Delay Aging With the Use of Vitamins and Supplements - By Nancy Hirsch, CN

Wouldn't it be nice if we could age backward like the protagonist in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button?

While obviously, that is not possible, there are a variety of things you can do today that will greatly assist you in helping turn back the hands of time and restore youth.

We age because our cells become damaged by a highly reactive chemical process caused by the production of free radicals. Scientists studying aging have said that the mitochondria of our cells become so damaged by these free radicals that they lose their ability to function efficiently. As our cells lose energy, we become subject to a host of degenerative diseases.

The good news is that there are many things we can do today to help turn back the clock. The latest research shows that certain vitamins and mineral supplements have been shown to aid in the prevention of some degenerative diseases and even delay some of the problems of aging.

Two such supplements, Acetyl-LCarnitine and Alpha-Lipoic acid, protect the body from oxidative damage. A study in the September, 2008 issue of Free Radical Research found that treatment with Alpha- Lipoic acid prevented oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the liver, diaphragm and hearts of rats. Another similar study appearing in the February, 2009 issue of the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine came up with comparable results suggesting that these supplements may significantly improve brain and organ function in the elderly.

Other supplements of interest include lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, and vitamins A, C and E. These antioxidants can go a long way in helping protect eyes from developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the leading cause of blindness and vision impairment among the elderly. In your body, Lutein is converted into mesozeaxanthin, a carotenoid that helps shield the lens and macula from free radical damage caused by years of exposure to oxygen and light. These antioxidants help protect cell membranes in the eye from absorbing the part of the UV spectrum thought to be most damaging. And researchers recently discovered that the retina needs a higher concentration of zinc than any other organ. As we age, our zinc levels decline, so it's important to supplement with zinc to protect our eyes from free radical pathology.

Another malady affecting the older population is depression, which can often be helped by taking folic acid and SAMe. Folic acid affects mood and cognitive function, especially in older people, and the value of SAMe in treating depression has been well recognized. SAMe improves liver function, enhances cognition and protects the brain, reduces the symptoms of arthritis, may have a role to play in preventing heart disease and affects some basic mechanisms of the aging process, according to Dr. Marios Kyriazis, one of the leading anti-aging physicians in the UK.

Osteoporosis is another very common affliction in older people. Menopausal and post menopausal women and men over the age of 65 should take at least 1,200 mg to 1,500 mg per day of calcium. Adequate amounts of vitamin D are necessary for the body to absorb calcium; therefore, at least 1,000 mg per day of vitamin D should be taken along with your calcium supplement. And vitamin D has recently been shown to be one of the most important nutrients to assist in the formation of strong bones. When supplementing with vitamin D, it is important to get your levels checked, as vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and is easily stored in the tissues of the body.

These supplements are only a few of the many vitamins, nutrients and co-factors that have been shown to aid in the prevention of degenerative diseases and illnesses brought about by aging.

Consult a licensed nutritionist to help you choose the right kind of nutritional supplementation for your particular needs.