Anti-Aging

Anti-Aging Products, Substances and Techniques

By Beverly Smith

The anti-aging quest of both women and men reflects the human desire to prolong life. Anti-aging skin care for improving appearance or hormones, supplements for total body regeneration...

Antioxidants

As you process food for energy, your body produces substances called free radicals. Free radicals are believed to contribute to aging and certain diseases.

To neutralize free radicals, your body uses antioxidants certain vitamins, minerals and enzymes that come from the food you eat. Some research suggests that antioxidants can prevent chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.

Green Tea Extract
What makes green tea extract such an important nutrient are the large volumes of published scientific findings that validate its benefits. The active constituents in green tea are powerful antioxidants called polyphenols (catechins) and flavonols.
One cup of green tea may provide 10-40 mg of polyphenols and has antioxidant effects that are greater than a serving of broccoli, spinach, carrots, or strawberries. Theoretically, green tea extract is an anti aging substance.

Lipoic Acid
This is a highly potent antioxidant that counteracts free radicals in the mitochondria, the power plants of cells where energy for all cellular activities is generated. Some scientists believe that mitochondrial free radicals play an important role in human aging, and have theorized that extra amounts of free-radical inhibiting compounds may be good anti aging weapons.

Other antioxidants you may know about include: 

•  Vitamin A
• Vitamin B-6
• Vitamin B-12
•  Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Beta carotene
• Folic acid
• Selenium

The best way to give your body antioxidants is to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. If you can't obtain all the nutrients you need from food, your doctor may recommend using supplements to make up for any deficiencies.
The bottom line is that adding a few servings of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables to your diet will certainly improve your health and even help with anti aging.

Hormones

Hormones are chemicals created by your body to help keep your vital organs working properly. because some hormone levels decline naturally as you age, some people believe this decline is responsible for the aging process. 

Hormone supplements you might have heard of include:

• DHEA.
• Testosterone
• Melatonin
• Human growth hormone (HGH)

There is no convincing medical evidence to prove that these hormone supplements provide anti aging benefits. And they each have side effects. For instance, even short-term use of DHEA or testosterone may cause liver damage.

Calorie Restriction

Of the various approaches to slow down the aging process, calorie restriction is considered the gold standard.
Hundreds of studies have confirmed the effectiveness of Calorie restriction in a wide variety of species. While the effectiveness of this antiaging regimen is likely far greater than others currently available, the difficulty of the regimen for most people is also far greater.

Reducing the number of calories you eat may be a good way to lose weight, but restricting your diet to the point that you aren't getting enough nutrients is dangerous. Calorie restriction can lead to malnutrition and severe weight loss.

What you can do to live a long and healthy life

Aging is a very complex process that involves many areas of your body. There is no single product, pill or substance which could cure all of the ills of aging. Your best avenue for a long and healthy life is to keep yourself healthy and prevent chronic diseases by:

• Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise every day
• Seek prompt medical care when you're ill or injured
• Use sunscreen
• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
• Get screened for diseases such as cancer and heart disease
• Maintain close ties to your friends and family