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protein

Eating Less Protein May Support Healthy Aging, Review Finds

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Despite the popularity of high-protein diets and protein-fortified foods, many adults may not know how much of the nutrient they actually need.

A major scientific review suggests that healthy adults who already consume adequate protein may gain little from eating more. Some evidence suggests that moderately reducing protein intake, or limiting certain amino acids that make up protein, could support metabolic health and biological processes associated with aging. In some organisms, lower protein intake has also been associated with a longer lifespan, even when total calorie consumption remained unchanged.

The review was led by pathologist and biomedical researcher Dudley Lamming, who studies aging at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. It analyzed more than 350 studies involving people, mice, insects, yeast and other organisms. It was published in the journal Cell Press Blue.

Scientists have long studied calorie restriction as a possible way to extend lifespan and lower the risk of age-related illnesses, including cancer. But maintaining a reduced-calorie diet over long periods can be difficult, leading researchers to investigate whether limiting protein could produce some similar effects without requiring people to eat substantially less food.

“It’s absolutely crystal clear that there are benefits of protein to muscle growth and exercise response of active individuals. But because most people are relatively sedentary, many people are likely consuming more protein than they actually need, which probably has negative health consequences.”

The amount a person needs varies according to age, body size, activity level, pregnancy status and overall health. For a generally healthy adult, the recommended daily amount is about 0.36 grams per pound. A person weighing 140 pounds would need approximately 50 grams a day under that guideline.

The review comes amid a broader debate over protein guidance in the United States. Updated recommendations cited by the researchers call for some adults to consume between 1.2 and 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight, or roughly 0.5 to 0.7 grams per pound, nearly twice the longstanding minimum recommendation.

Many American adults already exceed that amount.

An analysis of national health data found that adults who met exercise recommendations consumed about 82 grams of protein each day. Those who did not meet the exercise guidelines still averaged about 79 grams.

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A single meal can provide a substantial portion of the daily recommendation. A 3- to 6-ounce serving of meat, chicken or fish often contains 20 to 30 grams of protein.

“It’s probably safe to say that for sedentary individuals, maybe [follow] the original [recommended daily amount of] 0.8 grams per kilogram,” said Lamming.

Manufacturers now add protein to coffee drinks, breakfast cereals, chips, ramen and other products that were not traditionally promoted as major protein sources. Packaging and advertising often suggest that a higher protein content makes a product healthier.

Consumer interest has grown alongside that marketing. A 2025 survey from the International Food Information Council found that 70% of U.S. adults said they “try” to eat protein. High-protein diets were the most popular diet pattern for the third year in a row.

At the same time, many survey respondents said they were unsure how much protein they should consume.

Physically active people may need more protein to support muscle repair, growth and recovery. Pregnant people and those recovering from surgery, injury or illness may also have higher requirements.

Protein can also be important during weight loss. People who are reducing calories may need adequate protein to help preserve muscle while losing body fat. Older adults may have different needs as well.

That does not mean inactive adults should immediately cut back on protein intake. The findings instead suggest that people who already consume enough may not need to keep seeking additional sources. For sedentary adults, increasing physical activity could have a greater effect on health than adding more protein to meals and snacks.

“These studies show that the amount of protein sedentary people are eating today may have negative health consequences, at least at the population level.”

The review also examined what may happen inside the body when protein intake is reduced. One potential effect involves FGF21, a hormone that helps regulate energy use and metabolism.

“There’s an increase in a hormone called FGF21 that promotes energy expenditure [when protein intake is reduced]. It essentially increases thermogenesis in your adipose tissue, so you don’t just store fat, but actually burn it as fuel.”

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That mechanism may help explain why some studies have linked lower-protein diets to reduced body fat, improved blood sugar control and healthier metabolic function.

Recent human clinical trials reviewed by the researchers found that participants who reduced protein lost weight and body fat and improved their fasting blood sugar levels, even though some consumed more calories overall.

FGF21 has also been associated with lower inflammation. In mouse studies, animals with elevated levels of the hormone lived longer than typical mice, although the effect was greater in males than in females. Researchers have also observed that reducing protein raises FGF21 levels in people.

Lower protein intake may also alter signals that tell cells when to grow, repair damage or break down and reuse old cellular components. Those maintenance processes are believed to play a role in the aging process.

Some studies reviewed by Lamming also found potential benefits from reducing individual amino acids rather than lowering all dietary protein.

