Light is vital to the existence of all living things. You need the natural sunlight to provide you with a controlled amount of ultraviolet rays. Just like the tanning bulbs, it could provide you with a change of skin tone because the bulbs contain ultraviolet A and B rays. But excessive amounts of the sunlight could dry your skin or damage it – it is also the case with tanning bulbs.

Do you often visit a tanning parlor? Do you own a tanning bed on your house? Do you really know how to use your tanning bed?

Here is some information in knowing your tanning bulbs.

* The Basics. If it is your first time in a tanning salon, make sure you provide the experts with your skin condition. Sensitive skin would require a lower level of UV ray, so the intensity of the tanning bulb should be less than ordinary. If you have just purchased your own tanning equipment at home, make sure to do a research on the tanning bulbs you have bought. The level of the tanning bulbs would depend on the brand and model of the manufacturer. Be aware of the intensities the bulbs would cause your skin to be able to control the tanning process.

* Maintenance. The placement of the tanning bulbs is important because if you fail to do this correctly, it could lead to your lamp to dim or resulting in an electrical power shortage. Make sure to clean the tanning bulbs when it is not in use because the cleaner the bulb, the amount produced of the UV increases 10%. Cleaning the tanning bulb is easy because id doesn’t require soap. Make use of moist cloth regularly to keep it dust and oil-free.

Plus, make sure to replace the starter of the tanning bulb every time you change the tanning bulb of your equipment. When you replace a new bulb, the UV level becomes higher and would permit burning of the skin. Make sure to purchase the exact brand name or identical to the tanning bulb you made use of earlier.

* Usage. If you are tanning in a salon, make sure that there are experts monitoring you through the whole process. There should be controlled exposure to the UV rays depending on your skin type, the tanning equipment and the model of the tanning bulb. If you are using your own tanning equipment and you believe that the tanning bulbs are aging and you want to extend tanning - that is a bad idea. The aging of the tanning bulbs does not necessarily mean that the effect of the UV rays is decreased.

Now that you know the important information in handling the tanning bulbs and its equipments. You should follow these guidelines in a enjoying a safe and relaxing tanning.

If you’re inside the tanning equipment, the fact that your eyes are shut closed is not enough. There is an eye-protection recommended by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and you could purchase it anywhere within authorized outlets. Without these protective gears, it could cause your eyes probable long-term damage.

The UV rays from the tanning bulb could make your skin dry. Since tanning when you have applied moisturized could work best in the beach or tanning parlors, it is healthier if you make sure to moisture your skin before and after exposing yourself to the UV rays.

Your skin produces melanin, but your lips don’t. Make sure to defend your lips from possible burning by using sunscreens or lip creams and ointments.

If you’re planning to expose your whole body onto the tanning bulbs, make sure to cover with a towel or cloth the parts that are not yet tanned. Then gradually remove the cloth after two or more tanning sessions.

And lastly, if you have problems with your health, remember to visit your doctor first before planning to go to a tanning parlor. With the tanning bulbs producing UV lights, these could have a side effect if you’re on medication.

Here are the facts. Your job is to follow the guidelines to achieve in having a great tan in a safe environment. Know your tanning bulbs, so it could serve you for the better.

For more great bulb info and advice check out: http://www.lightbulbstop.com

Reducing wrinkles is a major concern for both women and men. Wrinkling is a fact of life that affects all people, but certain lifestyle choices can make wrinkles appear sooner. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation, either from the sun or the use of tanning beds is a major cause of premature aging of the skin. In addition, doing this can cause malignant melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

Other Lifestyle Choices that Affect Your Skin:

• Smoking increases wrinkles and ages your skin. Don’t smoke and if you do, quit to reduce both damage to your skin and your overall health.

Take good care of your skin to help combat the signs of aging. Don’t over wash your face; limit washing to twice each day. This is especially true if your tap water contains chlorine or other chemicals used in water purification. Consider having a water filter installed, or use purified water to wash your face, if you find the chlorine irritating. Never wash in very hot water, which is drying.

Use only mild facial cleansers that contain moisturizing ingredients. Stay away from soap, especially deodorant soaps, which are very drying to the skin. After you have washed your face, pat dry and use a moisturizer. Look for products that are oil free. Water based lotion is best for moisturizing the skin without clogging your pores.

