The search for a fountain of youth has been going on since the dawn of creation. All of us as we get older look for ways to turn back the clock and regain the vitality of our youth. One of the primary causes of aging is the change in hormone production which decreases as we get older. One thing we can do to help with this is to work to get those hormone levels back closer to the levels found in healthy young adult. We can do this with a combination of hormone replacement therapy and exercise.
Another threat to our health is the presence of free radicals, which are unstable oxygen molecules that collide with other particles and tissues in our bodies. They look for other molecules to join with to make them more stable. Some are actually good because they help fight bacteria, inflammation, and help to keep your muscles toned.
Too many free radicals attack the healthy parts of the body and cause diseases such as heart disease and cancer. The secret to managing these free radicals is intake of antioxidants which can slow down or prevent growth of cancers and actually work as anti-carcinogens. These substances render free radicals harmless by giving them an electron. Rich sources of antioxidant vitamins and minerals are fruits, vegetables, and grains.
An important amino acid and antioxidant in guarding against aging is carnosine which exists in large quantities in the brain, muscle tissue, and the lens of our eyes. It helps to prevent muscle fatigue, reduces stress and hyperactivity, and also helps to create good sleep patterns.
Another powerful antioxidant seen a lot in the news recently is lycopene, which is found in large quantities in tomatoes. As we grow older the levels of lycopene in our systems decreases. The substance is crucial for the health of organs such as the adrenal glands, prostate, liver colon, and testes. It has also been shown to help guard against cancer in the digestive tract.
One of the most important antioxidants is lypoic acid which is able to quell free radicals both in water and fat cells. This fat and water soluble substance eliminates free radicals in the water compartment of a cell and protects against oxidation as well as helping turn carbohydrates into glucose so that energy can be produced.
An antioxidant that is needed for proper nervous system function is xanthones which helps people suffering from depression and helps to reduce appetites as well as help combat addictions. It is also essential in the creation of the neurotransmitter, dopamine which communicates to the pituitary glad that releases growth hormone and improves immune response. It also helps stimulate brain activity no matter what the age. A good source of this substance is blueberries.
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