$10 Off On Omron Blood Pressure Monitors
August 8, 2008
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Did you know that two thirds of people aged 45 and over, have blood pressure that is above 120/80?
I got an email today from Amazon.com
Check out the blood pressure monitor promotional page
The offer applies to all Omron blood pressure monitors costing $49 or more, not just the ones shown on this page. There are also a couple of body fat monitors and pedometers.
The offer lasts for the whole of the month of August. The promotion page has all the details.
If you wish to see what features are available and a comparison of some popular blood pressure monitors check out the blood pressure monitor comparisons at Info: Blood Pressure.
Pretty much everybody gets “white coat hypertension”, that is increased blood pressure, in a health care setting. My diastolic (lower number) goes up much more than my systolic (upper number) for some reason. Find out what your resting blood pressure really is, and then if necessary take some action.
Technorati Tags: omron, blood pressure monitor, offer
Popularity: 12% [?]
Kinerase Cream and Lotion
July 10, 2008
Kinerase cream and lotion are two products that seem to, at least in part, live up to the hype. They are recommended for improving the look of aging skin and seem to improve skin pigmentation with less blotchiness and a more even skin tone, and perhaps a reduction in minor wrinkles.
Both products contain kinerase or N6-furfuryladenine. The lotion, but not the cream, also contains retinyl palmitate, which is a retinoid that is converted in the skin to retinoic acid (retin-A). The lotion therefore packs more power but for some people may be more irritating unlike the cream.
N6-furfuryladenine is found in most cells of the body. Originally it was isolated from plants but has been found in nuclei of cells including human. Another common name is kinetin. In the scientific literature, kinetin is the name that is used.
Studies of keratinocytes (skin cells) and fibroblasts (also found in skin) have shown that kinerase treatment delays aging, particularly in the presence of high levels of calcium. In human studies there is some evidence of improved skin tone and more even pigmentation, and reduction in minor wrinkles. Recently kinerase has been found to be helpful for rosacea.
As well as being a signaling molecule that plays a role in regulation of maintenance and repair of cells, kinerase has been shown to have antioxidant effects. Additionally there is evidence that N6-furfuryladenine may improve the skin barrier and so reduce the loss of moisture from the skin.
As people get older they are more likely to become calcium deficient. Since, as stated above, high calcium levels added to the effect of kinerase, it may be that as well as reducing the rate of osteoporosis, calcium may help slow aging of skin too.
Kinerase Cream and Kinerase Lotion
can be found at my favorite online skin store Dermadoctor.
Currently they have free shipping on domestic orders over $49.
Technorati Tags: kinerase, kinetin, N6-furfuryladenine, skin, pigmentation
Popularity: 33% [?]
Bodylastics Variable Resistance Bands
June 17, 2008
Thinking about resistance training of some type? Not a bad idea since strength training has been shown to be important for healthy aging. Thought I had a post on sarcopenia but can’t find it. Must have dreamed it. Will write one. There is a post on resistance (weight training) revving up the metabolism, though.
The Bodylastics system with variable resistance bands is one alternative. It consists of a number of color coded resistance bands with different strengths, handles, door anchors, a manual, a DVD and one year membership to the “Strength Band University”, which has videos and instruction for exercises. As the website says, Bowflex, Total Gym and even Bally’s have a $50 alternative - Bodylastics!
The main reason I bought the basic set was for something to take with me when I travel. Stuck in a hotel room, bored, with time on my hands is one time that I really do manage to do some workouts. At home there always seems to so much competing for attention, and so it is so very easy to put off trying to keep in shape. Spending my hard earned cash I want to get something that was not heavy or bulky, so I could use it at home or anywhere.
The one negative for me was that though the bands are very smooth there was one exercise, that I tried, where the bands under tension moved over the skin on the back of my arms that I found unpleasant. Must have wimpy skin.
Take a look at the website. It is a well laid out site and shows a range of exercises. If you are in the market a resistance type product, for the quality, I don’t think you could do better than these for $49.95.
In summary: This product pretty much lives up to the hype. It is not unique; there are certainly other resistance band systems out there. However it is very well designed and sturdy, and excellent value for money. Certainly worth considering.
Technorati Tags: resistance bands, variable resistance
Popularity: 31% [?]
On Sale: Fitness DVD Grab Bag Set
May 23, 2008
This is a really good deal. I was looking at the Gaiam outlet site. I can see why some of the stuff is on sale, but some of the items are good value. I think the Fitness DVD Grab Bag Set is probably the best deal.
The Fitness DVD Grab Bag Set was originally $63.00 and is now $6.95! It is described as a clearance grab bag with pilates, toning and cardio.
