Antioxidants & Aging

Antioxidants are particularly valuable nutrients that can reduce the negative effects of free radicals on our bodies. Free radicals are highly reactive substances capable of destroying cell membranes, tissues and organs. Free radical activity has been implicated in the development of serious diseases such as cancer, heart disease, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease and cataracts. It is thought that the processes of aging are in some way linked to the activity of free radicals on the body.

We normally produce some free radicals in the body, in fact small amounts are beneficial, and however increased levels of free radicals are produced with excessive sun exposure, high levels of stress and exposure to environmental pollutants such as car exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke. Antioxidants may be considered as maintenance nutrients to reduce some of the negative effects of free radicals, and may be useful in preventing major diseases. Antioxidant nutrients work together synergistically therefore antioxidant formulations containing several nutrients are often preferable. Antioxidant Formulas contains a range of antioxidant vitamins, minerals and herbs to provide the body with a boost of these protective nutrients. 

The average lifespan is now 81 years for a woman and 76 years for a man. By the year 2016 one in six people will be older than 65 years, and one-quarter of that group will be over 80. An even more interesting statistic is that by the year 2050 there will be more people in China over the age of 85 years than there are now people in the USA.

An increase in longevity is of much greater value if it is associated with freedom from suffering, pain and disability. Many of the diseases of older age are, fortunately, largely preventable. Reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, diabetes, and some eye diseases is achievable by implementing changes to diet and lifestyle, and can be assisted with nutrient supplementation and herbal medicines. The earlier changes are implemented, the greater the reduction in risk of disease. Extending the length of our lives has its major benefit only if we can balance extended longevity with decent quality of life.

Special Nutritional Needs

Good nutrition is essential for the health of seniors, not just for minimizing sickness, but to maintain an independent lifestyle for as long as is possible. The foundation of good nutrition is a diet that contains a wide variety of nutritious foods.
 

Ageing affects lifestyle and impacts on nutritional needs. For example with ageing, physical activity usually declines, resulting in a decrease in the amount of energy required by the body. Therefore, with lower energy demands, we eat less food; seniors therefore need to ensure that foods consumed are nutrient-dense to maintain adequate nutrient intake. It is difficult to maintain sufficient intake of nutrients without the use of supplements - a good multivitamin contains most vitamins and minerals.

With age, muscle mass also declines - this is called sarcopenia. A decline in strength increases the risk of falls and susceptibility to broken bones. The decline can be slowed by ensuring an adequate intake of protein and amino acids, and by exercising for example 30-60 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise and resistance exercise daily helps maintain muscle mass.

Preventative Health Care

Many of the diseases associated with the ageing process and with older age appear to be caused by compounds called free radicals. These are highly reactive by-products of oxidation, normal biological processes within the body that use oxygen. Free radicals help fight infection and are involved in many other processes including blood vessel function. The body has mechanisms to deal with excess numbers of these reactive particles. If the body is not functioning properly, however, unchecked free radicals can cause damage.

In addition environmental pollutants such as cigarette smoke, smog, ultraviolet radiation, pesticides, even some food additives, over-exercising and stress can all create extra demands for antioxidants to neutralize the free radicals.

Free radicals can cause damage to:

The lens of the eye, leading to cataracts, and the macula at the rear of the eye, causing age-related macular degeneration, Nerves and brain, leading to Parkinson's disease. The cardiovascular system. Oxidation of LDL cholesterol causes atherosclerosis.

Genetic DNA, leading to mutations within cells that can cause cancers of linings within the body such as the throat, stomach and colon, and skin, lungs and cervix, Cell mitochonchria, leading to impaired energy production.

The body's natural antioxidant system appears to decline with age. It is not certain whether this decline is associated with reduced intake of natural antioxidant nutrients from the diet, impaired absorption or perhaps increased needs associated with age. Prevention or minimization of free radical damage can be achieved by:

Avoiding exposure to environmental pollutants Introducing antioxidant rich foods into the diet Supplementing with antioxidant nutrients including the vitamins A (as natural Cod Liver oil), C and E and Krill Oil (NKO TM Neptune Krill Oil) one tablet daily.

From population and supplementation studies, it appears that the protective benefits of these antioxidant vitamins are at levels that can not be obtained from an average diet. For example the amount of vitamin E required to slow the progression of heart disease appears to be a level greater than 400 IU (compared with the recommended dietary intake of around 15 IU).