Healthy Aging

Today, we are living longer. By the year 2020, twenty percent of the U.S. population will be aged 65 years or older. If the healthcare demands of this group match those of their parents, it will place an extraordinary burden on finding medical services. 
 

The genes you inherited and your environment determine health after age 40. Diseases that are most common among the older segments of the population (e.g., coronary artery disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, kidney disease, and liver disease) in part result from the interaction of unique genetic susceptibilities with lifestyle, environmental, and nutritional factors. 
 

Unhealthy aging shows signs of loss of strength, reduced flexibility, decreased cardiovascular endurance, increased body fat, reduced resting energy expenditure, lower kidney clearance, reduced cell-mediated immunity, increased hearing threshold, reduced vibratory sensation, and
free radicals are present throughout the body.  As we age, free radicals cause cell damage and eventually cell death. One of the keys to slowing down the aging process is to protect your cells. 
 

Choices you make with your diet can have profound effects on aging. Fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and legumes are key choices to make in the anti-aging battle. For example spinach, strawberries and blueberries have been proven to help protect against cell damage. Other foods noted for fighting disease and promoting longevity include garlic, soybeans, yams, bananas, cruciferous vegetables, kiwi, onions, bell peppers, carrots, papaya, cantaloupe, green leafy vegetables, yogurt, and tomatoes.
 

Exercise lowers the risk of heart disease, reduces osteoporosis, protects against falls and injuries by strengthening muscles, helps control weight, protects against muscular and skeletal problems. In addition, regular exercise can help relieve depression, stress, disrupted sleep and helps to promote mental sharpness.

Nutrients and supplemental vitamins can influence and neutralize the effects of free radical damage.

• Antioxidants like Vitamin A (a powerful immune booster and believed to lower the risk of lung, larynx, bladder, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, and prostate) 
• Vitamin C fights free radicals and lowers the risk of cervical dysplasia, a precancerous condition
• Vitamin E helps the body resist oxidative stress and fights free radicals also lowers the risk of lung cancer and is proven to help slow the aging process. 
• Alpha-lipoic acid decreased an additional marker of oxidative damage, protein carbonyls.
  More fatal cases of cancers of the esophagus, stomach, and rectum occur in regions with low selenium levels in the soil and water.
• Calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, boron, and vitamins C, D, and K protect against osteoporosis.
• A great product in our store, NeuroTone is a powerful, broad spectrum nutritional support for healthy mental function. Contains amino acids along with Ginkgo biloba which supports the flow of blood and oxygen through the capillaries to the brain. Phosphatidylcholine and Phosphatidylserine assist in the communication between neurons. While DHA fatty acids helps maintain normal brain functions. Provides antioxidant protection to the brain and nerve cells. Promotes healthy mental performance and memory functions. The complementary action of these and other key nutrients enhances overall brain and nervous system functions involved in maintaining mental alertness, clarity and memory retention.  Some herbs to make you look and feel younger…
• Ginkgo biloba improves brain function and symptoms of depression. It also promotes healthy circulation.
• Echinacea fights inflammation and bacterial and viral infections. Stimulates certain white blood cells and is good for the immune system and the lymphatic system. Echinacea should not be taken for consecutive long periods of time. Recommended dose is two weeks on two weeks off.
• Rhodiola Rosea, A Siberian plant that helps to moderate the effects of physical and emotional stress. Studies have shown that it may help to moderate fatigue under stressful conditions and to support short-term memory and concentration. Promotes the activities of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine which plays a part in this herb's ability to enhance cognitive functioning, memory and attention. May also help to promote energy metabolism and endurance. A great book about this herb is "The Rhodiola Revolution" by Richard P. Brown M.D. and Patricia Gerparg, M.D..
• St. John’s Wort helps with depression and sleep disorders.
• Saw palmetto has been proven to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (i.e., enlarged prostate) We carry Prostate Phytonutrition, which is designed to support prostate and urogenital health. Contains essential nutrients and botanical extracts that support normal prostate size, urinary function and hormone balance. Lipase enzyme has been added to improve assimilation of the nutrients. Contains Vitamin E, zinc, lycopenes, saw palmetto, stinging nettles root extract, pygeum bark extract and lipase.
• Garlic detoxifies the body and protects against infection by enhancing immune function. Lowers blood pressure and improves circulation. Lowers blood lipid levels. Helps stabilize blood sugar levels. Aids in treatment of arteriosclerosis, arthritis, asthma, cancer, circulatory problems, colds and flu, digestive problems, heart disorders, insomnia, liver disease, sinusitis, ulcers, and yeast infections. Taking garlic in a supplement is great but also a clove of raw garlic, cut into quarters and swallowed like a pill is a good potent way of getting your daily garlic.
• Taking care of your skin from the inside as well as the outside can reduce the signs of aging. Dr. Fields has created an all natural, affordable solution to aging skin. She calls it Dr. Fields' Sacred Skin.

This system contains no preservative or chemicals. Your skin is your biggest organ and it can absorb chemicals even better than your stomach can. So when you are putting these toxins on your skin it is even harder on your body because it bypasses your liver and so you can't detoxify these chemicals. This anti-aging system enhances the tone, texture, hydration, color and overall youthful appearance of your skin...Naturally.

All of these products we do carry in our store. Please ask if you have any questions or if you are looking for something specific. We do carry multi-vitamin/ multi-herbal/ multi-nutrient products and include many of the recommended nutrients.

Our physicians also do further testing looking at hormone levels such as DHEA, and other age related hormones. We do not recommend taking anti-aging hormones without testing and close monitoring.

For questions, to find out more about our products, or to place an order or contact us by phone, fax or e-mail.