Article
LIVING COMPLETELY WELL: Detoxing is start of anti-aging regimen
By Dr. Cheryl Shea
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Email
Share this item
Send this to a friend
Grab the link
Copy and paste the link:
Blog about it
Blog about this page.
Close
Comment
-->
Question: I’ve noticed my older sister has started to look really old. What can I do to prevent aging like she has?
Answer: Keeping young and healthy is a balancing act. Stay away from things like coffee, drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol, which accelerate aging. Also stay away from medications that cover up symptoms, such as antacids, diuretics and aspirin (or ibuprofen, acetaminophen) and deal with underlying health issues.
To really make a difference in aging, we have to start by detoxifying. A good start is fasting for a few days. (Get clearance from your physician.) Juicing is another good way to get concentrated fruits and vegetables into our body. Anything that removes toxins will retard aging. The more toxic we are the faster we age.
After detoxifying an anti-aging diet is a great idea. How can diet affect aging? Beta-carotene in carrots provides protection against sun damage. Lycopene in tomato, pink grapefruit and watermelon is a powerful antioxidant and it provides ultraviolet damage. Lycopene also reduces DNA damage that can cause cancer.
Green foods contain chlorophyll which is a great blood purifier. Chlorophyll also lessens the effects of various pollutants, such as smoke, to our body.
We age less rapidly when our hormones are in balance. Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate the body’s functions. All of the hormones are interdependent and a breakdown in one system triggers a second reaction, then a third. Hormones can be measured by a comprehensive evaluation, including either blood or preferably saliva tests.
Hormones such as HGH (human growth hormone) and DHEA have a significant effect on aging. HGH is considered an anti-aging hormone and our body produces it while we sleep. Poor sleep can therefore lead to more rapid aging. DHEA seems to protect the brain from aging, however both of these compounds should only be used with careful supervision by a doctor.
Antioxidants supplements slow down free radical damage; good examples are Vitamin A, beta-carotene, bioflavonoids, vitamin C, Vitamin E, selenium and zinc, slow
In summary, avoid aging habits, stay active, detoxify 2 or 3 times per year, have lab tests done as a baseline, eat an anti-aging diet and take antioxidants.