To Your Health
February, 2011 (Vol. 05, Issue 02) |
|
|
Slow Down Time After 40
By James P. Meschino, DC, MS
Have you ever wondered why arthritis, osteoporosis, dementia, cancer and heart disease risks increase as we get older? Many of the answers relate to the body's aging clock. After age 40, the body's aging clock is actually programmed to promote the slow, steady, decline, decay and deterioration of our body and mind.
The reason for this seems to be that, as far as nature is concerned, once we have lived long enough to reproduce the species and have raised our children to an age at which they can begin to look after themselves, like all other species, we essentially have served our biological purpose on this planet.
In the past 20-30 years, anti-aging researchers have unlocked many of the mysteries of the body's aging clock; along with this, they have realized that specific nutritional supplements can combat many of the genetic time bombs that lead to aging and increased disease risk. In addition to subscribing to a lifelong healthy diet, regular exercise, avoiding known carcinogens, taking a high-potency multiple vitamin and mineral supplement (enriched with antioxidants and a B complex,) a bone-support supplement, and an essential fatty-acid supplement (containing flaxseed, borage seed and fish oils), beginning at age 40 there are additional anti-aging supplements you should ask your doctor about.
Age 40: Glucosamine Sulfate and Natural Anti-Inflammatories
By age 40, our joint cartilage begins to thin out, eventually leading to arthritis (degenerative or osteoarthritis) of our joints. This process affects everyone to a greater or lesser degree and can significantly compromise quality of life as the years tick away.
At around age 40, a key enzyme (fructose-6 phosphate amide transferase) required to make glucosamine is no longer synthesized at optimal levels. The result is that the body can no longer make the amount of glucosamine necessary to maintain healthy, shock-absorbing joint cartilage. As glucosamine production declines, cartilage erosion proceeds and arthritic joints begin to appear, making us less functional and increasing the propensity for pain and inflammation as we get older.
Studies have shown that supplementation with glucosamine sulfate, along with key anti-inflammatory and cartilage-stabilizing natural agents (namely MSM, bromelain enzymes and quercetin), can protect our joints from osteoarthritic changes. Without this nutrient support, you are setting the stage for certain and inevitable development of arthritic changes that are bound to decrease the quality of your life and possibly plague you with chronic pain in your retirement years, if not sooner.
Age 40: Prostate-Protecting Supplements
At age 40, the male prostate gland begins to more aggressively convert testosterone into a more dangerous form of testosterone known as DHT. As DHT builds up in prostate cells it causes them to replicate at a very fast rate. The net result is an enlarged prostate and a greater risk of genetic mutations, which can lead to prostate cancer.
Fortunately, there are natural agents known to inhibit the build-up of DHT in the prostate. These nutrients block the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), as well as blocking prostate androgen and estrogen receptors, and providing other health-promoting effects on prostate cells. As such, prostate-support nutrients acquired from a high-potency prostate supplement should be taken by all men after age 40. The supplement should contain effective doses and standardized grades of the following natural agents shown to block DHT build-up and support prostate health in other ways:
- Saw palmetto
- Pygeum Africanum
- Soy extract
- Beta-sitosterol
- Stinging nettle (Urtica dioca)
- Lycopene powder
- Pumpkin seed
