Pycnogenol - The New Fountain of Youth!

Everyone who knows me will tell you I’m a Diva when it comes to my health and looks, and quite frankly, as a 30 something years old female, no apologies cos aside from it being a hobby and my source of Income, I do think that a Lady ought to look the best she can. So, in my quest for maintaining a ‘Youthful Look’, I came across a powerful antioxidant in my research – Pycnogenol.

Dr. Oz (American Turkish renown cardiothoracic surgeon, author and face behind The Dr. Oz Show) calls it ‘The fountain of Youth’ and Dr. Perricone (board certified dermatologist, nutritionist and creator of beauty products centered on weightloss and maintaining the appearance of Youth) refers to it as a ‘superior antioxidant’. What really then is Pycnogenol and what can it do for you?

Pycnogenol is a Natural plant extract originating from the bark of maritime Pine tree which grows exclusively in the South Western Parts of France. It is loaded with a concentrate of active bioflavinoids which are also found in fresh fruits and vegetables.

How does it work for your Health, you may ask?

It boosts your immune system, strengthens your blood vessel walls and capillaries, supports a better circulation by preventing stress induced constriction of arteries and blood clotting and actually prevents you from getting Skin Cancer. Wow!

For Women, it protects your arteries against blood clotting and constriction. Prevents swelling of the legs, cold hands and tendency to easy bruising by sealing your capillaries. It also protects the skin against photo ageing by reducing the risks of UV radiation. An added plus is that it also soothes menstrual disorders like Cramps and pain.

I Know! I Know! How does it affect the Beauty of your skin? Well……

·         It Binds and protects Collagen, which is the protein that keeps your Skin tight and smooth; thereby reducing the process of developing wrinkles

·         Defies the accelerated ageing of your Skin due to exposure to sunlight (photo ageing)

·         Helps lighten dark spots of the skin which have resulted from over pigmentation.

·         Most especially, it restores a good blood circulation in your blood capillaries. With abundance of water, oxygen and removal of waste products, your skin is replenished and moisturized , thereby making you look Young and Fresh!

How safe is Pycnogenol?

It’s been used for several years and has undergone a lot of research which are readily available on the internet. It is safe and has no Mutagenic activity which means it does not cause any mutations to your DNA and is non- cancer causing. It is considered non toxic when taken at the recommended dosage of 20-100mg for about 6 months or 100-300mg for a shorter period of time to treat a specific condition. In other words, for better looking skin appearance or general health take 25-100mg a day.

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The Benefits of Pilates!

I used to do Pilates before but gave up on my classes when I became a Slot....that happens to the best of us despite our good intentions!

I've recently picked up my classes again, as I am working on getting a more divalicious banging body - in other words, I've put on some weight in order to get a more curvy body so I decided to pair my body changes with Pilates to make me look leaner, taut and toned.

So really, one may ask, what is Pilates and what are the benefits? Is it worth your while?
Pilates is a physical fitness system which was developed in the early 20th Century by Joseph Pilates. It consists of Mind-body, Core strength and Core stability exercises which are the keys to a healthier life through mindful movement and Pilates. Pilates is a favorite amongst a lot of celebrities and well versed fitness fanatics like Miley Cyrus, Madonna, David Beckham, Hugh Grant, Vanessa Williams etc.

It's a safe system of mind-body exercises using a floor mat and a variety of equipment. It can dramatically transform the way your body looks, feels and performs. It builds strength without excess bulk, creates a sleek, toned body with Slender thighs and a flat abdomen. Quite frankly, who on earth doesn't want that? Aside from looking good, it teaches you body awareness, breathing techniques, improves flexibility, agility and motion and can even alleviate back pains.

Once you decide to try Pilates, the next question is where to find a class. Here in Nigeria, you can find them at
Health and Fitness Clubs - I believe Four Points Gym offers some classes
Pilates Studios and;
Wellness Centers.

I personally attend a Pilates Studio in Victoria Island, led by my very able Pilates instructor, Veronica, who is a no-nonsense little woman who amazed me by snapping her body back to form within 3 months of giving birth.
If you prefer solitude,  the flexibility of working out alone and have a hard time sticking to a regularly scheduled class, you can get a Pilates video or go online to sites such as youtube.com and download Pilates videos. Remember to start with Beginner videos. To get your Pilates accessories such as mats, fit balls and foam rollers, you can  visit Jumbo gym shop at Bishop Oluwole street, Victoria Island.

How regular should your sessions be?
A famous quote from Joseph Pilates is 'After 10 sessions you will FEEL a difference, after 20 sessions you will SEE a difference, and after 30 sessions you will HAVE A WHOLE NEW BODY!

