4 ways to fight the 9 hallmarks of aging

A few years ago, researchers made a landmark breakthrough.

They discovered there were nine key causes or hallmarks of aging — genomic instability, telomere length, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, deregulated nutrient sensing, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion and altered intercellular communication.

While these causes all sound very scientific, they have one overriding commonality — they can all be influenced by diet and nutrition.

It’s surprising to think that loading our fork with certain types of foods could help us beat the forces of time. Here’s how to get started…

Peak Cardio Platinum^™

Research shows that by age 70, Nitric Oxide production declines by up to 75 percent! But supporting healthy N-O levels isn’t as easy as taking a nitric oxide pill. The body needs nutrients to produce N-O on its own — and that’s why… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

#1: Quit sugar and refined carbohydrates

Consuming sugar and excess carbohydrates provokes faster generation of Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs). AGEs lead to increased oxidative damage, cellular degeneration and chronic inflammation in our cells, which drives aging and age-related diseases.

Researchers claim more than 77 percent of store-bought items contain added sugar, not to mention the thousands of products that contain refined carbohydrates. Therefore, the best way for you to eliminate these food sources is to reduce your intake of processed and packaged foods.

#2: Include prebiotics and probiotics

Collectively, your gut bugs contain more DNA than your own human DNA and are master communicators with all the organs in your body — playing a huge role in the body’s optimal function. You’re meant to have a balance of good bacteria and bad bacteria but when changes occur, this leads to increased inflammation, aging, decreased immunity and disease.

The good news is, you can encourage the growth of the good guys with prebiotics and probiotics.

Prebiotics are undigested fibers that pass through the upper digestive tract to the large intestine where they stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria. Prebiotic foods include Jerusalem artichokes, chicory, green peas, leeks, onions, shallots and spring onions, dandelion greens, fennel bulbs, beets, cashews, garlic and pistachio nuts.

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that encourage balance in the gut. These can be found in fermented foods including yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and tempeh (fermented soybeans).

Peak Longevity Platinum^™

Every cell in the body depends on mitochondria for energy. Together, cells and mitochondria are building blocks for life and health. But mitochondria wear out with age, which leaves cells unable to create the energy they need to function properly… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

#3: Consume natural vitamins and minerals

Diets that supply the body with ample nutrients such as carotenes, folic acid, fiber, magnesium and vitamin D, help protect our telomere length. Telomeres are like plastic coverings on the end of our chromosomes and once these shorten, more rapid aging occurs due to DNA changes.

The most practical way to consume more natural vitamins and minerals is to eat more vegetables. Consume a wide variety on an everyday basis to ensure you consistently feed your body all the different nutrients it needs to perform its functions.

However, vitamin deficiencies are rampant and not getting enough key supplements is the quickest way to sacrifice your health and longevity.

#4: Eat antioxidant-rich foods

Antioxidants prevent the formation of cell-damaging free radicals. Antioxidants can be found in dozens of food-based substances but are generally higher in plant-based foods.

Antioxidant-rich diet sources include:

• Vegetables – all veggies are beneficial, but savoy cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, alfalfa, and spinach have higher antioxidant levels.
• Fruit: plums, apples, kiwi, and berries, like black currants, strawberries, blackberries, goji berries, and cranberries.
• Nuts and seeds, particularly walnuts, pecans and sunflower seeds.
• Dark chocolate containing above 70% cocoa.
• Herbs and spices, dried, ground or fresh.
• Beverages such as filtered coffee, green tea and red wine.

Sources:

1. López-Otín C, et al. The Hallmarks of Aging. Cell. 2013;153(June 6).

2. Carlsen MH, et al. The total antioxidant content of more than 3100 foods, beverages, spices, herbs and supplements used worldwide. Nutr J. 2010;9:3.

3. Dall’Olio F, et al. N-glycomic biomarkers of biological aging and longevity: a link with inflammaging. Ageing Res Rev. 2013;12(2):685-98.

4. Cho S. The Role of Functional Foods in Cutaneous Anti-aging. J Lifestyle Med. 2014;4(1):8-16.

5. Harasym J, et al. Effect of fruit and vegetable antioxidants on total antioxidant capacity of blood plasma. Nutrition. 2014;30(5):511-7.