The evidence does not support protein deficiency, researchers said. Protein restriction in scientific studies is not the same as depriving the body of a nutrient it needs.

Aging is associated with sarcopenia, a gradual loss of muscle mass, strength and physical function. Eating enough protein and participating in strength or resistance exercise may help slow that decline.

The evidence on weight management and aging is not entirely one-sided. Other studies have found that higher-protein diets can support weight loss and help older adults maintain muscle, particularly when protein intake is paired with regular exercise.

People with kidney disease, liver disease and other medical conditions may also require individualized guidance. In some cases, they may be advised to limit their protein intake. In others, maintaining sufficient intake may be especially important.

Anyone considering a substantial change in protein consumption should consult a doctor or registered dietitian.

The review leaves several questions unresolved. The studies included in the analysis differed in their protein levels, dietary patterns, duration and design. Those differences make it difficult to determine exactly how much protein should be reduced or for how long a lower-protein diet should be followed.

Many of the studies were also conducted in animals, insects, yeast or other organisms. Findings from those experiments can help scientists identify biological mechanisms, but they do not always translate directly to people.

More long-term human research is needed to determine which adults could benefit from lower protein intake and whether reducing specific amino acids has the same effects as reducing total protein intake.

Researchers also continue to study whether the source of protein changes its health effects. Protein from beans, lentils, nuts and other plant foods may affect the body differently than protein from processed meats or fortified snack foods.

For now, the findings do not dispute that protein is necessary. They question whether healthy adults who already get enough need to add it to every meal, snack and beverage.

stem cell

Researchers Discover Technique to Revive Energy Production in Aging Cells

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Scientists may be one step closer to tackling one of biology’s biggest challenges: how to revive the energy systems inside aging human cells.

A new study from Texas A&M University, published in PNAS, reports that researchers have managed to boost the internal “power supply” of human stem cells, allowing them to hand off fresh mitochondria to older, failing cells nearby.

Mitochondria, often described as the cell’s power stations, naturally decline with age. They slow down, shrink in number, or become damaged, contributing to a wide range of diseases that affect tissues requiring constant energy, including the heart and brain. The new research suggests it may be possible to replenish these energy sources without drugs or genetic engineering.

The technique hinges on an unusual tool—tiny, flower-shaped nanoparticles made of molybdenum disulfide. Known as “nanoflowers,” these structures were engineered with microscopic pores that enable them to absorb excess reactive oxygen species or chemically aggressive molecules that build up over time and place immense stress on cells.

When these molecules were removed, the stem cells began activating genes linked to mitochondrial biogenesis, producing far more mitochondria than usual.

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“We have trained healthy cells to share their spare batteries with weaker ones,” said biomedical engineer Akhilesh Gaharwar, one of the study’s senior authors.

“By increasing the number of mitochondria inside donor cells, we can help aging or damaged cells regain their vitality—without any genetic modification or drugs.”

Stem cells already have a natural ability to transfer mitochondria to cells in distress, but the researchers found that the nanoflower treatment dramatically amplified this ability. In laboratory tests, treated stem cells shared roughly twice as many mitochondria as they normally would.

The receiving cells responded dramatically. Smooth muscle cells, including those found in the heart, expanded three- to four-fold after the mitochondrial handoff. Heart cells exposed to chemotherapy, treatments known to damage cellular energy systems, experienced significantly higher survival rates after receiving mitochondria from the boosted stem cells.

The researchers believe the approach could be adapted to treat a wide range of conditions rooted in cellular energy decline. They envision targeted injections near the heart for cardiovascular disorders or direct application into weak or degenerating muscles.

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“It’s pretty promising in terms of being able to be used for a whole wide variety of cases, and this is just kind of the start,” said geneticist John Soukar, who worked on the project.

“We could work on this forever and find new things and new disease treatments every day.”

For now, the work remains firmly at the proof-of-concept stage. The experiments were conducted in controlled laboratory conditions using human stem cells, and the team acknowledges that the next steps, like testing the approach in animals and eventually in humans, will determine whether the strategy can translate into real therapies.

“This is an early but exciting step toward recharging aging tissues using their own biological machinery,” Gaharwar said. “If we can safely boost this natural power-sharing system, it could one day help slow or even reverse some effects of cellular aging.”