Antioxidants help reduce the signs of aging on your skin. These are found in food, vitamins and skin care products. The best sources are vitamin A, C, E. Antioxidants destroy free radicals, which cause cellular damage, age the skin and cause skin cancer. There is evidence that they work best when combined. For example, vitamins C and E work better together than either vitamin alone. Vitamin A is often found in both prescription and over the counter topical ointments.

Retin A is a prescription topical cream that contains vitamin A. a prescription is needed from the dermatologist for this medication. Retin A treats wrinkling caused by aging and sun exposure. It takes between two and six months to see noticeable improvement. Side effects include redness, burning, itching and scaling, which can last for a few months. In addition, it can cause photosensitivity. You should avoid sunlight and wear a sunscreen when outside in the sun. Pregnant women should not use this cream, as it can cause birth defects in the unborn child.

Retinol is a natural form of vitamin A. It is found in over the counter ointments. There are fewer side effects with Retinol than with the stronger Retin A. Using antioxidant creams containing vitamin C or E may increase the benefits of retinol. These are sometimes found combined in one cream, or can be applied separately.

If you want to see results sooner, consider a skin peel. You will see results fast, without having to wait several months for improvement. In the past, peels were only available from a dermatologist or esthetician. There is now a wonderful TCA peel for home use. Esthetician’s Choice takes just a few minutes to apply and gives fast results. You will notice slight reddening of the skin for a day or so. The skin will then peel, revealing a younger looking complexion. Visit http://www.bestskinpeel.com for information on Esthetician’s Choice and ordering information.

David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests and manufactures various skin peels for plastic surgeons, medispas, and in home use. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: http://www.bestskinpeel.com

Some people who weren’t blessed with good hair are actually envious of those people who have the luxury of being able to wear their hair long and keep it that way in spite of whatever hassles that long hair may bring to a person. From taking a longer time in taking a bath as well as having to deal with all sorts of monthly hair treatments just to keep that long hair in tip, top, shape.

Fortunately, for those who are at times in the mood for longer hair, there are actually hair extensions that are proven to be a safe and fast way for people to be able to have longer hair. Through hair extensions, people will be able to have the length of hair that they want whichever time they want their hair to be long and for only several days (which means people who have hair extensions need not to worry about the hair extensions upkeep in the long run). Hair extensions are actually great for people who are thinking of growing out their hair into a long, luxurious mop from a short, boyish style hair cut.

Have you even noticed that a lot of celebrities nowadays tend to sometimes have longer hair then shorter hair the next? Well, it certainly is not a work of magic but a breakthrough in the field of both beauty and fashion wherein top hairstylists nowadays are doing these hair extensions on people who do not have the patience nor time to grow their hair long. When it comes to growing one’s hair, there are certainly a lot of things that a person needs to do in order to keep it looking beautiful. Of course, when it comes to growing one’s hair, it is highly important that you actually maintain it in a good condition otherwise long hair will just make you look untidy.

Through hair extensions, having long hair is really a breeze. You just come in the salon and have it made and after a few hours, you have perfectly nice long hair. Hair extensions are actually highly in demand hair treatments at the salons nowadays wherein a lot of their clients all want to have some hair extensions added to their natural mane in order to look a little more girly, sophisticated and even a bit sexy.

For most people who come to the salons for a hair extension treatment, they usually opt to have the human hair extensions in order to achieve a natural look as compared to the synthetic type of hair extensions that actually has a different texture. And since human hair extensions are highly in demand nowadays, be prepared to shell out a little more cash for these human hair extensions, because human hair extensions can actually set you back around $1,000.

If you are worried about having to spend the whole day at the salon while having your hair extension treatment, then you really need not worry about a thing since having a hair extension treatment is actually a quick and easy method wherein you will end up with a wonderfully dramatic fix for your hair and the hair extensions can actually last you for five full months (but of course, you need to be go on a little easy when you brush, style or wash your hair).

Another popular option when it comes to having hair extensions, is to have the synthetic type of hair extensions which is the less expensive choice as compared to the human hair extensions and contrary to what other people might say, synthetic hair extensions actually looks just as natural as the human hair extensions that are extremely pricey.

But how are the hair extensions actually applied to your natural hair anyway? Well, the hair extension is actually placed on a small part of your hair. Your hair and the hair extension will be sort of braided together so that the hair extension will have something to hold onto. Next, after the braiding session of the hair extension treatment comes the bonding session wherein a bonding solution for your hair extension is applied then heat will then be applied to the treated area which will secure the hair extensions to your natural hair.

