At some point in our lives, it may turn out that we have fallen into some kind of depression. And I say “some type” because there are degrees that can be moderate, severe, or first symptoms of depression. Although many are unaware of this disease to some extent, it should be taken into account when identifying some of the symptoms. Since if it is a disease, it can lead to serious consequences. Like suicide.

That is why it is important to recognize the symptoms caused by this condition.

• Irritable or low mood most of the time.
• Difficulty falling asleep or excess sleep.
• Large change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss.
• Tiredness and lack of energy.
• Feelings of worthlessness, self-hatred and guilt.
• Difficult to focus.
• Slow or fast movements.
• Inactivity and withdrawal from usual activities.
• Feelings of hopelessness or abandonment.
• Repetitive thoughts of death or suicide.
• Loss of pleasure in activities that usually make you happy, including sexual activity.

Depression not only affects social and family life. But it also affects on a more cellular level.

In a new study carried out, it was found that people who have depressive disorders are biologically older than people who do not have depression. And that childhood trauma exacerbates this effect.

In the American Journal of Psychiatry, it has been published that depression can also result in premature aging. Scientists at the University of Amsterdam Medical Center studied the DNA structure of people with depression and made an intriguing discovery.

The DNA of people with depression is on average 8 months older than people who do not have this disease. And this is in a kind of moderate depression. In the case of severe depression, the biological age of the people was between 10 and 15 years older than the chronological age.

This premature aging effect was even more significant in people who had adverse experiences during childhood. Such as violence, trauma, neglect, or abuse. To arrive at these results, the experts examined the DNA of 811 people with depression and 319 without it. Using blood samples, the researchers examined the change in the participants’ DNA with age. The result was that epigenetic changes occurred more quickly in people with depression.

Epigenetics is the study that examines changes in gene expression that do not affect the DNA sequence. Such changes occur as a result of factors. Including the environment and of course, the lifestyle as I mentioned in my previous post.

One of the mechanisms by which the epigenetic change occurs is called DNA meditation. That is when a methyl group is transferred and added to DNA.

In general, the specialists saw that people with depression had a degree of methylation and epigenetic change that indicated that they were of an older age. Therefore, suffering from this disease significantly affects cellular and DNA aging.

Many of us prefer natural remedies to have to take prescription drugs. And it is a pleasure to know that every year more people prefer this healthier and more natural lifestyle. On one occasion, my Doctor mentioned to me: “I don’t understand why the medicine exists if it comes from a natural origin. Why to synthesize the natural? It only creates more damage ”. And honestly, I agree with him.

Although it is more practical to take a pill than to prepare a natural remedy, it definitely brings fewer side effects. This time, I will talk to you about plants with anti-inflammatory properties that can help us soothe the skin discomfort that most skin conditions cause.

1. Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbent)
   This plant comes from the south of the African continent. And it is very traditionally used to relieve pain. Studies indicate that in addition to having anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, this plant is also effective in treating the pain associated with osteoarthritis, low back pain, and rheumatic diseases.
2. Cat’s claw (Uncaria storms)
   It is a species that comes from the Amazon. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions and stimulates the immune system.
3. Turmeric
   A much-loved plant in India. Cumin provides anti-inflammatory action.
4. Ginger
   Although it is spicy, it is mostly used to relieve nausea and vomiting. And of course, it has anti-inflammatory properties.
5. Eucalyptus
   A tree is widely used in these times. Its anti-inflammatory function is so powerful that it is currently being used to alleviate the symptoms of Covid-19.

Without a doubt, each little plant in our world will have a specific function and will be full of properties. After all, in the early days of the earth, human beings had to eat only plants, vegetables, and fruits. I will bring you more about these wonderful plants and tips to use them to benefit your immune system, and why not, to look more beautiful and young.

Ichthyosis Vulgaris is an inherited disorder. In which skin cells accumulate in thick, dry scales. This condition is also known as “fish skin.” It can occur at birth, but it usually appears during childhood. Sometimes mild cases of ichthyosis tend to go unnoticed because it can be confused with very dry skin.

But just as there are mild cases, there are also those that are more serious. In fact, allergic eczema is associated with this condition. And although a cure for ichthyosis has not yet been found, there are treatments that can control the disease. Ichthyosis slows down the natural shedding process of the skin. This causes an excessive and chronic accumulation of protein in the upper layer of the skin (keratin).

Symptoms are usually:

• Small scales.
• Flaky and dry skin
• Scaly scalp.
• Deep and painful cracks in the skin.
• White, gray, or brown scales.

