As we grow older, the subtle changes to the structures of our faces begin gradually and then pick up speed after about 40.  Our chins move back, our jaws recede and our cheeks hollow out and wrinkles appear.  Depressed yet?  Not a chance! There is a new world of cosmetic dentistry out there and we would like to introduce you to the latest procedures that can make your smile dazzle at every age!  

Several dentists we interviewed on behalf of SimplyAgelessNation.com told us that when teeth are in the right position, they fill out the volume of the face.  

Additionally, when you see more teeth it creates a brighter, more refreshed and youthful appearance.  

Procedures vary widely, from changing a few teeth to a total remake of a person's bite.  Most procedures involve adding length or bulk because teeth tend to shorten from normal use and, in some patients, years of night grinding.  By slightly thickening side teeth for example, dentists can create a wider area over the lip, smoothing wrinkles.  

Typically, cosmetic dentistry involves placing porcelain veneers over existing teeth; however, some dentists use a white-colored bonding material that can be added to teeth to re-sculpt their shape.  Lengthening front teeth is a key component of many procedures.  

According to a 1978 study by scientists at the University of California School of Dentistry, people under the age of 29 show an average of 3.37 millimeters of their upper teeth with lips gently parted in a resting position, compared with less than half a millimeter when they reach their 50s.

There are so many new advancements in cosmetic dentistry today. We interviewed Beverly Hills Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, who graduated at the top in his class at UCLA, then received his dental doctorate from USC.  He is well known for his skill and artistry in cosmetic and restorative work and creating "The Hollywood Smile".  

He explained to us that there are three main aspects that affect the youthfulness of a smile: The harmony of the teeth, the color of the teeth and the shape of the teeth.  

He first looks at the harmony of the teeth and then of the face. "No tooth should be longer or shorter than the others, since that attracts unwanted attention to the teeth and distracts from the overall smile" he said.  "Here are the elements of a smile that I evaluate:

•Lip support: if the upper and lower lips are in proper proportion and in the right place.

•The complexion of the skin: the lighter the complexion, the lighter the teeth. If a patient doesn't have a lot of natural contrast, such as in dark skin tone, then the color of the teeth and the complexion come into play.
Otherwise they can look fake and unnatural.  

•Whether a patient uses the following: green tea, coffee, or smokes. If they do, when choosing the color of the veneers, I go a shade to two lighter for the color of their teeth, to compensate for any staining that will occur.  

•How much teeth structure or gums/ gum line shows. Too much gum showing detracts from the beauty of the smile and the person.

•Relationship of the upper teeth to the lower teeth. Overbites and underbites create challenges as to the degree of improvement possible.

•If they have red hair, real or fake: I need to go one-two shades lighter on their teeth or grayness is reflected because of the red hair.

•If the shape of the upper teeth follows the curvature of the lower lip when they smile. That's how I know if someone's teeth are too long. I must see if there is proper curvature.

•The actual arch of the upper and lower teeth. You should have a nice arch form from the back to the front to form a nice smile. This determines the thickness of the veneers/crowns. If you see a black hole when people smile at the back of the teeth, then I would need to compensate by making the outer side of their molars thicker to broaden the appearance of their arch."  

Dr. Maddahi points out that a great cosmetic dentist must be able to see the end result when he/she examines someone's mouth.  "That's what separates good from great...seeing the end result even before you begin any work" he said.  "Then I work backwards from the end result I envision to the existing smile. Otherwise you are exploring, then things can come up that you don't expect, rather than pre-planning so there are no surprises.

The discovery of additional decay or fractures or other unexpected problems is correctable because they can be reworked and covered. The most important consideration is how the teeth will be covered to achieve the desired result. "I see the end result first in my head first, and then nothing can interfere with reaching the right goal for my patient," Dr. Maddahi said.  

We asked him why many restored teeth look a bit faux and unrealistic.  He explained that the some teeth look fake after a procedure because either they are too long or too thick. Not because they are too white.  

"In the past ten years, the white that we used to think was good has been replaced with a much whiter white." he said.  "This has been driven by the entertainment industry. These newer shades of white did not exist ten years ago. Studios are demanding good teeth now on their actors. This is a relatively new thing that started about five to seven years ago. Up until about 5 years ago, patients were satisfied with whiter teeth. Now patients know the limitations of whitening. Today my patients ask for "That Hollywood Smile" because they are more educated through online research and know there are more options."

We concluded our interview with Dr. Maddahi by asking him to tell us about all of the new breakthroughs in the world of cosmetic dentistry.  He happily shared the most common procedures he provides in his practice:

1.Whitening is now being done mostly with laser light. Trays are for 20 min touch ups at home, but not used in the dentist's office anymore.  Two weeks of the trays have been replaced by 1-2 hours of laser light tooth whitening in the office.  

2.Re-contouring of the teeth for minimal chips and unevenness is more common now.