For more great wig and hair extension tips and ideas check out: http://www.lookingforwigs.com

When used correctly and regularly, virgin coconut oil could help you keep your skin soft and smooth. It also helps prevent premature aging and wrinkling of your skin. But, once again…when applied correctly and regularly.

Here are some tips on how to apply the oil to your skin:

o Use virgin coconut oil as a cleanser

For certain people, this technique works nicely but not for others. You should try it for yourself to prove whether this will work well for you or not. Just gently wipe most of the oil off with a warmed wet washcloth.

o Use virgin coconut oil after shower

Some others reach amazing results when they apply the oil to their cleansed moist skin. I say this is a better technique, because you give a chance to the virgin coconut oil to absorb well to your skin.

o Use virgin coconut oil before you go to bed

The bottom line in this technique is that you must not pat it dry! Use the oil as your new moisturizer and expect amazing results. Do not hesitate to apply the oil to your entire body, even your lips.

o Virgin coconut oil for deodorant

Apply virgin coconut oil to your underarms…it turns out to be a great deodorant also!

Those are the 4 techniques you could use with virgin coconut oil to attain healthier skin. But, please be aware that the process differs with different people. Some need a longer time to see the effects.

To help you achieve best results, I suggest you also take virgin coconut oil to your diet. Use it externally and internally…

F. Aziz is the owner of all-about-Virgin-Coconut-Oil.com, a site that provides many valuable informations around Virgin Coconut Oil, its definitions, derivations, benefits and uses in the form of articles, reports, recommended sources, books, products and others. Visit all-about-Virgin-Coconut-Oil.com and see whether this miracle oil could help you improve your health and smoothen your skin.

1. Be true to yourself

Don’t choose a hairstyle that makes you feel not yourself. Brides often get pressured into certain styles because of "tradition". If a particular style makes you feel uneasy, don’t choose it. It does not matter that your mother, best friend or hairstylist like it - what really matters is YOU.

2. Develop a clear idea

Before going to the stylist, try to develop a good idea of what type of hairstyle you would like. Cut out the pictures of your favorite hairstyles from magazines and bring them to the stylist. If you can’t find any pictures, be prepared to describe exactly what you want.

3. Do a practice run

Try out the hairstyle in advance, before your wedding day. Schedule the "practice run" with your stylist. If the hairstyle that you envisioned does not look as good on you as you had hoped, you’ll be glad you found that out before the big day!

4. Is it comfortable?

Walk around with this hairstyle for several hours to make sure it’s comfortable. The last thing you would want is to have hair pins hurting you and ruining your fun.

5. Take pictures

At the "practice run", bring a Polaroid or digital camera to take instant pictures. Ask the stylist to take pictures from the back and other angles. The pictures will give you a better idea how the style would look to others (as opposed to just looking in the mirror).

6. Does it hold up?

Make sure your hair style does not get completely messed up several hours later. Try moving around and see if the hair stays put. You would not want a hair disaster during the first dance!

7. Matching with your dress

Your hair style should go well with your wedding dress and headpiece. Classic dresses go best with classic hairstyles. Non-traditional dresses might look odd with the formal updos. Buy the dress before you select a hairstyle. Bring your headpiece and the picture of your dress to the stylist, so the stylist can evaluate whether it’s a good match.

8. Watch out for chemicals

Don’t have any coloring or chemical treatments done right before the wedding - these can go wrong, and there won’t be time to fix them! Do them several weeks in advance.

9. Stay consistent

Don’t make drastic changes. Your wedding day is not the time to color your hair in a completely different color or cut off long locks. After all, you would still want people to recognize you at your own wedding!

10. Beware of the height effect

Be aware that updos will make you look taller. Depending on your situation, it might work for you or against you. If you are already taller than the groom or are the same height, don’t do an updo. If you are short, use the updo to your advantage.

11. Keep it sensible

Don’t make your hairstyle too flamboyant - it should not compete with your face and your dress. You would want to avoid the situation where your hair is the only thing that jumps out at people when they look at you.

Melanie Mendelson will help you lose weight fast for your wedding. Visit her wedding weight loss diet website http://www.DietForBrides.com

What is entropy? Well many describe it as the increase of randomness or disorder in the universe. Another way to understand it is as follows.

