Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Jerry Hickey is a pharmacist and radio personality and fills the esteemed role of Scientific Director and President of Invite Health. He has spent his professional life analyzing nutritional information and medical studies with the aim of creating the highest quality and most natural nutraceuticals …
Written by Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND As we age, the need to keep up with the constant changes in our bodies can prove to be difficult. The aging process gives way to deficiencies as our bodies become less able to process many vitamins and nutrients. …
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While it is true that your body needs different vitamins and nutrients as you age, it is also true that your body needs essential vitamins and nutrients no matter if you are 25 or 65. As you get older and find gray hairs or wrinkles that weren’t there last week, it’s common to run to the nearest drug store or hair salon to cover up or “fix” your problem. But when it comes to taking vitamins and nutrients, there are some that may help from the inside first, no matter your age or the amount of gray hairs you find.
Dermatologist Judith Hellman, MD, explains, “Certain nutrients are proven to increase telomere length – the little caps on the end of DNA strands that correlate to aging.” Basically, as we age, these “little caps” begin to shorten and it becomes more difficult for DNA to regenerate like it did in the past, causing cells to breakdown, also known as aging. Hellman also explains that your telomere length serves as a marker for your lifespan: The shorter the telomeres get, the less time you have left. But she also explains that certain nutrients and antioxidants can help to counteract these aging processes.
Vitamin A, C & D
According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Vitamin A, “stimulates the production and activity of white blood cells, takes part in remodeling bone, helps maintain the health of endothelial cells (those lining the body’s interior surfaces), and regulates cell growth and division.”
Vitamin C is one of the most exhaustively studied of all vitamins, and there is a promising amount of clinical research to support the fact that Vitamin C is highly beneficial for a variety of body functions. These include its powerful antioxidant protection, its role in the formation of collagen and wound healing, and its ability to protect the body from damaging free radicals. It is also a very effective nutrient for maintaining a healthy immune system. Vitamin C mediates the inflammatory pathways throughout your body, fighting various sources of inflammation and increasing overall immunity.[1]
Vitamin D has become one of the most highly recommended dietary supplements over the last few years by healthcare professionals. Vitamin D is not technically an essential vitamin, since the body naturally synthesizes the “sunshine vitamin” through a chemical reaction between the sun’s UV rays and the cholesterol on your skin. Nevertheless, it has been estimated that approximately 70% of North Americans have Vitamin D deficiencies. This is due to a combination of factors: low levels of sunlight for most of the year, obesity, sun avoidance, and low consumption of foods high in Vitamin D such as fatty fish (salmon, tuna, sardines). Inadequate Vitamin D in the body often leads to conditions such as rickets and osteomalacia, which bring on symptoms like bone and muscle pain, enlarged joints, and easily fractured bones. Given the high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency, this could be the most essential of all the conditionally essential vitamins.[2]
Click here to read more studies on this important vitamins!
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Director of Nutrition of InVite Health’s Boca Raton location, Nicole Crane, BS, NTP, has said that fish and other omega-3s are considered to be the best source of fat and, while most people don’t get nearly enough omega-3 fats in their diet, they give you a huge advantage in protecting your heart and the rest of your body. “Two essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, support cardiovascular wellness in several fundamental ways, and the research shows how protective they are. Managing inflammation is vital for wellness and disease prevention. Further, the body uses EPA and DHA as the building blocks for eyes, nerves, the brain, the skin and many types of cells, as well as many body systems. EPA and DHA are infinitely helpful and nourishing for the entire body.” Read more about Omega-3’s in Nicole Crane’s latest article by clicking here.
Polyphenols
Studies published in the January 2005 issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition have indicated benefits of polyphenols on aging, overall brain health and the cardiovascular system –
“These improvements may show up as improved mobility and improved cognitive function. Our research shows that it is not just antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities by these nutrients but also improved cell signaling (communication between cells that insures the development of normal-healthy cells) and improved neuronal communication.”
Polyphenols and Cardiovascular Protection
“Epidemiological studies suggest that higher intake of polyphenols from fruit and vegetables is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. Polyphenols improve the surface function of blood vessel walls and help regulate platelets decreasing the risk of an abnormal blood clot. Improving the function of blood vessel wall cells decreases the risk of coronary artery disease. The positive effect on platelets decreases the abnormal coagulation (blood clotting) seen in acute coronary syndromes including a heart attack and unstable angina.”
Turmeric
According to Scientific Director of InVite Health, Jerry Hickey, R.Ph, “Turmeric is a wonderful herb. It is native to India and is a major constituent in curry. Turmeric is achieving success in suppressing inflammation in many wonderful human clinical trials. It is great for the digestive tract, for protecting the skin, lungs, liver and kidneys, and for healing many tissues that otherwise, causes you to suffer with needless pain when they become inflamed.”
In a recent study by researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, curcumin (which gives turmeric its “peppery flavor” and “mustardy smell”) appeared to block the growth of melanoma and also tamps down inflammation in the body.*
Magnesium
“The mineral Magnesium is best known as a counterpart to Calcium for improving bone health but that is only a small part of the Magnesium story. The National Institutes of Health lists Magnesium as being necessary for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It is necessary for protein synthesis and maintaining normal muscle and nerve function, keeping the hearts rhythm steady and normal, and for energy production. Magnesium is also needed for blood glucose control (blood sugar), and blood pressure regulation,” Jerry Hickey, R.Ph explained in a radio study in November of 2013.
