You ARE what you EAT!!!

"YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT" was a phrase used over and over again by the old "Health and Strength" fellow Charles Atlas - the first Mr.Universe, who used no weights or steriods to build his semetrical muscles (not the ugly muscle men of today who must use steriods to build their ugly muscles upon muscles body).

I recent found a very space-age sceintific book "FOREVER YOUNG" and so here's the section on "wrinkle free."

Here's the technical side of why we wrinkle and how to stop it.

FROM THE BOOK "FOREVER YOUNG"

by Nicholas Perricone, M.D.


Aging Gracefully with Astaxanthin

As you know, the brilliant, vibrant kaleidoscope of colors found
in fruits, vegetables, beans, and legumes, as well as in nuts,
extra-virgin olive oil, and seafood such as wild salmon signifies
the presence of antioxidants in foods, making these foods an
essential part of the Forever Young program. The carotenoid
family of antioxidants offers very special and targeted
properties for cellular rejuvenation for many reasons, not the
least of which is their role in cellular growth and repair.
I am one of wild salmon's most vocal and enthusiastic proponents.
There are many reasons for this, including the outstanding
quality of its protein, so critical to cellular repair; its rich
component of anti-inflammatory omega-3 essential fatty acids,
essential for heart, skin, and brain health; and the presence of
high levels of the carotenoid astaxanthin, which has myriad
benefits, including superior antiinflammatory properties. I
recently met with the leading scientists at Fuji Health Science,
a division of Fuji Chemical, global leaders in the production of
astaxanthin. They generously shared with me the latest news and
research on this remarkable carotenoid.

The King of Carotenoids

Astaxanthin is one of the most powerful all-natural antioxidants
known to science and an irreplaceable key to any successful
antiaging regimen. Often referred to as the "king of
carotenoids," astaxanthin provides the greatest protection
against damage to our bodies by reactive oxygen species such as
singlet oxygen, which can result in lipid peroxidation (oxidation
of fat). As we will learn in this chapter, astaxanthin is the key
to mitigating the damaging effects of these oxidative assailants
in every cell of our body.

What Is Astaxanthin?

Astaxanthin a member of the carotenoid family of natural
pigments, is closely related to beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and
lutein. This powerful, natural, biological antioxidant is found
most abundantly in seafood. It gives the pink and red color to
salmon, shrimp, and lobster. Since we cannot produce astaxanthin
ourselves, we have to depend on our diet to obtain it as well as
other carotenoids.
Let's take the case of salmon to demonstrate evolution at work.
For salmon, the antioxidant power of astaxanthin is
indispensable. Having evolved with a unique life cycle that
demands more physical exertion than any other fish, salmon
require protection against the damaging effects of reactive
oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals, especially singlet oxygen,
the most damaging of the ROS, generated during the rigorous
journey from the sea back up the rivers and rapids to spawn.
Salmon store the astaxanthin in their bodies, and it produces the
deep orange, pink, or red color of their flesh as they grow and
mature in the ocean, preparing for their final life cycle journey
up the river to spawn.

Where Is Astaxanthin Found?

The most abundant source of astaxanthin in nature is the
single-cell microalga Haematococcus pluvialis, which accumulates
astaxanthin in lipid (fat) vesicles (small, anatomically normal
sac- or bladderlike structures) during periods of nutrient
deficiency and environmental stress. Since H. pluvialis often
grows in places that are exposed to intense sunlight, during its
dormant phase astaxanthin functions to protect the cell nucleus
against free radicals generated by ultraviolet (UV) radiation,
thus preventing damage to its DNA and preventing lipid
peroxidation.

Astaxanthin serves the same purpose for all life forms as it
moves up the food chain from a single-celled microalga to krill
to salmon to human. This purpose is protection against oxidative
damage, whether caused by UV radiation, excess physical exertion,
or diabetes generated glucose toxicity, or by many other sources
of oxidative stress.

