Anti-Aging - Without Surgery
by Yasmin Boland

The beauty industry today is as much about staying young as it is about looking beautiful. With technological advances and growing consumer demand, there are now countless anti-aging creams with ever-more complicated sounding ingredients available off-the-shelf. For the truly brave, cosmetic surgery is just a doctor's fee away. For people looking for a more holistic approach to anti-aging, however, there are yet more methods. Some of the following chemical and knife-free alternative treatments work as well as aging preventatives as they do as cures. While they certainly won't produce the dramatic results of laser treatment or face/neck/brow lifts, and may take longer to work than many creams, many have the important holistic bonus of treating the mind as well as the body's interior and exterior. 1. WATER WATER EVERYWHERE Let's start with the most obvious first (they do get a little weirder!!) The condition of your skin is in many ways the biggest barometer of how 'well' you're aging. And, as we've always been told, one of the simplest methods of keeping skin in peak condition is as simple as drinking at least eight glasses – or two litres - of water a day. Here's why: "Water, in effect, plumps out our cells and therefore our skin. It's very easily absorbed across our cell membranes," explains naturopath and nutritionist Deborah Cooper, author of Women's Health In Women's Hands (Random House). "If we don't drink water enough to replenish what we lose through perspiration and elimination, our skin will become dry, wrinkly and even scaly. "Drinking water also softens our skin because it lubricates the sebaceous glands under our skin. These glands produce sebum, which keeps our skin moist and makes our hair softer and shinier, so they should be kept in good working order. "Drinking water is also vital in your anti-aging skin routine because as we age, we need all the help we can get to keep our skin glowing and water is a major component in the transportation of nourishing nutrients from our digestive system to the skin." Good old water also helps flush out our kidneys which excrete waste – but if we don't drink enough, our bodies will look for other 'exits' for this waste excretion, such as our skin, leading to drab, pallid complexions. Deborah suggests drinking our eight glasses of water in small amounts through the day. Coffee, tea and alcoholic drinks don't count as they are diuretics and actually encourage fluid loss. Deborah adds that although most of us have moved away from consuming too much salt in recent years, a little sodium doesn't go astray in the anti-aging fight either. "Sodium chloride – found in salt – helps us retain water and thus helps us to rehydrate our body." 2. EXERCISE We all know that exercise helps up feel younger by keeping us supple and by keeping our bodies active, but according to an eight year study of 23,000 women by the Journal Of American Medicine Association it actually means we're likely live longer, too. The study found that sedentary women were 460 per cent more likely to die than those who took exercise regularly. Regular exercise (at least four times a week) also helps us look younger longer simply because the physical activity infuses the skin with blood, increasing the body's ability to carry oxygen and nutrients to the skin's cells and remove waste products. Thus the skin is nourished and healthier. According to well being guru Leslie Kenton, in her book The New Ageless Ageing, (Vermilion), a study at the University of California at San Diego found similar anti-aging benefits resulted from simple exercise routines. This study "paired older women on a program of rebounding using mini-trampolines with sedentary women and discovered that the exercisers looked younger, had better skin and colouring and fewer wrinkles than the non-exercisers. (Researchers were also) surprised to find that exercise reduces bags under the eyes as well." 3. CHAKRA BALANCING Are your Chakras spinning properly? As the general public and western medics slowly begin to accept the idea of practises such as acupuncture, still more unconventional Eastern treatment methods come to light. Acupuncture works on the theory that we have energy lines running through the body (see above). Chakra work takes this idea a step further and describes 'Chakras' as invisible energy 'hot spots' on the meridians which, if treated, can promote overall health and well-being, and help in the fight against aging 'ungracefully'. The word 'Chakra' comes from Sanskrit and means 'wheel of light'; 4000-year-old Aruveydic and 2000-year-old Buddhist teachings and drawings depict Chakras on the body as flower-like spinning energy wheels. We are said to have seven major Chakras, dotted along the centre line of the body, starting between the legs (the Base Chakra), travelling up over the stomach, between the breasts, over the centre of the throat and up over the forehead to the top of the head (the Crown Chakra). Each Chakra is said to relate to both particular parts of the body and endocrine system, as well as to emotional issues. For example, the Heart Chakra (between the breasts) is said to relate to the circulatory and respiratory systems, and to your attitudes to relationships and ability to give and receive love. Sydney homoeopath Belinda Hoffer works with Chakra balancing. She explains: "Tensions on the mind about relationships, for example, would be said to relate to the Heart Chakra. If left untreated, Heart Chakra issues may lead to problems to do with either the respiratory or circulatory system. On-going emotional difficulties – which of course can contribute to the aging process – can be treated via the Chakras." A Chakra balancing session begins with the patient lying down fully clothes on a treatment table and starting to relax the mind and body. "The practitioner then places his or her hands