Anti-Aging Breakthrough – Answers May Be Found at the Cellular Level
Throughout most of our history, people have gone to great lengths in their search for longevity, or the Fountain of Youth. Recent research suggests that the journey to find a way to live a longer life with better health may not require any travel at all. We may be able to have a positive impact on our biological aging process by addressing the way our bodies function at the cellular level.
Chronological aging is inevitable and progresses steadily throughout our lifetime, nothing can change that. Biological aging is another matter. There are many factors that affect the way an individual ages biologically, at the cellular level. These factors can be environmental, genetic, and behavioral. We often have little or no control over our environment and genetic make up, but most of us have a great deal of control over our personal health-affecting behaviors.
There are four main components of cellular aging that must be influenced in order to affect how efficiently our cells repair and replicate themselves. These cellular activities determine our health and aging process on a daily basis. The components of cellular aging are:
* DNA Damage - every cell is affected daily by harmful attacks that can compromise the cell's make up and decrease longevity.
* Genetic Regulators - control cellular deterioration by regulating the on-going balance between damage and repair within the cells.
* Declining Cellular Energy Production - energy-producing mitochondria decrease in efficiency and cell function declines.
* Accumulation of AGE Proteins - cell's integrity and longevity is compromised by excessive accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGE).
Aging is a natural process that affects us all, but we can take steps to improve our health and prolong our active lifespan. Implementing a healthy anti-aging lifestyle includes having a well balanced diet and supplementation regiment, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, getting sufficient sleep, reducing stress, and getting appropriate medical care. The impact these healthy habits have at the cellular level can slow the biological aging process and improve longevity.
Research has shown that there are natural supplements that can be taken to specifically influence the four components of the cellular aging process. Resveratrol is a highly researched polyphenol that is widely used to counteract the negative effects of the aging process. When selecting a resveratrol supplement, be sure to look closely at its potency, purity, and safety.
Other select polyphenols that affect the aging process are phenolic acids, ellagitannins, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins. There is even a super polyphenol derived from the Muscadine grape, which is the only grape in nature to have an extra chromosome and a unique polyphenol profile. These polyphenols have been shown to slow the formation of AGE proteins. This has a positive effect on cellular integrity and longevity.
There are also other supplements that have been shown to support anti-aging efforts. Vitamin D reduces the risk of the cellular causes of mortality. Calcium supports strong bone health. The B vitamins support healthy DNA replication. Antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E help to reduce oxidative stress and cellular aging. Adding supplements to a healthy diet can have a positive impact on longevity.
Many of the diseases and disabilities that affect people today are a result of the biological aging process. The way we treat our bodies impacts our health and quality of life. Health-damaging behaviors such as smoking, an inactive lifestyle, and poor eating habits can lead to chronic diseases like arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and cancer. It's important to develop healthy habits that can slow the biological aging process.
Daily habits like exercise and adequate sleep are a simple way for most of us to improve our health and increase our lifespan. Many of the diseases that rob us of our vitality can be avoided with consistent healthy choices as we age. Reducing stress levels and keeping weight in a healthy range have a positive impact on our quality of life as well as longevity. Monitoring our health with regular medical care is also important and can point to hidden health risks that need to be addressed.
The quest for a long and healthy life starts with assessing our current health condition and taking steps to improve our bodies at the cellular level. We may not be able to reverse time, but we can influence some of the effects time has on our bodies. Anti-aging is more than a vain attempt to hold onto our youth. It's an effort to improve our health and quality of life.