Dr. Leow Chee Seng
Fellow of British Institute Homeopathy (UK)
Certified Stress Management Professional (US)
MMIM, MIMM, MIM-CPT, CAHRP
Since the dawn of time, mankind has searched for a mythological fountain of youth. Anti aging secrets are spoken of in the very earliest myths and legends. Pretty much every culture has myths about immortal heroes who found some sort of rejuvenating herb, device or potion that allow them to stay young forever – or at least for a very long time. For example, a Chinese legend described the emperor of Qing Dynasty, Shih Huang Ti who ordered his warriors to hunt for longevity potions for him but failed. In this universe, no one wants to die, and no one wants to grow old. It is no wonder that ideas about anti aging secrets are so widespread all over the world.
Sorting out the real anti aging secrets from all the myths, however, can be quite a task. For all we know, the secrets to anti aging could be well guarded so that they don't fall into the wrong hands. Who knows if somewhere, in an isolated village up in the mountains, a whole tribe of people have learned how to live for hundreds, or even thousands of years? If they knew how to do that, would they share the anti aging secret with the rest of us? Or would they keep their precious anti aging treatment to themselves?
I have visited several places in Mediterranean; I observed that, the life expectancy of the people there is higher than other countries. A qualitative research is conducted on their lifestyle and eating habits and I found that people who eat Mediterranean diets tend to live longer, healthier lives. It is not because they are necessarily wiser or smarter, but because they live in an area where certain foods grow, and have developed a specific lifestyle that contributes to longevity. Olive oil, grapes, a diet high in vegetables and fish, and many other aspects of the Mediterranean diet contribute to good health and long life.
When I was conducting a public seminar, a participant asked me how we could identify if a person has undergone degenerative process or getting old. The traditional designation for old age is 65 years old. Even a judge retires at the age of 65. (Constitutional Law, Article 125). In fact, many people are vigorous and active at 65. Some researchers refer aging in the area of biological age. Biological age refers to changes in the body that commonly occur as people age. For example, vision and hearing ability reduces as we age. Nowadays, we can observe that people biologically old at 40. Turning to psychological age, I would describe it as how a person would feel and at his emotional stage. For example, a 75-year-old who works, participates in different activities are considered as psychologically young.
As we age, hormonal levels diminish and our skin, muscles and bones begin to deteriorate. A good anti aging diet should stimulate hormone production and promote strength and flexibility. Many of the studies and research done lately about anti-aging and anti disease nutrition has focused on the nutrients known as antioxidants. Antioxidant helps to reverse the oxidation process or slow down the oxidation process to the cells. Scientists are beginning to understand the preventive qualities of antioxidants but the average person have not yet understand what antioxidants do or what they are.
Before further discussion on antioxidants, it is a good idea to expose the concept of aging. Aging starts when a person is born. An infant develops and matures into an adult. During human development, the aging process changes and decline in function that ultimately leads to death. There are several factors which lead to degeneration of cells including chemicals, radiation, environment, drugs and toxins, emotional stages, stress and other factors. In the area of histology, many cells die or undergo apoptosis due to the replacing old cells with new ones and eliminating excess cells. The cells die because they can only divide for a limited number of times. When a cell stops dividing, the cells enlarge and die. Hence, aging process starts.
The oxidation process contributes to aging. In a chemistry perspective, oxidation is a process where chemical releases or donate electrons to form cathions. Several researches have been conducted on oxygen gas as an oxidation agent. Oxygen gas releases by plants through photosynthesis and we need them for survival. However, oxygen gas produces by-product that is harmful to our health. Now, many clinical researches are conducted in order to overcome the effect of oxidation process to cells. These researches include methods to slow down oxidation process or eliminate oxidation process acts on the cells. For example, Dr. Musalmah Mazlan a lecturer from medical faculty, UKM and Associate Prof Maznah Ismail from medical faculty, UPM are actively involved in research on antioxidant.
The role of antioxidant towards our health is justified. When you walk into a pharmacy, you can buy different brands of supplement. However, how effective is the role of a supplement with antioxidant is questionable. Some of us have misunderstood on the importance of balanced diet. Supplements can never be used to substitute balanced diet. Besides, beware that we can "over- supplement" our bodies by taking more than the recommended daily dosage of certain vitamins and minerals. For example, excessive of vitamin A and E (a type of fat soluble vitamins) is stored in liver and fatty tissues that derive to toxicity and diseases. However, I strongly believe in natural therapy where nutrients should be obtained from natural food.
In practical, we should eat high quantity of fruits and vegetables in order to obtain high level of antioxidant. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of United States has identified twenty types of food with high antioxidant level.
