Researchers at Proctor and Gamble (the folks who sell Oil of Olay) have been looking at data from the Human Genome Project, and they have found not just one, but about 1500 individual genes linked to wrinkles. The hope is to move away from mere topical moisturizers: “[I]f specific genes can be controlled or stimulated, then anti-aging products of the future can and will yield better results by doing exactly that.”

But of course there’s a caveat: “Skin ages in eight separate ways, each one controlled by its own group of genes. Whether you grow old gracefully depends partly on your lifestyle and partly on these genes.” Things like sunscreen will still play an important role in looking good as we get older. After all, “Research demonstrated that skin not exposed to the sun had about 3,800 genetic mutations whereas the same selected genes in sun-aged skin rose to nearly 10,000.”

Among the many less-than-pleasant things that might happen as people age are memory loss and heart troubles. A new study suggests that a high fructose diet is bad for both. Rats fed a diet high in fructose had a hard time remembering their way through a maze they had already learned. More, they had “fructose-induced increases in plasma triglycerides.” Triglycerides are a kind of fat that is linked to coronary artery disease, a serious risk factor for a heart attack.

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Today is predicted to be the hottest day yet this year here in Las Vegas. Weathermen are promising 106°F, that’s 41°C for our metric friends. That means it is a good day to stay inside. Summer in the desert is like that.

Regardless of whether you live in the desert, sunscreen is a vital part of aging against the machine. We have talked about sunscreen before, but a day like to brings the need for sun protection into sharp focus. Sunscreen protects skin not only from direct DNA damage but also from less direct photodamage to the connective tissue that gives skin it’s full youthful appearance. Using sunscreen makes not only good health sense but can help keep you looking younger longer. Read the rest of this entry »

It turns out that the answer is very simple:

The four key factors involved in preventing mental decline were found to be exercise, education, social activity and not smoking.

That’s the results of a study published in the journal, Neurology.

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The nation’s largest group of doctors, the American Medical Association, is meeting in Chicago this week. It’s a meeting so important that the President of the United States is showing up. And this year, anti-aging is on the agenda.

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