Anti-Ageing

For many years the elixir of youth has been pursued by those wishing to stay looking young and avoid the ravages of old age for as long as possible.

Premature ageing and degenerative disease are often the result of bad eating habits, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and environmental factors such as exposure to pollution, resulting in premature illness.

As we age, there are certain factors that can adversely influence our nutritional status i.e. poor digestion and absorption of nutrients - the body’s production of Hydrochloric acid (HCI) and digestive enzymes decrease as we age. Therefore, supplementation with HCI and digestive enzymes may be beneficial, as they are necessary for the digestion and absorption of protein and most minerals e.g. iron, calcium and zinc.

Nutritional deficiencies can cause immune weakness, resulting in susceptibility to infections. Many problems of the aged such as depression, fatigue, diminishing eyesight, memory loss, fragile bones and fractures are a result of a poor diet and can be improved with nutritional therapy.

Every day there are articles published on how to stay looking young, looking after our skin, body shape, hair condition and prevention of hair loss. Cosmetic surgery or the latest fad using botox injections to reduce wrinkles are sought after to improve our looks. People who live to a ripe old age are interviewed as to what their secret is in staying young looking.

Why do some men and women remain vital and young looking in later life more than others While the debate over ageing continues, the general consensus has emerged regarding what causes ageing. Some of these include:-

• Oxygen damage caused by free radicals. These cause cellular damage leading to ageing and death

• Calorie restriction in animal studies demonstrated that animals that ate fewer calories were healthier, lived longer and were less at risk of cancer.

• The lifespan of a species is directly related to its ability to repair damaged DNA.

Garden of Life

• Perfect Food (highly concentrated whole food from organic cereal grass juices of Kamut, Barley, Alfalfa, Oat and Dandelion; Spirulina, Chlorella, Dunalialla, Sea Kelp, Sea Dulse and Sea Vegetables.

• Fruits of Life - 100% natural blend of powerful antioxidant food concentrates. Contains six certified organic fruits in a base of minerals, enzymes and probiotics.

• Radical Fruits
  - A powerful antioxidant formula.

What are Free Radicals

They can be defined as molecules that have an unpaired electron causing them to be unstable. Free radicals damage cell tissue by stealing electrons from balanced molecules in healthy cells in an attempt to balance themselves. The outcome is the severe weakening of the host cell.

Jarrow

• Amino Acids; L-Glutamine, Glutathione, NAC, NAC sustain

• Antioxidants; Alpha Lipoic Acid, Antioxidant optimiser, L-Carnosine 500

• CoQ10, Q-Sorb, Lyco-Sorb (Lycopene)

Anti-Oxidant Supplements

Vitamin A and carotenoids such as beta carotene are potent antioxidants which protect the lungs, reduce the risk of lung cancer and enhance the youthful properties of the skin.

B-complex vitamins have antioxidant and immune-enhancement properties and are involved in oxidative metabolism and the regeneration of one of the antioxidant enzymes.

Vitamins C and E are powerful antioxidants and immune boosters and they work together in the membrane. Vitamin E is one of the best ways to protect your body in the long term.

Lycopene has antioxidant properties and is more powerful than beta-carotene.

Lipoic acid is an antioxidant that protects against free radical activity.

Chromium has anti-ageing effects.

Selenium and Zinc are required by very important antioxidant enzymes in the body.

CoQ10 has antioxidant properties.

Glutamine increases growth in hormone and helps preserve muscle mass and provide anti-ageing benefits.

N-acetyl-cysteine increases levels of glutathione which are linked to an increased lifespan. A report from the University of Nebraska’s journal Drugs and Ageing states that life expectancy can be increased by five years with a healthy diet and antioxidant supplements.

Reduced Glutathione - antioxidant.

Thorne

• Basic B Complex

• Range of vitamins A, C and E, zinc, selenium, chromium - plus a range of multi-formulas e.g. Basic antioxidant formulas, Synergisti-C

• Amino Acids - L-Glutamine, Glutathione, Cysteplus(NAC)

• Antioxidant formulas; Planti-oxidants, Basic antioxidant, Anti-oxidant, Thiocid (alpha-lipoic-acid), Extra Nutrients

Diet

Diet, lifestyle, exercise and a positive mental attitude can have an impact on our state of health.

The emphasis should be to choose pure water and a wide variety of whole, fresh produce (organic wherever possible) that is not refined or processed.

Fruits and vegetables (raw, steamed, juiced, sous), whole grain cereals and legumes should be included in the daily diet as they are high in vitamins, minerals, carotenes and fibre.

Aim to include 50% complex carbohydrates from; whole grains, pulses and pasta. Include essentially fatty acids through eating oily fish (tuna, mackerel, salmon, sardines) or omega 3 and 6 in nuts, seeds and oils.

Consume low levels of saturated fat, hydrogenated margarines, processed polyunsaturated fats and deep fried foods.

Minimise salt, caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar intake and don’t smoke.

Drink plenty of mineral or filtered water every day - minimum eight glasses a day, herbal and fruit teas.

Antioxidant Food Sources
Most fruits and vegetables i.e. peppers, watercress, cabbage, broccoli, lemons and oranges, seeds, nuts, whole grains, spinach, alfalfa, soybeans and potatoes. Fish: tuna, mackerel and salmon.

Leslie Kenton ; Ageless Ageing, 1995

Ronald Kotulak & Peter Gorner; Ageing on Hold: Secrets of Living Younger Longer, 1992.

Brian Leibovitz; Basic Nutrition Course:Vit E(parts I-V) Muscular Development, 1992-1993.

Linus Pauling; How to Live Longer and Feel Better, 1986.

James E.Fleming; The Ageing Process, 1984.

Richard Firshein; The Nutraceutrical Revolution.

Jeffrey S. Bland with Sarah H. Blenum; Genetic Nutritioneering,1999.