This astaxanthin-producing microalga is naturally found in arctic
marine environments as well as freshwater rock pools all over the
world. These are great sources of astaxanthin for aquatic life,
flamingos, whose brilliant plumage is also the result of their
astaxanthin-rich diet, and other animals, but they are not
practical sources of astaxanthin for humans. Fortunately, there
is an answer to this challenge. Cultivation facilities have been
developed throughout the world to grow this astaxanthin-producing
microalga. A leading cultivation technology developed by the
Japanese pharmaceutical company Fuji Chemical Industry employs
the concept of fully enclosed biosystems designed for maximum
control and purity. The trade name of Fuji's premium allnatural
astaxanthin is AstaREAL.

Unlocking the Secrets of Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin actually does only one thing well-but that one thing
has an impact on all the cells in our body, including all the
cells in our organ systems: it provides us with a highly
effective defense against oxidative stress, which has a direct
impact on damaging cellular inflammation and the inflammatory
process.
Here is a brief summary of the benefits of the king of
carotenoids.

ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY
Astaxanthin is a lipid-soluble (fat-soluble) antioxidant that has
been shown to provide exceptional protection against lipid
peroxidation at the cellular level. Astaxanthin is also a
powerful free-radical fighter. As you know, oxygen is a two-edged
sword; it sustains life because it is essential for energy
production in the mitochondria, but it becomes dangerous when it
loses an electron and becomes a free radical, or reactive oxygen
species. Astaxanthin has the ability to scavenge singlet oxygen,
which is a damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, to
put astaxanthin's superior power into perspective, three separate
studies comparing astaxanthin with other well-known antioxidants
demonstrated astaxanthin to be 1,000 times more effective than
vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) against lipid oxidation and 550
times more effective against singlet oxygen.

CELL MEMBRANE POSITIONING
Astaxanthin has a unique structure. It is a lipid-soluble polyene
chain with a polar region at either end. This structure allows
astaxanthin to penetrate the bilayer of the cell membrane,
protecting both the lipid center layer and the water-loving outer
layers. When the cells undergo oxidative stress, transcription
factors are activated, including NF-KB, which migrates to the
nucleus and attaches to the DNA, resulting in cellular production
of pro-inflammatory cytokines-the so-called serial killers of the
cellular world. This ability to protect the cell membrane against
oxidative attack is the key to suppressing the activation of
NF-kB, which is the signaling compound responsible for the
initiation of inflammation.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT
Several studies have shown the ability of astaxanthin to reduce
inflammation, which could be considered the underlying mechanism
for its many beneficial effects. In one study, it was shown to
play a role in cytokine regulation by inhibiting the expression
of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.

AGING GRACEFULLY

Astaxanthin is the underlying defender of your body, helping to
protect and amplify the defense of your cells. It is involved
with the major systems of the body, including the skin, the
largest organ in the body; the cardiovascular system; and the
muscles, the source of your vitality.

SKIN HEALTH, AGE, AND BEAUTY

Regardless of age, most women perceive wrinkles as heralding the
loss of the skin's youth and beauty.
Skin is composed of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and
the subcutaneous fat layer. The dermis contains collagen,
elastin, and other fibers that support the skin's structure.
These elements give skin a smooth, youthful appearance. The
dermis, our "outer defense" layer, is the part of the skin most
readily damaged by UV radiation. As you will learn, taking
astaxanthin supplements is of critical importance in keeping the
skin youthful and supple.

ANTIWRINKLE MECHANISM

The UV radiation that affects the skin is composed of two types
of waves, UVA and UVB. UVB rays are shorter than UVA rays and are
the main cause of melanin production. However, it is the UVA
rays, with their longer wavelength, that are responsible for much
of the damage associated with photoaging. UVA rays penetrate deep
into the dermis, where they damage collagen fibers, leading to
wrinkle formation (Figure 1).

UVA and UVB dermal damage increases premature wrinkle formation.

