The anti aging quest of both women and men reflects the human desire
to prolong life. Anti aging skin care for improving appearance or
hormones, supplements for total body regeneration ...
Antioxidants As you process food for energy, your body produces substances
called free radicals. Free radicals are believed to contribute to aging
and certain diseases.
To neutralize free radicals, your body uses antioxidants �
certain vitamins, minerals and enzymes � that come from the food you
eat. Some research suggests that antioxidants can prevent chronic
diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.
Green Tea ExtractWhat makes green tea extract such an important nutrient are the
large volumes of published scientific findings that validate its
benefits. The active constituents in green tea are powerful
antioxidants called polyphenols (catechins) and flavonols.
One cup of green tea may provide 10-40 mg of polyphenols and has
antioxidant effects that are greater than a serving of broccoli,
spinach, carrots, or strawberries. Theoretically, green tea extract is
an anti aging substance.
Lipoic AcidThis is a highly potent antioxidant that counteracts free radicals
in the mitochondria, the power plants of cells where energy for all
cellular activities is generated. Some scientists believe that
mitochondrial free radicals play an important role in human aging, and
have theorized that extra amounts of free-radical inhibiting compounds
may be good anti aging weapons.
Other antioxidants you may know about include:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B-6
- Vitamin B-12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Beta carotene
- Folic acid
- Selenium
The best way to give your body antioxidants is to eat a variety of
fruits and vegetables. If you can't obtain all the nutrients you need
from food, your doctor may recommend using supplements to make up for
any deficiencies.
The bottom line is that adding a few servings of antioxidant-rich
fruits and vegetables to your diet will certainly improve your health
and even help with anti aging.
Hormones Hormones are chemicals created by your body to help keep your
vital organs working properly. because some hormone levels decline
naturally as you age, some people believe this decline is responsible
for the aging process.
Hormone supplements you might have heard of include:
- DHEA.
- Testosterone.
- Melatonin.
- Human growth hormone (HGH)
There is no convincing medical evidence to prove that these hormone
supplements provide anti aging benefits. And they each have side
effects. For instance, even short-term use of DHEA or testosterone may
cause liver damage.
Calorie RestrictionOf the various approaches to slow down the aging process, calorie restriction is considered the gold standard.
Hundreds of studies have confirmed the effectiveness of Calorie
restriction in a wide variety of species. While the effectiveness of
this antiaging regimen is likely far greater than others currently
available, the difficulty of the regimen for most people is also far
greater. Reducing the number of calories you eat may be a good way to
lose weight, but restricting your diet to the point that you aren't
getting enough nutrients is dangerous. Calorie restriction can lead to
malnutrition and severe weight loss.
What you can do to live a long and healthy life Aging is a very complex process that involves many areas of your
body. There is no single product, pill or substance which could cure
all of the ills of aging. Your best avenue for a long and healthy life
is to keep yourself healthy and prevent chronic diseases by:
- Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise every day
- Seek prompt medical care when you're ill or injured
- Use sunscreen
- Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
- Get screened for diseases such as cancer and heart disease
- Maintain close ties to your friends and family