Anti Aging

Before we can discuss anti-aging or ways to slow down the aging process and prevent the onset of age related diseases, we must try to understand the aging process. There are two general overall theories of aging. The first is that the body is somehow preprogrammed with a limited amount of energy or our cells are programmed with limits on the number of times they can repair and reproduce themselves. This theory offers limited hope for anti-aging practices. The second and more popular theory is the wear and tear or free radical theory of aging. The free radical theory suggests that aging results from oxidation due to free radical damage to genes, cells, membranes, blood vessels and organs. This theory is supported by the way age-related diseases develop and encourages anti-aging practices. Free radicals are produced by the body during the metabolic process but are usually neutralized by antioxidants involved in the process. Free radicals are simply atoms or molecules such as oxygen with an unpaired electron, which makes them extremely reactive. In order to acquire an electron, the free radical will attach itself to another molecule in order to steal the electron which results in the modification or damage of the attached molecule. The process of stealing an electron is called oxidation. The wear and tear theory says that aging is the cumulative effect of many free radical attacks due to ultra violet (UV) radiation, X-rays, air pollutants such as cigarette smoke or automobile exhaust, water pollutants or even excess exercise. The key to anti-aging and preventing the onset of age related diseases is to ensure that the body has an excess supply of antioxidants and phytochemicals to neutralize free radical attacks and repair the body. Some antioxidants are produced in the body but as we grow older the production decreases significantly and we have to obtain our anti-aging antioxidants through diet and supplements.

Anti-aging Supplements

There are two sources of anti-aging supplements. The first is through eating food and nutritional supplements rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are simply chemicals that come from plants and many are rich in antioxidants but they also have the ability to enhance the body’s own healing process. Plants evolved colorful pigmentation to protect themselves from insects, disease and UV radiation. Plants with the most colorful pigmentation are rich in anti-aging antioxidants called carotenoids.

Current research studies have shown carotenoids help protect against cancer, heart disease and eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration. These colorful foods include vegetables like: carrots, peppers, squash, yams, tomatoes, and leafy greens; and fruits like; apples, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, oranges, grapefruit etc.

Note – People taking prescription medicines should avoid grapefruit as it can enhance absorption of many drugs and may cause an overdose.

Other excellent sources of antioxidants and phytochemicals are flavonoids or bioflavonoids which hare found everywhere in fruits, vegetables, green tea, black tea, red wine, chocolate and even coffee. Flavonoids have been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet forming and anti-tumor capacities as well as being rich in anti-aging antioxidants. Recent research has identified red wine and grapes as containing resveratrol which protects against heart disease and protects the LDL cholesterol against oxidation. Common black tea and green tea are rich in flavonoids that have demonstrated heart-protective and cancer-protective effects. Citrus fruits are another good source of flavonoids. The pulp and zest of the rind is the best antioxidant as opposed to the juice. Isoflavones found in many herbs as well as in soybeans are also thought to provide significant antioxidants as well as reducing the risk of heart attacks.

The second source of anti-aging supplements is through vitamin supplements. Antioxidants are needed to neutralize the free radicals and oxidation, slow the effects of aging and combat degenerative diseases. Major causes of excess free radicals include smoking, air pollution, water pollution, some prescription drugs and even over exercising. Most vitamins are micronutrients, which in addition to their antioxidant capabilities, work at the cellular level regulating metabolism and releasing energy as well as acting as coenzymes to activate enzyme activity. Some vitamin supplements like Vitamins A, D, E and K are oil soluble and can be stored in the body. Care must be taken not to ingest too large an amount of these vitamins in case they reach toxic levels. Other vitamin supplements like Vitamin B and C are water soluble and must be replenished daily as any excess is flushed away. Anti-aging supplements like Vitamin C and Vitamin E and quasi-vitamins like CoQ10 and Alpha Lipoic Acid are very important in slowing the free-radical aging process and combating degenerative diseases like cancer, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimers, diabetes, hypertension, cataracts and macular degeneration.

