Archive for Anti Aging Supplements
Antioxidants and Anti Aging
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Antioxidant Fruits and Vegetables
Anti aging and antioxidants go hand in hand. They have a crucial role in health, wellness, longevity / life extension / anti aging and disease control. They prevent and repair damage done to the body’s cells and DNA from free radicals. Free radicals come from our environment and are also produced within our bodies as a result of metabolic waste (normal bodily processes). Even exercise, which is good for you produces free radicals as a byproduct of the burning of calories for energy production and repair. Free radicals enter the body through the air we breathe, food and drink we consume, products used and pollution absorbed through our skin as well as metabolic wastes and oxidation during the burning of energy. Smoking cigarettes is the largest free radical producer there is – don’t smoke cigarettes.
Free radicals are molecules which are missing an electron and makes for unstable molecules (positive charge). In order to balance it’s charge to neutral, it steals an electron from where ever it can find them – your cells and DNA. These unstable molecules have an accumulative effect on the body and cause oxidative stress. The ”hits” on our cells and DNA contribute to aging and if higher than normal free radicals and/or lower than “normal” antioxidants in the body, they contribute to premature aging. This damage is also a contributor to many diseases such as: heart disease, cancer, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, alzheimer’s, macular degeneration (leads to blindness), high blood pressure and many others.
The benefits of antioxidants are many as you can see from the list of diseases and antiaging benefits listed above. Antioxidants are produced within our bodies and also enter our bodies from food, mostly nuts, fruit and vegetables. Unfortunately we do not consume enough fresh organic fruits and vegetables to provide against free radical damage (5-8 servings per day). As we age, our bodies produce less and less antioxidants which contributes to and accelerates the aging process. With the benefit of adequate anti oxidants, our health, immune system and vitality operate at peak performance.
Fairly recently it has been discovered that these attacks on our DNA and specifically our telomeres determine cell lifespan. Telomeres are the protective ends of our chromosomes, which determine the number of times a cell can divide before cell death. By slowing down the oxidative damage to our cells and especially telomeres, we slow down the aging process. The activation of the enzyme telomerase can actually lengthen the telomeres and received a Nobel prize in 2009 for health or physiology. TA-65 is a highly concentrated extract of the Chinese herb Astragalus that activates the telomerase enzyme and lengthens the telomeres for life extension / antiageing abilities and actually reverse aging!
Back to antioxidants and their benefits. Primarily reducing cellular damage that affects the immune system and rate of aging. Vitality, health and energy production of the cells are side effects of adequate antioxidant levels. Research has shown Centenarians – those who live to 100 years old and beyond have elevated levels of antioxidants in there bodies and likely explain their long and healthy lives. Following is a list of antioxidants, both made by the human body and consumed as food and antioxidant supplements.
Powerful Antioxidants
- Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) -THE most powerful antioxidant – produced in the body
- Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX) - Very powerful antioxidant – produced in the body
- Catalase – (peroxiredoxin) enzyme in the body converts hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) or ubiquinol - produced within the body
- Glutathione – also produced in the body
- Resveratrol and pterostilbenes
- Vitamins A, C and E – mainly supplied by food – Vitamin C not made in the body
- Carotenoids, flavinoids – supplied by foods
- Proteins and minerals – supplied by foods
Antioxidant supplements are a good way to provide additional support to our bodies against the ravages of free radicals. There are some supplements such as Superoxide Dismutase or SOD that require a delivery system to bypass the stomach where it is destroyed. As these natural health and anti age technologies advance, more and better anti aging products will come to market. What good is getting old if you can’t move or think? Extend the quality of your life and get the most out of life, enjoy your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren with the energy to keep up with them.
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Resveratrol An Anti Aging Supplement
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Resveratrol DNA Repair
You can’t turn around without seeing an advertisement or an article on the health benefits of resveratrol. Of course many inferior products have come out to capitalize on the hysteria. There is a reason for this, it is based upon the amazing benefits of reveratrol, a polyphenol with several health benefits shown through several scientific studies. The discovery of resveratrol came about as scientists were trying to figure out “the French paradox”, how a society that consumes a diet high in fats showed little cardiovascular issues or obesity. This contradicted the “fact” that fats and cholesterol cause heart disease – unfortunately many of today’s medical practitioners still believe this. Just look at the use of statin drugs to fight “high” cholesterol, the side effects are worse than the “supposed” cardiovascular benefits.
The “factor” that countered the high fat / high calorie diet was found to be red wine that was regularly drank with meals. Further studies on red wine found several health promoting components, the most significant of which was trans resveratrol. A phytoalexin produced by the grapes to protect itself from fungi and bacteria that may pose a threat to the plant – natures antibiotic. Antioxidants (including resveratrol) of the grape skins in the wine help to fight the wear and tear and daily free radical assault on our cells.
Many Benefits of Reveratrol:
- Powerful antioxidant that protects cellular DNA from free radicals
- Glucose metabolism – blood sugar regulation
- Reduce amyloid plaques in Alzheimer patients
- Mitochondrial energy production (in the cells)
- Anti-inflammatory
- Cancer prevention
- Heart health
Life Extension
Although human studies have yet to prove the life extension and anti aging qualities of resveratrol (trans resveratrol), multiple studies have shown significant life extension on yeasts, worms, rats, mice, effectively delaying cell death. Resveratrol creates the same life extension effect as caloric restriction – and who doesn’t over eat? By activating a family of genes called sirtuins it allows repair of damaged DNA and slows the aging process. Other benefits of SIRT1 (sirtuin 1) is increased cellular energy production and increased metabolism – burn more calories, faster healing…
Natural sources of resveratrol are:
- Red, purple or black grapes – especially Muscadine grapes
- Japanese knotweed
- Peanuts
- Mulberries
To obtain all the above benefits, you must use a resveratrol supplement as it is not possible to obtain it from foods or drink, over eating or that much wine without the negatives of excess alcohol. Obviously there were benefits at lower levels as shown in the French paradox studies. Minimum supplementation of trans resveratrol would be an oral dose of 25 mg extract, a more beneficial amount would be in the range of 100 mg of resveratrol extract. You don’t know if you don’t try. As with most natural supplements, a period of up to 3 months may be required to see benefits, sometimes much less.