Future studies will also need to establish where in the body the mitochondria-rich stem cells should be placed, how large a dose is both safe and effective, and whether there are any long-term consequences to amplifying the natural mitochondrial-sharing process.

Suzanne Moore Elder Care

Protected: Faith, Family, and Root Beer Floats: Redefining Elder Care | Suzanne Moore

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When You Think About Exercise, It’s Important To ‘Act Your Age’ 

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Getting exercise and having a proper diet are the biggest keys to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. As we grow older, however, our bodies grow and change, and thus our diets and the ways in which we move our bodies, also need to be adjusted.

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The Curious Case of ‘SuperAgers’: How Some People Over 80 Keep Minds as Sharp as Ever

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At 85, Sel Yackley is busier than most people half her age. Her days are filled with civic organization meetings, choir practice, book clubs, gym workouts, and knitting scarves for the homeless. She even finds time to get 7.5 hours of sleep a night, according to her Fitbit.

She’s also a SuperAger — a rare class of individuals 80 or older whose memory performance rivals that of people decades younger. As researchers at Northwestern University’s Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease explain, Yackley is more than just a high-functioning anomaly. She’s a living clue in a scientific mystery that may reshape how we understand aging.

When most people think of aging, they picture cognitive decline, memory lapses, and slower recall. But the SuperAgers at the center of Northwestern’s long-running study defy these expectations.

Since 2000, nearly 300 older adults have participated in the Northwestern University SuperAging Program (NUSAP), which focuses on individuals whose memory — particularly their delayed word recall — remains robust well into their 80s, 90s, and even beyond.

Yackley, who moved to Chicago from Turkey, credits both her genes and her spirit. Her parents lived into their late 80s, and she maintains a lifestyle rich in engagement and purpose.

“I think it’s partly your determination to live a long life and your activities that enable you to do so,” she told NBC News. She also encourages older adults to “pursue things that make you proud.”

So what exactly makes a SuperAger tick? That’s the question researchers at the Mesulam Center have been asking for the past 25 years. Their latest findings, published this week in “Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association,” shed light on both the lifestyle habits and biological features that distinguish SuperAgers from their peers.

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Dr. M. Marsel Mesulam first coined the term “SuperAger” in the late 1990s. Since then, his team — now led, in part, by Dr. Tamar Gefen, a neuropsychologist and associate professor at Northwestern — has taken a multi-pronged approach, including cognitive testing, lifestyle analysis, and post-mortem brain studies.

Interestingly, Gefen notes that most SuperAgers have one major thing in common: connection.

“I don’t know if it’s necessarily social connections, it’s just connections in general. There are people who are connected to the land, there are people who are connected to their ancestry, people who are connected to their grandchildren, who are connected to their art. You don’t see a lot of detached SuperAgers.”

To explore the neuroscience behind this phenomenon, researchers have autopsied nearly 80 brains of SuperAgers and compared them to those of neurotypical older adults. They focused on two biological markers heavily linked to Alzheimer’s disease: amyloid plaques and tau tangles.

SuperAgers had significantly fewer tau tangles in memory-critical regions of the brain — despite having similar levels of amyloid buildup.

This raises a provocative question, Gefen says: “Are we really targeting the right target if SuperAgers and their peers have similar amounts of amyloid?”

Their brains also feature larger entorhinal neurons, which play a key role in memory, and an abundance of von Economo neurons — rare cells believed to be associated with social intuition and complex emotions.

While some scientists believe these neural traits may be present from birth, researchers are now digging deeper into the cellular and genetic makeup of SuperAgers to understand how these advantages are maintained over time.

Of course, lifestyle alone doesn’t paint the full picture.

“Genetics is a part of it, definitely,” Gefen explains. For instance, some SuperAgers lack the high-risk gene variants associated with Alzheimer’s, such as APOE4. People of European descent who inherit two copies of APOE4 have up to a 60% chance of developing Alzheimer’s by age 85, but SuperAgers often don’t carry that burden.

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“Our guess is that [SuperAgers] are probably born with these kinds of structural protections, but we’re now going really deep into the molecular mechanisms of the cell in order to figure out what is keeping that cell strong.”

Gefen is interested in whether the genes that SuperAgers harbor can prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

“Is there a gene, let’s say, that’s related to the immune system, that is over-expressed in SuperAgers that can be manipulated to then help individuals protect themselves?”

