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AGING:
A SUPPLEMENT PLAN
AS WE GROW
OLDER
(Article by herbalist Dave
Hawkins, MH, CNC)
An age-old
problem for all of us is aging. It is inevitable that we
will grow older; but does that mean we have to experience
poor health? With the general populace living longer,
most
of us hope to work toward an active and healthy retirement
where we can enjoy the fruits of our labors.
Unfortunately,
this does not happen for many of us. We understand that
poor lifestyle habits contribute to declining health
processes. The term degeneration means the tearing down of
our bodies. It has been proven that degeneration has a
specific organic process and that our lifestyle can
contribute to it in a positive or negative manner.
Life extension
is a very fascinating area of research today and it is
becoming more so with the baby boomers reaching the period
in their life when certain ailments seem to be inevitable.
Yes physiological changes are going to happen like vision
problems, loss of memory, sexual dysfunction, loss of
strength, changes in sleeping patterns, and poor digestion.
I guess the question becomes when?
Are there things you can
do about aging?
Let look at some of the ways that might offer
some promise to an enhanced quality of life, as we get
older.
When it comes
to the aging process a common thread seems to be prevalent.
Disruptions in general circulation, the ability to digest,
assimilate, and eliminate waste, and to keep a high level
of oxygen all become important issues.
Of course
diet
is critical. I recommend a whole foods dietary program
including organic foods. Fresh vegetables, grains, beans,
nuts and seeds with reduced fats and heavy animal proteins.
Fish and chicken if from high quality sources contribute to
a good protein source. It is a well-known fact that as we
age our digestive power decreases especially if we are used
to a refined fast food lifestyle.
I will recommend the use
of digestive enzymes. This helps reduce gas and bloating
and assures the proper breakdown of nutrients from foods.
The next supplement I see beneficial is probiotics. These
are life-giving bacteria that aid the digestive process.
Probiotics help to produce substances that help to nourish
the body. Remember that life begets life. I come from the
school of vitalism that states
that the vital force in our food, air and water are
necessary to sustain our life. It is important to access
the vitality of our foods.
The free
radical theory of aging has merit in the fact that free
radicals are generated from endo
(internal) and exo (outer)
toxins. Free radicals damage cellular tissues
and are being
implicated in cardiovascular disease as well as many types
of cancer and other disease processes.
How does one protect
themselves from free radicals?
With the
use of anti-oxidants.
Part of a good
supplement plan will include the use of antioxidants such
as the basics. Vitamin E enhances the immune functions and
protects against cancer, heart disease, and diabetes
retinopathy and kidney disease. It is recommended that
elderly take 800 i.u.
Daily and it is important to
make sure it is a natural E. It must say d-alpha
tocopherol acetate or d-alpha
tocopherol to be of value. Many
companies mix natural with synthetic so beware.
Vitamin C also
reduces the risk of age related disease processes.
It has been shown to prevent heart disease and
cancer, aid wound healing, and improve immune functions and
tissue weakness.
The family of carotenoids helps to retard aging
again by reducing free
radical damage. Lutein helps
with the eyes; lycopene helps
with certain cancers like prostate cancer and macular
degeneration, quercetin aids
allergy, asthma and cancer.
One area that
gets forgotten is the importance of mineral. Macro minerals
as well as trace elements are necessary for proper
glandular and cellular functions. Many of our enzyme
systems rely on minerals. Magnesium is critical for over
300 functions in the human body. It calms the nerves, aids
the adrenal functions and is instrumental in the production
of cellular ATP, the fuel that each cell needs.
Zinc is
important for immunity by aiding the specialized t-cells
that help to ward off cancer and other opportunistic
bacteria. The mineral selenium aids the cardiovascular
functions as well as aiding the livers ability to tear down
poisons and has anti tumor properties.
Another
supplement I feel is necessary for anyone is the substance
Co-enzyme Q10. I have written about this supplement in
detail before but it needs mentioned in this article.
Co-Q10 helps aid cardiovascular oxygenation, lower
cholesterol, assists immune functions, and helps energy
production. Maintenance dosages would be from 60 mg to
100mg.
Therapeutic dosages range from 100mg to 400mg
depending on the situation. It is nontoxic.
So far I have
mentioned specific nutrient that can have a preventive
action on the aging process. Lets look at a few herbals I
feel are also important in maintaining proper body
functions. Many of you are
familiar with the herb gingko biloba.
Gingko is specific in its action with cerebral
insufficiency. It has been shown
to open the capillaries to the frontal lobes of the brain
thus aiding in sensorial and memory functions due to more
oxygen getting into these tissue areas.
Bilberry has known
effects with he prevention of
macular degeneration. Siberian ginseng is known to enhance
the adrenal functions thus stabilizing stress and energy
enhancement. Hawthorn berry is specific for cardiovascular
function and ginger is a specific digestive aid.
As you can see
there are many benefits with the use of natural supplements
when it comes to aging. These are only the basics.
I must stress the importance of diet, exercise,
proper rest and adequate clean water when addressing any
health situation. Aging is a part of life but it can be
addressed in a positive manner.
I must admit I have some
good examples, my parents are in
their seventies and are very active with little to no
health problems. I encourage you all to
take your health into your own hands.
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