Anti-aging Skin Care

The same vitamin supplements that we use to combat free radicals in our bodies should be part of any anti-aging skin care program. To a significant extent, we are what we eat. People who want youthful looking skin should be minimizing free radical damage internally as well as externally. Eating a diet rich in anti-aging antioxidants and taking antioxidant vitamin supplements is a first step in our anti-aging skin care program. The second step in our skin care program is to minimize the body’s exposure to free radical damage caused by ultra violet (UV) radiation, smoking, air pollutants, water pollutants and too much hard exercise. Moderate exercise is good for the body but extreme amounts of exercise can generate a lot of free radicals. The third step in our skin care program is to limit our exposure to the suns UV rays by using products that combine sun protection with an added bonus of anti-aging antioxidants to fight premature aging of the skin. Studies have shown that Vitamins C and E work best together to prevent skin-wrinkling cellular damage and precancerous growths. When you are visiting a dermatologist or a physician, have them check discolored spots, moles or other skin growths for any precancerous growths. If you have significant amounts of skin aging, you may want to ask your dermatologist about prescription strength Vitamin A derivatives like Retin A, Renova or Tazorac which can reduce wrinkles and fade age spots. For significant damage dermatologists may also recommend in-office procedures like chemical peeling or microdermabrasion. The fourth step in our anti-aging skin care program is to consider creams with some of the newcomers to the skin care industry – namely Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and alpha lipoic acid. Both these vitamin supplements play a major role in the body’s metabolic processes and are strong anti-aging antioxidants. In theory the cellular benefits should translate to skin cells and therefore improve skin texture and reduce wrinkles. However whether this will translate into making them good skin care product additives is yet to be seen. Alpha lipoic acid has had some good initial test results in fairly high concentrations. A Yale research dermatologist, Doctor Nicholas Perricone, has recommended the use of lipoic acid for anti-aging skin care. Dr. Perricone has written a book “The Wrinkle Cure” and markets a number of skin care products containing lipoic acid. Other commercial formulations of skin care products seem to contain lower concentrations of alpha lipoic acid. Similarly CoQ10 has shown some initial success as an anti-aging skin care product. Some German studies found it significantly reduced wrinkling - both crow’s feet and wrinkle depth. The body’s production of CoQ10 declines as we age and maybe it will make a good skin care product additive for older skin. CoQ10 is a small molecule that should be readily absorbed into the skin but may be subject to oxidation by exposure to air. Like alpha lipoic acid, not much is known about what quantity of CoQ10 additive is necessary to provide effective skin care. Should you try these new products before the results are known? If you can afford them – why not - both these additives are endogenous to our bodies and therefore shouldn’t do any harm except to our pocket books.

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1. The Psychiatrist’s Weight Loss Program
(or The Shrink’s Guide to Shrinking)
Do you have high blood pressure? high cholesterol? Do you suffer from sleep apnea? type 2 diabetes? Has your doctor told you to lose weight to help your arthritis and joint pain? Have you tried to diet and exercise to lose weight, and failed? Then this free Weight Loss Program will probably work for you.

2. Healthy Eating
Healthy eating is difficult to achieve because we have so many health factors to consider and food choices to make. We know antioxidants are good for us so we want to eat lots of colorful fruits and vegetables because they contain phytochemicals like carotenoids and flavonoids which neutralize the free radicals that cause the age-related degenerative diseases.

3. The Next Vitamins
For years we assumed it was the vitamins in fruits and vegetables that provided us with a defence against aging and age-related diseases. Recently scientists have theorized that the health benefits due to eating fruits and vegetables may be from other nutrients such as phytochemicals or the combination of phytochemicals and vitamins

4. Regulation of Trans Fats
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6. The Acai Palm Berry
The Acai (pronounced ah-SAH-ee) berry is the latest super antioxidant food sweeping the world. This small round fruit is produced by the Acai Palm which is native to Central and South America floodplains and swamps. The fruit is rich in anthocyanin / anthocyanidin phytonutrients which are members of the flavonoid class of antioxidants.

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8. Inflammation and Heart Disease
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9. Garlic and a Healthy Cancer Prevention Diet
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