Longevity
Scientific anti-ageing research has deciphered many mechanisms in recent years that promote biological ageing – and thus simultaneously provide starting points, such as – by implication – for maintaining a vital quality of life for a long time and at a high level.
Anti Aging
Our cells’ needs and functionalities change over the course of our lives. Our body needs support in the form of nutrients to help cushion us from the stress of everyday life – and to allow our beauty to radiate from every cell.
Definition: What is understood by anti-ageing?
The term “anti-aging” includes measures that aim at reducing or slowing down aging processes and negative accompanying symptoms of growing older (such as chronic diseases) through prevention, early diagnosis, and therapies. This should not only extend your lifespan but also ensure that your later years are still full of vigor and energy.
Natural anti-aging: live healthy
Anti-aging is not a protected term. Therefore, it may be used in the cosmetics industry, for example, as well as in nutrition or sports therapy. In a basic sense, all measures that serve health count as anti-aging: a balanced diet, a little sport, everyday exercise, fresh air, and the renunciation of nicotine as well as the moderate consumption of alcohol. Each one of these points fits like a mosaic stone into the foundation on which a long life full of joy and energy is based.
Anti aging from the inside with vitamins & minerals
Glutathione
Glutathione not only can render free radicals harmless, but also has the special property of recycling other radical scavengers such as vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, or provitamin A, which have now become radicals themselves through their immune response – so that they can continue to be used by the body.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids protect the so-called telomeres, which are found as chromosome ends in each cell. With each division, they become somewhat shorter – until they have become so small that the cell can no longer divide and therefore ages. Various anti-aging studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids also fight the inflammatory processes in the body that additionally shorten the telomeres and thus accelerate the aging process.
Vitamin D3
The “sunshine vitamin” probably has far more positive effects than is already known in terms of stable bones and a functioning immune system. Scientists at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato California have shown that vitamin D affects a “molecular wheel” that damages proteins depending on their orientation. These chunks of protein are then deposited in an uncontrolled manner and squeeze the air out of the healthy cells – figuratively speaking. Vitamin D can counteract this process.
Vitamin C
As a free radical neutralizer and collagen-forming agent vitamin C can also be referred to as an anti-ageing substance. Vitamin C also reduces excessive melanin deposits in the epidermis and can therefore counteract age spots.
Vitamin A/Pro vitamin A/beta carotene
In a complex process in the eye, vitamin A takes on the function of translating the incident light energy into corresponding nerve impulses and also supports the pigment cells in their regeneration. Adequate intake of vitamin A is important for maintaining vision.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is sometimes also called the “active ingredient of red wine” or the “longitudinal molecule”. It is preferentially found in the skin of grapes and belongs to the polyphenols. Resveratrol is not only a strong antioxidant, it also helps contain inflammatory processes. However, resveratrol has gained its prominent position in anti-aging research through its ability to simulate calorie deficiency – the most effective method of prolonging life to date.
OPC (oligomeric proanthocyanidins)
OPC is also one of the secondary plant substances, and they are amphipathic. This means that OPC effectively wards off the attacks of free radicals in both fatty and aqueous environments. OPC also strengthen the collagen structures in the tissue and “seal” the vessel walls. They “stick” to the proteins collagen and elastin – figuratively speaking – and protect them from external damage, so that they can carry out their production of new cells for the skin tissue without interference.
Spermidine
A natural fountain of youth for our cells: Spermidine is an endogenous natural substance that encourages the self-cleaning of our cells (= autophagy) to keep them fresh and full of vitality. During our lifetime the spermidine concentration in our cells decreases, which is why a targeted supply of spermidine is a highly promising strategy for healthy aging.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is an elementary component of the connective tissue arranged between the individual skin cells, in which collagen and elastin ensure firmness and elasticity. Hyaluronic acid acts as a moisturizer because it can bind large amounts of water. As one ages, not only does the collagen break down, but the supporting filler also loses volume and shrinks – the cause of wrinkles.
