USAFrom the book "Natural Solutions for Pain-Free Living" by Dr. Shawn Talbott:
" There are four primary metabolic factors that contribute to what most of us understand as aging:
1. INFLAMMATION is caused by inflammatory prostaglandins, eicosanoids, and cytokines. These are hormone-like compounds produced by cells to communicate with one another. The immune system is the primary source of eicosanoids- with both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory forms existing in the body at all times. The problem with eicosanoids is not that they are bad- but rather that having too many of the inflammatory type and too few of the anti-inflammatory type leads directly to tissue damage as well as to higher levels of both free radicals (and the oxidative damage they cause) and cortisol overexposure (leading to glycation and the resulting tissue damage).
Eicosanoids can be controlled by limiting your intake of inflammatory fatty acids (such as omega-6 fatty acids found in most vegetable oils) and increasing your intake of anti-inflammatory fatty acids (such as omega 3 fatty acids found in fatty fish and fish oil supplements). Omega-3 fatty acids can also control cortisol levels. Spices such as turmeric and ginger can directly control both inflammatory eicosanoids as well as oxidative free readicals.
2. OXIDATION is caused by highly reactive oxygen molecules called free readicals that lead to damage of cellular membranes and DNS. Oxidized cells do not perform optimally and can lead to disease and dysfunction in all tissues, including connective tissues. Free readicals are directly associtated with connective tissue damage and with elevated levels of inflammation, which leads to further tissue dysfunction.
Free radicals can be controlled by antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, alph lipoic acid, flavonoids (as in grape seed, green tea, cirtures, and others), and carotenoids (such as beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and others). Antioxidants can be found in brightly colored fruits and vegetables as well as in dietary supplements.
3. GLYCATION is the result of proteins being exposed to elevated levels of blood sugar (glucose). Glycated proteins have imparied function and are broken down faster, which leads to weakened tissue strength. In the case of connective tissue, thismeans a lostt of function, delayed wound healing, loss of elasticity, and an overall reduction in mobility and flexibility. Elevated blood sugar also leads directly to increased inflammatory load and increased free radical damage- both of which lead to further tissue damage, reduced turnover, and delayed healing.
Glycation can be controlled by eating fewere processed foods and more whole foods (to maintain normal blood glucose), as well as by using certain glucose-contol supplements such as alpha lipoic acid (also an antioxidant) banaba leaf, ghmnema, fenugreek and others.
4. CORTISOL is the primary stress hormone to which overeposue leads directly and reapidly to elevated blood sugar (increasing glycation), as well as increased levels of free readicals and eicosanoids. Of the four metabolic factors tha influence connective tissue health, cortisol control can be though of as first in line because is so strongly influences the direction of the other three and it serves as a signal in the body for the rapid beakdown of collagen (the chief structural protein in connective tissues).
Cortisol can be controlled by exercise, yoga, stress management, balancing protein/fat/carbohydrate intake, and by a variety of anti-stress supplements, including theanine, magnolia bark, beta-sitosterol, phosphatidylserine, omega-3 fatty acids (also and anti-inflammatory), scutellaria, ginseng, ashwagandah, rhodiola, and others."
sue in ohio
Jilly