SuperAgers are rare — at least for now. During the program’s initial recruitment period, only about 10% of participants met the criteria for being a SuperAger. Today, 101 active participants, aged 81 to 111, continue to contribute data, perspective, and even their eventual brain tissue to science.

And they come from all walks of life. Some are health nuts; others still enjoy the occasional vice. Some had stable, happy lives; others endured serious trauma and hardship. What unites them isn’t a perfect past — it’s resilience, purpose, and cognitive performance that stand out against the odds. “These SuperAgers know that they have a gift,” Gefen says.

Sel Yackley has already arranged for her brain to be donated to Northwestern’s Brain Bank — and, she hopes, her organs as well.

“Hopefully, maybe my heart or my kidneys can be used for transplanting. I don’t want to be underground.”

She’s still got things to do, though. The retired journalist and travel agent is currently tackling a scrapbook of her life. She logs about 4,200 steps a day and keeps her social calendar full. Her next goal? Making it to 90.

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Humans Age Faster At Two Specific Times Throughout Their Lives, New Study Finds 

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According to a new study regarding the molecular changes that are connected to human aging, we as a species experience two drastic jumps in our aging process at specific points in our life. One of these jumps occurs around 44 and the other at around 60-years-old. 

The research was published last year in Nature Aging. 

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“We’re not just changing gradually over time; there are some really dramatic changes,” said geneticist Michael Snyder of Stanford University.

“It turns out the mid-40s is a time of dramatic change, as is the early 60s. And that’s true no matter what class of molecules you look at.”

Snyder and his colleagues involved in the study wanted to investigate the biology of aging, while also focusing on the growing risks of diseases that come from getting older. The team wanted to gain a greater understanding of what specific changes are happening in the body that cause diseases to develop so they could better treat the illnesses as well. 

For the study, they tracked a group of 108 adults who were donating biological samples every few months over the course of several years, according to Science Alert.

For certain illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease, the risk doesn’t gradually increase over time, but instead escalates sharply after a certain age. 

From this conclusion the team knew they wanted to look at more specific biomarkers of aging to see if they could identify a pattern. 

The researchers tracked different kinds of biomolecules from the samples they obtained, specifically looking at RNA, proteins, lipids, and gut, skin, nasal, and oral microbiome taxa. In total they observed 135,239 biological features. 

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Science Alert reported that every participant in the study submitted an average of 47 samples over the course of 626 days. There were more than 242 billion data points found throughout the study that the researchers processed. 

The biggest thing that Snyder and his team noticed was there was a very distinct change in a large number of the molecules in the human body at two distinct stages of life. About 81% of all the molecules studied showed major changes in the mid-40s and again in the early 60s. 

During the mid-40s, there was an abundance of molecule changes specifically relating to the metabolism of lipids, caffeine, and alcohol, as well as cardiovascular disease, and dysfunction within the skin and muscles. 

In the early 60s peak, the main changes were observed with carbohydrate and caffeine metabolism, cardiovascular disease, skin and muscle, as well as immune regulation and kidney functions. 

For women specifically, the mid-40s peak was initially thought to be related to the fact that its around the earlier ages in which they start enduring menopause or perimenopause, however, men experienced the same level of molecular changes at the same age, just in different ways. 

“This suggests that while menopause or perimenopause may contribute to the changes observed in women in their mid-40s, there are likely other, more significant factors influencing these changes in both men and women,” said metabolomicist and author Xiaotao Shen.

“Identifying and studying these factors should be a priority for future research.”

This study will become a great base for future research that can help scientists and health experts understand the phenomenon of aging and how our body changes from decade-to-decade.

dementia

Dementia Cases in the U.S. Will Double by 2060, New Study Predicts

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Cases of dementia in the United States are projected to double in the next 30 years, according to a new study published in the journal Natural Medicine. The study’s results project annual dementia cases will surge from 500,000 in 2020 to nearly 1 million by 2060.

The study was carried out by researchers from Johns Hopkins University, Mayo Clinic and New York University. It focused on three decades worth of data from more than 15,000 people, estimating their lifetime risk of developing dementia between the ages of 55 and 95.

Research indicates that individuals over the age of 55 face a 42% risk of developing dementia, a figure that more than doubles the risk reported in previous studies. After reaching the age of 75, the lifetime risk rises to over 50%. The figures are partially due to an aging U.S. population and longer lifespans.

