Here’s To Healthy Aging
Thanksgiving is just around the corner! The official start of the holiday season and, as the song says, the most wonderful time of the year. And indeed it is. But it's also the time of year when life gets more stressful, and we tend to overindulge in high-sugar, high-fat, and artificially flavored and colored foods. We drink more alcohol than we should. And we're exposed to an extra load of environmental toxins: smoke in our fireplaces; cigar smoke at parties; artificial fragrances at the mall; and exhaust fumes from sitting in holiday traffic. It's enough to make you feel older than you really are! Well, don't let the holidays age you. Learn what scientists have discovered about the aging process, and what you can do to age healthier, starting this holiday season. Here's to your good health!
How We Age
Aging is a complex but natural process that affects every cell, organ, and body function you have. It's impacted by a number of factors, including genetics, nutritional habits, and other lifestyle aspects. But how exactly do we age? Well, scientists have been developing theories of aging for centuries, and more recently have invested billions of dollars into research in hopes of developing interventions to help alter or slow the aging process. To date, research suggests there are several key mechanisms involved:
- DNA Damage: Every day the DNA of our cells is under assault. The causes—oxidative damage as a result of normal metabolism, mistakes in cell replication, and exposure to environmental factors such as radiation and other toxins. These assaults can cause “genetic typos” or more mistakes in DNA replication. Eventually, these mutations accumulate, causing cells to malfunction and die.
- Declines in Cell Energy Production: Mitochondria are “intra-cellular power plants” that convert carbohydrates, fats, and protein from the foods we eat into cellular energy. However, as we age the number of mitochondria in our cells and their ability to produce energy decreases. In addition, the production of cell energy itself creates free radicals (highly reactive and unstable molecules), which damage mitochondrial membranes and cellular DNA. Over time, this damage accumulates and mitochondria stop functioning.
- Formation of AGEs: As we age, the formation of AGEs (advanced glycation end products) occurs. They form when sugar molecules attach to proteins leading to structural changes called protein cross-links. AGE proteins build up slowly but accumulate as we age, and damage body tissues. Numerous studies also suggest that AGE proteins are associated with a number of age-related diseases, such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s and heart disease.
- Decreased Cellular Defenses: How we age is related to the activity of genetic regulators—proteins that control the expression of genes. Nrf2 has been identified by scientists as a key master genetic regulator, and is now believed to control and coordinate the cells’ diverse natural defenses—antioxidant protection, anti-inflammatory activities, detoxification enzymes, as well as our cells’ ability to repair DNA and produce energy. Not surprisingly, research focusing on the role Nrf2 plays as our “guardian of longevity” has greatly increased in recent years.
Remember: Although the years of your life can’t be changed, scientists are researching ways to help slow the rate you age, and how well you can age with a healthy lifestyle.
Power Up With Polyphenols
Can you believe how amazing plants are? They contain their very own medicine cabinet full of naturally occurring substances that help defend against oxidative stress, disease, and other environmental threats. Over the past few decades, scientists have begun to discover that plant-based polyphenols can also help defend human health.Initially, polyphenolic research focused on the antioxidant potential of these plant compounds, and how this could help protect us against heart disease and various types of cancers. Today, scientists have expanded their research and are finding that polyphenols may help defend our health in other ways. Here are a few highlights of this research:
- Polyphenols have been found to increase the number of mitochondria—energy producing “power plants” found in all of our cells. Mitochondria are known to decline with age.
- In a recently published study, a unique combination of polyphenols (resveratrol plus muscadine grape, extract) was found to protect against the potentially damaging effects of a high–fat, high-carb meal by blunting inflammation and oxidative stress. This study was novel in that it was one of the first human studies to show that this combination of powerful plant compounds activated a key genetic regulator called Nrf2. Some scientists believe Nrf2 may be the master genetic regulator of cellular stress resistance and strongly impact the aging process.