Consider a car engine. Everyone knows that when fuel is burned in the cylinders of a car engine the energy produced does not all go to turning the drive shaft and therefore the wheels. Depending on the efficiency of the engine more or less energy will be used to move the car. It is this efficiency rating that determines, among other things, the fuel rating of your vehicle.

Why is the efficiency rating not 100%? That is, why can’t all of the energy stored in the fuel go to turning the wheels? Well according to the second law of thermodynamics, which states that entropy is always increasing in the universe, this dictates that some of the energy from the fuel must be dissipated into the neighboring environment. This is familiar to us as the heat we feel radiating from the car engine.

So, another way to understand the concept of entropy is through the concept of efficiency. No machine can be 100% efficient according to the second law of thermodynamics. Energy is supposedly always lost as heat.

I have taken the time to elaborate this point because I wish to relate it to an interesting and important phenomenon related to the aging process and the human body.

It is thought by many that the human body is not dissimilar to a machine, albeit a much more complex one, but a machine just the same. In this regard, many have suggested that the body runs down i.e. ages, because of the second law of thermodynamics. In other words, the human body gives off heat to its surroundings and this is a sign of the fact that it does not operate with 100% efficiency.

In the last 10 years I have been helping individuals transform their lives with a new personal growth strategy that I call the Mind Resonance Process(TM) (MRP). This is a tool that helps an individual release rapidly and permanently emotional trauma that they carry in their bodies.

As an individual experiences MRP what repeatedly happens is that they begin to reclaim significant amounts of vital life energy (i.e. they feel more alive, more present, energized, stronger, more resilient, lighter, more focused, able to go through life with greater ease), they shed large amounts of weight in a very short time and most important of all they start to feel and "look" younger.

It’s as if the individual’s minds/bodies are working more efficiently and that they have reclaimed some of the vital life energy they had lost as a result of "past inefficiencies". In other words it’s as if the second law of thermodynamics has somehow been broken.

This is also substantiated by looking at the energetic impact that carrying emotional negativity within one’s mind and body has on an individual. You can do this for yourself if you momentarily recall a traumatic event in your life. Notice as you do this what it does to your energy level. I think you will see that it brings it right down.

Well what is interesting is that that memory is stored inside you always so that even when you are not thinking about it consciously it is still draining you energy, your vital life energy. In other words you vital life energy is being shunted out into the universe according to the second law of thermodynamics and hence you are aging and dying.

What’s important for you to know is that not only is this "not" necessary, it’s also "not" normal!

If you’d like to know more about MRP kindly visit the web link below where you can download a free interactive audio of the MRP process.

Dr. Nick Arrizza is trained in Chemical Engineering, Business Management & Leadership, Medicine and Psychiatry. He is an Energy Psychiatrist, Healer, Key Note Speaker,Editor of a New Ezine Called "Spirituality And Science" (which is requesting high quality article submissions) Author of "Esteem for the Self: A Manual for Personal Transformation" (available in ebook format on his web site), Stress Management Coach, Peak Performance Coach & Energy Medicine Researcher, Specializes in Life and Executive Performance Coaching, is the Developer of a powerful new tool called the Mind Resonance Process(TM) that helps build physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being by helping to permanently release negative beliefs, emotions, perceptions and memories. He holds live workshops, international telephone coaching sessions and international teleconference workshops on Physical. Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Well Being.

Business URL #1: http://www.telecoaching4u.com

The FDA recently cleared Thermage®, a non-surgical procedure that tightens skin to treat signs of aging in the facial area. The procedure employs ThermaCool™, a patented Capacitive Radiofrequency (CRF) technology. The controlled ThermaTip™ distributes CRF energy to the deep layers of collagen under the skin, providing uniform heat to the underlying tissue while keeping the outer layer of skin cool.

Some advantages of Thermage® as compared to the traditional facelift:

* Thermage is a non-surgical procedure, meaning that it is completely non-invasive. This is in contrast to traditional facelifts, which involve making small incisions.

* The procedure is ideal for those not ready to commit themselves to the more invasive facelift.

* The procedure takes less time to perform and recover from than the traditional facelift.

* Thermage has also shown promising results on the upper arm, inner thigh and abdomen.

* Thermage is easier and safer than traditional facelift procedures.

* Only one treatment is needed to reap the full benefits of this patented procedure.

