We are now also discovering the importance that telomere health and longevity play in keeping us looking our youngest. The telomere is analogous to the plastic tip on a shoelace. It prevents fraying and sticking between the laces. In the case of DNA, it prevents deterioration of genetic material, while still making it possible for our DNA to divide.

Let's back-up for a minute. Cell division is a normal and essential process in our bodies, promoting healthy skin, blood, bone and other cells by constantly kicking out the old to let in the recently divided new cells. To keep it very simple, the process consists of paired DNA strands unwinding and splitting so copies can be made of both pairs. Once the new pairs are formed, they are joined by RNA. Without telomeres on the end of our DNA, we would actually lose a small portion of genetic material each time these cells divided. With the addition of telomeres, no genetic material is lost and our DNA is protected. That being said, the older our bodies get, the shorter our telomeres get, as they are shortened bit by bit during constant cell division and in protection of our DNA. When the telomere becomes too short, that cell can no longer divide and will eventually die – cancer, ageing and death are all in part due to this process.

Telomerase is an enzyme that stimulates telomere synthesis. Its presence results in an addition to the base of the telomere – preventing wearing and deterioration of the telomere too much, too fast. Telomerase shows great promise in slowing, and possibly even reversing the ageing process. So how do we make sure that we don't run out of telomerase? Well, for starters, that pesky healthy diet comes into play. A diet high in vegetables and fruits, whole grains and lean protein helps to ensure optimal functioning. Exercise has also been shown to increase telomerase activity. In terms of supplements, specific constituents of Astragalus root have been shown to increase telomerase activity and supplement companies are starting to market these products with anti-ageing in mind.

Stem cell based therapies, although somewhat controversial and far from mainstream, are creating quite a buzz in terms of treatment, and potentially reversal of age related diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Stem cells, unlike most differentiated cells in our body, can divide and give rise to more stem cells or a number of other mature cell types, AND they can do it indefinitely. Once differentiated, cells take on specialized properties and functions specific to the organ system where they are found or job they do within the body. If these cells divide, they will give rise to more just like them. The fact that stem cells can divide into a variety of cell types gives them infinite medicinal potential within the body. With the potential to generate new cells and tissues, stem cell therapies offer a renewable and very promising option in the fight against disease.

Since the industrial revolution human longevity has been increasing.  The most common causes of death are no longer communicable diseases but are diseases from lifestyle and environmental sources.  The focus of many people has shifted to the maintenance of a healthy body and mind as the best insurance against age-related declines in health.  This desire can be so overwhelming that many people take chances with unproven treatments in the hope of finding the fountain of youth.

Here we will focus on natural treatments that have been shown to help our body’s age gracefully.  Symptoms associated with aging are as individual as we are.    Some of the more common problems include constipation, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, heart palpitations, indigestion and weight gain. Unfortunately as these symptoms progress they are usually covered over with treatments that do not treat the root cause.   There are a few known causes of aging that supplementation can help to counter act.

ANTI-AGING WITH RESVERATROL

New to many, but not to those who've been taking anti-aging supplements for years, resveratrol is an active nutrient found in common foods such as red wine, berries, and other brightly coloured fruits.  It's had a recent bout of popularity largely due to a recent report by the television news program 60 Minutes which discussed resveratrol's potent anti-aging and disease preventing effects. 

Studies completed on resveratrol showed dramatic results for reducing the incidence of cancer, by acting directly on cancer cells to cause their death.  This is known as "apoptosis". These studies showed that the experimental subjects had far more cancer cell death than those subjects in control groups.

Resveratrol can also protect the heart and cardiovascular system. Its cardiovascular protecting effects  come from it's unique ability to maintain the integrity of artery walls and to reduce viscosity of the blood and  Resveratrol is responsible for the "French Paradox", explaining why the French people can eat more fatty foods than North Americans, but suffer from heart attacks and stroke less.  This occurs because many French people consume red wine on a daily basis. 

Red wine, of course, contains resveratrol, and while it may be enjoyable to drink, it's not altogether practical for people to drink enough red wine on a daily basis to have a significant health enhancing effect.  Resveratrol supplements are usually derived from a plant  known as Japanese Knotweed;  they usually contain the equivalent of at least 20 glasses of red wine worth or resveratrol. 

The first is free radical damage.  Free radicals are unstable molecules that in their bid to become more stable must bump into healthy cells and cause damage.  This can cause cell death, alterations in genetic material and autoimmune reactions to damaged cells.

Malabsorption of nutrients as our body’s age is common because our digestive function becomes compromised.  This is another major cause of age-related problems because our body is not receiving proper nutrition. Finally, mental and emotional health is directly related to how we age.  Having a purpose for living and happy social life has been shown to give even people with serious medical problems vitality.

Lifestyle changes that have been shown to increase vitality include preventative medical screening tests, regular exercise, deep breathing exercises, adequate sleep, regular internal cleansing, stopping smoking and decreasing exposure to harmful chemicals.   For the skin, avoid using harsh cleansing agents that can be drying.  Moisturize with liquid creams and lotions containing oils such as avocado, olive and almond.  Decrease sun exposure and use sunscreen to minimize age spots.

The best way to look youthful on the outside is to put the right things into our body.  A calorie-reduced diet has been scientifically shown to slow the aging process.

Eat only when you are hungry and eat 4 to 5 small meals each day.   Increase the following things in your diet, filtered water, raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, soy, and wild ocean going fish.   Limit the consumption of animal products, processed foods, caffeine, alcohol, salt, bleached flour products and sugar, tobacco and drugs.

The following list of supplements can be used to optimize functioning as we age.  Most of them work by increasing oxygenation to the tissues, reducing free radicals or replenishing nutrients that are not absorbed or produced.  Adult doses are given.  (CLICK SUPPLEMENT NAME FOR PRODUCTS).