Survey
Grow young!
Aging is inevitable, but quality of life can be influenced.
Definitions
Physiological and Chronological Age
Age is about much more than how long we live. How well your brain and body function — the quality of life — is important too. For this reason, let’s consider two kinds of aging:
- Chronological age: Our age in years.
- Physiological age: How well we’re functioning — are you younger or older than your chronological age?
The importance of this terminology is that while a person’s chronological age cannot be changed, we can influence physiological age — we can become younger!
Key Factors
Aging and Oxidative Stress
Many factors can contribute to shortened lifespans, reducing quality of life, even making us older than we are. These include poor nutrition, especially the consumption of junk food, lack of aerobic activity, and the accumulation of other physical, biochemical and mental-emotional stresses.
One of the most potent aging factors, however, is oxidative stress. Much like rust, this is a continuous wear and tear biochemical reaction in our cells producing free radicals (a by-product of oxygen-based energy-production processes). We normally control this oxidative stress with natural compounds known as antioxidants. The main source of antioxidants is natural foods containing all the various micronutrients and phytonutrients we continuously require.
When this process goes unchecked — if there is too much oxidative stress (read the article), too few antioxidants or a combination of both, we age faster. In addition, hard exercise can increase free radical stress, so plan your workouts well.
Next step: Take the survey below.
Take the survey
Take the following survey to figure out if you are at risk for unhealthy aging. This survey will provide you with a personalized risk level (low, moderate, or high) that you can use to improve your health.
Disclaimer
A high level of risk doesn’t mean that you have a serious health condition. It means that due to your present situation (lifestyle, health and habits), you have a higher risk for this condition.
Solutions
In order to stay young, keep away from household chemicals, increase your antioxidant intake, train aerobically, de-stress, and find the positive in your life!
Antioxidants to the Rescue!
Applies to:
High Risk
Moderate Risk
Low Risk
The best sources of antioxidants come from a wide variety of antioxidant-rich organic foods including blueberries, Brussels sprouts, kale, spinach and beets, raw sesame seeds and almonds, extra-virgin olive oil, green and black tea, red wine and organic grass-fed beef.
Despite all the antioxidant dietary supplements available, only take supplements when absolutely necessary, and only those made from real, raw foods.
Keys to Successful Aging
Applies to:
High Risk
Moderate Risk
Low Risk
There are many keys to successful aging, and the common denominator to all of them is to invest in good health today in order to reap the rewards tomorrow. Here are some of the most important:
- Avoid refined carbohydrates, including sugars.
- Control inflammation.
- Get adequate sunshine.
- Eat folate-rich foods.
- Become aerobically fit.
- Manage stress effectively.
- Build a better brain.
- Eat antioxidant-rich foods.
If these seem like a recap of previous steps, it is: they are all building blocks to a great quality of life.