3.Porcelain veneers and crowns are used more than tooth bonding. Bonding stains 10 times more than porcelain, and tends to chip and break.  

4.Metal fillings are a thing of the past. They have been replaced with porcelain and smaller fillings with tooth-colored bondings.

5.Gum line restoration is something that wasn't done a few years ago, but is a common practice now.  

6.Replacement of missing teeth with dental implants. This rejuvenates the face and makes it fuller again. Dentures and missing teeth both make the face sink in. With implants a person can have normal facial structure.

7.Straightening some degree of crooked teeth without braces. This is for minimal correction that doesn't change the bite or function of the teeth.    

8.Dr. Maddahi also provides referrals for lip rejuvenation/fillers to complete and balance the total smile.  

No matter what your dental concern, Dr. Maddahi insists that "Everything can be fixed! "Even bone grafting can be done if necessary, by taking bone from the hip or another area of the body to create a tooth," he told us.  His final statement was this, " The good news is that there is no longer any reason, apart from the expense, why a person can't have a beautiful healthy dazzling smile at any age!"

As they say, there comes a time when every physician becomes a patient. A family friend and world renowned surgeon found himself on the gurney after recently suffering a heart attack (patient confidentiality prevents us from revealing more details).  

Though fully recovered, the medical incident left substantial scar tissue around his heart. He remembered reading about a company called ProGenaCell, a clinic located in Stuttgart Germany that has made significant advancements and achieved great success with stem cell therapy.

Since January of 2012, he has received several stem cell therapy treatments, which has eliminated virtually all scar tissue, having "regrown" healthy tissue to replace the tissue damaged by the cardiac episode.  Eight months later, he is the picture of health, with a healthy heart, brighter, tauter skin and an elevated energy level that belies his 56 years. His doctors in Los Angeles remain baffled.  

Now, more and more professionals in the medical community here in the U.S. are seeing the benefits of stem cell therapy and its applications in treating everything from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's to a host of other degenerative diseases.  It is widely used in many countries within the field of regenerative medicine, as a first resort not the last.

Cell therapy restores function to injured, diseased and debilitated tissues and organs through injections of the patient's own (autologous, or self-donated) cells combined with xenocells (animal cells) and growth factors. These healthy cells are then able to "home" to the injured tissues and begin rejuvenating them.  The procedure is designed to enhance quality of life, but doctors are discovering it can also add years with its unique ability to rejuvenate aging cells in the heart, brain, liver, virtually everywhere in the body, which is comprised of cells.  

Like a Vitamin B Shot  

"Not unlike a Vitamin B shot, the procedure for stem cell transplantation is rather simple," explains Dr. Ulrich Friedrichson, M.D., PHD,  an internationally recognized physician, scientist and oncologist who has worked with human and animal stem cell transplants for the treatment of solid tumors since 1976,  "After your initial treatment, you can return home with a two-month supply of frozen stem cells, which can be administered as directed by a family member or a your primary care physician."  

ProGenaCell has treatment centers in Germany, Brazil, Poland, Vancouver, B.C., and Baja California (Mexico). Because of the more restrictive (and sometimes frustrating) review process in the States, the treatment has only been available through clinical trials.  The cell therapy complies with the strict European Union guidelines and has presented no adverse side effects in its use.  

Health & Beauty Therapies Available in the U.S.  

There are stem therapies that are available in the U.S., such as Regenokine Injection System and LAVIV™.  Regenokine is a cell-repair procedure that counts Kobe Bryant, Nick Nolte and a Saudi Prince as patients who have benefitted from it.  Founded by orthopedic surgeon Peter Wehling in Dusseldorf, Germany (Germany is apparently the Mecca for stem-cell therapy), the new treatment boosts the body's cell-repair system to literally make pain go away, particularly arthritis.

Patients have reported 90 percent improvement from the treatment, which uses a small amount of the patient's own blood that has been extracted, incubated, frozen, and re-injected over a series of appointments. An interesting byproduct of the treatment's anti-inflammatory properties is its ability to reduce wrinkles, which could lead to its application in cosmetic medicine.

Stem Cell Therapy is also making inroads into in the world of beauty as a dermal filler. Products like LAVIV™ are being used for the same purposes as Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse and other fillers to smooth wrinkles and improve skin texture. LAVIV™ is the first and personalized stem cell therapy that is FDA-approved to improve the look of wrinkles and smile lines.

 The LAVIV™ treatment uses tens of millions of collagen-producing fibroblasts that are extracted and cultivated from your own skin.  Your doctor takes small samples from behind the ear, where the most collagen fibroblasts are produced in humans.

 After the extraction, your physician sends the samples to Fibrocell Science's manufacturing facility located in Exton, Pa., where it is expanded into millions of new fibroblast cells.  All of your cells are cryopreserved (frozen).  Those that are not immediately used are stored at the manufacturing facility for future use.  Your fibroblast cell therapy will be ready and sent back to your doctor's office in about three months ready for injection.

