Let's begin by addressing a few background points.
Longevity Defined: this can be debated but generally it can be described as cells remaining highly efficient and functional as we age, resulting in longer life. Aging might be defined as the gradual breakdown and death of cells that are not replaced as quickly with new cells or with cells that are as healthy. This, in turn, affects our lifespan, appearance and our body's ability to function well.
Free radicals and their role in longevity:
Consider what Edward R. Rosick, DO, MPH, MS said in an article titled “Antioxidants, Mitochondrial Damage, and Human Aging” published in LE Magazine February 2006:
“This theory [of aging] holds that the body produces reactive, unstable agents known as free radicals during normal metabolism and following exposure to ultraviolet light or environmental toxins. While natural antidotes to these free radicals—internally produced antioxidants—are abundant in youth, their levels decline with age. The imbalance between free radicals and the antioxidants needed to inactivate, or “quench,” them leads to a generalized state of oxidative stress that can damage lipids, proteins, DNA, and mitochondria throughout the body. Oxidative stress has been associated with myriad disease processes, including cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's.
Scientific research suggests that minimizing deleterious free radical reactions by ensuring optimal antioxidant levels may hold the key to extending the healthy human life span. Studies have shown that people who live to be 100 years or older often demonstrate higher blood levels of antioxidants than their much younger counterparts. Furthermore, antioxidants may help protect against mitochondrial dysfunction, another harmful condition that commonly accompanies aging and disease states.
Numerous antioxidants—lipoic acid, green tea polyphenols, lycopene, and vitamins A, C, and E—have been associated with protection against many afflictions that commonly accompany aging , such as Alzheimer's disease, muscle loss (sarcopenia), cataracts, and memory impairment. By protecting against the aberrant biochemical changes that occur with aging , antioxidants may thus represent a veritable fountain of youth.”
Most longevity research is currently focusing on free radicals and the mitochondria, the energy producing mechanisms within the cell.
What can we do to achieve longevity of life?
Cells start dividing and reproducing themselves as soon as we are born. As we get older there is more opportunity for something to go wrong in this process. As this happens and our cells reproduce imperfectly our body begins to show the signs of aging.
Using that as background you can understand that it is never too early to start using longevity supplements especially if you have a poor diet, don't exercise and live in a polluted environment.
Some of the most important steps to take include:
- Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Supplementing your diet with necessary nutrients especially antioxidants (both fat and water soluble)
- Cleanse and detoxify your body of toxins that could damage the body.
Nutrients listed below are all superior antioxidants and when combined together make very powerful and synergistic formulas to help keep your body young and healthy. These antioxidants are very beneficial for the skin because they neutralize or destroy the damaging free radicals that roam throughout your body destroying tissue, especially the skin
- Grape Seed Extract
- Green Tea Extract
- Alpha Lipoic Acid
- Selenium
- Bioflavonoids
- Lycopene
- lutein
- Tocotrienols
- Vitamins C, A and E
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