A Healthy Lifestyle

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It is believed by many scientists that the primary source of ageing, with vitamin E being at the top of their list as a possible way to slow down the ageing process, lies somewhere in our DNA. Despite this, it does not mean we can expect that one day we will be able to live forever. If we adopt a healthy lifestyle, it may be possible to stay as fit & healthy in later life as we were during our youth. So my next train of thought would be ‘Is There Some Truth In The Saying?’

We are what we eat

I’m sure you would agree that we need nutrition from various sources to continue our lives. Let us take a look at proteins for a moment, and which happen to be the most complex of all the food compounds. Protein is made by the body from amino acids. Amino acids are molecules containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, as well as others. These molecules are involved in all of our body’s vital functions. They cover growth, maintenance, and the repair of cells. Several of the amino acids can only be obtained through our food, so if we are unaware, do not understand, or simply do not care about what we eat, then we should not be surprised when our body goes A.W.O.L on us. If we are not giving our body the essential building blocks necessary for good health, then we are at risk of making ourselves ill. By eating a variety of different foods this will ensure we get enough of each amino acid.

Although not all are required daily, nutritionists have identified around about 40 different nutrients that the body requires on a regular basis

Although a deficiency is rare in an average diet, the likes of slimmers on a peculiar diet, maybe the elderly who no longer take an interest in what they eat, or maybe someone suffering a severe mental health problem where the individual has lost any interest in themselves, others, or both, could be at risk. The population of developing countries understandingly may be at risk and the lack of protein can lead to a breakdown in muscle tissue. The opposite end of the scale is having too much which can put unnecessary strain on both liver and kidney function leading to an overall reduction of minerals in the body. So my response to the theory that ‘We are what we eat’, as far as I am concerned, yes we are!

Sources Of Protein

• Vegetables
• milk
• eggs
• cheese
• yoghurt
• poultry, meat & fish
• shellfish
• pulses (such as peas, beans and lentils)
• bread
• nuts
• cereals
• pasta
• rice, oats and rye

If you are vegetarian protein can be obtained by eating pulses, cereals, bread, potatoes, porridge, rice and vegetables.

Free Radicals & ROS

The theory behind Free Radical ageing does not account for all ageing changes, but many believe it has a major impact on longevity. Ageing occurs when cells are permanently damaged by continual attacks from free radicals. At first free radicals help our bodies to generate energy and fight infections. A process called oxidation creates free radicals. These little devils are formed just by living. I say little devils because in their rampage through our body’s they’re also on the lookout for a mate they can pair up with. If that means stealing a molecule’s mate (electron) it will. That then leaves the molecule without a mate and it starts its new life as a free radical, on the look out for another mate, and the process starts all over again destroying body cells as it goes. Free radicals play a important part in biological processes such as fighting disease & bacteria using white blood cells. Unfortunately because of the high reactivity of free radicals, they can also participate in unwanted reactions causing health problems. Some Cancers, liver damage and even Parkinson’s disease are thought to be caused by these rouge reactions. Its not only oxidation that can create free radicals, environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides can also help to make free radicals.

Although we do all of this to prevent ageing, normal metabolization of the oxygen in the air creates by-products known as ROS. Reactive Oxygen Species have a direct effect on cell growth and development survival, on the development of cancer, and ties to accelerated ageing by causing damage to our DNA, RNA, and proteins.

Selenium can help against free radical damage and can be found in many foods. Brazil nuts, chicken, brewer’s yeast, brown rice, oatmeal and Cheddar cheese all contain selenium. Although selenium is an essential trace element, it can prove to be toxic if taken in excess.

Antioxidants

The body however does protect itself. It calls forth a small army of defences which are chemicals known as antioxidants. These are sent out by the body to cut out and repair the genes. The repairing is believed to be in the region of 99-99.9%. The main sources of antioxidants are vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E, and I think it would make sense to have an abundant amount of soldiers in this particular small army.

Finnish researchers at the National Public Health Institute, Department of Health and Functional Capacity, Helsinki, Finland, believe they have found a link, which may suggest a high intake of dietary antioxidants appears to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.)

The conclusion of these results, which can be read in more detail at http://care.diabetesjournals.org, was that vitamin E intake was significantly associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

Antioxidants can be found in: fruit and vegetables such as carrots, apples, pumpkin, apricots, watermelons, broccoli, kale, spinach, sweet potatoes, grape seed extract, green tea, and others.

Image: Andy Newson / FreeDigitalPhotos.net