What
causes aging? Researchers in longevity medicine
talk about genetic factors, decreasing hormone levels, increased production of free
radicals, chronic stress, toxic overload from pollution, lack of nutrients to sustain
bodily regeneration, clogged arteries and lymph channels and declining function of the
immune system.
We probably can’t do much about
genetics, but we can certainly influence many of the other age-accelerating circumstances
in our lives. This article will give you an overview of some simple steps you can take to
live a life that’s not just longer, but also more likely to be free of the
debilitating conditions that often accompany the aging process. We’ll look at food
choices, supplements, exercise and body therapies as tools for enhancing health well
beyond middle age.
What Is the Best Longevity
Diet?
There are many theories as to what
constitutes the perfect diet...from extreme raw food veganism to paleolithic and primal
diets. Biochemical individuality does exist and some people do better on a certain type of
diet than others, but studies have shown that our modern, highly processed, high refined
carbohydrate way of eating does accelerate the aging process. Why? High carbohydrate
intake increases the levels of insulin in the blood and high levels of insulin have been
shown to contribute to heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other degenerative conditions.
Highly processed diets are also deficient in many nutrients which means the raw materials
necessary for bodily regeneration may not be available.
Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules
that steal electrons from other molecules, causing damage to cells. The body produces
anti-oxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase, but their
production slows with age and can’t always keep up with the load of free radicals we
are exposed to because of toxins in the environment and food supply. There are a number of
foods and supplements that work as antioxidants in the body and prudence dictates that we
get sufficient amounts of these to counteract free radical damage.
Here is a list of antioxidants that
counteract free radical damage and thus may contribute to longevity:
Vitamins: A, B2, C, E, coenzyme Q10
Minerals: zinc, copper, selenium and
manganese
Anthocyanins, citrus bioflavanoids and
proanthocyanidins: citrus fruit, cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, grapes,
bilberries, pine bark and grape seed extract
Amino Acids: cysteine, glutathione, taurine
and methionine,
Herbs: garlic, cayenne, bilberry, green tea,
milk thistle, sage, astragalus, turmeric, gingko biloba
Your best longevity diet would include all
the known nutrients and a number of "Superfoods" containing the above
antioxidants. It should be low in refined and processed foods and contain adequate amounts
of the good fats, both saturated and monounsaturated: butter, olive oil, coconut oil, flax
oil, and avoid bad fats: processed and/or hydrogenated vegetable oils, shortening,
margarine and deep fried foods. In addition it should contain adequate amounts of high
quality protein as well as cholesterol (found only in animal foods) since cholesterol is
essential for hormone production and is used in all cell membranes to keep them supple and
elastic. Avoid all foods that raise insulin levels in the bloodstream, because excess
insulin causes metabolic damage which accelerates the aging process. |
