The Keys to Aging Gracefully – Look good and feel great!

As we get older, we tend to notice a loss of; lean muscle, strength, bone mass and our once vital energy potential, all the while experiencing body fat increases, wrinkling of the skin, various mood changes and a declining immunity—oh joy! New scientific research is shedding light on why we age, and how we may be able to slow the process.

Protect your DNA

There are numerous theories explaining the aging process, however, most of these theories eventually come to the same conclusion – aging is a process of accumulated damage to our genetic blueprint – our DNA. If the DNA in one of your cells was to unwind to its fullest potential, it would stretch over one meter in length, which is why it tightly fits into compact units or – DNA packages – called chromosomes.

Over the last few years, longevity researchers have focused their attention to the caps on the ends of these chromosomes – called telomeres. Every time our cells divide, the telomere gets a little shorter until cellular division comes to a halt. Once a cell has run its full potential of cellular divisions, it is referred to as a senescent cell (an old cell).

Since aging is a process of the body becoming unable to repair accumulated damage, longevity researchers believe that cellular senescence may be one of the key causes of aging, with telomere damage leading the way. Research presented in a 2001 edition of the Journal of the American Geriatric Society indicated that telomere shortening is directly associated with accumulated DNA damage and cellular aging.

According to one of the pioneers of cellular senescence research, Dr. Judith Campisi, from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, senescent cells don’t die once they stop dividing, but instead hang around emitting harmful proteins to neighboring cells, eventually leading to cellular malfunction. Research presented in the Journal of Experimental Gerontology in 2001 showed that cells with dysfunctional telomeres could contribute to cancer and aging, as telomeres are essential for maintaining the integrity and stability of our genes.

It is widely known that as we age, we often become more insulin resistant. Researchers have always known that insulin resistance and accumulated body fat can predispose people to cardiovascular disease and a shorter lifespan. The mechanisms behind this have not been as easily understood—perhaps until now. Research published in the journal Circulation, showed that increased insulin resistance along with a higher body fat content results in greater telomere shortening over time. This study is the first to show tangible evidence that insulin resistance and excess body fat leads to premature aging.³ Balanced blood sugar can lead to greater fat loss, more energy and a longer life.

Who say’s you can’t turn back the clock?

Aside from the fact we accumulate damage to our DNA, much of this DNA damage seems to occur in the biochemical power plants within our cells called mitochondria. Since mitochondria are responsible for turning food into energy, they are not only essential to life, but to our continual ability to produce energy. According to Dr. Tarnopolsky, director of the neuromuscular and neurometabolic clinic at McMaster University in Canada, “The reason we get weaker, thinner and have less endurance as we age is that there are fewer genes making mitochondria.”

Loss of muscle tissue and strength is a hallmark of the aging process itself, and one of the most important reasons to embark on a weight-resistance program—especially as we get older. Adequate protein intake is paramount to the success of any weight bearing program designed to maintain or increase lean muscle. A High Alpha Whey Protein may be used as 2 of the 5 suggested smaller meals that make up a well balanced eating plan.

According to a new study appearing in the journal Public Library of Science, 25 healthy seniors (average age 70) who exercised with light weights for only two-hours a week over a six month period of time, were able to improve their muscle strength by a whopping 50 per cent. The amazing part about this study is that the gene expression profile (genetic fingerprint) of the seniors ended up looking like those of a 20-30 year old by the end of the study.

A little help along the way

Aside from the usual healthy weight-loss advise: follow a sensible low-glycemic diet, exercise, get plenty of sleep, etc., supplementation with a natural compound called carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) has shown promise when it comes to the health of your genes and their telomeres.

Research in 2004 from the Chinese Academy of Sciences showed that when carnosine was added to a human cell culture, the cells showed much slower telomere shortening and a greatly extended lifespan.⁶ Other research indicates that carnosine may be one of the greatest longevity nutrients ever discovered. Daily suggested dosages for carnosine: 50-250mg/day (the one-a-day natural antioxidant, Ultimate Longevity with Carnosine contains 125 mg per capsule).

Start Your Anti-Aging program today!