Paul Rodgers asked:


 

Instead of worrying about the quality of life we are given (or self created) we are eager to extent our longevity. Evolutionary biologists, who theorize about why some organisms naturally live longer than others, ask if there is any reason to believe that maximum human life span, already at the upper end of longevity among mammals, could be increased at all even as researchers on aging, spurred by new experimental breakthroughs, increasingly ask, Why not. At present, the mean life expectancy in developed countries is about 70 to 80 years while the documented record for longevity is 122years. Separately, geneticists studying long-lived people appear to be narrowing in on a gene common to centenarians that promotes longevity.

Aging

Aging is inevitable and is something that all humans will have to eventually face. Aging is a summary term for a set of processes, which contribute to health deterioration and ultimately to death with the passage of time (calendar age). In other words any process, which contributes to age-related decline in performance, productivity and health is a component of the aging process that deserves our attention and intervention.

Radicals

Radicals can damage cells by reacting with cellular components; this type of damage is called oxidation and can result in serious injury to cells. The traditional theory that longevity and rate of aging are determined by metabolic rate and the rate of production of free radicals has had broad appeal as an explanation for why some animals live longer than others. Animals that live fast, so the theory goes, will die young, because high metabolism produces free radicals at a high rate. According to this model, which is known as the metabolic rate/oxidative stress theory, long-lived animals should have high concentrations of antioxidant enzymes in their tissues and low concentrations of free radicals. Antioxidants can cancel out the cell-damaging effects of free radicals.

Antioxidants

While free radicals attack our cells and pollute our bodies, antioxidants allow us to fight back. Antioxidants are compounds in fruits and vegetables that may be helpful in avoiding chronic disease. Examples of antioxidants include beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins C, E, and A, and other substances. They act as “free radical scavengers” and hence prevent and repair damage done by these free radicals. Antioxidants also help reduce inflammation, keep arteries flexible, and preserve the genetic material every cell contains to prevent mutation. It is interesting to note that, in the normal concentrations found in the body, vitamin C and beta-carotene are antioxidants; but at higher concentrations they are pro-oxidants and, thus, harmful.

Prevention

In the medical and more reputable business community, anti-aging medicine means early detection, prevention, and reversal of age-related diseases. By using advances in antiaging medicine for disease prevention we can avoid certain conditions which would kill us early, however, this does not actually extend the maximum lifespan barrier. The role of antioxidants is a particularly popular nutrition topic in the media these days; in particular, their role in cancer prevention, anti-aging, and heart health. Resveratrol is a powerful agent in both prevention and treatment of many factors associated with decreases in our longevity and health. Resveratrol is the only natural product with such strong evidence to show it stops cancerous cell development at various stages. Resveratrol supplements may contain anywhere from 10-50 mg of resveratrol, but the effective doses for chronic disease prevention in humans are not known.

Supplements

Supplements are not a substitute for a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants are also widely used as ingredients in dietary supplements in the hope of maintaining health and preventing diseases such as cancer and coronary heart disease. The anti-aging industry is offering a dizzying array of hormones and supplements. It is best to obtain these antioxidants from foods instead of supplements. If you are interested in taking antioxidant supplements, talk to your doctor about what is right for you.

 

 



Solomon

Benedict Smythe asked:


Man will age with time-this is an inevitable part of life. Yet many still hope that using creams on their faces or ingesting the right kinds of food would turn back time (at least for a few years!). There are many foods which promote longevity and healthy aging. There is no magic involved and you would be surprised that most of these foods are readily available at the local supermarket.

Olive Oil

This oil has been around for centuries as the Greeks in Crete have consumed this particular oil for centuries. There have been hundreds of studies that would confirm that olive oil has many health benefits. People who use olive oil in cooking or making dishes have lower rates of heart disease as compared to people who consume a different kind of oil. Olive oil is specifically rich in mono-saturated fats and polyphenols. These protect the human body from heart illnesses and other heart-related problems.

Fish

If you are conscious about aging, then you have to make sure that fish is a part of your diet. Fish promotes a healthy heart because it has a high content of omega 3 fats. These fats prevent the build up of cholesterol as well as prevent the occurrence of an abnormal heart rhythm. Many people who are fond of eating fish are observed to be safe from numerous heart illnesses. In fact, native Inuits who are people from Alaska (whose regular diet is mostly fish), have managed to steer clear of heart diseases.

Blueberry

Another age healthy food is the blueberry. Blueberries are known to be good at maintaining healthy balance and concentration as people age. This berry is also capable of reducing inflammation and oxidation damage (this occurrence is associated with age-related memory deficits and also reduction of motor function).

This means that a person who eats a lot of blueberries would have an improved and healthy memory, has good coordination, and has many more characteristics that are often associated with the younger generations.

High Fibre Foods

Having a well-balanced nutrition is tantamount to having a healthy digestive system. Fibre does much in promoting a healthy digestive system and also a person’s overall health.

There are many vegetables and fruits that are high in fibre. To name a few, these are: mangoes, avocadoes, carrots, beans, apples, citrus fruits, whole grain cereals, nuts, and many more. Before buying any food from the supermarket, make sure that you read the label and that the contents include at least one of the fibrous foods.

Food is a vital part of nutrition and that is why it is important to look for foods that are high in fibre since fibre takes care of sweeping your body’s toxins out of your system.

Recommendation

Older people suffer from conditions such as constipation or incontinence, memory gap, and being less agile. Eating all the age-defying foods that were mentioned would not only make you younger, but they would make you feel younger also.

If you don’t get enough fruits and vegetables, then it’s time to make a change. People who suffer from many illnesses are those who do not have a healthy diet-this is common knowledge yet many still do not give heed.

If your time is what makes you grab instant food, then you can still load up on fibres and other nutrients by eating fruits and power bars instead. Grabbing an apple is much easier than heating up an instant meal in your microwave oven! Keep a chart of foods that are easy to buy and prepare. Before you know it, your eating habits have changed for the better.



Daniela