Longevity Research

Skin care

Glycolic acid
What it is:
Glycolic Acid is an exfoliator. It safely removes the outer layer of dead skin cells on the surface your skin, bring fresh new skin to the surface. This is beneficial for those who are looking for ingredients that help with anti-aging. Glycolic acid can also help lighten discoloration of the skin, such as sun spots or age spots and help those with acne-prone and blackhead-prone skin.

Biosil
What is it:

Topical Vitamin C
What is it:
The evidence for the anti-aging benefits of topical vitamin C is very positive. Below is a compilation of the beneficial effects of ascorbic acid on the skin:

Increases the transcription rate of DNA in vitro
Increases fibroblast proliferation by a factor of four to six in vitro
Doubles collagen synthesis of fibroblasts in vitro
Has anti-inflammatory properties in vitro
Enhances collagen production (type I and III) in vivo
Protects from UV-induced photodamage and skin cancers in vivo
Reduces uneven pigmentation in vivo

In other words, topical vitamin C is able to both prevent and reverse photoaging, including wrinkles. Here's a picture taken from the book showing results after a year of using vitamin C:


Vitamin E
What it is:
Vitamin E, too, has photoprotective properties. Unlike vitamin C, vitamin E works both topically and orally, but the form of vitamin E is important. For topical use, d-alpha-tocopherol seems like the best option.

The reason why vitamin C serums should have vitamin E (and preferably ferulic acid) as well is because they work synergistically to provide antioxidant protection. In other words, the combination works better than the single ingredients alone. It's also more stable

Relevant links:


Gelatin

Retin-A (tretinoin) cream
What is it:
A retinoid will increase collagen synthesis and prevent skin aging by inhibiting MMPs like collagenase and elastase, enzymes that degrade support proteins in your skin. It will also brighten skin tone, clean out pores, prevent and treat acne and enhance hyaluronic acid synthesis that adds volume and hydration to firm skin.

http://www.drbaileyskincare.com/blog/use-retin-a-tretinoin-for-acne-anti-aging-skin-care/
Adapalene when not on retin-a

https://www.inhousepharmacy-europe.com/p-432-retino-a-005-cream-20gm.aspx


Copper Peptide (synergistic with retin-a?)
What is it:

http://store.reverseskinaging.com/Protect_Restore_Classic_Cream_p/2.htm

Hyaluronic Acid
http://www.yesstyle.co.uk/en/juju-aquamoist-c-hyaluronic-acid-whitening-toner-180ml/info.html/pid.1024215107

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs)
Substances that can be a factor in the development or worsening of many degenerative diseases, such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, chronic renal failure and Alzheimer's disease.[1]
These harmful compounds can affect nearly every type of cell and molecule in the body and are thought to be one factor in aging. AGEs are seen as speeding up oxidative damage to cells and in altering their normal behavior.

Dermarolling
What is it:
The derma rollling uses medical device (such as Dr.Roller,MT Roller, MRS Roller, ZGTS roller, DNA Roller) consisting of a heavy duty plastic roller head covered in high quality titanium needles, also known as derma roller, skin roller or mts roller. The needles are designed to penetrate the stratum corneum, conium the hard outer surface of the epidermal layer of the skin, body or scalp. Hundreds of tiny channels are created through the stratum corneum, which facilitate the passage and absorption of your skin care product, or minoxidil for hair restoration into the dermis, to maximize its absorption. It gently exfoliates excess skin cells which contribute to hair follicle malnutrition, scaring or premature aging, and ultimately hair follicle failure, wrinkles, stretch marks, cellulite and scars. The roller stimulates blood flow to the surface, gives a skin massage, cleans out the pores and stimulates collagen re-growth.