Thermage works by safely heating the deep layers of collagen under the skin with the ThermaTip. This causes tightening and toning of the collagen and skin.

With Thermage you are not only reducing signs of aging, you are also improving the health and elasticity of your skin and collagen.

http://www.SerotaMD.com

Click here for more information on Thermage treatments and other cosmetic surgery procedures in Denver, Colorado.

Do you want to look younger? Let’s face it, nowadays, who doesn’t? Once it was just celebrities and those in the public eye who worried about looking older everyone else grew old gracefully! Now 40 is the new 30 and men as well as women care about their appearance, there is even a trend in society to discriminate against the older generation.

What can you do to stay looking younger? There is no Anti Aging Magic Potion that will clear your wrinkles overnight, but with discipline and a good Anti Aging Skin Care routine in place you will be on your way to looking younger for longer.

There are many drastic solutions available for anti aging skin care to help you look younger, from the traditional cosmetic face lift to injecting chemicals like Botox into the skin to provide a temporary wrinkle smoothing effect. Not everyone is willing, or financially able to go to these extremes. So what can you do on a day to day basis that will help you feel and look younger? By following the 7 steps below, you will be on your way to a more youthful appearance for longer. And remember it is never too late (or too early!) to start a good anti aging routine.

Seven tips on looking after your body and mind:

1. Drink plenty of water every day - most doctors recommend 7 to 10 glasses a day. Water flushes out toxins, keeping your body and skin clean. Also your skin will look clearer and plumper if it is not dry. Definitely the first step for "anti aging skin care" to look younger.

2. Eat a healthy balanced diet, include something from all the major food groups each day in your diet. Eat plenty of fibre and fresh fruit and vegetables. The UK government recommends five portions of fruit and vegetables are eaten daily, however this should be the minimum amount you eat. Fruit and vegetables contain many essential vitamins and minerals that help maintain and repair the skin and cells. Not only will your skin look younger but your body will age better and you will be less prone to many common diseases of old age. The prefect "anti aging skin care solution" Also avoid eating fatty and oily foods which increase your weight but do not give you anything nutritionally. Overweight people generally look and feel much older than they are.

3. Aim to lead a stress free, calm existence. If you are stressed the body releases chemicals which years ago would have helped you to deal with the problem with "fight" or "flight". Since these are not a solution to most of life today’s problems, the chemicals will stay in your body and cause you to become mentally or physically ill. Ensure that you sleep well and exercise regularly. Use whichever techniques help you to relax - taking a long warm bath, massage or aroma therapy are just a few to try. Remember, extreme stress will just cause your hair to go white and your face to look tired and lined. Enjoy life!

4. Regular exercise, taken at least 3 times a week and daily if possible, will work wonders in helping you look and feel younger. Ensure the exercise is vigorous enough to make you break out in a sweat and your skin will look younger as toxins are flushed out. Remember to contact your doctor before drastically changing your exercise regime.

5. Avoid UV radiation as it is the major cause of premature skin aging and wrinkles. Ensure you always have adequate sun protection for the climate and your skin type. Buy facial moisturisers which contain UV protection for daily use. Use of a good quality high factor sun cream should be part of your daily routine. A tan might look good for a while but you will age and wrinkle quickly and be more prone to skin diseases such as cancers.

6. Try to cut out nicotine and alcohol consumption. Smoking will age you as chemicals in the smoke are aging to the skin and will reverse your anti aging skin care process. Additionally, if you are forever squinting through smoke, crow’s lines around the eyes will appear all too quickly. Alcoholic drinks contain many toxins which are harmful to your health. Excessive drinking will mean your liver no longer copes with ridding your body of these toxins.

7. Look for skin care products which are anti aging (those containing the ingredients Vitamin C, retinol and ceramides are very good). Try different anti aging skin care products to see which works best for you and moisturise daily. Remember, if you feel good about yourself, you will look good.

Ana-Stella Kahlon makes it easy to look and feel younger with her tips of Anti aging skin care. Want to learn more about Anti Aging Skin Care, visit http://www.4antiaging.com.

The effect of seasonal weather changes, especially during the winter months, can take a significant toll on your skin. Facial skin ravaged by exposure to the elements can exhibit symptoms of dryness, flaking, itching and even sore, scaly patches. Taking a proactive approach to caring for your skin during these months will help you avoid the worst impact that winter can have on your skin.

