Why Do We Age?

All of us age, whether we like it or not. It is a natural process of life and as our bodies grow old, they naturally deteriorate. The most noticeable signs of aging are the cosmetic changes in our body such as graying hair and visible lines and wrinkles. Our cells age at different rates and can be influenced by factors such as stress, smoking, and genetics. These factors bring free radicals to our bodies, which scientists believe are the prominent cause of aging. Free radicals are  molecules that attack the cell’s DNA causing healthy cells to die prematurely. Antioxidants protect our bodies from these cell-destroying molecules. However, as we age, our antioxidant defense system becomes less efficient. Although a balanced diet, regular exercise, and positive attitude all play a major role in preventing accelerated aging, older people may still need supplements in order to restore the antioxidants level in the body. Nowadays, more and more people are in search of different ways to help slow down the dreaded aging process. Many of us want to stay young longer and this is evident with the continuously climbing demand for anti aging supplements. The following are some of the most popular anti aging supplements that may be worth trying. They bring different benefits to our bodies inside and out and it’s best to learn each one to help you in deciding which anti aging supplements would suit your needs.

The Best Anti Aging Supplements

Coenzyme Q10

CoQ10 is a substance found in almost every cell in our body. It plays a vital role in generating energy within cells. It is a natural antioxidant synthesized by the body and can be found in many foods. Studies have found that as you grow older, your body produces less and less CoQ10. The graph illustrates that by age 40, you are already 25% deficient and by age 80, 57% deficient in COQ10. This makes it one of the most important anti aging supplements to take for adults over 30 years old. A young body can produce as much CoQ10 as it needs. However, factors such as aging and stress can lower the levels of CoQ10. This decreases the ability of cells to regenerate and withstand stress. Since the decline in CoQ10 levels correlates with the aging process, it is considered as one of the most accurate biomarkers of aging. CoQ10 is responsible for many chemical reactions in cells and produces 95% of the body’s energy. Without CoQ10 to help in biochemical reactions, the cells in the body would be unable to grow and divide. CoQ10 supplements not only provide internal health benefits but also help improve your aging skin. The lack of this nutrient in the body can impede the production of collagen and elastin that makes the skin firm and flexible. CoQ10 also helps the skin by neutralizing free radicals that cause aging. It reduces oxidation and breakages of DNA strands which are linked to longevity.

Vitamins C and E

Vitamin C is one of the most popular anti aging supplements because of its antioxidant properties. It shields the skin from free radicals that cause premature aging. The most abundant forms of free radicals come from environmental factors such as sun damage, pollution, and oxygen. Vitamin C is therefore a good source of protection for your skin when applied topically. Some of its benefits include reduction of brown spots caused by sun damage, boost of collagen production for firmer skin, and reduction of post-acne marks by improving skin’s natural healing response. It reduces inflammation and irritation that cause skin damage. Vitamin C also boosts the skin’s defense against UV exposure which can lead to freckles and a mottled complexion. Studies show that eating vitamin C rich foods results to fewer wrinkles and less age-related dry skin. This is because vitamin C helps form collagen which in turn smooths fine lines and wrinkles.

More than any other vitamin, vitamin E is probably the most associated with skin and anti aging. As we age, the levels of vitamin E in our body decline just as other antioxidant defenses break down. This is why most aging adults include this in their anti aging supplements. Vitamin E protects the skin from free-radicals and UV damage. This is the reason why it is a very popular ingredient among skin care products. It helps fight damaging molecules on a cellular level and therefore protects the cells from vulnerability. As a fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin E is the primary antioxidant against free radical damage to lipids and cell membranes. It traps free radicals attempting to enter the cell. Since it only has a limited capacity for containing trapped free radicals, it needs to transfer them to vitamin C. Vitamin C, in turn, neutralizes these radicals. This process then frees up the vitamin E and restores its full hunting potential. This is how vitamins C and E work together. It is therefore best to take anti aging supplements that contain both vitamins to provide maximum antioxidant protection.

 Lipoic Acid

Lipoic acid is an antioxidant found in many foods like spinach, broccoli, potato, yeast, and is also made naturally in our bodies. It helps prevent certain kinds of cell damage in the body and restores the levels of vitamins C and E. Lipoic acid is one of the most powerful and longer-acting antioxidant vitamins known. It is said to be 400 times stronger than Vitamins C and E combined in terms of its antioxidant properties.  Among the major antioxidants, only lipoic acid possesses the ability to work in both water-soluble and fat-soluble environments in the body. This means that it has access to all parts of our cells to combat free radicals. Aging cells need energy to keep them functioning properly. Supplementing with lipoic acid helps increase the energy for proper cellular metabolism needed for cellular repair. Human aging is marked by a sharp decline in the synthesis and recycling of glutathione and other antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, and COQ10. This leaves the body vulnerable to oxidative damage. Thanks to lipoic acid, the key antioxidants in our body can be regenerated. When applied topically, lipoic acid can also eliminate dark circles, reduce lines and wrinkles, even the skin tone, and transform dull complexion into a vibrant glowing skin.

Carnosine

Carnosine is a protein building block produced naturally in the body. It is important in maintaining the normal body functions such as proper function and development of the muscles, heart, liver, kidneys, brain and many other organs. Research shows that carnosine can prevent aging because it interferes with the glycation process that affects the aging process. Glycation is the cross-linking of proteins and sugars to form non-functioning structures in the body. A person’s wrinkled skin is the evidence of this process. Glycation is also an underlying cause of age-related problems such as neurologic, vascular, and eye disorders. Carnosine helps in anti aging by interfering with the glycation process therefore slowing down the unsightly formation of wrinkled skin. Carnosine is one of the most effective and fast acting natural anti aging supplements available. It is the single supplement most likely to produce a visible youth-like appearance in the shortest possible time, within 3 to 6 months.

With all the different anti aging supplements and products out there, there is really no magic pill that can stop or reverse the effects of aging. However, some of them can potentially delay the process and help you maintain your health as you age. To learn more about anti aging, antioxidants, and tips on how to slow down the aging process, you can refer to this video and hear it straight from a holistic heath coach. Whatever the case is, it is still best to consult your doctor on what anti aging supplements to take with your current health condition. Using the right supplements may help you stay healthy and young-looking longer. But experts say it is still more important to make healthy choices and positive changes to your lifestyle.