 On your next appointment, your doctor will inject your own cells into your wrinkles and "smile lines" over the course of three sessions spaced three to six weeks apart. The cost varies, but ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 to create the personalized cell bank, and $300 to $500 for each of the three sessions.    This therapy can also be used for acne scarring, burn scarring vocal cord scarring and periodontal disease when fibroblasts from the vocal cords or gums are cultured.

 LAVIV™ is now available in major metropolitan areas throughout the U.S., exclusively through board-certified dermatologists and plastic surgeons who have been trained by Fibrocell Science, Inc.  

Nothing New  

The practice of Cell Therapy is nothing new. In one form or another, it has existed since the 1930s for managing diseases such as arthritis and liver disease.  

"Cell therapy is a natural product, not a drug, and requires no immuno-suppressant drugs because it is antigen free," Dr.  Friedrichson says. "It's the safe, right course of action for many patients, including children, who want a better quality of life than their disease is currently letting them have."  

For more information about ProgGenaCell, visit their website at www.ProGenaCell.com.  To find out where you can benefit from Regenokine therapy in the U.S., visit www.lifespanmedicine.com/regenokine-program. For a list of physicians trained and certified in LAVIV™, go to www.mylaviv.com.

As a teenager, your voracious appetite, growth spurt, pimples and sudden preoccupation with s-e-x was chalked up to "hormones" by your stressed-out parents, as adolescence set in. Decades later, your mood swings, fatigue, and decreased libido are also the result of hormones, this time rather than raging seem to be going into retirement.

Everything you do - your thoughts, feelings, emotions, physical growth and maintenance is influenced by hormones, throughout your life.  Getting to know them and how they work in your body is a good first step toward attacking the aging process. By proactively educating yourself about them, being familiar with signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance, and finally controlling them is as crucial as anything else you can do for your health and well being.  Proper nutrition and exercise are certainly important, but without a healthy balance in hormone levels, none of us can really thrive.  Many of the following symptoms could be the result of a hormone imbalance:  

·Fatigue, even after an ample amount of sleep
·Depression, for no apparent reason
·Difficulty losing weight
·Inability to concentrate
·Irregular bowel movements
·General lack of stamina
·Loose, saggy skin
·Irritability
·Decreased immunity
·Loss of muscle mass
·Irregular menstrual cycles in women
·Erectile dysfunction in men

Sound familiar? According to Ryan Stanton, MD, a top hormone specialist in Beverly Hills and a medical consultant to SimplyAgelessNation, there are several imperative hormones that are affected as you age:estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, cortisol, testosterone, DHEA, pregnenolone and human growth hormone.   Here is a brief introduction to each of these primary hormones and explain the important roles that they play in your body and the dramatic effects that a decline or imbalance in any one of them can have on your health, your appearance and your personality. Here is a quick rundown of the master hormones that govern our bodies:

        Estrogen.  The all-important, much-revered (and occasionally maligned) hormone is, in many ways ground zero for the healthy, happy woman. It is responsible for those sexy, fertile, strong, peppy, voluptuous characteristics that define women in today's society. However, men need small amounts of estrogen too—without it, they can become sterile and have a low sex drive. Too much estrogen in the male can result in lost muscle tone, a higher voice and diminished energy.  

       Progesterone  -- primarily a female hormone – should also exist in small amounts in men to create just the right balance for youthful, cheerful, calming, steady and well-balanced personality traits.  

      Thyroid hormones , generated in both sexes, are responsible for regulating all metabolic functions and energy production in the body and brain, such as digestion, healthy liver function and weight control. Cortisol gives you energy, helps you handle stress, and enables you to be quick and active.  Testosterone, the "macho hormone" that men like to brag they have in ample doses, is important to both sexes as it provides muscle tone, strong bones, a healthy libido, mood, and energy. Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is a kind of "master switch" hormone that regulates the growth and maintenance of essentially all tissues of the body.

      Dehydroepiandrosterone , or DHEA , is one of our most powerful hormones made in both men and women. An endogenous steroid – meaning it exists in the body naturally – DHEA is produced by the adrenal glands and also synthesized in the brain. It preserves adrenal function for the immune system and provides numerous anti-aging benefits, such as enhancing muscle mass and skin tone, improving memory, decreasing clinical depression and protecting against certain cancers. Pregnenolone  is the "memory hormone" that can improve retention, stimulate concentration, clarify thinking and reduce mental fatigue.

