Three Fast Tracks To Longevity: The first fast track has to do with the general decline in hormone levels as we approach middle age. The second fast track involves the accumulated damage inflicted on cells and tissues over the years by free radicals. And the third fast track is sensible eating and weight control.
There is also the matter of our individual genetic inheritance: we have no control over a genetic predisposition to accumulating fat rather than remaining slim, or being at higher risk for this or that disease; but in the future we might well be able to modify it. But three major factors taking us to age – hormone depletion, free radical damage, and maintaining weight and sensible eating – we can change.
The time to start – is now, while we are still in reasonably good health. Because then it is simply a matter of regaining a bit of lost ground, and thereafter maintaining these gains, of maintaining our good health, and enjoying the extra couple decades we can gain by turning back the clock.
Track #1 – HGH Therapy
HGH Therapy is an extremely effective way of countering so many aspects of aging. When you bring the hormones back to youthful levels, you bring much of your body chemistry back as well. Such a program, if begun before too much of the aging process has taken place, may not keep us alive forever.
But the evidence does indicate that it may well extend our lives by another couple of decades. And it will give us those decades in relatively good health, in a body that will remain youthful and energetic.
You can encourage the pituitary to release more HGH and bring the levels back to those of bygone years.
To view our “best hgh” recommendations click here.
Track #2 – Maintain High Levels of Antioxidants
Research has shown the cumulative damage done by free radicals is a major factor in bringing about our physical deterioration, and eventual death. We have also seen that the best way of preventing this damage is by making sure we get sufficient antioxidants to neutralize these rampaging free radicals within us.
The diets of most people today are generally inadequate. They are inadequate not only in what they supply – or don’t supply – by way of antioxidants, but in other respects as well.
Because so much of our food is over-processed it has been depleted of much of its nutritional value. And because of the hectic pace of modem living, we often do not eat wisely or well. (Further exacerbating the problem, our modem environment – by way of pollution, increased UV rays, etc. – invariably brings about increased free radical activity in our bodies.)
One of the simplest ways of making up much of the nutritional shortfall is through the use of appropriate supplements, and most particularly, of those supplements which raise the levels of antioxidants in our bodies.
Here again, there is a simple and inexpensive way of achieving this: by taking a superior quality multivitamin every day. Since vitamins cost only a dollar or so per day, it is worth paying a bit more to get the best vitamin formulation you can.
In addition to the vitamins, these formulations will also contain the major minerals the body needs, including the “mother lode” minerals that also serve as powerful antioxidants. To increase your intake of antioxidants to even higher levels, you might want further supplements of beta-carotene or grape-seed extract or a catalase or a superoxide dismutase.
So, to slow the aging process that comes from free radical damage to the cells of the body, track #2 is: Maintain strong levels of antioxidants in the body.
Track #3 – Eat Sensibly and Weight Control
If you are raising your levels of HGH to youthful levels, and are taking adequate quantities of antioxidants, then it would make sense to follow a sensible diet as well. HGH will promote the building up of muscle and the loss of fat no matter what, but it will do a far better job if a reasonable diet is added to the mix
The same can be said with respect to the antioxidants. If we want them to do their job most effectively, we would be well advised to stay away from junk food loaded with preservatives and chemicals, as well as foods that are obvious carcinogens (cancer producers), such as meats loaded with nitrites. As a corollary, we would do well to include foods rich in antioxidants in our diets.
A strong priority in setting up a sensible diet is to keep the total number of calories we take in limited to what we need. All calories are derived from proteins, carbohydrates and fats. We have seen that on a diet where calories are extremely restricted, the aging process is slowed. For those not inclined to that degree of abstemiousness, a more moderate, and more achievable goal, is to keep our caloric needs met, and no more.
Another reason for managing the calories wisely is that, although HGH tends to promote fat loss regardless, the levels of HGH tend to be lower in people who are obese. So it makes sense to try and assist HGH in its work by restricting the caloric intake to a reasonable level, and to try and maintain a physique that is fairly devoid of extra fat.
This will not only assist HGH in keeping the body lean and muscled, it will greatly benefit our cardiovascular health, and our overall health in virtually every other respect.
