| Nutritional Programs: Nutritional Program for Anti-Aging | |
Organic germanium (trace mineral complex, germanium sesquioxide) is an oxygenating nutrient that I am sure future research will demonstrate to possess antiaging properties.
Mucopolysaccharides, or chondroitin sulfates, may have a role in reducing inflammation, which can be a culprit in aging, and in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and arthritis. These substances, found in mussels and oysters, also help keep the collagen tissues and cells strong. Though the research so far has not substantiated the usefulness of mucopolysaccharides, the clinical responses have been favorable.
Hydrochloric acid and digestive enzyme support may be helpful, particularly if these substances are deficient in our bodies. Proper breakdown and utilization of food nutrients are essential to staying healthy. Poor digestion can lead to many problems, including increased incidence of allergy; furthermore, improper assimilation of undigested foods can ultimately lead to increased nutrient deficiencies as well as free-radical formation from food reactions.
Herbs
Herbs have long been known for their benefits in cleansing the body and blood, protecting us from irritants and cancer cells, and supporting longevity. Those that I think are best for these purposes are garlic, ginseng root, capsicum, also known as red or cayenne pepper, and gotu kola.
- Garlic has some antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. It also probably has some anticancer function. Garlic helps to stimulate liver and colon detoxification and aids in reducing both blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Ginseng root, known as the "longevity herb," has been used for centuries in the Orient to improve energy, especially in the elderly. Ginseng seems to support the adrenal glands and the immune function, though further tests are needed to confirm this. There are many kinds of ginseng; the red may lead to a mild increase in blood pressure, while the white varieties may help reduce it. Ginseng should not be used regularly in an antiaging program unless there is fatigue. It may be used three or four times a year, with a few capsules taken daily for a week or two or a tea prepared from the root, drunk over several days.
- Capsicum is a very interesting herb. A spicy bush-berry, cayenne helps to stimulate both the circulation and elimination. It also acts as a mild diuretic, increasing kidney cleansing. Cayenne is a natural energy stimulant that, unlike coffee, helps to reduce the blood pressure as well as the cholesterol level.
- Gotu kola has long been used by the East Indians for a variety of conditions. It is used in an antiaging program as a memory and brain stimulant and has been known as a longevity herb, likely for its effect on mental and physical vitality. Gotu kola has a diuretic effect and has been used as a glandular tonic in both men and women.
In the future, more and more specific nutrients and herbs will be used to slow down the aging process and enhance health, mainly by reducing stress and supporting immune function. Immune enhancement and a greater understanding of the relationship between immunology and health will probably be the basis of our future medicine.
Unless we get involved in serious cloning of cells and tissues or in cryobiology, the freezing of cells, tissues, and whole bodies to prolong or regenerate life, it is going to be up to each of us to live according to the health-sustaining laws of nature and the universe. A total revamping of the diet, with nutrient-rich, wholesome foods and a focus on regular undereating, will support us best. Reducing chemical exposure by cleaning up the environment will also be necessary for greatest longevity. Learning to reduce and manage stress in our daily lives and generate an attitude of enthusiasm and love for life is crucial to our future health and happiness.
The specific nutrient program I recommend for antiaging is shown in the following table. The values given are averages for men and women of different sizes and shapes. Ranges are shown for most values to allow for some flexibility in individual application. Unless otherwise noted, these amounts are to be taken daily, usually divided into two or three portions over the course of the day. Amounts consumed in the diet can be taken into consideration for nutrients such as folic acid, calcium, or iron; excess iron should not be taken unless you are being treated for iron deficiency or are monitored by a nutritional specialist. This supplementation program may be used for one month several times yearly for healthy people in their 40s and 50s, and then more regularly in the later years or with particular aging concerns. For specific medical conditions, using more specific programs discussed later may be more relevant.
Anti-Aging Nutrient Program
Calories |
1600–3,000 |
|
Calcium
| 800–1,200 mg. |
Protein | 50–75 g. | |
Chromium | 200–500 mcg. |
Fats | 40–70 g. | |
Copper | 2–3 mg. |
Carbohydrate | 250–400 g. | |
Iodine | 150–200 mcg. |
Fiber | 10–20 g. | |
Iron men and post-menopausal women |
10–15 mg. |
Water | 1.5–3.0 qt. | |
menstruating women | 18–30 mg. |
| |
Magnesium | 600–800 mg. |
Vitamin A | 10,000 IUs | |
Manganese | 5–15 mg. |
Beta-carotene | 25,000–50,000 IUs | |
Molybdenum | 100–500 mcg. |
Vitamin D | 400 IUs | |
Selenium, (preferably as selenomethionine) |
200–300 mcg. |
Vitamin E | 400–800 IUs | |
Silicon | 100–200 mg. |
Vitamin K | 300 mcg. | |
Zinc | |
Thiamine (B1) | 10–50 mg. | |
men | 30–60 mg. |
Riboflavin (B2) | 10–50 mg. | |
women | 25–50 mg. |
Niacin (B3) | 50–100 mg. | |
| |
Niacinamide (B3) | 50–100 mg. | |
L-amino acids complex | 1,000 mg. |
Pantothenic acid (B5) | 250–500 mg. | |
L-cysteine | 500 mg. |
Pyridoxine (B6) | 25–200 mg. | |
L-carnitine | 250–500 mg. |
Pyridoxal-5-phosphate | 25–50 mg. | |
Coenzyme Q10 | 30–60 mg. |
Cobalamin (B12) | 50–250 mcg. | |
Flaxseed oil | 1–2 t. |
Folic acid |
1,000–2,000 mcg. (1–2 mg.) |
|
Organic germanium |
75–300 mg. |
| | | |
Biotin | 500 mcg. | |
Others: |
Choline | 250–1,000 mg. | |
Hydrochloric acid | 5–10 grains |
Inositol | l500–1,000 mg. | |
(with protein meals) | (1–2 tablets) |
Vitamin C | 2–6 g. | |
Digestive enzymes including bromelain (after meals) |
2–3 tablets |
Bioflavonoids | 250–500 mg. | |
Wheat germ oil | 4 capsules |
| | |
Mucopolysaccharides | 100–500 mg. |
(Excerpted from Staying Healthy with Nutrition ISBN: 1587611791)
| Elson M. Haas, MD is founder & Director of the Preventive Medical Center of Marin (since 1984), an Integrated Health Care Facility in San Rafael, CA and author of many books on Health and Nutrition, including ...more |
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