Each of us will lose different hormones at different times and rates. Any hormonal imbalance can accelerate the aging process. Who needs that? The good news is that a decline of any hormone is neither irreparable nor permanent. In fact, regaining that vital balance is probably easier than you'd think. What it does require is your time and patience to reset the dynamics of your hormonal profile, a "reboot" that can yield amazing results. A successful balance achieved through hormone replacement therapy is like a symphony where each instrument (or hormone) plays a different tune to create a musical masterpiece.  It's you, 4.0!

Unfortunately, hormones cannot be replaced through exercise and nutrition. The only way to fully restore your hormones is through hormone replacement. Repenishing the hormones naturally lost over time will nourish your aging body and brain and also stimulate the production of biochemicals such as dopamine, a powerful neurotransmitter that can get you firing on all cylinders again.

In our discussions with integrative medicine physicians and hormone specialists around the world, we have determined that bio-identical hormones are the best course of treatment in hormone replacement. Bio-identical hormones are plant-based hormone supplements that have the same molecular structure as those that occur naturally in the body. They are far safer than traditional hormone therapies, which are often synthetically produced.

Many pharmaceutical companies are now creating new bio-identical hormone products; however, they are generally a "one size fits all" approach containing "standard doses" that assume our bodies are all the same, which of course, isn't the case. A "standard dose" can be too much for one person and not enough for another.  Any customized system of hormone replacement is the best way to ensure you get the standard dose your body needs.

You should begin by making an appointment with your physician to get a full hormonal profile. The test you schedule will allow you to see exactly which hormones are not functioning properly.  At that time the doctor will write you a prescription for the exact amount of bio-identical hormones that your body needs to achieve a healthy balance.

More often than not, you will have your prescriptions filled at a compounding pharmacy, which is usually a separate division of your regular pharmacy that specializes in customized solutions per a physician's directive. Believe it or not, the cost to have your own prescription made up by a compounding pharmacy is about the same as the pre-packaged pharmaceutical one-size-fits-all brands that you get at the regular pharmacy counter. And like the ready-made kind, those that are compounded just for your body are also available in different forms, the most popular being creams, gels, skin patches, under-the-tongue drops, vaginal suppositories and capsules.

Finding Dr. Right -  

Despite the changing attitudes, many primary care physicians and OB/GYN’s are not familiar with bio-identical hormone replacement, and how natural hormones can help many problems associated with the aging process in both men and women.  It wasn't part of their academic curricula, and is still resisted as a course of treatment by some simply because it falls outside the boundaries of what they consider to be traditional medicine. There are numerous, qualified specialists listed on our website, www.SimplyAgelessNation.

The information is free and yours for the taking. You may also seek a referral from your internist or gynecologist. They may refer you to an endocrinologist because they officially specialize in hormones, but be aware that many of them specialize in diabetes and have not had extensive experience treating and working with natural bio-identical hormone replacement. They may recommend synthetic hormones developed by pharmaceutical companies, which is not what you want to do.

One of the reasons that we developed our website www.SimplyAgelessNation  is to give you free access to doctors who specialize in the field of anti-aging/integrative medicine. We do not receive any kind of fees or compensation from any of the medical professionals listed on our site. Our goal is simply to help people get to the right doctors.

In any case, you want to make sure your doctor has plenty of clinical experience with all hormone deficiencies and multiple-hormone treatments.   A highly skilled and experienced anti-aging physician develops a kind of sixth sense that allows them to have a good idea what to investigate more closely about you as soon as you walk into the room.  Your face, hands, skin, hair, eyes, feet, the silhouette of your body, your energy level, the way you walk, the pitch, tone and levity of your voice, the clarity of your thinking, your overall demeanor and look—all of these are tell-tale signs of one or more hormone deficiencies. That initial consult will help the doctor form a preliminary diagnosis, which can be confirmed after the hormonal profile, which typically consists of testing of the blood, urine and oftentimes, saliva.

Remember... no matter how many specialists you consult, you will always be the best expert on your own body.   Once you understand how to tune in and really listen to what your body is telling you, it is amazing how easy it can be to identify what it needs. It also creates a more robust dialogue with your doctor that enhances their ability to treat you.

In Your 20s: This is the time that you may consider treatments such as micro-dermabrasion to refine your skin texture, and IPL lasers to even out your skin tone. In your late 20s, you may need a series of very light facial peels such as the Jessner Peel or a Pumpkin Enzyme Peel to reduce the appearance of fine lines and roughness. Some people in this age group get a small amount of Botox injected into their frown lines. This is a good preventative measure.

After two to three years of using Botox, the latest data shows that it is needed less often (every six months instead of every 3-4) because the muscles learn to relax. On rare occasions, a person in their 20s may need a brow-lift if they have very low-set brows, which is genetic. Very low brows can give a person an angry or tired look. The other popular surgeries for this age group are rhinoplasty (nose job), breast augmentation, and lipsosuction.

