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Finding the mysterious "Fountain of Youth" has eluded current scientific research, and there is no known way to halt the aging process. There are, however, strategies that can be adopted to slow the aging process and reduce the risk of premature death.
What Causes Aging:
There are two types of aging theories: damage theories and programmed theories. Damage theories propose that cumulative insults to genetic and cellular material determine the rate at which we age, while the programmed theories state that some sort of biological clock determines when we will get old and die. Each of these theories has some validity.
Slowing the Aging Process:
A good way to ensure a long, healthy, high quality life is to incorporate simple common sense wellness guidelines into your daily routine. These guidelines include a positive mental attitude, healthy lifestyle choices, proper diet, and vitamin, mineral, and botanical supplementation. It is important to remember that these wellness guidelines work more effectively if all are in effect at the same time. An interesting example would be conducting an orchestra where only the first violin was playing in tune. Safe to say, the music you would hear would not be very good. If your body is the orchestra and you eat a decent diet but also smoke, drink, and sit on the couch all day, the end result could easily be accelerated aging and premature death. Your body is like an orchestra. It will perform better when all wellness guidelines function together.
Positive Mental Attitude:
Attitude is everything! If you wish to live life to the fullest, then a positive mental attitude is essential. Just like we need to exercise to keep our physical body fit, we also need to continually condition our minds to stay positive. Life is full of ups and downs, and bad things do happen to good people. But it is not these events that shape us, rather our response to these challenges that ultimately shape our quality of life. Often we hear about negative events in people's lives that have fueled them on to great joy and success. To experience a new level of happiness and satisfaction in your life, you need to learn how to condition your attitude. It does not often come easy, just like you are not in great physical shape after your first workout. But if you keep it up, changes will follow.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices:
Don't Smoke:
This is easier said than done. Quitting smoking is not easy. The best way to quit is to get help through your doctor or pharmacist. They have access to quit smoking programs that will incorporate medications and counseling. This has been shown to be much more effective than going "cold-turkey." The reasons to quit smoking are numerous, but one to keep in mind is that the toxins in cigarette smoke are a deadly source of free radicals that greatly accelerate the aging and disease process, thereby increasing the risk of premature death. People who smoke generally look older than they actually are due to skin and collagen damage.
Physical Activity:
Exercising on a regular basis improves the quality of your life and can increase life expectancy. Some research estimates that for every 1 hour of exercise there could be a two-hour increase in longevity. Check with your doctor to make sure which level of physical activity is right for you. Start by doing things you like to do such as walking, biking, swimming, dancing, golfing or aerobics. The key is maintaining what you start. Your goal should be to exercise 20 to 30 minutes a day 3 to 4 times a week. Keep a chart of your activities as this makes it easier to stay on track.
Reduce Stress:
Stress is a major contributing factor to accelerated aging and various disease processes. Stress initiates free radical oxidative tissue damage in all parts of the body. Taking steps to reduce stress will promote optimal health by reducing oxidative damage, improving sleep cycles, and supporting immune system function.
Reduce Sun Exposure:
Unprotected skin exposed to the suns harmful rays is easily damaged. Skin cancer is on an alarming rise in this country. People who have experienced excessive sun-related skin damage look older than people who have not. Their skin is often more wrinkled and saggy due to damaged collagen and other tissue in the dermal layer. Reduce your time in the sun and wear protective sunscreen when you have to be outside. This is especially important for children.
Proper Diet:
Current research indicates a diet low in saturated fat, reduced carbohydrate intake, and high in fiber is an effective long-term eating plan for optimal wellness. Consuming excessive saturated fat can lead to increased free-radical damage to healthy tissues and cells, thereby accelerating the aging process and promoting disease. Eat more fresh cold-water fish. Fresh fish is high in protein and contains good fats called Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids. Omega 3s are necessary for the healthy functioning of our body. In the United States, most people’s diets are deficient in Omega 3. Consuming high levels of carbohydrates on a regular basis can lead to excessive weight gain, tissue damage from oxidative stress, and predisposition to various diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes.
Fruits and vegetables contain a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants plus also provide beneficial fiber. The so-called “fad-diets” have not been proven to be safe or effective in the long-term, so choose an eating plan that you can maintain. I recommend the 50-25-25 eating plan. Click here for a copy of the 50-25-25 meal plan.
Vitamins and Supplements:
A key for people of all ages is to incorporate into their daily intake adequate doses of antioxidants and other essential nutrients that can help minimize the aging process. The earlier you begin this process the better off you will be in the long run. If you do not consume enough fish then it may be a wise idea to supplement with the Omega 3s on a daily basis. Look for products that are pure and contain high amounts of EPA and DHA. If you have a difficult time tolerating fish oil capsules, an alternative source of Omega 3 is flax seed in an oil or powdered form. Taking a high potency vitamin, mineral and botanical complex every day is also a good suggestion. Key nutrients to look for are B Vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta Carotene (a safer form of Vitamin A), Selenium, Zinc, Calcium, Magnesium, Boron, Folic Acid, trace minerals and a variety of botanicals such as Grape Seed and Green Tea extracts. Most all of these ingredients are found in combination in our Antioxidant and Anti-Aging Formulas. We also have Grape Seed and Green Tea Extracts available individually.
Summary:
The earlier you incorporate the “wellness guidelines,” Positive Mental Attitude, Healthy Lifestyle Choices, Proper Diet, and Supplements into your life, the healthier your long-term outlook will be. Can we slow the aging process? The answer is yes - by taking control of the factors that influence our health. Keep in mind the example of the orchestra (your body). You need all parts to function together to produce the best end results. Start today and position yourself to be the best you can be.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements and products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. As with all nutritional supplement programs, please consult your personal physician or health care provider about any of the recommendations or suggestions made on this site.
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