In other words, 3 sessions a week is excellent to get the results you want and within 3 months, your body will be transformed. I do 1 mat class and 2 machine classes each week, but if you're just starting,  start with mat classes as the machine classes are very sadistic!!!!


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Tips on Anti-aging Part 1

1. TOO MUCH SALT: Most of us eat way over the recommended limit of 6g of salt per day. You don’t just find excessive salt in takeaways and ready meals. It’s hidden in bread, processed meats, cheese and ready- prepared sauces.’

      But does it matter? Yes. Too much salt can lead to calcium loss and increase the risk of osteoporosis.  It puts a strain on your heart, raising blood pressure and increasing risk of a stroke or heart attack, so it’s vital to cut your salt intake.

THE SOLUTIONS

·        Read food labels in the supermarket and choose lower-salt options.

·        Add less (or no) salt at the table and/or during cooking. Your taste buds will adapt within three weeks. When cooking, replace salt with fresh herbs, garlic, lemon and spice to flavor your food.

·        Use more fresh ingredients in your cooking. About 8 per cent of our salt intake comes from processed foods.

2. A SWEET TOOTH: Sugar and refined carbs, such as white pasta, bread and pastries, create inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is the single greatest precipitator of saying,’ says Connie Bennett, author of Beyond Sugar Shock (hay house)

    Inflammation produces enzymes that break down collagen, which results in wrinkles and a significant loss in your skin’s elasticity. So when you smile or frown, your skin doesn’t snap back quickly as if does in your younger person’s face. Eating too much sugar can also trigger elevated blood sugar levels and pave the way for numerous diseases including obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

    THE SOLUTIONS

·        Cut out from sweets and refined carbs, and switch to fruit and whole meal options.

·        Avoid fast food and sugary and fizzy drinks- they’re all packed with sugars.

·        Get more sleep as studies show that lack of sleep can trigger sugar cravings.

·        Increase your protein intake as it boots your metabolism, helps you lose weight and keep your blood sugar stable.

·        Take fruit to work and at home, sprinkle cinnamon on plain yoghurt for a sweet but healthy hit. Cinnamon stabilizes blood sugar and reduces sugar cravings,

·        Keep a food journal as studies show that those who keep food records lose more weight.

3. FADDY DIETS: Diets that promote a particular food group at the expense of others, such as low- fat or high protein diets mean you’re ditching important foods. The foods that are left out often contain valuable antioxidants, known not only to protect us against cancer, but also to slow down the ageing process. The stress of restrictive diets overloads the kidneys. This can result in dehydration and bodies becoming too acidic- two components associated with premature cellular ageing.

THE SOLUTIONS

·        Don’t cut out any of the foods groups.

·        Make sure you eat enough essential fatty acids found in nuts, seed, olives and avocados, which contain vital elements necessary to make healthy skin cells.

·        Cut out all processed foods if you want to slim down, as they are high in fat and sugar. The weight will come off naturally at around 2lb per week.

4. USING AIR CON:  Air conditioning is incredibly drying on the skin. It recycles air that is poorer and full of chemicals and bacteria, which can lead to spots and skin irritations. When you’re in air- conditioned environment, because you feel cooler, you tends to drink less- but this can mean you become dehydrated without realizing it. Dehydration makes the skin look older.
   THE SOLUTIONS

·        Apply lots of moisturizer to counteract the effects of air conditioning. Look for products that are high in hyaluronic acid, which instantly skin.

·        Use antibacterial skin products to counteract the effects of the dirty air as they will help prevent irritation and breakouts.

·        Don’t neglect your lips and hands, which also lose water and become dehydrated.

·        Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary and caffeinated drinks, which are dehydrating.

·        Add omega oils to your diet to help your skin cope if you’re often in an air conditioned environment. Doing this can be simple as eating oily fish, such mackerel, more often, or taking supplements high in omega, such as flaxseed.

·        Go for a walk at lunchtime to give your skin a breather if your office air con is blasting away all day.

5. OVERUSE OF COMPUTERS:  Recent studies have shown that sitting at a computer for prolonged period, particularly slouched at your desk, can contribute to chronic back problems. A hunched posture is usually associated with the elderly. So you will look older than your years.

  THE SOLUTIONS

·        Try to engage your core muscles when sitting at your desk, avoid slouching in your chair.

·        Set an alarm every hour to make you get up and walk around the office.

·        Stand up to take phone calls.

·        Don’t surf the net late into night. In one study, mice exposed to artificial light when they should be asleep developed glucose. Intolerance- the precursor to diabetes.

·        Practice yoga or pilates as they stretch and lengthen the body core strength