In Your 30s: Many people in their 30s start getting fillers to enhance their lips and to fill their nasal labial lines. On occasion they may also correct the shape of their nose with fillers instead of having a nose job. Botox is now used for forehead lines, crow's feet, and frown lines. It is also used for over active sweat glands of the face, hands or armpits. For people with adult acne, "intra-dermal Botox" seems to be miraculous: for fading acne scars and pore tightening.

"Mommy makeovers" that include breast lifts and augmentation plus a tummy tuck and liposuction are very popular for women in their 30s into their 40s. People in their 30s get brow lifts, nose jobs, chin implants, and eyelid surgeries. Liposuction and mesotherapy are used to refine body proportions. Some young men have chin implants in conjunction with neck liposculpting to achieve a more masculine well-defined jawline.

Facials get more aggressive combining microdermabrasion facials in conjunction with light peels, oxygen therapy and topically applied vitamins. Laser light therapies such as the IPL, LED Light, and Radio Frequency lasers refine the skin with almost no down time.

In Your 40s: This is the decade when most people start considering more serious surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures. The skin is more elastic in your 40s and will heal faster with better results than in later years. The goal is to gently turn back the clock and restore the face and body's youthfulness. "Natural" and "Refreshed" are the key words to describe what most patients want. Lasers, fat transfers, fillers and Botox can often stave off the need for facial surgery or work beautifully in conjunction. Re-volumizing the face is the gold standard. The "pulled cosmetic surgery look" becomes a thing of the past.

Liposuction, mesotherapy, and liposculpture in conjunction with skin tightening lasers and radio frequency procedures such as The Titan, Thermage, Skintyte, Polaris and ReFirm help restore a body's youthfulness. Tummy tucks, arm lifts, and leg lifts are popular for people in this age group as well as breast lifts, augmentations, breast reductions and labiaplasties.

Laser resurfacing procedures such as the fractionated CO2 laser and the Cool Touch Erbium laser help rebuild lost collagen of the face, neck, chest, and hands creating a tightening effect three to four months after treatment. The fractionated lasers also gently resurface the skin, removing years of sun damage and discoloration as well as tightening the skin with less than a week of downtime.

Hyaluronic based fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Perlane are now used more extensively to add volume to the lips, lift the brow, revolumize the cheeks and hollows of the face, fill out the jawline, fill in under eye circles, and much more, all while actually stimulating new collagen production in the skin! Radiesse is another popular dermal filler. It is made of calcium hydroxyapatite, which is a substance that is made from minerals that give your bones strength and texture. The minerals are formulated by grinding them into microscopic particles; these particles are then suspended in a water-based gel solution.

Sculptra, a more permanent filler, is used for total facial revolumizing for larger areas of the face. Rejuvenating the entire face with injectible fillers together with Botox, is called the "Liquid Face Lift". This is the most popular method of facial rejuvenation and can help stave off the need for surgery for many years. The most popular facial surgeries for "forty somethings" are blepharoplasties (upper and/or lower eye lid surgery) browlifts, and mini-face lifts that tighten the jawline and lower face.

In Your 50s and Beyond: This is the time when most people opt for more invasive cosmetic procedures. Keep in mind that for many people no amount of fillers, Botox or laser/chemical resurfacing can repair the underlying issue of muscle laxity and sagging skin. Therefore cosmetic surgery procedures such as the full facelift, necklift, upper and lower eyelid surgery, mid-face lift to reposition the cheek pads that have dropped, a brow lift, are in high demand.  

These procedures in conjunction with all other procedures will maintain your appearance to a youthful level throughout your life. The most popular cosmetic surgery procedures for people in their 50s and beyond are:

•           Medical skin care
• Laser hair removal
• Laser Light based treatments
• Microdermabrasion
• Botox
• Chemical peels
• Injectible fillers
• Botox
• Laser skin resurfacing
• Tummy tucks
• Breast augmentation/lifts/reductions
• Browlifts
• Eyelid surgeries
• Facelifts
• Mid-face lifts
• Liposuction
• Necklifts
•           Nose reshaping

Maintaining good health habits, doing regular exercise (including weight bearing exercises), having monthly facials, using facial fillers and Botox, keeping your hormones and thyroid levels strong and balanced plus having the right cosmetic surgery procedures will keep you looking fresh and vibrant. It is unrealistic to believe that one procedure alone will get you to your goals of a youthful appearance. While we will never look twenty forever, we can look refreshed, rested and beautiful/handsome our entire lives. More and more "No Age is The New Age.”

How would you change the way you live your life if you knew you could live well past 100 in excellent health? Imagine "middle age" being 65 or 70.  

Several top physicians specializing in anti-aging, metabolic and regenerative medicine report that the human body was actually designed to live for 120 years.  Seriously.  There is now tangible, empirical proof that you can live a healthy, vibrant life much longer than you ever thought possible.