Since HGH promotes the production of muscle mass, it is imperative that we provide the building blocks the body will need to do this. These building blocks come from the protein we digest and break down into amino acids. There are many sources of protein, but two of the better ones are chicken and fish. In the case of some fish, such as salmon or mackerel, the omega 3 oils will also assist in combating the bad cholesterol.
It is unlikely that North Americans ever get too little by way of carbohydrates in the diet. However, a sensible diet will include complex carbohydrates such as are found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and will exclude refined carbohydrates such as candy, sugar, and so on.
The glycemic index of carbohydrates is a reflection of how quickly carbs can induce insulin secretion from the pancreas. The low index carbs are preferable to keep the insulin levels low normal by keeping blood sugar low also.
High insulin levels will effect other hormones and can lead onto insulin resistance, obesity and Diabetes Type 2. Biguanide drugs like Metformin and newer thiozolidinediones like Roziglitazone and Pioglitazone may be of great benefit in preventing wild swings in blood sugar and insulin levels in the aging impaired glucose intolerant patients.
Probably the most important thing the average North American can do to improve his or her diet is to get more of fruits and vegetables, and in as wide a variety as possible. This will immediately put more vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-carcinogens into the body. Most fruits and vegetables also contain considerable quantities of fiber, which is important in keeping the muscles in the intestines toned and working well. In addition, quantities of fiber take longer for the digestive tract to process and therefore keep us feeling full for longer periods of time.
Another important thing the average North American can do to immediately improve his or her diet is to cut down on fats. There are fats and saturated oils hidden in many products on the shelves these days, so ferreting them out may take some vigilance. Turning to chicken, turkey or toxin free fish will help cut down on the fat intake. Substituting with fruits and vegetables will do even more.
Diets high in free fatty acids (too much omega-6 like sunflower and safflower oil) combined with high levels of insulin will increase levels of arachidonic acid and raise levels of bad eicosanoids (short range hormones) which will mediate inflammation and pain at the cellular level.
On the other hand, raising omega-3 fatty acids (fish oils) raise the good eicosapentanoic acid levels to balance the bad eicosanoids. In summary, eat hormonally neutral monounsaturated fats (olives, nuts) so that cell membrane permeability is not affected for nutrients, antioxidants and hormones.
Water is something we rarely think about as being part of our diet, but it is a very necessary part. It is especially so since many of the liquids that we drink each day are diuretics, which means that they tend to increase the flow of urine. Things like coffee, tea, and alcohol are all diuretics.
When you consume these beverages you may actually end up with a net loss of water in the body. This makes it all the more important that you drink plenty of water each day. Taking in enough water will ensure that dehydration does not become a problem, and it will provide an ideal internal medium in which the body can effect its countless chemical reactions. It will also allow you to better flush out toxins during exercise. At least 8 glasses of pure water (sometimes alkalinized) each day is recommended.
To amplify or assist your efforts in providing the body with optimal nutrient intake, you may want to consider supplements of one kind. or another. This is especially so where you feel that your diet is inadequate for any reason: hectic schedule; poor eating habits that are hard to break; insufficient variety in the diet.
You may also want to consider supplements if you have special dietary needs, such as may occur for those involved in weight training, body building, or any other form of heavy exercise. If you are on a strict diet for the purposes of losing weight, you will almost certainly want to think about supplements.
Because so much of the North American diet consists of processed foods, so much of it provides limited nutrition. This situation makes supplements almost a necessity for some people, if they are to get all the nutrients they need. For others, given the hectic pace of daily life – and its tendency to induce poor eating habits – many will at least want to consider a good multivitamin. This will be one that also includes the mother lode minerals. Depending on circumstance, others, still, will perhaps need additional antioxidants as well.
In summing up, then, take in only the number of calories you need to maintain your desired weight. Strive for a balanced diet that includes a wide variety of foodstuffs – meats, whole grains products, and dairy. Most importantly, make sure you get plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Just as important, if you are on HGH therapy, make certain you get sufficient protein for the body to use in building up that increased muscle mass.