Generally, the scales appear in the elbow area and on the lower part of the legs. If you suspect that you may have this disorder, talk to your doctor or a dermatologist. 6 Ichthyosis Vulgaris appears due to a genetic mutation that is inherited from both parents. In the case of inheriting a part, children usually have a mild case of ichthyosis. If it ever develops.

Our recommendation will always be that you visit a specialist for an accurate diagnosis. Remember that there are treatments to control the dryness of the skin and thus avoid the development of severe ichthyosis vulgaris.

Autophagy is an idea coined by biology for a long time. But rescued and clothed in the fashion of health very recently. Well-controlled autophagy promises better aging, fewer disease, and other added benefits.

As science becomes more entrenched in society, new terms appear. Some are not always used as they should. Others are oversimplified. Nobody said science was simple. And between the line of misuse and the line of oversimplification lies gray and complicated terrain. This is where we find autophagy. As used today, in many nutritional and health circles.

Autophagy is one of the cellular mechanisms studied in biology due to its importance. More recently, the intimate relationship it has with aging has been proven. The tissue accumulates cellular debris and dysfunctional structures as time passes. When autophagy begins to fail, this build-up becomes increasingly complicated and detrimental to the overall health of the tissue.

On the other hand, autophagy is one of the vital points of homeostasis. The set of physiological rules that keep us from dying, basically. This process is fundamentally involved in cell growth. In short, it is essential in the metabolism of our cells and is closely related to many diseases.

Like all biological processes, autophagy is complex. It occurs naturally in finely regulated circumstances. Researchers say that the relationship between autophagy and diseases associated with aging is enormous. So if we increase autophagy, we will reduce the negative effects of the diseases of old age.

The main benefits associated with autophagy are neuroprotection, prevention against metabolic problems related to fats and proteins, and aging. Investigated from Sorbonne, France, they revealed a more than legitimate doubt. What comes first, the cell problem or the disease? Lack of health has a direct effect on the appearance of a lot of cellular debris. Can we assume that eliminating them will improve our health? We do not know.

It is known for a fact that autophagy with a gene mutation works in mice. But from the murine to the human model there is a fairly long stretch. Biology has never been easy and from a laboratory result to a clinical result there is a path full of false steps. Still, dozens of companies and labs have been racing to find anti-aging drugs that control autophagy.

There is a very interesting relationship on which we can walk with more security. He spoke of fasting. This nutritional pattern activates autophagy in various tissues and situations. According to the scientific literature, the stress produced by fasting and caloric restriction induces autophagy.

This mechanism could be the one behind another known fact. Fasting is beneficial for health. Temporary caloric restriction helps reduce risk factors for various diseases such as metabolic syndrome. Cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

Benefits have also been found against neurodegenerative diseases. Reducing the eating time, and spacing between meals helps to reduce body fat and increase the amount of lean mass or improve neuroplasticity. I can go on and on but the conclusion would be the same. We still don’t know for sure what role autophagy plays in all of this. It may be a direct cause, it may be part of the positive outcome we are talking about, or it may have nothing to do with it.

Our body is a machine that regulates itself with incredible precision. Its responsiveness is above any ingenuity we can invent. In conclusion, it is clear that it is an essential process in aging, and we are getting closer to understanding how we can use this knowledge to our advantage.

The world has created beauty standards that increasingly affect women, mainly. And each time we undergo multiple treatments, or arrangements to reach that standard that increases more and more each year.One of the best-known techniques is contouring. Which are the shading that is given to the face and even the body to look slimmer and to refine the features.So far, everything is fine. But in recent weeks it has been seen on the TikTok platform that many girls have taken it too far.

It consists of applying sunscreen to the parts of the face where you want to keep light or a clear tone and expose the rest to the sun to have that “natural” contouring. This new fad, like many of those that go viral on the internet, can have great health consequences. Specialists from the Institute of Integral Dermatology, explain why.

Dermatologists affirm that it is a serious danger to the health of the skin since the areas where sunscreen is not applied are burned to achieve that desired makeup “effect”.

It is also a trend that is widespread mainly in the young population because they are precisely the least aware of the damage that sunburn can do to the skin. From cancers like carcinoma and melanoma to aging, loss of collagen, wrinkles, blemishes, and solar elastosis.Being in direct sunlight for so long has its consequences.