Dr. Josef Coresh, a study senior investigator, epidemiologist and founding director of the Optimal Aging Institute at NYU Langone, said in a press release that the study results forecast a “dramatic rise in the burden from dementia in the United States over the coming decades, with one in two Americans expected to experience cognitive difficulties after age 55.”

“The pending population boom in dementia cases poses significant challenges for health policymakers in particular, who must refocus their efforts on strategies to minimize the severity of dementia cases, as well as plans to provide more healthcare services for those with dementia.”

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Research indicates that women, Black Americans, and individuals with the APOE4 gene face a heightened risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Women have a higher risk because they typically have longer lifespans.

“Their risk of getting dementia by the time their 95th birthday would arrive is higher because more of them will make it closer to their 95th birthday.”

The authors of the study projected that the number of cases among White Americans is set to nearly double, whereas the figures for Black Americans could see a staggering tripling.

“These results highlight the urgent need for policies that enhance healthy aging, with a focus on health equity. The lifetime risk of dementia can inform public health planning and improve patient engagement in prevention.”

Dr. Alexa Beiser, a professor of biostatistics at Boston University School of Public Health, who was not affiliated with the new study but reviewed it independently for the journal, told The New York Times, “One needs to see the huge magnitude of the issue. It’s enormous, and it’s not equally distributed among people,” Dr. Beiser said.

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Dementia encompasses a range of symptoms characterized by a decline in cognitive functions, such as memory loss and difficulties with concentration. These issues can profoundly impact daily life and an individual’s ability to function independently.

Currently, there is no designated test to diagnose dementia in individuals. Doctors diagnose Alzheimer’s and various forms of dementia through a meticulous process that includes a thorough medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and the monitoring of changes in cognition and daily functioning.

Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia and vascular dementia can all be grouped under dementia. However, Alzheimer’s is the most common disease that causes dementia.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 10% of individuals aged 65 and older in the United States have dementia.

Aging stands out as the primary contributor to the onset of dementia; however, various genetic predispositions, lifestyle choices, and underlying health conditions can significantly increase this risk. These include diabetes, hypertension, obesity, an unhealthy diet, insufficient exercise, and poor mental health.

The study underscores the importance of preventative measures to slow the onset of dementia. The recommendations of the authors and other experts include improving cardiovascular health through medication and lifestyle changes, preventing and treating strokes, and encouraging people to wear hearing aids, which allow people to be more socially and cognitively engaged.

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Social Isolation Linked to Higher Risk of Developing Dementia

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A recent study found that the risk of developing dementia is 27% higher among older adults who lack regular social contact and interaction with others.

The study, conducted by researchers from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. It used data from a group of 5,022 participants aged 65 and older (with an average age of 76) as part of a long-term study titled National Health and Aging Trends.

At the time of the study, the participants were not living in a nursing home, residential care facility or other institution. They were asked to complete a two-hour, in-person interview to assess cognitive function, health status and overall well-being.

Initially, about 23% of the participants were socially isolated but showed no signs of dementia. The other 77% of participants were not considered socially isolated.

According to the study, social isolation is characterized by interacting with others infrequently and having few relationships. The researchers considered if participants lived with others, attended religious services, participated in social events, or discussed “important matters” with two or more people in the past year. Participants who engaged in none of the above were considered socially isolated.

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During the nine years of the study, researchers periodically administered cognitive tests. The study showed that 26% of the participants considered socially isolated developed dementia, compared with 20% of those who were not deemed socially isolated.

In total, 21% of all participants had developed dementia, leading researchers to conclude that the risk of developing dementia over nine years was 27% higher in socially isolated older adults.

“Social isolation among older adults is associated with greater dementia risk. Elucidating the pathway by which social isolation impacts dementia may offer meaningful insights for the development of novel solutions to prevent or ameliorate dementia across diverse racial and ethnic groups.”

Dr. Alison Huang, a senior research associate at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said, “one possible explanation is that having fewer opportunities to socialize with others decreases cognitive engagement as well, potentially contributing to increased risk of dementia.”

Dr. Thomas Cudjoe, an assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins and a senior author of the study, stated  in a news release that “social connections matter for our cognitive health, and it is potentially easily modifiable for older adults without the use of medication.”

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that around 5.8 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia.  Being socially isolated “has also been linked to poor mental health and emotional well-being in older people.”

Another study that used data from participants in the same National Health and Aging Trends study “found that more than 70% of people age 65 and up who were not socially isolated at their initial appointment had a working cellphone and/or computer, and regularly used email or texting to initiate and respond to others.”

