3 Key Anti-Aging Strategies
Billions of dollars are spent on anti-aging creams, potions and lotions. Most of these are fad products that often give us little health benefits if any. There is not any one product but instead a lifestyle that allows us to age successfully. This lifestyle is based around minimizing physical, mental/emotional and chemical stressors and maximizing our bodies function and healing potential.
One constant in life is that you and I will age. That question that must be addressed is: Will you age successfully or unsuccessfully?
Hallmark signs of unsuccessful aging include chronic pain, hormone imbalances, low energy and degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and dementia. The classic signs of successful aging are good posture and breathing habits, optimism, sense of humor, good relationships and healthy lifestyle pursuits.
Use Fresh Squeezed Lemon:
Lemon is the most bioelectrically rich food in the world and one of the best anti-aging superfoods. Lemon is loaded with vitamin C and vitamin P – citrus bioflavonoids (1). These nutrients help oxygenate the body and destroy free radicals. Lemon is also rich in organic acids and enzymes which detoxify the liver and enhance the bodies innate self-healing systems (2, 3).
Expert Analysis: Lemon is also rich in key electrolytes such as potassium which helps flush out extracellular fluid which allows the body to remove cellulite and other areas of metabolic waste.
Vital Info: Drink clean water with fresh squeezed lemon each morning to detoxify and alkalize the body. Add fresh squeezed lemon to salads, meats and other dishes. Use at least 1-2 full lemons each day for optimal results.
Intermittent Fasting:
Fasting acts to turn on powerful genetic repair mechanisms that enhance cellular healing and rejuvenation. The major hormone that is released during times of fasting is human growth hormone (HGH). HGH is known as the anti-aging hormone that acts to improve fat burning & protein sparing (4, 5).
The proteins and amino acids are utilized to repair tissue collagen which improves the functionality and strength of muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones. HGH also improves skin function, reduces wrinkles & heals cuts & burns faster (6, 7)..
Expert Analysis: Fasting for 16-24 hour periods everyday or even once a week can be an amazing experience that enhances energy and mental clarity. However, individuals who are eating a diet high in fruit and refined carbohydrates will struggle with this due to poor blood sugar signaling.
Vital Info: Follow the ketogenic diet for a few weeks before attempting intermittent fasting. Have your largest meal in the evening – clean meat, veggies and healthy fats. During the day have light protein shakes and raw veggies and avocados. These foods enhance fasting periods.
Consume Sulfur:
Some of the greatest anti-aging foods are those that contain a lot of sulfur groups. These include onions, garlic, chives, leeks, scallions, radishes, broccoli, kale, collard greens and brussel sprouts. Avocados, grass-fed whey protein, fermented raw milk from grass-fed cows and organic eggs are also rich sources of sulfur groups.
Expert Analysis: These sulfur groups help produce collagen which is necessary for healthy joint structure. They also help produce glutathione, which is the bodies master antioxidant. Glutathione enhances cellular detoxification and protects the DNA and telomeres from free radical damage (8, 9).
Vital Info: Sulfur groups are fragile and the foods are best consumed raw to get the benefits. The only exception are the cruciferous veggies which are best consumed lightly steamed which breaks down their outer cellulose and makes their sulfur groups more bioavailable. You can also use broccoli sprouts which are especially rich in sulforaphanes (10).
Sources For This Article Include:
1. Vitamin C & Bioflavonoids PDF
2. Medical and Nutritional Aspects of Citrus Bioflavonoids Link Here
3. Fukuchi Y, Hiramitsu M, Okada M, et al. Lemon Polyphenols Suppress Diet-induced Obesity by Up-Regulation of mRNA Levels of the Enzymes Involved in β-Oxidation in Mouse White Adipose Tissue. Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition. 2008;43(3):201-209.
4. Ho KY, Veldhuis JD, Johnson ML, et al. Fasting enhances growth hormone secretion and amplifies the complex rhythms of growth hormone secretion in man. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 1988;81(4):968-975.
5. Vendelbo MH, Jørgensen JO, Pedersen SB, Gormsen LC, Lund S, Schmitz O, Jessen N, Møller N. Exercise and fasting activate growth hormone-dependent myocellular signal transducer and activator of transcription-5b phosphorylation and insulin-like growth factor-I messenger ribonucleic acid expression in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Sep;95(9):E64-8. PMID: 20534752
6. Yamamoto M, Iguchi G, Fukuoka H, Suda K, Bando H, Takahashi M, Nishizawa H, Seino S, Takahashi Y. SIRT1 regulates adaptive response of the growth hormone–insulin-like growth factor-I axis under fasting conditions in liver. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Sep 10;110(37):14948-53. PMID: 23980167
7. Influence of Short-term, Repeated Fasting on the Skin Wound Healing of Female Mice – Link Here
8. Peng D, Belkhiri A, Hu T, Chaturvedi R, Asim M, Wilson KT, Zaika A, El-Rifai W. Glutathione peroxidase 7 protects against oxidative DNA damage in oesophageal cells. Gut. 2012 Sep;61(9):1250-60. PMID: 22157330
9. Shammas MA. Telomeres, lifestyle, cancer, and aging. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care. 2011;14(1):28-34.
10. Li Y, Zhang T. Targeting cancer stem cells with sulforaphane, a dietary component from broccoli and broccoli sprouts. Future Oncol. 2013 Aug;9(8):1097-103. PMID: 23902242