More advances have been made in regenerative medicine in the last dozen years than the last 100, and that progress continues to grow exponentially. Some of the most transformative and thrilling achievements in medical history are upon us right now, changing how we age biologically.  

To best take advantage of what is now humanly possible, we must all embrace the exciting reality that there is a new era upon us.  

Equal Parts Art and Science  

So what does it take to "grow younger" in the 21st century?"  It's equal parts art and science.  It's about taking responsibility for your own health, making well-informed decisions, and identifying and partnering with well-qualified medical professionals.

It's understanding the "science" that is now available that can spot diseases before they take root.  It's about balancing your hormones and keeping your brain chemistry in check.  It's about taking the right vitamins and nutritional supplements and knowing what the "right" vitamins and supplements are.  It's about identifying the right diet for your body type and emotional make-up and understanding  nutri-genomics, which is following a nutritional plan that is specifically designed for your metabolic profile.  

The "art" of reversing the aging process lies in the new world of cosmetic medicine, with revolutionary state-of-the-art lasers, skincare products created from your own stem cells and a myriad of dermal fillers, botox and other non-surgical aesthetic procedures available.  Even advancements in the technology of hair care combined with effective use of clothing, and makeup can take years off your appearance and improve your self image dramatically. Top plastic surgeons contend that both men and women can maintain a 40-something appearance for decades.  

A New World Order  

There is a new world order in medicine, one in which medical schools are graduating physicians who specialize in preventive, integrative medicine rather than those trained to treat disease.  Anti-aging is becoming part of the core curriculum, to address the life-altering technology that is now available to prolong a healthy life. Within the next 15 years the global population will include two billion in the "over 60" crowd.  

Between now and 2025, the race for genetic enhancements will be what the Space Race was in the 20th Century. Genetic therapies and biomedical enhancements will become a multi-billion dollar industry. Genetic coding, gene therapy, growing new organs and tissues from stem cells and revitalizing old or diseased organs will be an everyday occurrence. Enhancements to increase your athletic abilities and boost your intelligence are all advancements bubbling just below the surface.  

The 'Star Trek' Physical  

Case in point: A new physical exam that uses ultrasound technology is far superior to the traditional  'check-up' by your doctor, who uses hands and questions to determine vitals and your general health. The physical exam you've been getting annually since you were a child is outdated, inadequate and inferior. And there are no absolutes. Some physicians may be very thorough, others may be cursory and brief, depending on their style and your individual circumstances as the patient.  

Just as we have evolved from using a rolled up piece of paper applied to a woman's chest to a classic tube stethoscope device, the ultrasound exam makes the "poking, prodding, looking, listening" exam antiquated and inconclusive. With an ultrasound physical, fingers in the rectum and hands in the female genitalia become obsolete.  Isn't that a comforting thought?  

The ultrasound allows your doctor to see every organ, nodules, pre-cancers, damage, changes in shape and size due to disease or dysfunction of an organ, inflammation, and calcifications. It can also detect if your body is dehydrated, a more serious condition that many would think.  

Physicians who do manual examinations of the human body miss things on a regular basis. MRI, CAT and PET scans are useful in identifying disease, certainly. For example, the MRI can recognize Multiple Sclerosis and specific cancers. The CAT Scan is useful in finding bleeds in the brain and lung tumors. The PET Scan may find spot cancers. Although important, these imaging techniques don't compare to the ultrasound in terms of its global general review. Furthermore, these tests may not be ordered if a routine hands-on physical presents no evidence to do so.  

It's up to all of us to be our own advocates and to request the best technology that is available . A head-to-toe ultrasound physical, the 'Star Trek' physical as some in the medical field have called it, can yield results never possible before, catching abnormalities and disease that would be missed 90 percent of the time if only an old-fashioned physical were performed. Here's a look at what an ultrasound physical can examine and detect.  

Transcranial Ultrasound:    Measures blood flow in eye blood vessels and middle cerebral arteries (the main arteries into the brain) Benefits: Can detect aneurysms and damaged blood vessels; can provide information regarding migraines and dementia; most brain diseases are acquired. Can also detect increased velocity of the blood flow due to vascular spasm or blockage.

Carotid Ultrasound: Measures blood flow through main artery in the neck to brain
Benefits: Can show early changes in blood flow, thickening of the intima, and advanced atherosclerotic disease -blockages

Thyroid Ultrasound: Shows goitrous changes, enlarged thyroid, cancer masses, nodules, calcifications, cysts, atrophy even in patients with normal physical exam. Early diagnosis of disease is possible with this ultrasound.

Echo Cardiogram:  Shows heart size (all four chambers), ejection fraction, changes in wall motion as a sign of previous or current heart attack and heart failure; early changes in heart appearance due to increased alcohol intake or increased blood pressure. Can detect damaged heart valves such as: mitral, tricuspid, pulmonic, and aortic. Also can detect changes/enlargements in left/right ventricle left/right atrium Can predict early atrial fibrillation, heart failure. Can suggest coronary artery disease.