1. Red beans
2. Wild blueberries
3. Red kidney beans
4. Pinto beans
5. Cultivated blueberries
6. Cranberries
7. Artichokes
8. Blackberries
9. Prunes
10. Raspberries
11. Strawberries
12. Red Delicious apples
13. Granny Smith apples
14. Pecans
15. Sweet cherries
16. Black plums
17. Russet potatoes
18. Black beans
19. Plums
20. Gala apples
However, in nutrition therapy session, I always encourage my clients to take diet rich in fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Since sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, cantaloupe and mangoes are great sources of antioxidants, it is recommended to consume them in the form of half cooked or even raw. Through this method, enzymes would not be destroyed by the heat during preparation process and the level of antioxidant remains at optimum level. According to Dr Charles Silverman, a natural therapist, we should take at least two types of food with high antioxidant to maintain our health and reduce aging process.
Psychological Stress accelerates aging process. Prof Dennis H. Novack, who studies the link between emotions and health at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, found that during stress hypothalamus excretes adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). The hormone shortens the telomere and the cells start to degenerate and aging starts. Stress management techniques such as breathing, progressive relaxation, mediation, visualisation should be used when there is an indicator of stress.
What is the relationship between exercise and anti-aging? Studies have shown that nothing works better to attain anti-aging effects than a regular exercise program. ‘Regular’ is the key word – unless your exercise routine is consistent, the process won’t have the same effect. Flexibility exercise is the important exercises to beat the aging process. It increases blood circulation and releases serotonin which is a chemical produced by the brain and is necessary for overall health and well-being. Flexibility exercises are also safe and easy to perform. Besides, strength Building exercise helps build sturdiness and sustain bone mass. Your chances of having a debilitating injury are lessened as you build your muscle strength. Exercises to improve the muscles in your shoulders, back and legs will also help with hormone production. Lastly I would recommend them for cardiovascular exercise. This aerobic exercise also helps fight depression and keep your weight down. Running, brisk walking and any other exercise that will increase your heart rate for a sustained period of time release brain chemicals that produce hormones.
The importance of good nutrition in order to keep away the early signs of aging, but the truth is that this is only the first step. Without a doubt antioxidants are a vital in our fight against diseases. We all agree that sometimes eating the right thing is difficult but when compared with pain and suffering that we can bring to ourselves by getting cancer, arthritis or arteriosclerosis, a bowl of salad and an orange seems like a very tasty choice. Don’t forget that the key element to be incorporated to our life-styles if we want to live longer and look younger is to reduce the amounts of chemicals, synthetics and over the counter drugs that we expose our bodies to.
Fellow of British Institute Homeopathy (UK)
Certified Stress Management Professional (US)
MMIM, MIMM, MIM-CPT, CAHRP
Since the dawn of time, mankind has searched for a mythological fountain of youth. Anti aging secrets are spoken of in the very earliest myths and legends. Pretty much every culture has myths about immortal heroes who found some sort of rejuvenating herb, device or potion that allow them to stay young forever – or at least for a very long time. For example, a Chinese legend described the emperor of Qing Dynasty, Shih Huang Ti who ordered his warriors to hunt for longevity potions for him but failed. In this universe, no one wants to die, and no one wants to grow old. It is no wonder that ideas about anti aging secrets are so widespread all over the world.
Sorting out the real anti aging secrets from all the myths, however, can be quite a task. For all we know, the secrets to anti aging could be well guarded so that they don't fall into the wrong hands. Who knows if somewhere, in an isolated village up in the mountains, a whole tribe of people have learned how to live for hundreds, or even thousands of years? If they knew how to do that, would they share the anti aging secret with the rest of us? Or would they keep their precious anti aging treatment to themselves?
I have visited several places in Mediterranean; I observed that, the life expectancy of the people there is higher than other countries. A qualitative research is conducted on their lifestyle and eating habits and I found that people who eat Mediterranean diets tend to live longer, healthier lives. It is not because they are necessarily wiser or smarter, but because they live in an area where certain foods grow, and have developed a specific lifestyle that contributes to longevity. Olive oil, grapes, a diet high in vegetables and fish, and many other aspects of the Mediterranean diet contribute to good health and long life.
When I was conducting a public seminar, a participant asked me how we could identify if a person has undergone degenerative process or getting old. The traditional designation for old age is 65 years old. Even a judge retires at the age of 65. (Constitutional Law, Article 125). In fact, many people are vigorous and active at 65. Some researchers refer aging in the area of biological age. Biological age refers to changes in the body that commonly occur as people age. For example, vision and hearing ability reduces as we age. Nowadays, we can observe that people biologically old at 40. Turning to psychological age, I would describe it as how a person would feel and at his emotional stage. For example, a 75-year-old who works, participates in different activities are considered as psychologically young.