either directly on or over the Chakras, and by channelling light, colour and energy into the Chakras, helps to balance and harmonise their function and energy," Belinda says. "Even people who've never tried healing or energy work before – and even the most sceptical – find a Chakra balance extremely relaxing, centring and thought-provoking. Whilst working on the so-called physical level of the Chakras, it's quite common for emotional energies and issues to be released and with this release, as emotional problems are dealt with, the outlook becomes more relaxed and youthful. "It's obvious that if you're stressed and unhappy with life, it's going to age you, whereas if you are in harmony with life, you will look and feel younger." Belinda says that patients usually feel changes and benefits of a Chakra balancing immediately, although benefits are on-going as the patient's outlook on a particular problem is either alleviated or much improved. "A harmonised and fully functioning Chakra system is the very basis of good health and emotional well being," says Belinda. Belinda Hoffer can be contacted on 0412 085 562 or (02) 9925 0119. 4. HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS Those strange tasting naturopathic herbs and supplements will not only cure your of your ills, they can also go a long way to helping prevent the march of time. "Although most will not affect your 'outer' appearance directly, they help make it easier to age gracefully by relieving some of the 'symptoms' of aging," says naturopath Maureen Fink. GINKO Ginko works on the mind more than the body but is useful in anti-aging as it assists with concentration, aids short term memory and improves failing hearing and eye sight – all of which often fail as we age. Ginko also makes you clever – something we can surely all do with as our physical beauty fades! "Studies on the elderly showed that after eight weeks of taking Ginko, the IQ was improved by 10 – 15 points," says Maureen Fink. No wonder they call it 'the smart herb'. DONG QUAI The exotically named Dong Quai is traditionally used for period pains but can also help in the fight against aging - from the inside. Dong Quai has been used in China for 2000 years and helps regulate the hormones, which is particularly important for middle aged women approaching or going through menopause. It's rich in vitamin B12 which may help the body manufacture blood cells. Although it has little effect on the skin per se, Dong Quai is a marvellous anti-aging tonic because its hormonal 'balancing act' helps prevent uterine prolapse, irritability, mood swings and palpitations. "It can also make skin very sensitive to the sun, so be sure to use sunscreen if your naturopath prescribes it." says Maureen. GINSENG "This herb won't erase wrinkles, but it will help you stay younger longer simply because it increases mental and physical endurance, which is so vital to a youthful outlook," says Maureen. "It also helps men feel and act younger as it fights impotence, which often comes with aging. It also helps lift depression, though not as powerfully as St John's Wort." MELATONIN Opinion remains divided on melatonin, an hormone which we produce naturally but production of which decreases as we age. Also known as the Fountain Of Youth, melatonin was originally used pharmaceutically to fight jet lag by helping set the body clock and induce sleep. Fans of this supplement also claim it lowers blood pressure and calms the body during menopause. Tests on mice showed that boosted melatonin levels helped them live 35% longer and in 1995, there were 20 million new melatonin users in the US alone. But just as it was haled as a saviour, new evidence suggested melatonin also had a dark side. "I understand some Australians have bought melatonin over the Internet, but I'd tend to be wary," says Maureen. "Despite the benefits, some studies indicate it can make women less fertile, decrease sex drive in men and cause severe nightmares." DHEA DHEA is secreted by the adrenal gland and converted by the body into oestrogen and testosterone. Like melatonin, DHEA supplements aren't available in Australia yet but are being used in the US and other countries to fight aging. "People who take DHEA report feeling younger, sexier and more energetic," says Maureen. "It also helps chronic fatigue, memory loss and promotes fat burning." As with melatonin, DHEA was initially feted as a miracle anti-aging tool, but new studies suggest that because it raises the levels of sex hormones, it might also raise a person's chances of developing ovarian and prostate cancer. Maureen Fink can be contacted on (02) 9337 5582 or (08) 8293 1269. 5. ROLFING Rolfing – similar in philosophy to the Alexander Technique – works on the theory that most bodies are out of alignment, after years of bad posture, strains and stresses. It was invented by Ida Rolf, PhD, an US biochemist who died in 1979, and involves twisting and turning the body and deep massage-like strokes. Rolfing sessions are usually carried out in a bra and underpants and before and after shots are taken to show the visible realignment which occurs after 10 sessions. Shoulders sit more easily, the pelvis tilts into a more comfortable position, weight is more evenly distributed on the feet and back pain often disappears. Practitioners work by moving and manipulating the joints and muscles and Sydney Rolfing practitioner Dhyaana Turnbull says Rolfing helps us feel younger longer, because it "returns freedom of movement to even the most wound-up bodies". "As people age, we often see their mobility decrease, to the point where they end up taking small shuffling steps to get around, simply because they don't trust their bodies any more. If a person can keep their mobility into old age, they are less likely to be confined to their chair and more likely to pursue outside interests, which keeps their mind younger and more