UV rays induce the production of radical oxygen species (ROSs)
and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) within the cells of the body
exposed to the UV rays. These factors are the root of wrinkle
formation because they destroy the collagen matrix in the dermis.
Something discussed in chapter 2 bears repeating here. You have
heard endlessly that excess exposure to UV radiation is hugely
damaging to the skin. UV radiation increases free-radical
activity in the cell plasma membrane, which releases arachidonic
acid, the precursor of numerous pro-inflammatory chemicals
including the prostaglandins and HETEs. This activates
transcription factors such as NF-kB and AP-1. These in turn
upregulate negative genes that produce pro-inflammatory cytokines
that damage skin cells. When transcription factors such as AP-1
are activated, they produce and release collagen-digesting
proteins (matrix metalloproteinase), resulting in microscarring
in the deep portion of the skin called the dermis. The multiple
microscars lead to macroscarring, and this is how wrinkles are
born.
The skin's repair mechanism will rebuild the damaged collagen but
can be compromised by repeated exposure to uncontrolled levels of
ROS and MMP, which then leads to the formation of wrinkles. The

(FIGURE 2 Astaxanthin supports skin renewal by attenuating
factors that contribute to wrinkle formation)

presence of astaxanthin attenuates the effects of reactive oxygen
and MMP, allowing the skin to regenerate properly (Figure 2).
This leads to an improvement in the appearance of wrinkles as
well as the texture and complexion of the skin.

Human clinical studies conducted with AstaREAL astaxanthin and
performed in Japan and the United States showed significant
improvement in the appearance of wrinkles as well as the
elasticity and moisture content of the skin after only four weeks
of supplementation.
..........

Dr. Perricone is on the side of taking a supplimental
"Astaxanthin" - which of course you are free to do. But I
probably will not do, for at nearly 70 years of age, I've been
doing all my life - eating, diet, exercise, 8 hours sleep per
day, little stress, and facial creams (which have greatly become
in the last 25 years space-age technology for the skin).
I have all my life from age 10 years been eating a balanced diet,
with lots of fruits, vegies, nuts, beans, chocolate, licorice
made from Molasses, whole grain oats, whole grain breads, just
about no white flour produts period, and the protiens of eggs,
whole milk, and meats (but not much of them if I could not get
organic meats). I have enjoyed a regular intake of SALMON!! And
yes I take vitamin and mineral suppliments, have done for
decades.

So I've been indeed getting lots of Astaxabthin in my foods all
my life. I have been using facial cream morning and night since
about age 14.

I HAVE NO WRINKLES! I HAVE NO "BAGS" UNDER MY EYES - AND I'M
NEARLY 70 YEARS OLD!!

IF YOU GO ON MY YOUTUBE - 1HORSESRCOOL - AND SEE ME DOING THE
SERIES ON 1 JOHN (THE LATEST AS OF JANUARY 8TH 2012) YOU WILL SEE
HOW I LOOK FOR NEARLY 70 YEARS OLD. AND THAT IS FROM A CAMERA
BUILT INTO THE IMAC COMPUTER. A RELATIVELY CHEAP CAMERA LENSE
COMPARED TO THE LENSES THEY USE FOR TV NEWS PROGRAMS. HENCE I
LOOK EVEN BETTER IF YOU SAW ME IN REAL LIFE.

IT'S ALL IN WHAT YOU EAT, KEEPING YOUR WEIGHT UNDER CONTROL,
EATING LESS THAN YOU WANT, GETTING DAILY EXERCISE, SLEEPING AT
LEAST 8 HOURS A DAY, BEING STRESS FREE, HAVING INNER PEACE, BEING
JOYFUL, USING FACIAL CREAMS, TAKING SOME VITAMIN AND MINERAL
SUPPLIMENTS, AND LIVING ALL OF THIS LIFE STYLE ALL YOUR LIFE.

I AM LIVING PROOF IT WORKS.
..........