First and foremost, your best defense for winter skin care is protection! Even during the winter months, you absolutely need to continue to apply SPF 15 or greater sunscreen when outside. Even though you might think the sun’s effects are diminished during the winter months, nothing could be farther from the truth. The reflection of the sun off snow and ice can be particularly damaging. Wearing a scarf that can be easily pulled up to protect the cheeks and bottom portion of your face is also a helpful preventative measure to limit the skin’s exposure to the elements.

Although it may seem contradictory, dry skin benefits tremendously from exfoliation to help eliminate the flaking skin cells, to smooth the skin’s surface and promote cell rejuvenation. Whether you choose to use a chemical exfoliant such as an AHA product like glycolic acid or a mechanical means such as a facial scrub, incorporating a means of exfoliation into your routine at least a few times a week can dramatically improve dry skin. And for heavens sakes, don’t use any type of astringents or soap. They will only dry out the skin more. Instead, try using a super rich cleanser such as one with a soy or oatmeal ingredient to give your skin a conditioning treatment as you cleanse.

Maintaining the skin’s moisture content during the winter months is also critical. The skin is typically well hydrated after a warm shower or steaming facial. Immediately seal in the moisture with a skin cream rich in emollients. Moisturizers keep the skin conditioned while offering protection against the harsh effects of the cold. The drier the skin becomes, the more frequently a moisturizer should be applied.

To treat any of those very dry, scaly patches that might develop, use a petroleum based product on the affected areas before bed. Believe it or not, plain old Vaseline works wonders on stubborn dry, cracked, and flaking skin. Unfortunately, most people cringe at the idea of using Vaseline on their face, thinking that it will clog pores and, in general, have a negative effect on the skin. In a word- untrue! Vaseline and similar petroleum based products provide a protective, insulating barrier for the skin on those frigid, windy days when applied as a light coat to the face and lips.

Finally, for those irritating patches of skin that persistently plague you despite your best efforts, an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment has significant healing effects on skin that is cracked and sore. For the extremely dry, flaking and itchy spots an OTC hydrocortisone cream can provide both relief from the itching and diminish the dry, flaking symptoms. Please bear in mind that if your condition persists, it is best to consult with a Physician to find the best remedy for your particular skin condition.

Sue Dolan is a researcher and instructor for the http://www.skincareresourcecenter.com which is a Skin Care e-Learning and Resource Center that provides education on anti-aging skin care while focusing on skin rejuvenation strategies, techniques, treatment options and resources for aging skin care issues.

With aging, it takes more effort and time to walk up stairs, mow the lawn, fix a faucet or wash the dishes. Tasks that you did without effort when you were younger can become major ordeals that leave you exhausted when you are older. Dr. Jerome Fleg, a cardiologist at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, tested 800 men and women over several years and found that their ability to sustain exercise decreased rapidly as they aged. The older they became the faster they lost what researchers call aerobic capacity (Circulation, July 26, 2005).

Aerobic capacity is a measure of your ability to use oxygen to do work. If your body can process more oxygen than that of another person, usually you will be able to run faster, walk or work longer, and have more energy than that person. The men and women lost three to six percent per decade in their 20’s and 30’s , and 20 percent per decade in their 70’s. The men lost aerobic capacity faster than the women. The men lost 8.3 percent of aerobic capacity in their 40’s and 23 percent per decade in their 70’s.

This study was done with people who were healthy enough for vigorous exercise on a treadmill that measured their exercise capacity. People who have had heart attacks, strokes, diabetes or other wasting diseases would lose aerobic capacity much faster than healthy people. The results showed that a regular exercise program can increase exercise capacity by up to 25 percent, which would give the older participants the same exercise capacity as you would expect in people who are twenty years younger.

The loss of aerobic capacity with aging explains why older people cannot compete effectively against younger ones in endurance events. The good news is that a regular exercise program can increase your maximum heart rate. By exercising regularly and vigorously, your will develop stronger skeletal muscles. When you contract your leg muscles, they squeeze against the veins in your legs and pump blood toward your heart. When your leg muscles relax, the veins dilate and fill with blood. This alternate contacting and relaxing pumps extra blood toward your heart. The extra blood returned to the heart stretches and strengthens the heart muscle, causing it to beat faster and with more force. So strengthening your leg muscles increases your maximum heart rate, even as you age.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

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