.

But what is in this supplement and why have all these celeity babes gone so smoothie crazy?

Chlorella A has got a lot going for it. First of all it’s an entirely natural product made from green algae and contains 540% of the daily recommended amount of Vitamin D as well as loads of iron and B12.

We spoke to Nutritionist for Sun Chlorella, Nadia Brydon to find out more.

She says: “Smoothies which contain Chlorella may help improve overall energy, sleep, gut health and regulate bowels, boost the immune system, generally detox the body, provide large quantities of vitamins and minerals and help increase our daily intake of fruit and veg.”

But taking Chlorella A isn’t about replacing meals or trying to shed kilos fast – it’s much more about adding nutrients and balance to the body.

Other nice health-based by-effects of Chlorella A include stronger nails, more energy and a better balance of important nutrients.

The key ingredients in the Chlorella Sun supplement are Chlorophyll, which helps to produce energy and clear metabolic waste, Chlorella Growth Factor, which helps to build and repair muscle fies and calcium and magnesium – minerals required for optimum muscle function. No wonder it’s best to take this drink directly after training.

But it’s not just about the inside of your body; Chlorella A actually helps your skin look radiant too – giving you a model-worthy glow.

“Smoothies and Chlorella contain antioxidants, which help mop up free radicals which are a major cause of the aging process,” Nadia says.

But what about the all-important calorie content? Here’s a hint – it’s low.

Nadia says: “Chlorella has the unique advantage of being very low in calories (just 12 calories per 15 tablets) but very high in natural vitamins and minerals.”

“It’s very important when on a weight loss programme to ensure we consume the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals to keep healthy. By taking Chlorella as part of a weight loss programme smoothies and Sun Chlorella can help ensure we are taking all the nutrition we need to keep energy high throughout the day at the same time as improving general health.”

So if you’re planning a healthy eating diet ahead of that next holiday, taking Chlorella smoothies could be the extra boost that you need to look and feel amazing.

But now that you know Rosie, Miranda and Millie’s secret don’t go too overboard with the smoothies, Nadia says if you want to have a bit of a detox then take it slow.

See full story on sofeminine.co.uk

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Chlorella smoothies: The secret smoothie craze of the stars - sofeminine