- Some, but not all, polyphenols have been shown to inhibit the formation of AGE proteins in laboratory studies. AGE proteins occur with normal aging. They may be acerbated by unhealthy eating habits, and damage our cells through a process called cross-linking. Researchers at the University of Georgia found that a blend of polyphenols, including muscadine grapes, inhibited age protein formation better than resveratrol alone.
So, like those amazing plants, power up your defenses with more polyphenols. Watch your intake of high-fat, high-carb foods that promote inflammation, boost your intake of antioxidant nutrients like vitamins C and E, and selenium. And look to power up your polyphenol intake with a healthy plant–based diet and supplements containing a broad spectrum of well researched polyphenols.
Tips for Healthier Aging
We know aging when we see it. But what we don’t often realize is that it all starts our cells. Stress, poor diet, and environmental toxins can wreak havoc on our cells every day. And the more they’re bombarded, the more, vulnerable they become to conditions that can trigger aging. Now you can finally do something about it... Shaklee’s Vivix.
Vivix liquid dietary slows aging at the cellular level. Global cutting-edge research in the fight against cellular aging and years spent in partnership with leading scientists have culminated in Vivix—a scientific breakthrough from Shaklee.
Only Vivix contains both resveratrol and a proprietary phytonutrient blend. This phytonutrient blend harnesses the powerful antioxidant properties of rare muscadine grapes and has been shown to be 10X more powerful than resveratrol alone in slowing a key mechanism of cellular aging.
All natural. Patent pending. Clinically tested key ingredients.
We may see it on the outside, but aging begins at the cellular level. The good news is that Vivix delivers ingredients shown to positively impact four key mechanisms of cellular aging.
If you have trouble talking about polyphenols and phytonutrients and how they can help protect you from cellular aging, let this video do the talking for you.
Watch and share this video and invite everyone to feel younger, longer, or their money back.
For more information on this great nutritional product go to click here!
Free Shipping for the Holidays -
Now Through 11/18
Shaklee is kicking off the holidays early with a FREE shipping offer to help you kick-start your holiday season. From now through Nov. 18 we’re offering FREE shipping** (up to $20) to Members, Distributors, Associates and customers for online and mobile orders of $200 or more.***
This is a great reason for you to pick up the phone, call your customers and builders and remind them that now is the perfect time to get a head start on holiday gift giving or treat themselves to some of their favorite Shaklee products.
This is a great reason for you to pick up the phone, call your customers and builders and remind them that now is the perfect time to get a head start on holiday gift giving or treat themselves to some of their favorite Shaklee products.
Make the most of this promotion and make this holiday season your biggest ever!
- Get a head start on the holiday season with a limited time free shipping offer.
- Get FREE shipping (up to $20) when you place an order of $200 or more.
- Offer applies to orders placed on a PWS, MyShaklee.com and mobile.
- Open to all Members, Distributors, Associates and Guests. Offer ends Nov. 18.
Wellness Wednesday
Teaching Gratitude
Would you like to give each of your children one present this holiday season that they'll cherish the rest of their lives? How about one that will improve their ability to get along with others, increase their sense of well-being, and have a tremendous impact on their physical and mental health? This gift costs nothing yet it's priceless, it grows exponentially if nurtured regularly and you have the ability to make it magically appear at will.
Try some of these strategies to pass the benefits of gratitude onto your children: be a role model, make gratitude a daily family ritual, create traditions, or volunteer and donate to charity.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email or call me. Until next time have a wonderful, healthy day! Let me be your GPS to Optimal Wellness... Naturally! Your body will thank you tomorrow for the good things you do for it today.
Best wishes to you and your family for wonderful Thanksgiving!
Wishing you health and wellness from the inside out,
Lisa
LQ WELLNESS
Professional Wellness Coach
973-383-0955
Interested in Optimal Wellness? Take a look at products available here!
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“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”
~ AlbertSchweitzer ~