Breast Ultrasound:  The best test to find breast cysts. Also shows nodules, masses, and calcifications at times in patients with negative breast exam. Can detect cancers and pre-cancers.

Abdominal Ultrasound:  Shows enlarged liver, spleen, at times in patients with normal physical exams or in obese patients; allows to find early changes of alcoholic hepatitis, fatty liver, gall stones, gall bladder wall thickening, liver cyst, hemangiomas, other benign tumors and cancer, calcifications, cysts/calcifications of pancreas, atherosclerotic changes in abdominal aorta. Can identify damage due to: drugs and infections. Can detect pancreatic cancer or previously benign cysts, sarcomas, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and spleen calcification.

Renal Ultrasound : Shows kidney stones, cysts, tumors- often as accidental finding in patients without complaints, fluid collection in kidneys (hydronephrosis), enlargement or kidney atrophy.

Pelvic Ultrasound:  Uterine enlargement, fibroids, changes in ovaries (increased size, cysts, tumors), prominent endometrium, endometrical cancers, cervical cysts, sarcomas, myosarcomas, and fluid collection due to advancing ovarian cancer. Also can determine bladder size and identify bladder stones.

Prostate Ultrasound:  Size of prostate, its nodules, calcifications, masses, bladder size and function, enlarged prostate, abnormal growth in prostate/bladder, presence of residual urine in patient with enlarged prostate at times in patient with normal DRE.

Scrotal Ultrasound : Size of testicles and epdidymus, presence of varicocele, spermatocele, water in testicles, information regarding infertility, cancer, over use of testosterone-shrunken testicles, smaller testicles as a result of aging and hormonal change, calcifications, tumors at times not found on physical exam.

Make an appointment with your doctor and ask if an ultrasound physical is an option. If not, our website has several hundred physicians listed who specialize in metabolic, functional and regenerative medicine who offer these tests.  If you are unable to locate a physician in your area we can help you find the closest one to you at no charge.   Just email us at Karen at SimplyAgelessNation.  Many of these tests are covered by insurance companies if your doctor will provide a referral letter.  This could save your life and/or the life of a loved one.

Belief Becomes Biology  

There is an old saying that "belief becomes biology." It may seem to some that living past 100 in great physical and mental health is preposterous. That's because we are all programmed early on to believe that once we hit 50 or 60 it's downhill from there and our only option is to do our level best to decline into older age gracefully. Even if we're in tip-top shape, society influences us with the narrative that "you can't stop getting older and decaying."  

Nurture, Not Nature  

To change how your body and your mind ages, first you have to change what you currently believe to be true – that aging is playing the hand that you are dealt. Nothing could be further from the truth. Genetics play only about a 20 percent role in how we age. It is nurture, not nature, which matters here.  Lifestyle choices are 80 percent of the aging process and something we can control.  Understanding that, and knowing what you can do, can change what you believe, and in turn begin to change you from within.  

We are at the dawning of a new age. As individuals we must embrace the advancements in technology and take responsibility for our own health now, which will determine the success of our evolution over the next 10-15 years.  Genetic coding, gene therapy, and growing new organs and tissues from stem cells is here and happening.  You'll be amazed at what's in store for us.

So get ready to reset the dynamics of your thinking about getting older. You may be around a lot longer than you think. Visit us and learn more on our website at SimplyAgelessNation

Male and female menopause are the ultimate age accelerators that you can stop dead in their tracks...right now.  The days of women going into a rapid freefall of aging and deterioration beginning at thirty-five are over. At least they can be... if you're a flexible thinker.  We are here to let you know that a new age is here.

Forget everything you thought you knew about women and menopause.  And, listen up about the new discoveries in male menopause.  Around the world physicians are discovering new breakthroughs every day, and are creating new modalities to keep our hormones at optimal levels throughout our lifetime. Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please.

Doctors have discovered that menopause is not associated with any particular age: It simply marks the decline in the production of some of our primary hormones such as progesterone, estrogen, thyroid, DHEA, Cortisol, HGH and pregnenolone. Many women think that menopause starts around middle age, however, when you begin to experience symptoms, your pause is already in the middle of its course. According to many hormone specialists that we have interviewed, menopause actually begins in your early to mid-thirties (peri-menopause) and can take as many as 10 to 15 years to fully bloom.

The bottom line is this: Women in their thirties are already going into partial menopause and without early intervention; a loss of progesterone can cause agitation, moodiness and increase the effects of PMS. By the time you reach 50, you will most likely feel some of these symptoms of the loss of estrogen, which include:

•Fatigue & weight gain
•Attention deficiencies
•Vaginal dryness
•Failure to ovulate
•Hair loss
•Hot flashes
•Loss of skin tone and elasticity
•Rapidly aged appearance
•Bone weakness
•Loss of libido

The decline in hormones cause a cascade of symptoms, leaving women feeling both hungry and tired: They eat more junk food to stay alert and exercise less due to fatigue. Sounds pretty scary, right? Can you just imagine how women have survived this all these years? Those days are over! It is now possible to stay happy, healthy, youthful, and energetic throughout an entire lifetime.  