But spending a short period of time, such as 15 to 20 minutes, is enough for the body to produce vitamin D. So, the sun is not so bad if you take it in short amounts.
SOLAR FILTERS DO NOT PREVENT YOU FROM TANNING

The function of solar filters is to increase the time that a person can be in the sun without burning. That is, a 45 sun cream multiplied by 45 the minutes that you can be protected from radiation. Fair skin (phototype 1) should not be exposed to the sun without sunscreen.

Darker skin (phototype 4 or higher) will take a little longer to burn out. In conclusion, if you are reading this article, please we ask you not to avoid the use of sunscreen for anything in the world. It’s more about health than aesthetics.

When we hear the word “old age”, we quickly associate it with time. And of course, it is something that we cannot avoid no matter how hard we try. As time passes, our cells and molecules deteriorate. Which means that cognitive and motor functions decrease in their performance.

An investigation carried out mentions that molecular parasites are also behind old age. Molecular parasites are a DNA sequences that can be mobilized within a genome. They are found within all living organisms and are a source of mutation. Molecular parasites have co-evolved with their host genomes. But when they move, they drag part of that host DNA. This is why they are called molecular parasites.

The geneticist Barbara McClintock, in the year 1940, discovered that depending on where these are inserted on a chromosome, they can alter the expression of other genes. The director of the Center for Biology of Aging at Brown, John Sedivy Says that aging is a successive sequence of failures. Cancer, for example, is related to aging because at some point, we make a mistake, and this is evidenced at the cellular level. What leads to developing this disease.

As time passes, retrotransposable elements become more active in somatic tissues. The body uses cellular mechanisms to suppress its activity. Aging cells lose their efficiency and ability to control retrotransposon activity. People with Alzheimer’s, for example, have more neuronal damage. Molecular parasites take advantage of this to lodge in brain tissue and further aggravate symptoms. Cellular parasites not only affect or affect brain cells that are already damaged. But they also act like viruses.

Let’s assume a case of HIV. Molecular parasites use a retrotransposition method. In other words, they move from one side to another making a copy-paste that involves the RNA, in order to insert themselves into the genome and then allow the “host” cell to replicate it.

When we say that premature aging also depends on genetics, it is because these parasites live in the genome, including the germline. So eggs and sperm carry these genetic elements and pass them on to subsequent generations.Much research remains to be done on these parasites. Especially to know how far they can affect neural networks.

Moringa oleifera, also known as the tree of life. Originally from India where it was used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. A tree with great nutritional potential. Packed with vitamins and minerals.

Most of its parts, leaves, bark, pods, and roots were used as food and provide us with protein, calcium, beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium, little fat, and no bad cholesterol. Moringa leaves rich in vitamin C are used in stews or salads, and have a spicy flavor. Same as radish.

Moringa is considered a natural antibiotic. With anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, cardiovascular, and hepatoprotective properties. It is rich in phytonutrients that are effective in helping to build a strong immune system. It helps in the improvement of the cellular immune response, the number of leukocytes, and antibodies.

Let’s look at the nutritional value for every 100 grams of fresh leaves.

• Proteins 6.7 g.
• Carbohydrates 13.4 g.
• Lipids 1.7 g.
• Humidity 75 g.
• Fiber 0.9 g.
• Calcium 0.44 g.
• Phosphorus 0.07 g.
• Potassium 0.259 g.
• Iron 0.007 g.
• Magnesium 0.024 g.
• Vitamin C 220 mg.
• Vitamin A 3.39 mg.
• Vitamin B1 0.21 mg.
• Vitamin B2 0.05 mg.

Thanks to the high content of quercetin and chlorogenic acid, moringa provides a very high amount of antioxidants. So it helps fight the oxidation of free radicals that damage cells associated with aging processes and degenerative diseases.

Inflammaging is a term that combines 2 words. Inflammation and aging. And it refers to the connection between both processes that cause aging.

Inflammaging is a mild but persistent chronic inflammation. That it lacks visible symptoms, but that it produces systemic effects in the organism. Among the effects of chronic inflammation is the acceleration of all the aging processes of the skin. Claudio Franceschi, a researcher on the mechanisms of aging at the University of Bologna. He carried out a series of studies on the evolution of immune mechanisms and stress in invertebrates and mammals.

The numerous studies devoted to the theory of inflammaging have opened a new perspective on aging. Being closely related to chronic disease. This type of inflammation represents a defense function that the body temporarily activates to combat situations where it feels in danger. These situations can be caused by external pathogens or traumatic events.