I figure it probably contains 4 DVDs so even if you don’t like one, or even two it is still a great bargain. Give the unwanted/extra DVDs as a gift.
They also have a Memorial Day Sale that ends on June 3rd.
Technorati Tags: fitness DVD, pilates, toning, cardio
Popularity: 34% [?]
Shirataki Noodles
May 12, 2008
Shirataki are a type of noodle that have moderate fiber, and are low in carbohydrates and calories. They, and related products, have been available in the East for many years but have only gained popularity in the West recently.
They are becoming popular with those on low carb diets and calorie-restricted diets. An 8 oz package of House Foods Shirataki Fettuccine is listed as having two servings. Each serving has 20 calories, 3 g total carbohydrate (0 g sugars), 2 g fiber, 1g protein and 15 mg sodium. As is often the case the serving size is quite small, but even eating the whole package would have only 40 calories and 6 g total carbohydrate.
The noodles contain oriental “yam”. These yams are not related to those found in a western supermarket, but are Amorphophallus konjac *, commonly called konjac. Some of the local names are quite colorful and include elephant yam, devil’s tongue, snake palm and voodoo lily *.
Konjac is grown predominantly in Korea, China and Japan and is very high in fiber and is high in glucomannan, which is a polysaccharide that is used as a jelly and thickening agent. The most commonly available noodles in the US, including the ones described above, contain some tofu too. The tofu makes the noodles more similar to regular wheat noodles in texture and adds the protein and some of the carbohydrate.
The noodles are found in the chill cabinet at the supermarket, often in the natural/vegetarian section. The noodles are already cooked, so they just need to have the storage liquid washed away, and then be heated through, usually in the microwave. They are pretty tasteless so go well with any source. Currently they are a little pricey (about $1.80 per small pack), but as they gain popularity and there is more competition the price is sure to drop.
Give them a try.
{{* Amorphophallus and some of the local names are certainly an interesting. They are descriptive of the plant - but not the tuber(root) instead the flower (inflorescence). Amorphophallus means shapeless phallus. A plant in the same genus is Amorphophallus titanium is also called the corpse plant. This plant blooms infrequently and quickly, and the flower really smells bad hence the name. Check out the VA Tech website for pictures and other info.}}
Technorati Tags: shirataki, noodles, yam, konjac
Popularity: 42% [?]
Tush Cush
April 21, 2008
I have a Tush-Cush on the chair that I normally sit on to use my laptop. It is very comfortable to sit on. I find that my back does not get tired and I do not start to feel pressure on the back of my legs on the edge of the chair, as often happens to me after sitting for extended periods. When sitting on the Tush-Cush the tailbone is suspended over the cut-out so there is no pressure on the base of the spine. The wedge shape really helps with my alignment. It is similar to sitting on a kneeling chair, which I have at my desktop.
The wedge tips the pelvis forward. Recent studies have shown that the optimal position for sitting is with a greater than a right angle between the body and legs. The optimal angle, if the upper legs are parallel to the floor, would be leaning back. However, this is awkward for using a desk or computer. With the Tush-Cush your legs point more towards the floor, so your back can be straight up, perpendicular to the floor. This is comfortable and practical for using the computer, writing, reading etc.
Another plus is that, unlike many other furnishing items, it does not seem to be a magnet for my dogs hair.
They also make a Car-Cush. I don’t drive very much but if I did I would probably get one of these too.
Technorati Tags: tush cush, car cush, back
Popularity: 39% [?]
Printed Yoga Mats
April 7, 2008
So I really am going to sign up for yoga the week after next. I promise! I just have to sign up and pay for the yoga classes, and then I will do it. It is so easy to put it off another week.
One of these Printed Yoga Mats should get me back into being good, and doing yoga again. I love them all. Why do yoga mats have to plain? Click on the image to get to a page for higher resolution.
I was doing beginners yoga in a once a week class close to my home, run by the local school district. I found it physically and mentally helpful. Unfortunately the teacher decided to take a break from evening teaching, and the replacement teacher moved the class to the other side of town at an earlier time. Since I had a couple of things coming up including a trip to England, I thought I would wait a month or so and then sign up somewhere else. Well the month has become many.
I am trying to make up my mind which mat to get. It is a hard decision I like all three of them. At the moment I am leaning towards the one with koi, though I really like the green one too.
Technorati Tags: yoga mat
Popularity: 41% [?]
Prevage Anti-Aging Treatment
March 31, 2008
Elizabeth Arden and Allergan jointly have a range of products with the key ingredient, idebenone. A strong antioxidant, idebenone is a synthetic version of Coenzyme Q10, which is usually abbreviated to CoQ10.
