Aging Backwards by White Dove Books - HTML preview

The Nutrition You Need

Vitamins are organic nutrients, usually separated into two categories: water-soluble, which includes the B vitamin group and vitamin C, and fat-soluble, which includes Vitamins A, D, E, and K. When you take fat-soluble vitamins, they get stored in your body’s fat tissues until the body needs them. They may remain within your tissues for anywhere from a few days to six months. The water-soluble group of vitamins stay in your bloodstream, and any unused part is quickly eliminated in your urine, so the water-soluble vitamins need to be replenished much more often.

As we get older, our body generally finds it more difficult to process the nutrients we put into it. We can make up for this inefficiency with the intelligent use of various vitamins, minerals, and other anti-aging supplements.

Vitamins

• Vitamin A keeps your skin and mucous membranes strong and resistant to viruses and bacteria. It also helps keep your immune system strong.
• Vitamin B: our bodies become less efficient at absorbing the B vitamins as we age, so taking supplements is a good idea. Three specific B vitamins are especially important to your health: B6, B12, and folic acid. Deficiencies in these vitamins raise your risk for heart disease and loss of memory.
• Vitamin D: getting enough Vitamin D is a good way to prevent osteoporosis. Being out in the sunlight is one way to get Vitamin D in a natural and enjoyable way, but as we grow older, our bodies absorb it less efficiently and we need supplemental amounts. A daily dose between 400 IU and 600 IU should be sufficient.
• Vitamin E: Vitamin E is an excellent antioxidant, and helps lower your blood pressure.
• Vitamin K: Vitamin K is thought to be an even stronger antioxidant than Vitamin E. A good place to find naturally occurring Vitamin K is in green leafy vegetables, or it can be taken as a supplement. Vitamin K is unique among the fat-soluble group of vitamins in that it is not stored in the body.

Amino Acids

There are only 22 different amino acids, divided into two groups called essential amino acids and nonessential amino acids. They combine into long protein chains that produce the various enzymes and hormones necessary to the healthy functioning of all your essential body organs, including your heart, brain, liver, and kidneys.

The essential amino acids do not occur naturally in the body, and must be obtained through eating protein-rich foods. The nonessential amino acids are made within the body by combining two or more essential amino acids.

Since so many of us eat diets that include a lot of processed foods, which often do not contain the right kinds of protein that provide amino acids, a lot of people can benefit from taking amino acid supplements.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): this enzyme helps turn fats and sugars into energy. As you get older, you have much less CoQ10 in your body. It’s essential to have plenty of it for healthy cellular growth.

Green Tea: green tea has many benefits – it helps keep the DNA of cells intact, it helps prevent cancer cells from developing, and it’s an excellent antioxidant (one cup of green tea has more antioxidant power than a serving of spinach, carrots, or broccoli).

Fish Oil: as noted earlier in our chapter on nutrition, fish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Besides eating fish, you can get this important fish oil in capsule form. Fish oil has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease by promoting healthy blood flow in your body. Flaxseed oil and primrose oil also give similar benefits.

Garlic: garlic builds your immunity, helps prevent infections, lowers your cholesterol and blood pressure, and reduces your risk of contracting colon or stomach cancer. It can either be eaten directly as a food seasoning, or taken in capsule form.

Spirulina: spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that grows in the water in warm parts of the world, including Africa, Hawaii, and Central America. Spirulina is an excellent source of protein, and contains all of the essential amino acids. It also is a strong antioxidant and helps prevent cancer. And if that’s not enough, spirulina is also good for your immune system and lowers your cholesterol.