Article: Rejoice & Rejuvenate
Rejoice and Rejuvenate- Anti-Ageing techniques
Anti- aging techniques are abundant and every expert has their top tips, but in truth reality is that we can not really stop the ageing process but we can slow the ageing signs and still stay beautiful at any age. Sound too optimistic? But it doesn’t have to be all about sagging and relentless wrinkles and it is much more of a whole-hearted approach than a smothering of hydro-thermal deep wrinkle oils, bed time bio dynamic lifting masks, a nip n tuck or having a botox booster; there is more to it than this surface stuff.
Our genes dictate that the body’s cells stop dividing after they have divided between twenty and thirty times. New cells must be made to replace those that stop dividing, a process that slows with age. When there are no longer enough new cells to replace the ones that have died or suffered damage, the result is aging. Studies have shown that cells that stop dividing change form and release damaging proteins that harm bodily tissues, further contributing to the aging process.
The free radical theory of aging has been the subject of a great deal of research in recent years and gaining increasing acceptance. Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms that are extremely unstable and highly reactive. If they are present in excessive amounts they begin attacking the body on a cellular level. Free radicals attack the cells protective membranes and genetic material, causing cellular damage and malfunction. To make things worse the immune system may then attack the damaged cells identifying them as foreign intruders. This is where antioxidants come in to the picture; they help to protect the body from harmful free radicals. They may be formed by exposure to radiation including the sun’s rays; exposure to toxic chemicals such as cigarette smoke, polluted air, industrial and domestic chemicals and various metabolic processes, such as the process of breaking down stored fat molecules for use as an energy source. Free radicals are normally kept at bay by the action of free radical scavengers that naturally occur in the body. These scavengers neutralise the free radicals. There are a number of phytochemicals and nutrients that act as antioxidants including vitamin A, beta- carotene found in carrots, flavonoids and vitamin C and E and the mineral selenium. Antioxidants work along side each other so it is better to take a number of different antioxidants in smaller amounts regularly than one big dose of one type of antioxidant.
Introducing some of the antioxidants
Alpha- Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a powerful antioxidant both on it’s own and as a ‘recycler’ of vitamin E and vitamin C, it can restore the antioxidant properties of these vitamins. ALA also stimulates the body’s production of glutathione which helps defend the body against cigarette smoke, alcohol and other toxins and aids in the absorption of coenzyme Q10. ALA is known as the metabolic antioxidant because without it cells cannot use sugar to produce energy.
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) contains natural antioxidants that keep capillary walls strong and flexible. They also help to maintain the flexibility of the walls of red blood cells and allow them to pass through the capillaries better.
Coenzyme Q10 structurally similar to vitamin E it plays a crucial role in the generation of cellular energy and has anti-aging effects and is beneficial for the cardiovascular system.
Flavonoids are especially potent antioxidants, more than 4000 flavonoids are known; they occur in fruits, vegetables, spices, seeds, nuts, flowers and bark. Wine particularly red, apples, blueberries, onions, soy products and tea are some of the best sources of flavonoids.
Ginkgo Biloba is a herb with powerful antioxidant effects in the brain, retina and cardiovascular system. It is well know for its ability to enhance circulation and a study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed a measurable effect on people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Anyone who takes prescription anticoagulant (blood thinning) medication or over the counter pain killers should consult a health care practitioner before using gingko biloba.
Green Tea contains compounds known as polyphenols that are antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Selenium is an essential trace mineral that functions as an antioxidant in partnership with vitamin E to protect tissues and cell membranes. Use caution when taking supplemental selenium as amounts higher than 1000mcg (microgram) daily may be toxic.
Vitamin A and the carotenoids are a class of phytochemicals which are found in yellow, red, green and orange vegetables and fruits; they are a potent family of antioxidants.
Vitamin C is the ultimate antioxidant that also recharges other antioxidants like vitamin E to keep them potent. Some studies have shown that vitamin C is the first line antioxidant defence in plasma against many different kinds of free radicals, it also has strong anti-inflammatory properties, anti-allergy, immune enhancing and prevents damage to artery walls, it is more potent free radical scavenger in the presence of hesperidin.
Vitamin E effectively protects the cells membranes from becoming rancid as a result of free radical damage.
The natural for of vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) is superior to the synthetic version (dl- alpha tocopherol).
Zinc’s main antioxidant function is in the prevention of fat oxidation and in addition it is a constituent of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD). Zinc is also needed for proper maintenance of vitamin E and aids in the absorption of vitamin A.
No single antioxidant protects all body systems; rather each one has protective properties for one body part or function so it is best to go for products that combine two or more of these vital nutrients.
So considering the bigger picture for a minute and how everything affects everything, it sounds profound but it’s true, and research with experience back this up. The inside makes a huge difference to the outside, beauty reflects health, the healthier you are this will show through your looks. This is where the legitimacy of nutrition has on its impact on ageing. The old saying of ‘you are what you eat’ and ‘beauty comes from within’ rings true and there are certain nutrients that are more specifice and beneficial to inevitable aging.