I believe brilliant health is paramount to staying young. This includes taking time to take care of yourself by eating whole foods (foods that we have evolved to eat based on thousands of years of human evolution, innate wisdom and trial and error); getting sunlight; exercise, rest, and play; hydrating well and having a good dose of presence. In saying that, a little bit of extra help from the following supplements certainly can go a long way in the anti-ageing game…
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My top 5 supplement recommendations for anti-ageing…
1. Herbal supplements – Green tea, Turmeric root and Milk thistle seed
There is one group of chemicals (the good kind!) that receive special attention in the quest for graceful ageing and disease prevention: antioxidants. They scavenge free radicals from cells and prevent, or greatly reduce, the damage caused by oxidation.
Oxidation is a process in the human body that damages cell membranes and other structures, including cellular proteins, lipids and DNA. When oxygen is metabolised, it creates ‘free radicals’ which steal electrons from other molecules, causing damage. The body can cope with some free radicals and needs them to function effectively, however an overload has been linked to certain diseases.
Oxidation can also be accelerated by stress, cigarette smoking, alcohol, little or excessive sunlight, pollution and other factors.
Consume these three herbs in a tea, tonic (prescribed by your Herbalist or Naturopath) or in a capsule/tablet form.
2. Fat-soluble vitamin K2
This totally underrated and misconceived vitamin is very essential to human health. Vitamin K2 has so many functions not associated with vitamin K1, which has been researched extensively. In fact, many researchers now insist that K1 and K2 are best seen as two different vitamins entirely.
Vitamin K2 prevents the calcification of our skin’s elastin, the protein that gives skin the ability to spring back, to help smooth out lines and wrinkles by depositing calcium and other minerals where necessary. That is, keeping hard tissues hard and soft tissues soft.
Sources:
– Fermented cod liver oil (Why fermented? All other cod liver oils and fish oils available world-wide are molecularly distilled, a process that heats the oil and strips away much of the naturally occurring nutrients. Fermented cod liver oil does not undergo this process. It is produced using age-old lacto-fermentation, which keeps nutrients and enzymes in tact)
– Pastured eggs yolks, ghee & butter
– Pastured organ meats such as liver
3. Collagen hydrosylate
We’ve all heard of collagen. It’s the stuff we find in creams and hair products that make us look younger. Hydrolyzed collagen is a product created by Great Lakes. I discovered this supplement after researching the health benefits of gelatinous soups and old fashion – jelly.
According to Great Lakes, “It is unique in its amino acid structure because of its high amounts of glycine, lysine and proline, which are found in lower amounts in other protein food supplements. These particular amino acids are found to generate cell growth much quicker because the natural ability to produce supporting amounts of connective tissue diminishes after the age of 25. Hydrolyzed collagen is more easily digested because of its low molecular weight and is absorbed within 30 minutes. All of the amino acids collectively are beneficial to cell reproduction, but it is the distinctive spectrum of this product that impacts the metabolic pathways to healthy tissue. Hydrolyzed collagen is beneficial in replacing the synovial fluids between the joints and secondly, to repair and build cartilage weakened by overuse through impact and stress.
Our bodies are made up of 30% collagen of which 70% of these proteins are connective tissue made of collagen. Hydrolyzed collagen is the missing link in supplying amino acids like glycine, proline and lysine that are required by the body to build connective tissue to regulate cell growth. It will benefit hair, skin tissue, muscle, cartilage, ligaments and blood cell growth. Some doctors are referring to this product as the new anti-aging product of the century”.
Dose: 1 tablespoon added to smoothies, yoghurt, hot tea or water upon rise and before bed.
4. Vitamin C
This humble and vey well-known supplement has been praised for decades for the following reasons:
– It is involved in the regulation of collagen, a structural protein necessary for the extracellular stability of skin;
– Improves skin health and faster healing;
– Contributes to less skin wrinkling;
– Prevents and treat ultraviolet (UV)- induced photo damage by acting as an antioxidant;
– Decreases dry skin; and
– Prevents the formation of scar tissue.
Sources:
– Gubinge powder (Australian Kakadu Plum) – richest food source of vitamin C.
– Organic bell peppers, guava, dark leafy greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kiwi, citrus fruits and strawberries.
5. Omega 3
This quintessential anti-inflammatory prevents hyperkeratinization of sebaceous follicles (those bumpy bits on your upper arms and legs) and contributes to smoother and younger skin.
Sources:
– Wild Salmon
– Sardines
– Anchovies
– Pastured beef, lamb & eggs
References: https://www.greatlakesgelatin.com/consumer/CollagenFAQ.php https://chriskresser.com/vitamin-k2-the-missing-nutrient
image credit: supplements for anti ageing via renegade.com