Healthy Aging Primer, Part 2:
How to Increase Health Span & Longevity
By J. Erika Dworkin, Certifi ed Lifestyle Educator
Efforts to increase healthspan by means of supplements and pharmaceuticals targeting aging-related pathologies are presently in spotlight of a new branch in geriatric medicine, geroscience, postulating that aging could be manipulated in such a way that will in parallel allow delay of the onset of all age-associated chronic disorders.
“Implementation of longevity-promoting supplements and medications in public health practice: achievements, challenges and future perspectives”
~ Journal of Translational Medicine (2017)
es, what they say is true. Aging is better than the alternative. But does your aging process haunt you? Are you concerned about doing all you can to age in a way that will ensure greater quality of life and longevity? Part 1 of this healthy aging primer addressed three leading scientifi c theories of aging (telo- mere, free radical, and glycosylation) and seven recommended healthy habits, including a plant-based diet and critical caloric restriction. Although a comprehensive list is beyond the scope of this article, below are some suggestions of some of the dietary supplements that can start you down the path toward your healthy aging goal.
Y
Ample scientifi c evidence supports supplementing with certain nutrients to suppress the infl ammation and free radical damage that are linked to underlying aging processes. While the
most active, best-absorbed forms of the nutrients discussed below (in alphabetical order) will provide the greatest protection, many of the nutrients’ standard, more affordable versions also promote healthy aging.
Detoxifying Amino Acids Aging decreases sulfur-containing cysteine and methionine,
which are important for body detoxifi cation. Their levels also dictate to a great degree how much the body produces cellular glutathione, dubbed the “master antioxidant.” Scientifi c research in animals has established that cysteine (as N-acetyl cysteine/ NAC) supplementation greatly extends life span. Dietary sources of these amino acids include whey protein (ideally grass fed, organic, micro-fi ltered isolate), ingestion of which mimics longevity-promot- ing calorie restriction.
Antioxidants
The levels of antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes (e.g., superoxide dismutase/SOD, glutathione peroxidase) in the body determine mammalian lifespan because they are critical to detoxifi - cation and protecting cells from oxidative damage. An antioxidant- rich diet can thus reduce the risk of multiple major chronic diseases linked to premature death, including heart disease and cancer.
Carotenoids: Over 400 naturally occurring plant pigments, called carotenoids, function as potent antioxidants. Researchers have found that tissue carotenoid content appears to be the most signifi cant factor in determining a mammal’s lifespan. Carotenoids also slow the natural shrinking of the thymus gland that accompa- nies aging. Among the carotenoids available as supplements are: (1) beta-carotene - pro-vitamin A; 10% converts to vitamin A ac- cording to body need; (2) astaxanthin - a free-radical fi ghter that is 40 times stronger than beta-carotene, 550 times stronger than vita- min E, and 6,000 times stronger than vitamin C; animal and limited human studies indicate it supports immunity, vision, skin, athletic endurance, male fertility, and brain and cardiovascular health; (3) lutein/zeaxanthin – according to studies, this combination, with other nutrients, reduces the risk of age-related macular degenera- tion (ARMD) and cataracts; and (4) lycopene – the most potent carotenoid against oxidative stress from highly reactive singlet oxy- gen; considered supportive of male infertility, and protective against prostate and other cancers, ARMD, and cataracts.
34 Natural Nutmeg - October 2018
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