As we age, hormonal levels diminish and our skin, muscles and bones begin to deteriorate. A good anti aging diet should stimulate hormone production and promote strength and flexibility. Many of the studies and research done lately about anti-aging and anti disease nutrition has focused on the nutrients known as antioxidants. Antioxidant helps to reverse the oxidation process or slow down the oxidation process to the cells. Scientists are beginning to understand the preventive qualities of antioxidants but the average person have not yet understand what antioxidants do or what they are.
Before further discussion on antioxidants, it is a good idea to expose the concept of aging. Aging starts when a person is born. An infant develops and matures into an adult. During human development, the aging process changes and decline in function that ultimately leads to death. There are several factors which lead to degeneration of cells including chemicals, radiation, environment, drugs and toxins, emotional stages, stress and other factors. In the area of histology, many cells die or undergo apoptosis due to the replacing old cells with new ones and eliminating excess cells. The cells die because they can only divide for a limited number of times. When a cell stops dividing, the cells enlarge and die. Hence, aging process starts.
The oxidation process contributes to aging. In a chemistry perspective, oxidation is a process where chemical releases or donate electrons to form cathions. Several researches have been conducted on oxygen gas as an oxidation agent. Oxygen gas releases by plants through photosynthesis and we need them for survival. However, oxygen gas produces by-product that is harmful to our health. Now, many clinical researches are conducted in order to overcome the effect of oxidation process to cells. These researches include methods to slow down oxidation process or eliminate oxidation process acts on the cells. For example, Dr. Musalmah Mazlan a lecturer from medical faculty, UKM and Associate Prof Maznah Ismail from medical faculty, UPM are actively involved in research on antioxidant.
The role of antioxidant towards our health is justified. When you walk into a pharmacy, you can buy different brands of supplement. However, how effective is the role of a supplement with antioxidant is questionable. Some of us have misunderstood on the importance of balanced diet. Supplements can never be used to substitute balanced diet. Besides, beware that we can "over- supplement" our bodies by taking more than the recommended daily dosage of certain vitamins and minerals. For example, excessive of vitamin A and E (a type of fat soluble vitamins) is stored in liver and fatty tissues that derive to toxicity and diseases. However, I strongly believe in natural therapy where nutrients should be obtained from natural food.
In practical, we should eat high quantity of fruits and vegetables in order to obtain high level of antioxidant. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of United States has identified twenty types of food with high antioxidant level.
1. Red beans
2. Wild blueberries
3. Red kidney beans
4. Pinto beans
5. Cultivated blueberries
6. Cranberries
7. Artichokes
8. Blackberries
9. Prunes
10. Raspberries
11. Strawberries
12. Red Delicious apples
13. Granny Smith apples
14. Pecans
15. Sweet cherries
16. Black plums
17. Russet potatoes
18. Black beans
19. Plums
20. Gala apples
However, in nutrition therapy session, I always encourage my clients to take diet rich in fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Since sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, cantaloupe and mangoes are great sources of antioxidants, it is recommended to consume them in the form of half cooked or even raw. Through this method, enzymes would not be destroyed by the heat during preparation process and the level of antioxidant remains at optimum level. According to Dr Charles Silverman, a natural therapist, we should take at least two types of food with high antioxidant to maintain our health and reduce aging process.
Psychological Stress accelerates aging process. Prof Dennis H. Novack, who studies the link between emotions and health at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, found that during stress hypothalamus excretes adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). The hormone shortens the telomere and the cells start to degenerate and aging starts. Stress management techniques such as breathing, progressive relaxation, mediation, visualisation should be used when there is an indicator of stress.
What is the relationship between exercise and anti-aging? Studies have shown that nothing works better to attain anti-aging effects than a regular exercise program. ‘Regular’ is the key word – unless your exercise routine is consistent, the process won’t have the same effect. Flexibility exercise is the important exercises to beat the aging process. It increases blood circulation and releases serotonin which is a chemical produced by the brain and is necessary for overall health and well-being. Flexibility exercises are also safe and easy to perform. Besides, strength Building exercise helps build sturdiness and sustain bone mass. Your chances of having a debilitating injury are lessened as you build your muscle strength. Exercises to improve the muscles in your shoulders, back and legs will also help with hormone production. Lastly I would recommend them for cardiovascular exercise. This aerobic exercise also helps fight depression and keep your weight down. Running, brisk walking and any other exercise that will increase your heart rate for a sustained period of time release brain chemicals that produce hormones.
The importance of good nutrition in order to keep away the early signs of aging, but the truth is that this is only the first step. Without a doubt antioxidants are a vital in our fight against diseases. We all agree that sometimes eating the right thing is difficult but when compared with pain and suffering that we can bring to ourselves by getting cancer, arthritis or arteriosclerosis, a bowl of salad and an orange seems like a very tasty choice. Don’t forget that the key element to be incorporated to our life-styles if we want to live longer and look younger is to reduce the amounts of chemicals, synthetics and over the counter drugs that we expose our bodies to.
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