Skin Care Routine: (READ THIS THREAD)
http://www.longecity.org/forum/topic/18288-fredriks-skincare-regime/

UV Photography
http://www.skincarephysicians.com/agingskinnet/uv_photography.html

Preventing bone loss (inc facial bone structure)

Vitamin K2

Vitamin K2′s role in the body includes protecting us from heart disease, forming strong bones, promoting brain function, supporting growth and development and helping to prevent cancer – to name a few. It performs these functions by helping to deposit calcium in appropriate locations, such as in the bones and teeth, and prevent it from depositing in locations where it does not belong, such as the soft tissues. One of the health benefits of vitamin K2 not often discussed is its role in ensuring healthy skin, and this vitamin is likely beneficial for preventing wrinkling and premature aging.
Adequate dietary vitamin K2 prevents calcification of our skin’s elastin, the protein that gives skin the ability to spring back, smoothing out lines and wrinkles. (9) This is because K2 is necessary for activation of matrix proteins that inhibit calcium from being deposited in elastin fibers and keeping these fibers from hardening and causing wrinkles. In fact, recent research suggests that people who cannot metabolize vitamin K end up with severe premature skin wrinkling. (10) Vitamin K2 is also necessary for the proper functioning of vitamin A- and D- dependent proteins. As I discussed in the first article in this series, vitamin A is essential for proper skin cell proliferation, and cannot work properly if vitamin K2 is not available. Therefore, vitamin K2 is important in the treatment of acne, keratosis pillaris, and other skin symptoms of vitamin A deficiency.
It’s important to get adequate amounts of dietary vitamin K2, particularly if trying to heal the skin or prevent wrinkles. Great sources of vitamin K2 include butter and other high fat dairy products from grass-fed cows, egg yolks, liver, and natto. Fermented foods such as sauerkraut and cheese are also quite high in vitamin K2 due to the production of this vitamin by bacteria. It is important to note that commercial butter and other dairy products are not significantly high sources of vitamin K2, as most dairy cattle in our country are fed grains rather than grass. It is the grazing on vitamin K1-rich grasses that leads to high levels of vitamin K2 in the dairy products of animals, so be sure to look for grass-fed dairy products when trying to increase your intake of vitamin K2. (11) A great all-around supplement for skin health is Green Pasture’s Fermented Cod Liver Oil and Butter Oil blend. It has a great mix of vitamins A, D, K2, and omega-3s in the proper ratios to help maximize skin health, especially in people with acne.


Relevant links:
http://chriskresser.com/vitamin-k2-the-missing-nutrient


Chemical Exfoliants
Alpha hydroxy acids — The most commonly used alpha hydroxy acids are glycolic acid and lactic acid. Alpha hydroxy acids are weak organic acids that cause desquamation and diminish corneocyte cohesion, thereby normalizing follicular keratinization [11]. These agents may also promote dispersing of basal layer melanin, which can help to improve post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Alpha hydroxy acids in low concentrations and buffered alpha hydroxy acids in higher concentrations are available as over the counter washes, lotions, creams, and at-home peel systems. High concentrations with more free acid are used in the office to perform superficial chemical peels.
http://host.silknaturals.com/creb/8-aha-toner-p-821.html
http://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/1weius/aha_or_peels_where_to_start/
http://www.dianayvonne.com/c=2Oaz7J9d9A3Wk8I9umlHKEG6l/category/16.aboutpeels/

Salicylic acid — Salicylic acid (0.5 to 2%) is a beta hydroxy acid available in a number of non-prescription gels, lotions, solutions, cleansers, pads, and masks. It is a desquamating agent, and its lipophilic properties enable it to penetrate the pilosebaceous follicle, producing a comedolytic effect [1]. Topical salicylic acid also possesses mild anti-inflammatory properties.



Nutrition, Supplementation and Exercise

Nutritional & Supplementary perspectives from users (Longecity):
Niner -
If you want the absolute perfectly best possible, it will depend on your genome and I don't think anyone knows how to answer that question anyway.  If you are looking for some good advice that will most likely give you what you want, the answer is:  Best carbs are low GI complex carbs.  Best Fats are SAFA and MUFA.  Best Proteins are... oh, jeez, probably a lab-created protein that restricts certain AAs.  If you really want to play that game you could research it.  Realistically, just try to get a reasonable balance of essential AAs so you don't need to consume too much protein in order to get all the EAAs that you need.  Best macronutrient ratio?  Protein below ten % is too little, above 30% is too much.  Lower amounts favor longevity, higher amounts favor muscle.  You decide where you want to be on that continuum.  After that, you just have to split the rest of the calories between carbs and fat.  Don't go crazy in either direction, and be sure to construct a diet that is enjoyable and has the micronutrients and phytochemicals that you need.  In other words, you want to admit a variety of vegetables and berries.  Large fruits are up to you- they cost you because of fructose but many large fruits also have good things in them.  So that's it.  Just keep your fructose (including sucrose), PUFA, and gluten grains consumption low, and you'll be good to go.  Don't stress out over it, and don't be fanatical.
Modifying this for today, I'd say we are starting to understand how genome connects to optimal diet; the ApoE genotype is certainly one I'd look at.   SAFA/MUFA optimality may be altered for people with CVD or genetic predisposition.  Under the rubric of PUFA, I consider industrial seed oils to be something that should be minimized.