Resveratrol
According to another Radio Study explained by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph, “Resveratrol is a major manipulator and that’s not a bad thing because Resveratrol manipulates your genes. Resveratrol slows aging of important genes in your brain, your heart and your muscles and this is very, very good because these genes keep your brain, your heart and other organs younger and well-functioning. Resveratrol also works as a powerful cellular antioxidant putting out the flames of inflammation in a microscopic fashion. Because of this, Resveratrol has demonstrated major ability to help protect your heart, circulation, brain, kidneys, pancreas, thyroid and adrenal glands.”
CoQ10
“Coenzyme Q10 works like a spark plug igniting the ability to utilize energy. Some of the organs in your body can have a sufficient supply of Coenzyme Q10, however it stays put, so if another organ such as the brain or heart lacks the nutrient it cannot borrow any; it must have its own supply. Unfortunately the level of Coenzyme Q10 naturally declines with aging and illness in key organs including the heart, the brain, the liver and kidneys. Also, many classes of prescription drugs deplete your Coenzyme Q10 making supplementation imperative for maintaining energy and efficiency. Statin cholesterol drugs are notorious for depleting Coenzyme Q10 but so do many drugs used for treating high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, as well as other popular drug categories. By supplementing with Coenzyme Q10 you can ensure an adequate supply of this energy producing nutrient in every important organ of your body,” explains Jerry Hickey, R.Ph in an article titled, “Turn the Clock Back on your Aging Brain”.
Source: http://www.prevention.com/health/anti-aging-nutrients-for-any-age
[1] http://www.invitehealth.com/buffered-vitamin-c-1000-mg/antioxidants-supplements/
[2] http://www.invitehealth.com/vitamin-d3-1000iu-90-capsules/warehouse-clearance/
L-Carnosine is your body’s anti-aging peptide and a nutrient complex made from two smaller amino acids – beta alanine and histidine. Some studies have shown these components to have positive biological effects on the eyes, brain, kidneys and muscles. L-Carnosine Plus Hx® helps to decrease …
Photo by Jenn Kosar on Unsplash The health and beauty industry racks in billions of dollars every year from people trying to maintain a youthful appearance. This secret fountain of youth is a never-ending challenge – from wrinkle creams to serums, an endless amount of …
By: Dr Millie Lytle, ND
Wrinkles, grey hair, lack of energy, mental acuity and sex drive have long been thought to be normal signs of aging. No one will argue that the phenomenon of living into the golden years brings risks, but what if the concept of aging is actually a myth? What if the consequences of living longer are not necessary and can be prevented?
Aging is not just a number. This is because aging is what happens when your cells are damaged, both inside the body and on the skin. Damage from reactive oxygen species can also lead to chronic inflammation leading to heart disease, digestive disturbances, autoimmune conditions and even cancer. These reactive oxygen species, known also as “free radicals” do come on with age but are drastically increased with smoking, high stress, too much or too little exercise, a bad diet, air and water pollution, radiation exposure via accidents, medical diagnostics like mammograms and MRIs and even cancer treatments, themselves. This connection between lifestyle factors, nutrition, genes and why the most common chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, osteoarthritis, heart disease age you even faster, reducing energy, libido and shorten life span.
More than just aging gracefully anti-aging a relatively new scientific field of epigenetics holds a lot of promise. Epigenetics looks at the nutritional environment for genetic factors that control genetic expression of aging and disease. This means that your genes can turn on aging, and turn it off as well. This field points towards an exciting reality for you if you’re looking to be young when your peers are already past expiry date. Therapeutic calorie restriction and epigenetic diet have been proposed as two important mechanisms that potentially slow and alter the progression of age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and osteoporosis to name a few. Turning off genetic susceptibility is becoming a key highlight of anti-aging phenomenon. Positive thinking, a healthy lifestyle and super-nutrients listed below have also been proven to alter gene expression in the prevention and treatment of age-related conditions.
The discovery of super-fruits from all over the globe and their proven benefits coupled with public demand for natural treatments has brought attention to the possibilities of anti-aging. Super nutrients called antioxidants are the antidote to free radicals improving the health of your skin, organs, energy and promote a youthful appearance. While the FDA acknowledges some nutrients, like Vitamin C and Vitamin E as having antioxidant potential and some cancer protection, many clinical trials show that adding super foods and supplements to your diet can increase carotenoid tissue levels, reverse signs and symptoms of aging and even reduce chronic disease.
If you’re trying to slow the process of aging, consider including these super foods, drinks, supplements into your diet on a regular basis:
The question of remaining forever young is an age old dream but a potentially new possibility that stems from recent research in the nutrition, supplements and cosmetics industry promising baby-tight skin, energy and stamina as well. So as nutritional science develops, research is proving that free radicals are a cause of aging and age-related illnesses. But is the concept of anti-aging an imaginary El Dorado or could it be an achievable key to disease-free, life extension increasing healthy life span for all human kind? Time will reveal the truth as you, and all of us, age.