This second study, conducted over four years, found that older adults who used these technologies showed a 31% lower risk for social isolation than other participants. 

Dr. Mfon Umoh, a postdoctoral fellow in geriatric medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said that “basic communications technology is a great tool to combat social isolation.” 

“This study shows that access and use of simple technologies are important factors that protect older adults against social isolation, which is associated with significant health risks. This is encouraging because it means simple interventions may be meaningful.”

Blood Sample

New Research Reveals Blood Proteins Could Hold The Key To Staying Youthful

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New research by experts at Stanford University in California has revealed that the proteins in our blood could hold vital secrets to helping people to turn back the clock and stay young.

Scientists have uncovered three ‘waves of change’ that occur within our blood as the ageing process takes place and now it is entirely possible to determine an individual’s age simply from their blood sample. In fact, evidence has already shown that younger blood has had a rejuvenating effect on younger animals, suggesting that in the future, blood proteins could be used as part of anti-ageing treatments in humans.

These treatments are likely to be some way off, so what can we do in the meantime to help keep the ageing clock at bay? At 72, this is Stella Ralfini’s reality thanks to the power of nature and what it she has to offer. The author of Sensual Sourcery does not believe in wasting hundreds of pounds on high street beauty products that we all know are filled with preservatives and chemicals.

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“The claims of big brands are nothing compared to what fruits, vegetables and essential oils can offer our bodies, inside and out,” she says. Stella is keen to share some of her best anti-aging recipes using only produce derived from nature that are guaranteed to give amazing life-changing results.

Her anise wrinkle busting skin tonic is excellent for targeting wrinkles. The recipe includes the use of fenugreek, an amazing herb which is packed with minerals, rich in folic acid, vitamin B6, A, C and niacin, a nutrient essential for the human body. The anise itself has antiseptic, antibacterial properties and protects against outbreaks, not unusual on older skin. All you need is a bottle of rose water, one star anise, half a teaspoon of fenugreek powder and 2 drops of rose, geranium and frankincense oil to help deal with wrinkles further and soothe the skin. This beautiful skin tonic is a great way to bust wrinkles when used either straight from the bottle on a piece of cotton wool, or sprayed directly onto the skin from a spray bottle.

We all know that eliminating wrinkles and dark circles under the eyes can be difficult, however with repetition and dedication using the below recipes, you will be able to see results. One recipe Stella swears by involves mixing half a tsp of ginger powder, which helps with blood flow, into half a tsp of honey, a brilliant natural moisturizer. Massage this mixture into the trouble area below your eyes and leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

A second remedy for the under eye area involves yogurt and parsley, the latter of which contains beta-carotene, vitamin C, folic acid and minerals to even out skin tone and prevent wrinkles. My grandmother swore by this recipe to get rid of dark circles, making it a very special recipe to me. All you need to do is crush some parsley leaves and mix into a tablespoon of plain yogurt. Apply the mixture and wait 10 minutes before washing off with cool water.

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Pineapple is a magic ingredient for anti-aging as it is packed with vitamin C and powerful antioxidants that stimulate skin and the immune system. This recipe is made up of four simple ingredients that, if used regularly, will work together for a powerful face lift and visibly tighter skin! All you need is ¼ cup of pineapple juice, 1 teaspoon of coconut milk, 3 drops of lavender oil for problem skin (or geranium oil) and half teaspoon of baking soda. Blend the pineapple juice and coconut milk together before adding the oil and baking soda to the mixture. This is enough for three treatments to be used for three days in a row.

Dab your clean fingers into pineapple mix and apply to your face and neck in small circular movements before leaving to dry and repeating twice more.When finished, rinse off with warm water then dab face with rose water to tone. The following day/evening, the recipe will be even better as the enzymes in the pineapple will have further fused into the other ingredients to add extra zest to your mixture!

Strawberries are a fantastic ingredient for anti-aging as they are rich in vitamin C, giving the skin an added glow. This recipe is also great for any discoloration you may be suffering from. All you need for this simple mask is ¼ cup of mashed strawberries, 1 tablespoon of single cream, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 4 drops of carrot seed oil. Blend all the ingredients together, smooth over face and leave on for 20 minutes before washing off with warm water. This mask is incredibly simple to make, smells delicious and is a fraction of the price of packaged store bought ones.