According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), "Whether due to neglect or abuse, the normal wear and tear of the years causes changes in feet." These changes include spreading, loss of the fatty pads that cushion the bottom of the feet, dry skin and thick, brittle toenails.

Without regular exercise and attention to diet, people also tend to gain weight as they grow older, placing additional stress on feet. Many boomers have found their resolve to exercise derailed by foot discomfort, or by being too embarrassed by the way their feet look to participate in exercises requiring bare feet, such as yoga and swimming.

Podiatrists recommend that better foot care be incorporated into boomer anti-aging regimens. Below are a few of their suggestions.

• Select properly fitted shoes.
• The best exercise for keeping fit is walking.
• Bathe feet daily in lukewarm water.
• Avoid socks or stockings that are too tight.
• Inspect feet every day.
• Never cut corns or calluses with a razor, pocket-knife or other sharp instrument.
• Cut or file toenails straight across.

As with other parts of the body, feet can be strengthened through exercise. Using a towel:

• Place a towel on the floor, and sit down in a chair in front of it with both feet resting flat on the towel at one end.
• Grip the towel with the toes of one foot (keep your heel on the floor and use your other foot to anchor the towel). Curl your toes to pull the towel toward you.
• Repeat with the other foot.

In addition to the discomfort of minor foot ailments including bunions, calluses and thick, brittle toenails, many boomers discover their feet simply don't look that great anymore. C. J. Buck, CEO of Xenna Corporation, says, "Regardless of age, most people want to look attractive. Yellow, discolored toenails are unattractive and most people are too embarrassed to expose them in public. This is true of cracked, dry heels, as well."

Xenna's NonyX® Nail Gel was developed to solve this problem of unsightly nails. NonyX Gel is a topical, easy-to-use gel that breaks down and removes keratin debris - the discolored, yellow or thick granular buildup under nails which is the actual source of nail discoloration. It softens keratin debris using natural ethanoic acid, and permits it to be scraped out from under the nail after about four weeks. Once keratin debris is removed, NonyX Gel keeps nails looking clear and attractive with regular use.

Podiatrists, spa owners and salons also recommend the natural enzymes found in Xenna's CalleX® Callus Ointment to exfoliate calluses or moisturize and smooth dry, cracked heels. Acid-free and safe for diabetic use, CalleX moisturizes dry, rough or flaky skin, and exfoliates and thins callused areas, while leaving normal skin unaffected.

All Xenna products are unconditionally money-back guaranteed. NonyX Nail Gel can be purchased in the footcare section of Walgreens, Rite Aid, Longs, Eckerd, Brooks, Duane Reade and most Medicine Shoppe drugstores. You'll also find it at HEB and Brookshire grocery stores, through podiatric physicians, independent pharmacies and online at www.drugstore.com, www.FootSmart.com and www.xenna.com.