| Ageing… as slowly as possible (Part 1)
Ageing is the one thing every human has in common. Our bodies start to age from our 20’s. While we cannot change chronology, there are many things we can do help prevent premature aging. Writing this I am only 3 months from my 70th birthday. Going through old albums I found a photo of me taken in June 1998 when we first started Abundant Health then aged 43. My goodness things have changed!
There are many things we cannot change including our DNA and of course the events of the past. These bring us to the state of our health today. Our goal should be to adopt the changes that will help us to age at a slower rate than would normally be expected.
Food, supplements, exercise and mental/spiritual attitudes have enormous power to change us. My health goal is to have a biological ‘age’ that is less than my chronological age.
Food
I am convinced that for most people, an age-defying diet is based on regular protein, healthy fats and a wide variety of plant foods. Most people do well on a low carbohydrate, low sugar diet that is high in low-starch vegetables, anti-inflammatory fats and regular protein. I try to have protein and plant foods with every meal. I have made up a “Healthy Eating Programme’. Please email me if you want a copy.
Over the next 2 editions we are going to look at 4 compounds that have been shown to influence the aging processes. Today we look at two compounds found in grapes and other plants: Resveratrol and OPC.
- Resveratrol
The Study Health Benefits and Molecular Mechanisms of Resveratrol (Foods, Meng et al, 2020), made the following statement:
“Resveratrol is a bioactive compound in many foods. Since its anticancer activity was reported in 1997, its health benefits have been intensively investigated. Resveratrol has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, glucose and lipid regulatory, neuroprotective, and cardiovascular protective effects, therefore, can protect against diverse chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancer, liver diseases, obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. “
It hardly seems possible that a naturally occurring compound could have such an impact on our bodies. The most common source of Resveratrol is in wine. Most supplements extract Resveratrol from Japanese Knotweed as it has very high concentrations of Resveratrol. The main reason for the anti-aging effects of Resveratrol is its impacts on a group of enzymes called Sirtuins especially Sirtuin 1.
Deep in our cells are mysterious proteins called sirtuins; notably sirtuin 1 (SIRT 1) in our cell nucleus, the home of our DNA. These proteins slow the rate of cell aging by improving the function of our cell engines, our amazing mitochondria. The question is whether there is anything that can stimulate SIRT1 making our cell engines run better for longer. Research has shown that fasting, reducing calories and exercise all stimulate SIRT1.
Recent research has also shown that Resveratrol also increased the activity of SIRT1. Harvard Medical School Professor David Sinclair said that resveratrol binds to SIRT1 to make it run faster therefore increasing cell life.
It appears that resveratrol helps our mitochondria to perform better. Poorly functioning mitochondria produce less energy, produce more free radicals and create accumulated mutations in DNA. In short, this can accelerate the aging process.
Resveratrol is one of the best compounds to add in anti-aging supplements. To get the best from resveratrol, it should be combined with complimentary compounds that all work together to protect and rejuvenate our cells. New MTQ10 has twice the amount high grade Resveratrol able to influence SIRT1 activity. Each capsule has 200mg (delivering 100mg pure resveratrol) per capsule.
- OPC (oligomeric proanthocyanidins).
The study Grape Seed extract: having potential benefits (J of Food Sci Tech, Gupta et al, 2020) makes the following statements about OPC from Grape seeds.
“Through different and various studies, it was proved that the proanthocyanidin rich grape seed extract provides benefits against many diseases i.e. inflammation, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, peptic ulcer, microbial infections, etc. Therefore, beside from using it as a nutraceutical or cosmeceutical, as a result they may have a potential to substitute or complement in currently used drugs in the treatment of diseases by developing it into other successful pharmaceutical formulations for better future prospective.”
Grape seed extract OPC (oligomeric proanthocyanidins) is one of the most powerful dietary antioxidants. It is special because it actively neutralises both oxygen and nitrogen radicals. The ability of OPC to cross the blood brain barrier makes it perfect for protecting the brain.
The free radical quenching capacity can be seen in the following diagram:
Our mitochondria produce many free radicals by generating energy. The mitochondrial processes that make energy also make free radical by-products. This is much like a car. The fuel is burned in the engine to make energy. The exhaust gases need to be neutralised by the exhaust system. OPC in MTQ10 (also in Cell eXtra, Antiox Plus and Curcumin Plus) is a potent antioxidant able to protect cell structures from damage caused by free radicals.
In doing so, OPC can help prevent accelerated aging offering protection against diseases that are caused or worsened by free radical damage. MTQ10 contains premium grade Resveratrol and OPC and combined with the other ingredients, can support our natural defences against premature ageing.
Dosage: The normal dosage is 1 capsule daily however a booster dose of one twice daily can be used.
Note: Some of MTQ10 ingredients are fat soluble. This means that fats/oils are needed to help absorb some of the ingredients. I usually recommend Omega 3 fish oil (or flax seed oil), and these are excellent to take at the same time as MTQ10. However, any fats/oils will do, a piece of avocado or olive oil, or even during a meal with fats.
Please contact me if you need personalised advice or if you have questions.
John Arts, Founder, Abundant Health (Adv.Dip.Nut.Med)
john@abundant.co.nz
0800 423 559, Int’l +64 7 5722343 |