alert." Rolfing has as its basic concept that both emotional and physical dramas from our life histories are stored in our tissues. "For example, if you sprain your ankle, you may never regain its full range of movement. When connective tissue manages a strain, it shortens, tightens, dehydrates and thickens. This has an effect throughout the entire body structure. Perhaps you walk more heavily on the other foot as a result of the sprain, thus putting your spine out." A Rolfing practitioners intention is to take out these holding patterns in the tissues and bring the body back to balance. "By the same token, emotional stresses can be stored in the bodies. If someone feels they have the weight of the world on their shoulders, this will most likely be reflected in the way they hold themselves." A confident happy person, he says, is more likely to hold their head up and stride through life. "Think of the way that a healthy footballer holds himself; chin up and chest out. A less confident person is more likely to walk around with their chin down, their gaze towards the ground. Dhyaana Turnbull can be contacted on 9389 4790. 6. LAUGHTER Like meditation, laughter works in the fight against aging by relieving stress. And though you might think that too much laughter will leave you with crows' feet around your eyes, the opposite appears to be true. "In a nutshell, we know that stress ages the body and we know that laughter relieves stress," says Dr Craig Hassed of the Community Medicine Department at Monash University. "The physiological benefits of laughter are well documented. For example, as we age, our immune system weakens. A good laugh, however, gives the immune system a measurable boost, helping white blood cells function far more efficiently. This has been shown in tests whereby a group of 'average' people have had a blood test taken before and after watching a funny movie. The physiological benefits occur very quickly." Laughing also helps fighting aging on a more superficial level by improving oxygenation to our tissues. When we laugh (and thus relieve our stress), we allow more efficient oxygenation, which is extremely beneficial to the skin, just as smoking is harmful as it decreases oxygenation. "Laughing can even reverse the aging process to an extent," Dr Hassed adds. "You won't end up with a 20-year-old's body if you're 50 by laughing non-stop, but some problems associated with aging may reverse as stress is dealt with. For example, we improve our reflex times, which worsen with age and our cardiovascular function. Destressing by laughing has even been shown to help lower blood pressure." 7. COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE Twelve months ago in the US, the FDA (Food And Drug Administration) decided that because so many Americans were investing their trust and money into acupuncture, it was time to investigate its efficiency. After extensive nationwide trials, it was announced that this ancient Chinese treatment works "as well as or better than" orthodox medical treatment for a wide range of conditions, including carpel tunnel syndrome, morning sickness, addiction and pain relief. It can also help in anti-aging by erasing fine lines and wrinkles at least as well as many off-the-shelf creams, and far more holistically, according to Sydney-based Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner and acupuncturist Jennifer Chalmers. Acupuncture works on the theory that we all have an invisible life force known as 'chi' flowing through what are called 'meridian lines' (like 'energy veins') in our body. If and when this chi gets stuck – as a result of the demands of 20th century life – blockages which may lead to illness can occur. In the case of cosmetic acupuncture, lines on the face are said to represent stuck chi. For example, deep 'smile lines' running from the nose towards the mouth, are said to represent blocked or stuck chi in the stomach. In a cosmetic acupuncture session, fine needles are inserted very superficially into facial lines. There's almost no pain, but as the needles hit the meridian lines, stuck chi is dispersed. "Puncturing or pressurising these points improves the blood supply and promotes better movement of hormones and nutrients," says Jennifer. "People who have quite deep lines will get incredible results within five to 10 sessions. Facial acupuncture works particularly well because many of the meridians either start or finish in the face, and are quite close to the surface, so they are very accessible." A visit for cosmetic acupuncture will start with the practitioner taking your pulses. Once the problem areas have been established, he or she will see how this relates to lines on the face and work with needles from there. Sessions take only half an hour and the side benefit of this treatment is that as well as treating fine lines and wrinkles, many patients report the generally improved sense of well being which so often accompanies acupuncture treatment. "There is no chance at all of scarring with acupuncture as the needles are very fine and blood is almost never drawn," says Jennifer. Jennifer Chalmers can be contacted on 9386 1225. 8. CHI KUNG 'Chi' means energy and 'gung' means work. Put them together and you have Chi Gung, the ancient Eastern exercise form which is comprised of slow, graceful movements which practitioners say helps us stay looking and feeling younger because it restores the energy supplies that 20th century living depletes. Firstly, as with Rolfing, Chi Gung's movements help keep the body supple. Says Sydney Chi Kung teacher Matthew Carr: "The older we get, the harder the body becomes. Muscles, tendons and ligaments calcify and harden and this restricts the flow of energy around the body." Chi Kung's gentle movements reverses the hardening which keeps us supple. Secondly, Chi Kung strengthens the kidneys which in TCM in turn control our hormones. By strengthening our kidneys, they are more able to function at peak performance – this is vital for women as they approach menopause and hormones begin to 'dry up'. "In this case, chi Kung works like a natural HRT," Matthew explains. Finally, according to TCM, the chi in our muscles is controlled by the spleen, which also regulates the flesh and its firmness. "As spleen energy is diminished by age, as well as by women's monthly periods, Chi Kung replaces it, keeping skin firmer," Matthew explains. Contact your local Adult Education or sports centre for details on local Chi Kung classes. 