Theconomist -
The way I see it is there are two kinds of people on this forum (without trying to downgrade the discussion); those who enjoy meat and try to justify their consumption of it (with some very convincing arguments I must say) and those who don't mind not eating meat and eat a mostly plant based diet which has excellent longevity evidence for it.

The thing is whether vegan or paleo they both agree that sugar, processed food, trans fats, refined carbs are to be avoided.
They both agree on some foods which have to be present in any diet (dark leafy vegetables, olive oil, berries...). They both agree that your omega 3 to 6 ratio has to be as close to 1:1 as possible, they both agree that your zinc to copper ratio has to be 10:1 and they both agree that eating lots of fiber is good for your health.

I honestly think that the best way to construct a diet (if money is no object) is to simply go on cron-o-meter, fill in your CRed calorie requirement (without worrying too much about macros as long as you keep protein low to moderate) and just add in a nice blend of foods that you enjoy with foods that have strong evidence for their health properties (garlic, spinach, coconut oil, cooked tomatoes, olive oil...) and try to reach the RDA for all nutrients.
Whether you decide to eat more starches, fruits ( more vegan), animal protein or animal fat (more paleo) it's your own choice and frankly if you really think about it you'll still have a better diet than most people out there.
Just make sure you pick something you know you can follow for years (decades?) to come, I wouldn't worry much about the vegan vs paleo debate because the arguments for both sides are very strong.

Deep Thought-
Do HIIT (High intensity interval training). This is truly fascinating. Supposedly 1 hour of well-designed HIIT will confer the same neuromuscular and muscular benefits as 10.5 hours of endurance training do. On top of this already stupendously impressive benefit is the fact that HIIT increases glucose uptake for several days after an athlete has completed the HIIT.
Definitely second the recommendation for HIIT. Amazing stuff, hits all the right hormonal buttons. Very practical too, you definitely don't need or should do an hours worth of HIIT, I think Deep Thought was just making a comparison on this. Fifteen minutes is all you need to begin, and to see effects. Honestly wouldn't need more than a half hour tops, I usually keep it around 15-25. Burns fat, preserves muscle.

To appreciate the enormity of this discovery - consider that the brain uses glucose as a primary fuel source. (Some say it's ketone bodies though, both nutrients may be a primary fuel source.) The glucose is turned into lactic acid before the brain consumes it. The human muscles produce lactic acid as a waste product when generating ATP.
Optimise your supplements
http://www.bulletproofexec.com/optimize-your-supplements/
Vitamin D
Magnesium
Vitamin K2
Vitamin C
Iodine
Krill Oil
Vitamin A
Selenium
Copper
Folinic Acid with B12






















http://www.sunsense.co.uk/sunsense-range.aspx#

To be sorted:

Pharmacological hair removal/reduction:
There's a line of topical products in the UK and now in Canada called INHIBITIF. It contains Laury Isoquinonile Bromide and Dihydromycerin

Hair loss:
http://www.longecity.org/forum/topic/60506-turning-40-and-in-the-need-of-a-prudent-regimen-for-thinning-hair/

Ageless face, ageless mind book

There was a man here  james41, an endocrinologist,  who in 2010 posted his regimen. He claimed to be ~40 but looked ~19 and he did it by inhibiting his sex hormones.

C60oo fullerene - read about



General things to do:
More water
More fibre
Peels
Topical vit a & c
Biosil
gelatin