Vitamin B7/biotin
Biotin activates important enzyme reactions, which in turn are a prerequisite for significant metabolic processes. Biotin plays a role in the formation of hair roots and the stimulation of epidermal cells in particular. Biotin is therefore often referred to as the “skin and hair vitamin”.
Zinc
Zinc is characterized by its effective, antioxidant strength. This trace element is also proactively involved in cell renewal, taking on a remarkable function in maintaining normal vision and supporting the immune system.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an industrious radical scavenger that simultaneously keeps the enzymes in check that are involved in the production of inflammatory messengers.
L-carnitine
L-carnitine is a harmonious combination of the two essential amino acids lysine and methionine. This protein compound works in transportation: L-carnitine transports the fatty acids into the mitochondria. Many studies support the assumption that L-carnitine is not only significantly involved in strengthening the muscles, but that this also applies in particular to the heart muscle. American studies also support the theory that the protein compound has positive effects on endurance, concentration, and regeneration.
The series of active substances that can be attributed to anti-aging effects with a clear conscience could be extended by a few other “candidates” and therefore does not claim completeness. Although medical science is still far away from having clarified the aging process in all its facets in detail, the available results provide good starting points for very practical anti-aging tips: Especially through the use of dietary supplements in particular.
6 further anti-aging tips:
Sport:
Movement is a true weapon when it comes to anti-aging! Endurance sports not only strengthen the heart, the cardiovascular system, the immune system, muscles, bones, and joints but – to a certain degree – can also help protect against cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. According to one study, men who go jogging live on average 6.2 years longer than their inactive counterparts, and women who jog gain an extra 5.6 years.*
Optimum weight:
A healthy weight is the gold standard at any age. Being overweight over years or even decades can increase the risk of developing certain diseases (e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular disease), which are often only diagnosed in later life and restrict the quality of life and longevity of those affected.
Relaxation:
Permanent stress is not only damaging to health but it also accelerates the aging process. This is why it is good to de-stress in daily life by taking regular breaks away from the treadmill and using these times for relaxation.
Socialise:
People are social beings from birth. Friends and family are not only important for our well-being, but this social contact also activates our brain and helps to ward off dementia.
Learning:
A new language, a new musical instrument, a new craft hobby – it’s never too late to learn something new! Variety in our daily lives keeps our minds active and helps to prevent dementia.
Skin:
Many people would like to be able to turn back the hands of time about their appearance. Although there’s no magic bullet when it comes to aging skin, this can certainly be positively influenced to a certain degree. Thus the right internal and external skincare, adequate water consumption, sufficient sleep, as well as shunning alcohol, and cigarettes, and lying in the sun for hours on end can all help to delay the signs of skin aging.
Anti-aging weapon – aerobics: Keep mind and body young
If you want to keep your brain fresh you should reach for your sweatband. According to one American study, the trend of the 80s – aerobics – is the best jogging for the brain for older people. The aerobic exercises resulted in a minor but significant improvement in the cognitive faculties of the study participants, all of whom were suffering from minor signs of dementia.
Anti-ageing research: Support the health of your cells
An example of how anti-ageing research has advanced at a rapid pace in recent years can be demonstrated with a very good example. It was just 55 years ago that the American gerontologist Leonard Hayflick identified what is known as the Hayflick limit or Hayflick phenomenon, which was named after him. According to this, all cells in their respective lives can only divide up to a numerically determined limit before they “become senescent”. Although “senile (senescent)” cells still live, they can no longer regenerate. Cells that have reached this Hayflick limit change their shape and appearance, in other words they “shrivel”. Hayflick considered the process irreversible. The scientist harvested international recognition for his research – but today his conclusion is refuted: Efficient anti-ageing agents can prolong the active life of the cells. Start supporting the health of your cells in good time. Then there will be nothing standing in the way of a life full of elasticity, energy and vitality.