9. PILATES Pilates is the newest, hippest form of exercise sweeping the US, with people such as Madonna and actress Emma Thompson singing its praises. It's ideal as an anti-aging exercise because it tones and strengthens the body and yet is not overly physically demanding. Sydney Pilates teacher Allan Menezes describes Pilates – which takes its name from its inventor Joseph Pilates who created it in the 1920s – as a 'mind-body workout' or 'yoga on machines'. "Although we get a little nervous when Pilates is described as a miracle exercise, I do believe that it's as close to the perfect exercise as you can get. It works every single fibre in the body." Walking into a Pilates studio is a little like walking into a torture chamber. Strange machines with springs, pulleys and racks are used to stretch and strengthen the body, and most Pilates students report that their body actually seems to change shape after two to three months of twice weekly work outs. Classes run for 90 minutes and are taken in groups, after the initial one-on-one assessment. It's perfect for anti-aging as it gets to those parts of the body which age attacks, including the stomach muscles, inner thighs and upper arms, and yet has none of the high impact of aerobics and is not nearly so difficult to achieve as yoga. "Our youngest student is seven and our oldest is 96," says Allan. "It's also useful for people who want to exercise but are limited by back problems, as Pilates doesn't put pressure on the spine. Fat is transferred into muscle and most students say that within a few weeks they can tighten their belts another notch." Pilates treats all-comers, from professional dancers to business men and women who haven't exercised in 20 years. "Pilates is also wonderful in anti-aging as it improves posture, which often deteriorates with age. Many people report that after a few sessions, friends tell them they look taller," says Allan, whose book The Complete Guide To The Pilates Method (Ahead In Marketing) was published last month. For studio locations in Australia and New Zealand contact the Pilates Institute of Australasia on (02) 9267 8223. 10. THOUGHT PATTERNING According to cognitive psychiatry, we are what we think we are. Worryingly, studies have shown that up to 70% of our thoughts are negative in nature, with unhelpful ideas such as "it's going to be one of those days" or "I always make a fool of myself in front of X" clouding our mind regularly. While positive thinking won't do much to erase wrinkles or untwist knotty aged joints, keeping an optimist mental attitude will almost certainly help your outlook stay youthful, no matter what your real age. Jeffrey Bond is a sports psychologist with the Australian Institute Of Sport – and the psychologist who worked with Pat Cash at the time of his Wimbledon win. Bond firmly believes that it's outlook which separates life's winners and losers. "As we age, there are aspects of our thought power which deteriorate, for example, short term memory. However, there are also many older people whose thought processes remain very sharp. These are generally people who've kept interested and involved in life and haven't allowed themselves to become isolated due to depression or immobility. "Positive thinking can absolutely help us maintain a positive, more youthful outlook. There's a lot to be learned from our work with elite athletes. In them we encourage: Goal setting: Having a goal means having something to aim for. It doesn't have to be about winning a gold medal either – it can be something as simple as sending off an inquiry about an Adult Ed course that interests you or just getting your work done. Having a goal means having a purpose in life, and this will keep you feeling more useful and therefore younger. Positive thinking and visualisation: This will help you achieve your goals. For example, a US study examined free throws (goal shooting) in basketball. A group of people who'd never played basketball were split into four sections. One group did nothing. The second practised throwing a basketball into a hoop. The third visualised themselves successfully throwing goals. The fourth group both physically practised and visualised throwing goals. Not surprisingly, the people in the fourth group fared best. At the AIS we have a technique whereby athletes monitor their thoughts and if they find themselves thinking negatively, they put up a mental stop sign in their mind's eye. Affirmations: Affirmations are simple positive statements which we can make to ourselves repetitively to brainwash ourselves into thinking good thoughts. A simple example would be to look at yourself in the mirror each morning and say out loud "Today is my day. Today I am going to achieve my goals. Today I will." We can learn to turn our negative thought patterns into positive ones, with effort and discipline and this helps the brain stay sprightly. Optimistic people generally enjoy better health than pessimists. Fitness: There is no doubt that staying fit helps our thought processes as we are more able to get out and about and to thus stay interested and actively involved in life. There is no doubt that our thoughts affect our behaviour - and we can think of ourselves as as young and optimistic or old and 'tired' as we want to. Enough about wrinkles ... tell me about your book