Imagine a new generation of 40 and 50 somethings who stay beautiful, continue to inspire others and contribute to society until, let's say...100? Yes...it's possible. It may take some time for people to embrace new technologies, and sadly, many people never will, nonetheless, a new day is dawning and those who jump on board will reap the rewards beyond measure.

The first step is to find a good doctor who will be your partner. Try to choose one with a specialty in bio-identical hormone replacement. We've spent months scouring the country to provide the names and contact information of these physicians so that men and women would have access to the best doctors in their area. You can visit our website
www.SimplyAgelessNation.com  and ask these doctors questions and receive answers at no cost.

Male Menopause...It's Real

Sometimes called “puberty in reverse,” male menopause - or andropause as it is clinically diagnosed - is the period of a man’s life when production of a vital number of hormones - primarily testosterone and thyroid hormones- begins to decline.

Similarly, women experience a reduction in estrogen and progesterone production along with many other hormones during menopause. But not everyone buys into the idea that males have their own version of menopause. The public perception is that men of a certain age are having “a mid-life crisis” that will eventually pass.

Decline usually begins in the 30s but becomes significant by ages 45 – 60. Cases vary. There are men who remain virile into their 80s with no visible signs of reduction in the hormone, but this is extremely rare. In men, reduction of testosterone is typically a gradual process that can take several years.

Common symptoms of andropause include a decrease in libido, erectile dysfunction, muscle atrophy, weight gain and a decrease in lean body mass, a general lack of energy, mood swings, depression, anxiety, and memory loss. About 10 percent of men even experience hot flashes. It's a serious medical condition that hasn't gotten the attention it deserves. Gone untreated, male menopause can lead to anemia and osteoporosis. It becomes evident from all these possible symptoms that testosterone plays an extensive role in male health beyond just muscle building.  

Dr. Stanton, one of our go-to experts on all things hormones, once again goes back to the simple blood test that can answer a myriad of questions and help you reboot your system. "Measuring testosterone levels through a blood test that can yield significant information," he says. "It is important to measure the bio-available testosterone in the body. Bound testosterone is ineffective because it is not available to the testosterone receptors throughout the body.  

Thus, only bio-available testosterone will provide an accurate measurement." Dr. Stanton says the test isn’t ordered as often as it should be - patients should be sure to ask their doctors about it, as it could make a powerful difference in quality of life. "Low levels of available testosterone are easily treated through a regimen of testosterone hormone weekly injections or daily gels and patches applied directly the skin," Dr. Stanton says. "For most men, the results are dramatic and immediate."

 "While effective, testosterone replacement therapy should only be administered under strict medical supervision," he continues. "Physicians familiar with testosterone therapy know many tricks for optimizing results while at the same time minimizing side effects - such as those related to acne, estrogen conversion, and mood swings.  

Candidates should first be screened for the prostate specific antigen (PSA), as prostate cancer can actually grow under testosterone therapy if the patient is predisposed. The therapy does not cause the cancer but it can exacerbate it if the condition already exists. Blood and liver enzyme levels also need to be monitored throughout the course of treatment." Dr. Stanton strongly advises that patients not self-medicate with over-the-counter 'natural' products that are often advertised in the back of men's magazines.

These supplements are not regulated by the FDA and can actually cause more harm than good. "Many of these products are pro-hormones that actually convert more frequently to estrogen than testosterone," he explains. "Real testosterone products are tightly regulated by the DEA and labeled as “Class III” controlled substances."   Patients on Viagra or the like may also be candidates for testosterone therapy and the treatments can be prescribed simultaneously. Viagra does nothing to stimulate hormone production or the libido; it is only used to treat erectile dysfunction, which is different than low sex drive.

Exercise is a valuable tool in staving off depletion in testosterone. Exercise and working out actually stimulate production of testosterone in the body. Inactive men who gain considerable weight may have more estrogen in their bodies, since testosterone is converted into estrogen in the peripheral fat of the body if not ‘burned off’ through a regular course of exercise. Dr. Stanton reports that another contributor to “andropause” is low thyroid and adrenal function. "As much as 80 percent of the population (both men and women) have some degree of low thyroid function (hypothyroidism)," he says. "Even more unfortunate is the fact that this imbalance, which affects so many aspects of health, is frequently either misdiagnosed, misunderstood, or completely overlooked.  

Whatever the case, there is an answer and a treatment. Women have benefited greatly from hormone therapy. Men deserve the same consideration to prolong quality of life.