CoQ10 is found within organelles of cells called mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells, and in cellular membranes. The role of CoQ10 is both energy production and as an antioxidant.
The range of products is called Prevage.
As we age the level of CoQ10 drops. When we age or a very sick are less able to synthesize CoQ10. Some researchers have suggested that later in life CoQ10 becomes a vitamin (something we need to consume and are not able to fully provide ourselves). It has also been suggested that as we age a number of antioxidants such as vitamin C drop to lower levels in the skin than the rest of the body. This has also been suggested for CoQ10.
Idebenone is a synthetic version of CoQ10, which may have one advantage in that in low oxygen conditions (hypoxia) it will not attack itself, which CoQ10 will do.
Studies have suggested that applying idebenone to the skin may slow the effects of aging such as sun damage and improve over-all skin tone. There are several reports of idebenone improving the look of fine lines and wrinkles, such as this one.
Technorati Tags: idebenone, coenzyme Q10, CoQ10, antioxidant, anti-aging, skin, sun damage, wrinkles
Popularity: 79% [?]
Arm Toning Kit
March 24, 2008
Now that it looks like summer might actually come, suddenly I am aware of my flabby my arms. So yet again I decide to begin a program of arm toning. This year I have started to use the Target Your Arms Kit to see if my arms can get a bit more toned.
In a few past years when inspired to try to tone my arms, I have tried to use weights with either a book or a DVD. For some reason, after the first two or so workouts, I find it hard to keep up. It is just not my thing. I keep putting off the exercise sessions and the guilt is not enough to make me stick with it.
I decided to try this kit since it involves movement that is more like what you would do with your arms in a cardio class, rather than lifting weights.
The Target Your Arms Kit contains two rings and two DVDs. The type of rings in this kit are known as Toning Rings or Bodycircles. They are not heavy; weight half a pound each and are 13.5 inches in diameter. They are smooth and foam padded. I have not peeled off any foam to see what is underneath. These rings are not the same as the Magic circles (also called Pilates rings, Spring circles, and Flex ring toner) that have two grips fixed on either side of the ring.
For the exercises the rings are mainly twirled around with controlled movements to tone the arms, shoulders and upper back. It is not as easy as it looks, being a surprisingly good workout.
Another appealing thing about getting this kit was that it contains two DVDs. One DVD is the toning workout and runs under 15 minutes, which means it is short enough that I can find time to do it. The other DVD is a 60 minute based yoga workout, which I liked, but will due to its length, realistically will not be done very often.
It will remain to be seen if I am more successful this spring and get those toned buff arms.
Technorati Tags: tone arms, pilates circles, bodycircles, arm toning, buff arms
Popularity: 39% [?]
Donell Lightening Gel for Skin Pigmentation
March 9, 2008
As we age, we get pigmented areas on the skin. The pigmented areas can be due to a number of things. Many people get pigmented patches, particularly on their face and hands, which have several names liver spots, aging spots or solar lentigines. As time passes we accumulate more and more dings, and get pigmented scars. I have lots of pigmented scars on my hand from liquid nitrogen burns. We can also get skin conditions such as melasma that cause pigmented areas.
Whatever the cause, the resulting uneven skin tone, makes many people feel that it makes their skin look older.
There are number of compounds that have been found to lighten pigmented areas. Currently at the dermatologist there are number of treatments that are used for lightening areas. Cryotherapy, dermabrasion, lasers and often various gels and creams are applied to the affected area of the skin.
There are a number of ingredients the gels and creams that have been shown to be effective, common ones included hydroquinone, azelaic acid, kojic acid, arbutin and some vitamin C derivatives. Most frequently the dermatologist prescribed creams contain hydroquinone. Hydroquinone by prescription contains 4%, and over the counter preparations contain up to 2%. However, it should be noted that products that contain hydroquinone are now banned in Europe (within the European Union).
For at home one product to try is Donell Lightening Gel. It contains some ingredients that have been shown in studies to lighten pigmented areas. The gel contains a number of ingredients including azelaic acid, kojic acid, glycolic acids and vitamin C. The gel is applied to the pigmented areas only 1 to 2 hours before bedtime for a couple of months.
It is important to note that no lightening treatment including lasers will work on all pigmented areas. The results for the different treatments for individual areas can range from on longer visible, to lighter, to no long-term effect. I used this gel on several areas and it was quite effective for som, but not others. The one thing I did not like about the gel that I used was that it was a bit runny. Since it is sold as a gel, perhaps mine was a batch with not enough thickening agent.
Technorati Tags: skin lightening, skin pimentation, azelaic acid, kojic acid
Popularity: 72% [?]
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