However, when, for different reasons, inflammation persists, the consequences for the tissues begin to be relevant. The inflammation comes with obvious clinical symptoms and manifestations such as redness, pain, thickening of the facial skin. Inflammaging can cause significant damage to cells and tissues. Therefore, it is considered a risk factor for many chronic diseases.

This chronic inflammation appears to be a progressive deterioration of the physiological response that the body activates when it must eliminate its cellular waste. When a cell is stressed or dies after too many nutrients, heat, or radiation, molecules that are generally protected in isolated behaviors are released. And so a defensive reaction is activated.

This defense functioning is present in young people and adults. But with the passage of time, it becomes pathological and transforms into a chronic and persistent inflammatory state. Studies carried out on the elderly show that people who live longer have high levels of molecules that enhance chronic inflammation. But at the same time, also of molecules that fight it.

Among the strategies to prevent inflammation are physical activity, the reduction of calories in food, and the consumption of antioxidants.

Who does not wish to have good luck? A 4-leaf clover would not hurt us on a day-to-day basis, but guess what? The clover gives you other kinds of benefits besides “good luck.”

Who would say, this little one that grows in the green gardens of temperate cities, brings with it many properties and benefits. And the great thing is that we can get it anywhere because it grows everywhere. Its popularity is due to two reasons. It is famous for the legend of Saint Patrick, who explained with this herb the nature of the Holy Trinity. And on the other hand, it is believed that meeting one of 4 leaves will give us good luck. But for this to happen, according to the belief, you must find it by chance, since 4-leaf clovers do exist but there is only one for every 10 thousand copies.

Although clovers are considered weeds, they also help oxygenate the soil. So if you see a family of clovers in your garden, try to leave a few. It is high in isoflavones. Substance that has positive effects in reducing the symptoms of menopause and that gives a hormonal balance. Clovers contribute to bone loss, they contain minerals responsible for maintaining good bones, such as calcium, potassium and magnesium.

Also, it is rich in amino acids. Such as leucine and arginine, which have very positive effects on the skin but also keep the nervous system and cholesterol in good working order. A study carried out confirmed that the infusion of clover helps to prevent malignant cells of breast, prostate, and endometrial cancer from multiplying. It has a cleansing function within the body. It can be taken as an infusion to treat arthritis, prevent fluid retention and relieve the symptoms of conjunctivitis. In addition to the already mentioned.

That is why clover is called the woman’s plant because it mainly relieves the symptoms of menopause. The next time you see a clover, even if it isn’t four-leaf, consider yourself lucky.

Only a single clover is enough for a liter of infusion of this. But if you are taking any medications, it is best to ask your doctor before ingesting clover tea. Since clover has very strong assets, it can intervene or cause reactions when mixed with strong medicine.

We have already talked about the trends of this 2021 on skincare. Now, why not bring back the old remedies?

The skin is the largest organ we have. It is not that it is the most important because all are important, but it is the one that receives the most damage directly from the outside. So why not give it that care it deserves.

1. Antibacterial honey mask
   
   For this mask, it is enough to mix ¼ cup of honey with a little warm water to make it manageable. Later, add ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil. Use this mask to cleanse your face, or you can let it sit for 10 minutes. Then clean with a damp cloth or water. Honey has antibacterial properties, while olive oil has healing properties.
   
   2. Yogurt Mask
   
   Yogurt can be mixed with olive oil to remove dead cells from your skin. Only one spoon of each is needed. It must be Greek yogurt. Leave the mixture for 15 minutes and rinse.
   
   3. Green Tea Mask
   
   Mix a tablespoon of crushed oats with a cup of warm green tea, also add a tablespoon of ground avocado and the juice of a lemon. With this, it will be enough to give your skin a glow and that fresh touch.
   
   4. Pomegranate extract
   
   Pomegranate is full of tannins, anthocyanins, and vitamins such as A, C, and E. It also contains minerals and antioxidant properties that fight free radicals.
   Use the pomegranate extract as a dietary supplement, or simply crush the grains of the pomegranate and spread it all over your face for about 15 minutes. Then rinse with cold water.
   
   5. White Egg Mask
   
   Eggs have been used in skincare since 600 b.C.
   Egg whites have been applied to the face and neck to tighten the skin, and it works great as a temporary facelift. It also hydrates the skin. Just apply a layer of egg white to your face and wait for it to dry. Rinse and slather on your favorite moisturizer.

Pick your favorite. You will surely fall in love with one of these remedies.