Antioxidants
Antioxidants are
extremely important in slowing
down the
aging process.
This is because they act as free
radical scavengers, counteracting
the effects of the oxidative
process. The use of antioxidants
are becoming better incorporated
into the typical dietary regimen.
The integration of fruits and vegetables
(both high in antioxidants),
although still largely neglected
in the common diet, are becoming
more common place in the daily
nutritional intake of many
Americans.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C wears
many hats. It is an extremely
important water-soluble
antioxidant with a lot of research
to support its role as preventative
agent against disease, natural treatment of immune
related conditions, and its overall
anti-aging
effects. Since it is
water soluble, vitamin C is in a unique
position to "scavenge" aqueous peroxyl radicals before these
destructive substances have a
chance to damage fats. It also potentiates the effect of vitamin
E, a
fat-soluble antioxidant, and the
enzyme glutathione peroxidase to
stop free radical chain
reactions.[1]
The balance of our
immune system greatly influences our
long-term health. If we are in a
state of imbalance, over time, it
can lead to chronic disease.
Vitamin C strengthens the immune
system by stimulating the activity
of antibodies, and other immune
cells. Greater immunological
activity enhances the
body's defense system against a variety
of diseases.[2]
Our serum Vitamin C
levels diminish with age, making the levels
in our blood a strong predictor of
mortality[3]
The beauty industry
has started to incorporate the
benefits of vitamin C as a way of
enhancing one's outer appearance.
Adding vitamin C to lotions, and
facial serums speaks to vitamin
C's role in collagen production.
The very structure of the body
depends on collagen. Everything
from our skin to our tendons and
ligaments is related to the
function of vitamin C. This
vitamin is also needed
to encourage the best
configuration of collagen, and to
combat the degradation of collagen
rich tissues..[4]
Vitamin E
The most
biologically active form of this
fat-soluble vitamin in humans
is Alpha-tocopherol (α-tocopherol).
Vitamin E's antioxidant capacity
lends itself to assist in roles
associated with many metabolic processes, DNA repair, and immune function.[5]
In addition, Vitamin E has been
shown to be helpful in reducing
high blood pressure, a condition
commonly associated with other
chronic diseases.[6]
Vitamin E
has been shown to protect
low-density lipid (LDL) oxidation
and clogging of arteries by its
precise molecular interaction with
certain enzymes and proteins.[7]
Vitamin A/Beta
Carotene
Vitamin A is a
fat-soluble vitamin. Retinol, often
called preformed vitamin A, is its
most bioavailable form.
Pre-vitamin A, or beta carotene, is
found in large amounts in darkly
pigmented fruits. It is
instrumental in many
physiologically essential roles
and is an important nutrient in
the fight against aging.
Due to its involvement with the
immune system and role in cell division,
vitamin A plays a role in many
anti-aging therapies and cancer
prevention programs.[8]
It is equally essential for cell differentiation (repair
processes), bone growth, skin
health,
vision acuity, and immune function. As we
age, these natural process are important
factors that contribute to our
diminshing
vitality.
Coenzyme Q10
CoenzymeQ10 also
known as ubiquinone. It is an
essential part in the metabolic
process of energy production in
cells. As we age, this process is
challenged and becomes less
productive; the end result being a
battle between oxidative stress
and antioxidant capacity of
tissue. The heart is an organ
which has a very high
demand for energy production. CoQ10 is key in protecting
heart tissue from oxidative stress.
Research suggests that
administration of CoQ10 bolsters
the heart's content of CoQ10, thereby protecting it from age
associated heart damage and heart
disease.[9]
Congestive heart failure,
cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart), and heart disease all benefit from
supplementing with CoQ10, as it
works to increase heart muscle
contraction and improves the
output of the heart.
Selenium:
Selenium is an
antioxidant that also bolsters the
immune system and helps the
function of the thyroid gland. Its
antioxidant role is associated
with the enzyme glutathione
peroxidase, another powerful
scavenger of free radicals.
Selenium is actually a cofactor of
this enzyme, making it critical to
its function. Adequate intake of
selenium is required not only for
the body to use this antioxidant,
but also for the production of
glutathione peroxidase.
As stated, selenium
is a mineral important to the
conversion of the inactive thyroid
hormone to its active form. The
thyroid gland is in charge of
maintaining the metabolism in our
body. As we age, this process is
challenged and slows down. When
the thyroid gland becomes less
efficient, the body as a whole is
less efficient and this metabolic
deficiency becomes readily
apparent. Supplementation with
selenium can contribute to the
process of maintaining its
appropriate level of activity.
This trace mineral
affects all components of the
immune system and even has
antiviral properties. A deficiency
in this mineral can lead to a
depressed immune function.
In fact, studies show that supplementation
of selenium can stimulate white blood cell
formation and thymus function.[10]
N-acetyl
Cysteine (NAC)
As we age, our
amino acid content in our body
declines. One such amino acid is
N-acetyl cysteine, a sulphur-containing
compound that is also a precursor
to the previously mentioned, and very
powerful antioxidant, glutathione.
Glutathione is one of the body's
most important cellular
antioxidants. Oral supplementation
with NAC is preferred, as only
minimal amounts of glutathione can
be absorbed through its oral
ingestion. NAC is helpful in
immune function enhancement, detoxification, combating
exercise fatigue, and also with
lung afflictions such as
bronchitis and smokers cough. It
is an amino acid that has many
functions in aiding the prevention
and treatment of chronic
diseases. A study conducted with
smokers showed that through NAC's
free radical scavenging ability,
it works to counteract the
carcinogenic activity of
cigarettes.[11]
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba has been shown to be
effective in many conditions
associated with aging.
Specifically, in conditions where
there is decreased blood
circulation to
the brain. Gingko has a positive
effect on blood flow and may help
to improve such
conditions. Depression, dementia,
memory loss, and ringing in the ears
may be conditions which benefit from supplementation
of Gingko biloba extract.[12]
Gingko may be a very helpful
nutritional supplement for
improving one's quality of life as age
increases, as many conditions are
associated with lack of oxygen and
blood flow to the brain.
At the society of neuroscience
annual meeting in 2003, a
presentation by the UCLA
Neuropsychiatric Institute found
that a six-month administration of
gingko biloba extract helped those
with age related memory loss.[14]
Green Tea
Green tea has been
used in Asia as a healing agent
for centuries. The unfermented
leaves of Camellia sinensis
provide greater healing properties
than fermented leaves of
black and oolong teas. The longer
the tea leaves are steeped, the
more it draws the healing
properties of the plant. Green
tea's antioxidant properties are
mainly attributed to a group of
chemicals found in the plant known
as catechins. One such catechin
that has a lot of research
associated with it is epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG ).
Like other antioxidants, it acts
as a free radical scavenger and
prevents cellular damage. EGCG
may help in the lowering of blood pressure, regulation
of
bowel habits, and protect against
cavities. EGCG may also protect
against respiratory infections,
tumor growth, and may also yield
certain
anti-inflammatory properties.
Research shows a beneficial effect
in consuming green tea as a way of
preventing and treating cancer.
Upon the consumption of one of
more cups of green tea a day,
women with post ovarian
cancer enhanced their survival rate
in clinical study.[14]
Another study in china showed that
those drinking a cup of green tea
a day for six months had a
decreased risk in developing
other types of cancers in both
male and females.
[15]
