Aging

Growing older is not an illness or disease, but the increasing years do make the human body more vulnerable to disease. People's genes tell the body's cells to quit dividing after they have divided between 20 and 30 times. New cells must be created to replace dying cells and this process slows as a person ages. Additionally, existing cells are subject to damage and early death. When there are no longer enough new cells to replace cells that have died or taken damage, the result is what we call aging. The free radical theory of aging has been an area of much research in recent years, and it has been gaining increasing acknowledgement. Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms that are both highly reactive and extremely unstable. If they occur in large amounts, they start attacking the body down on the cellular level. Free radicals attack the cells' protective membranes and genetic material like the nucleic acids DNA and RNA, causing cell damage and cellular malfunction. Compounding the problem, the immune system may then attack the damaged cells treating them like foreign invaders. Because free radicals are so chemically reactive, they only exist for about a millionth of a second. This makes it hard for researchers to study them directly. But because there are millions of them, they do considerable damage to our cells in their short life span. Doctor Denham Harman, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Nebraska, is considered the founder of the free radical theory of aging. Dr. Harman postulated that many of the degenerative disorders we associate with aging, including cancer and hardening of the arteries, are not inevitable results of the passage of time, but rather are the result of nucleic acid breakdown, proteins, and cell structures caused by the presence of these free radicals.

Nutrient / Supplement	Importance ( 1 - 10 )	Helpful notes
Multi-vitamin & Mineral supplement	10	vitamin B complex, inositol, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin E all serve to help lower blood pressure and help with regular heart beat thus good for people who have arrhythmia problems. A daily supplement provides nutrients needed for good general health and well being.
L-Carnitine	10	helps in the transporting of long chain fatty acids which aides in prevention of heart disease, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular disease. Great when combined with a omega fatty acid and flax seed supplement.
Coenzyme Q10	9	increases oygenation to the heart and has been shown to prevent recurrences in people who have had a heart attack.
Methionine	9	works with vitamin B6 and vitamin C
Magnesium	9	low intake of magnesium has been linked to high blood pressure, heart health, and other aging issues. A good source of magnesium is a quality multi-vitamin & mineral supplement.
Calcium	9	important for proper functioning of the cardiac (heart) muscle and is a companion to magnesium see above.
Omega Fatty Acids	10	important for reducing blood pressure and also increasing blood circulation as well as preventative aid on general heart health. Fatty acids are found in omega fatty acids from fish and flax and borage seed oils from plants.
Hawthorn	9	herb that helps both the heart and cardiovascular system
Grape seed extract	9	powerful free radical destroyer to prevent aging problems.
vitamin C	9	vitamin C helps high blood pressure, hypertension, heart, and cardio-vascular problems by improving adrenal function.
vitamin E	9	antioxidant that fights cellular aging, protects cell membranes, and helps to improve circulation. It also prolongs the life of red blood cells.
Zinc	8	mineral needed for healing and general health.
Potassium	7	needed for electrolyte balance especially if you take blood pressure medication.
Selenium	7	low intake of this mineral has been linked to heart disease and cardiovascular problems like arrhythmia, a good source for selenium is a natural multi-vitamin with complete mineral supplementation
Garlic	7	garlic has been shown to help lower high blood pressure and help with other cardiovascular disease.

He asserted that aging is in fact nothing more than the constant increasing buildup of changes caused, or contributed to, by the presence of oxygen-based free radicals. Thus, although oxygen gives us life, it sometimes is also our greatest enemy. A significant number of problems faced by people 60+ years may also be attributable to nutritional deficiencies. Many elderly people have malabsorption problems, in which the nutrients in food are not properly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, as we age, our bodies do not assimilate nutrients as well as they once did. At the same time, as the body ages, its systems slow down and become less efficient, so the correct nutrients are more important than ever for the support, repair, and regeneration of the cells.

There are also problems with nutritional intake. One study of older people living in an urban area found that 90% of those examined had an inadequate intake of vitamins B1 thiamine and B6 pyridoxine, and 30% to 40% demonstrated deficiencies of vitamin A, vitamin B3 niacin, vitamin B12 cyanocobalamin, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. Only 10% of the subjects consumed adequate amounts of protein. A diet that lacks essential nutrients over a long period of time leads to a greater risk of degenerative disease. A lack of vitamin B12 often is a major problem. A deficiency of vitamin B12 may lead to the beginning of neurologic symptoms ranging from tingling sensations, inability to coordinate muscular movements, weakened limbs, and lack of balance, to memory loss, mood changes, disorientation, and psychiatric disorders. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can very easily be misinterpreted as senility. Many older people become deficient in vitamin Bl2 because their body does not produce enough stomach acid for good digestion. This creates a really good environment for the overgrowth of certain bacteria that can steal whatever vitamin B12 is extracted from protein in the digestive tract. Other people do not produce enough of a substance called intrinsic factor, without which vitamin B12 cannot travel from the stomach to the rest of the body, even if nothing else is standing in its way.

It is possible for a person to have vitality and a zest for living no matter what the age. You should not assume that pain and illness are inevitable parts of aging. You can feel better at 60+ years old than you did at 30 by making the right healthy changes in your diet, spiritual life, and general lifestyle. Adding the right nutritional and herbal supplements may give you the added energy to strengthen immunity and prevent or cure most problems and also give you the ability to work or play even longer than people half your age. Looking younger then your true age is an extra blessing. But it is important to remember: It takes years for these problems to occur, and so takes a little time to fix them as well. There are no magic medicine or products that can offer a "quick fix", only changing your diet and lifestyle will truly work and give you the anti-aging that so many people want.

OTHER CHANGES TO MAKE

- drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled water a day
- eat lots of raw fruits and vegetables
- keep you colon clean
- juice is good (make your own with a juice machine)
- do not drink coffee, soda pop, other junk food drinks
- do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...
- use stress relief like going for walks with someone you like
- eat only when hungry - low caloric intake increase your lifespan
- deep breathing exercises and yoga can be helpful
- get your rest and sleep
- fast a few days a month
- get regular exercise
- keep your mind and body both active
- do not smoke and avoid second-hand smoke

Disclaimer: This information is intended as a guide only. This information is offered to you with the understanding that it not be interpreted as medical or professional advice. All medical information needs to be carefully reviewed with your health care provider.