When it comes to longevity, taking anti aging supplements isn’t the lazy or easy way out. We’d all love to be a super human who eats healthy, balanced meals three times a day and exercises daily. The funny thing about trying to live healthy and live well, though, is that sometimes life gets in the way. Whatever the personal reason, sometimes we need to use anti aging supplements to give our longevity an extra boost. Anti aging supplements aren’t meant to replace the healthy lifestyle choices that serve as the foundation of our anti aging efforts; rather, they are meant to help us in nutritional areas where we might be lacking.
The science and anecdotal evidence behind anti aging supplements is relatively new and continuously being explored. The science behind how anti aging supplements work is based upon our knowledge of the aging process. As we age, the cells, tissues and organs in our body naturally accumulate damage. Much of this damage is due to free radicals. Free radicals come from both inside and outside our bodies. Natural body processes, like metabolism and respiration, produce free radicals. Outside sources include pollutions, toxins, and UV rays from the sun. So while it is impossible to avoid the creation of free radicals altogether, we can at least fight against and diminish the amounts of free radicals in our bodies by eating certain fruits, vegetables, and with the use of anti aging supplements.
In order to prevent the oxidative damage caused by free radicals in our bodies, it is important to consume antioxidants. Antioxidants destroy free radicals, making them one of our best weapons in the fight against aging and age-related diseases and conditions. In addition to being found naturally in certain foods, we can also take in higher doses of antioxidants when we use anti aging supplements. Antioxidants come in the form of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. They have anti aging properties and could play an important role in the prevention of age-related and chronic diseases such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cataracts, and some cancers.
Let’s take a look at some of the top vitamins and minerals that are available as anti aging supplements.
Vitamins
Beta Carotene
- Natural Sources: High concentrations found in many orange foods, like butternut squash, carrots, orange peppers, pumpkins, peaches, apricots, mango and sweet potatoes. Green foods with Beta Carotene include kale, broccoli, and spinach.
- Anti Aging Supplements: Can be taken in softgels or gelcaps. Beta carotene supplements have been shown to be effective in age-related macular degeneration and the vision loss that comes with it.
Coenzyme Q10 (also known as Q10)
- Natural Sources: Fish like mackerel, salmon and sardines have high concentrations. Foods that have Q10 in smaller amounts include meats like beef and chicken; nuts like peanuts and pistachio nuts; veggies such as broccoli and spinach; and eggs.
- Anti Aging Supplements: Can be taken in softgels, vegicaps, and tablets. Some data suggests that Coenzyme Q10 anti aging supplements can be especially beneficial for people who suffer from Parkinson’s disease, migraines and high blood pressure.
Vitamin C
- Natural Sources: Found naturally in citrus fruits and berries like strawberries, blueberries, and black currents. Also found in vegetables like green peppers, broccoli, and leafy greens.
- Anti Aging Supplements: Can be taken in tablets and powder drink mixes. Thos who take Vitamin C supplements have been shown to have fewer wrinkles and less age-related dry skin. Vitamin C helps form collagen, which is essential in combating aging skin and wrinkles.
Minerals
Copper
- Natural Sources: To ingest copper naturally, focus on eating whole grains, liver, molasses, and nuts. Those who cook with copper cooking utensils and cookware also ingest higher amounts of copper.
- Anti Aging Supplements: Can be taken in tablets in LOW doses. Copper supplements are often combined with zinc or iron. Copper does an incredible range of functions in our bodies, such as regulating hormones, aiding in collagen production, and helping to form red blood cells.
Selenium
- Natural Sources: Brazil nuts have a very high concentration of selenium. Plant foods can also have high amounts, but this depends on the concentration of selenium in the soil where the crops were grown.
- Anti Aging Supplements: The benefits of selenium supplements, due to its anti-oxidizing effects, include anti-aging effects, promoting immunity and delaying or preventing some cancers. Also, selenium is an important mineral for thyroid function.
Zinc
- Natural Sources: The highest concentrations of zinc can be found in seafood like oysters and lobster and red meats like beef, lamb and liver.
- Supplements: Can be taken in capsules or tablets. Often comes in compound forms like zinc oxide or zinc acetate. Zinc supplements have been shown to be effective in reversing oxidative damage associated with accelerated aging of the skin and muscles.
Having gone through this list, if your current diet isn’t providing you with enough antioxidants, you may need to enhance it with some of these powerful anti-aging supplements. Please practice care by always following the recommended doses on the bottles of any anti-aging supplements you purchase.
