As we age, taking vitamins and supplements are important. You may have heard of anti aging supplements, but before you go out and stock up on what you think you need, a few basic tests are necessary.

Why Should You Test First?

Everybody ages differently. Some people may have insufficient nutrients in certain areas than others. Others may be getting enough and extra supplementation may tamper with with certain processes.

Taking incompatible or the wrong amounts of supplements can be the difference between feeling okay or feeling beyond compare (or maybe even feeling not-so-good).

What Tests Should You Take?

Although consulting a doctor is generally recommended, many tests nowadays can be ordered online, done at home, mailed back to the lab and results are viewed online. Many insurance companies may not cover preventative testing and there are less expensive options online.

Organic Acid Testing - will indicate what vitamins and minerals you require. You can use it when you are first starting a supplement program or to "fine tune" what you are already doing. It can unveil a variety of needed nutrients, such as coenzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid, carnitine and others. (If you don't know what these are, I'll be covering them in my next article.) This test is done with a morning urine specimen.

Salivary Hormone Testing -Although there are other methods for testing hormones, using saliva has proven to be very effective. The five hormones typically tested for are testosterone, progesterone, estrogen, cortisol and DHEA.

These hormones usually become imbalanced as we age. Getting these hormone levels in the correct balance can result in:

* increased energy

* memory improvement

* better weight control

* enhanced sexuality

* improved sleep

Once more, these tests can be performed at home, although some states may want a physician referral.

Food Allergy Testing

Food allergies are more widespread than you think and can clash with a nutritional program. Even some of the healthiest foods can be a issue if you have an allergy. A simple finger stick done at home is sent to a laboratory with the results returned in a couple of weeks.

Iodine Sufficiency Test

This is a litmus test for thyroid disorders which are becoming increasingly more prevalent today. If you have symptoms of weight gain, moodiness, or thinning hair, you may have a thyroid disorder and not even realize it. This is a urine test.

Vitamins and anti aging supplements are an important for any anti aging program and the benefits are great if it's done correctly.

Want to regain your youthful vigor? This is the first in a series of articles on anti aging supplements. To get updates on the series, current research in the aging field and the free book "Healthy Aging" go to: Anti Aging Supplements

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Some people will go to any lengths to avoid an aged appearance, and in this day and age, there are many options available that can keep you looking fresh and young. Lotions and hair-dyes can only do so much, however; the real age defying treatment is anti aging botox. Anti aging botox is on the rise and is becoming a fairly common procedure among the rich and famous in Hollywood. Yet, it is important to carefully consider the reasons for and side effects of botox before making any sudden decisions.

Realistic Expectations

Though an anti aging botox treatment is thought to be a miraculous procedure that can give anyone's skin a youthful appearance, but this is not always the case. It is important to have a realistic set of expectations about what an anti aging botox treatment can actually do for your skin, because this is the only way to go about making an educated decision about whether to have the procedure done in the first place.

Botox is a purified toxin that is injected in small amounts into various muscles. It is successful in clocking the chemical signals that cause muscle contraction, and it is in this way that an anti aging botox treatment can give the skin an even, less wrinkled appearance. While botox has been shown to reduce crow's feet and forehead wrinkles, it is not successful at reducing wrinkles caused by sun damage, or those wrinkles located around the mouth.

To decide whether or not you should invest in a botox treatment, it is important to consider three factors: your skin type, the thickness of your skin, and the degree to which your skin is wrinkled. Based on these, you should be able to gain realistic expectations about what an anti aging botox treatment can do for your skin.

Scared Away By Side Effects

After determining whether or not botox is right for you, the next step is to look at the side effects associated with the procedure. There are several side effects that can occur after anti aging botox treatment, all varying in severity. Common side effects are pain at the side of the injected area, redness, nausea, headache, and flu like symptoms. If the botox treatment is administered at a reputable doctor's office, then the likelihood of experiencing these side effects is lessened.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

There are pros and cons of anti aging botox treatment, and it is important to consider both sides of the issue before committing to the procedure. While the side effects and high price tag might be off-putting, the end result could just make it all worth it.

Lin Steven is a contributing Editor for Anti Aging Botox Treatment Find out which aging-beauty products, treatments & solutions will continue to be beautiful at any age. Our site is dedicated to providing information about aging well options so you can continue to look as young as you feel, if want to more information,please visit Antiaging beauty

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