In simple terms, aging is the process of time moving forward and our bodies moving with it. We cannot stop or slow down the process as it is a natural part of life. But from the beginning of times, it seems, humankind has been fixated on finding the “Fountain of Youth” and trying to reverse or slow down their natural aging process. In recent years, this looks like the next trendy anti-aging food, exercise, habit, or miracle cure.
While we can’t share any miracle cures or magic routines that will reverse the aging process, we can share some natural tips to help you age with grace and in the best health possible. Science has made leaps and bounds in modern times to better understand how the body works and what exactly causes the symptoms of aging.
Armed with this knowledge, we can formulate a healthy lifestyle that supports our incredible bodies with health and vitality throughout our lives.
Here’s what science has to say about the two biggest factors that cause aging in our bodies:
- Oxidative stress. This comes from the stressors of normal life and can be accelerated with tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, pollution, and frequent toxic chemical exposure.
- Loss of telomeres. Telomeres are regions of DNA at each end of the chromosomes that protect the DNA from degrading during replication. In each replication, a little bit of telomere is lost; when it is gone, replication can no longer occur, and the cell dies. Therefore, as an individual ages, telomeres naturally become shorter.
The foundation for any healthy aging plan of action is, of course, a healthy lifestyle. Eat well, get restful sleep, move your body every day, and reduce stress as much as possible.
Science Confirms Effectiveness of Ancient Practices
While Western medicine has more recently made the discovery about loss of telomere length and oxidative stress, Chinese medicine has called this “loss of qi” (or life energy). In traditional Chinese medicine, this was treated with lifestyle changes as described above and supported with the following herbs:
- Astragalus root
- Reishi mushroom
- Ginseng
(*Always speak to your doctor before starting any new supplement to be sure of its safety and/or contraindications with any current medications you might take.)
Science has even recently proven that these herbs can be powerful against some of the causes of aging. For example, the New York Heart Association ran a 4-week study in a group of aged patients with chronic heart failure. One group had an Astragalus injection and the other group was treated with conventional medicine. After four weeks, both group’s NYHA grading had improved, but the Astragalus injection group was significantly better.
Many other studies exist on these three powerhouse herbs and their benefits for the aging process, even those that prove lengthening telomeres.
Handling Oxidative Stress
When free radicals become overwhelming in the body, it can begin to affect organs and tissues and speed up the aging process. The obvious answer is to increase our intake of antioxidants in our daily diets. This will assist the body in eliminating harmful free radicals and help you keep the aging process to a minimum.
Foods that are rich in antioxidants include:
- Allspice
- Amla berries
- Artichokes
- Bilberries
- Black currants
- Blackberries
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Cranberries
- Goji berries
- Kale
- Oregano
- Prunes
- Red beets
- Red cabbage
- Rosehips
- Rosemary
- Saffron
- Sage
- Thyme
- Walnuts
- Red Grapes
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
Incorporating these nutrient-packed foods into your daily diet can pack a powerful punch for aging healthfully, regardless of your stage of life.
Herbs can be a wonderful companion to a healthy lifestyle; supporting you in feeling more vibrant, energetic, and – most importantly – well throughout your golden years.
Speak with your doctor about which herbs and antioxidant-rich foods you can safely incorporate into your life and always be sure your source is growing and harvesting responsibly.
Looking for a lively, welcoming place to call home? Schedule a visit to Bellaire at Stone Port and discover the joys of carefree senior living.