Herbal Blog

• 21Mar

  Caloric Restrictions and Aging

  Home Remedies No Comments
  Share
  
  

  From the Journal of Exp Gerontology May 2000: “Caloric Restriction and Aging” by Masoro EJ from the Department of Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

  • The study showed that if we restrict food intake by 50 to 70%, length of life increases by retarding physiologic deterioration.
  • Although this study was shown in experimental rats. This observation had long been documented in populations with known long life span like the Okinawans.
  • Because it is consistent in results, the phenomenon has been called the “anti-aging action of caloric restriction”.
  • The author proposes the following possible explanations:

  1. Modulation of damage from free radicals
  2. Glycemic control and regulation of insulin
  3. Adaptive conditioning of cells to intermittent stress or hormesis.

  _______________________________

  Advertisement: To know more about Resveratrol visit www.slenda.ph or follow Slenda in Facebook and Twitter.

• 05Mar

  Resveratrol Delays Aging. Part 2. How does it happen?

  Health Tips, Herbal & Preventive Nutrition News, Resveratrol 1 Comment
  Share
  
  

  Currently thinking is that Resveratrol stimulates the secretion of Sirt1 or what is called the “longevity gene.” Although most investigations were done in lower animals, the dominant effect is that of delay or “softening” of aging. This means that we age in a slow way by protecting the body from oxidative stress. Prominent features are the promotion of blood vessel dilation, improved circulation throughout the body including the brain. So resveratrol is also a potential against senile dementia or maybe even Alzheimer. The observation in mice is that the intake of resveratrol did not lengthen survival but showed decreased inflammation, better calcium metabolism, no cataract, and good motor coordination.These were signs of slowing down the aging process. So take the resveratrol supplement or drink wine daily starting age 30 years.

  

• 24Feb

  Resveratrol Delays Aging. Part 1. Understanding the Theories of Aging

  Herbal & Preventive Nutrition News, Resveratrol 1 Comment
  Share
  
  

  Currently aging as a complex biological process that is still being studied and many aspects of aging are still unknown.  Having been trained at Brown University in Gerontology way back in the 1990s, we have often referred to diet and lifestyle as the determinants of the aging process. While these factors remain true today, the advances in molecular medicine give us the insights that it is at the molecular level and by neurophysiologic mechanisms that many of these “aging” events are explained. These mechanisms have yet to be pursued by gerontologists and molecular biologists.  There are several popular beliefs or thinking about aging from socio-biological to pure biological pathways.  The Activity Theory of Aging by Lemon, Bengstron and Peterson (1972) relates to the fact that the more socially active people are the more they are satisfied and the longer they live. In other words, people who continue to engage in social and physical activities tend to live longer. The other theory is the Free-Radical Theory of Aging which states that the many changes in the body or so-called “cellular damage” are caused by free radicals. The damage accumulates over time which accounts for why the body age. However, this theory does not explain all of what occurs in aging and is thought to be just part of the process of aging. This is where diet plays a big role in protecting the body against biological damage. The next is the Immunologic Theory of Aging which was contributed by Roy Walford, a pathobiologist (1924-2004). This theory has a diversity of issues such as caloric restriction, genetics, immunosenescence, DNA repair and replicative senescence. By far these ideas are the most dynamic and far reaching of all. From Walford’s work we can explore many ideas from molecules that mimic caloric restriction such Resveratrol to the more advanced molecular mechanisms involved in Stem Cell Therapy.

  One of the most sought after information is the work of Sinclair, at Harvard University,  involves Resveratrol, we focus on this bioactive chemical as regards longevity and delay in aging. What was discovered is a natural substance that influence the body to delay aging at the cellular level. This is manifested in a book written by Dr. Joseph Maroon. This we will share in this series on Resveratrol.

• 20Feb

  Diabetes Control – Part 4: Understand your lipid profile

  Diabetes Control, Health Tips No Comments
  Share
  
  

  

  Most diabetics do not understand how to put a cap on lipids.  The way to understand hyperlipidemia or high blood lipids is to look at the good and bad cholesterol. Total cholesterol is the sum of all types, good and bad. Cholesterol is produced by the body and is beneficial to a certain level because it is the source of body hormones. These come from eating meats, butter, cheese (mind your pizza), eggs and milk.  It is a misconception that coconuts and avocado are sources of cholesterol.   Plant foods do not have cholesterol; even vegetable oils do not contain cholesterol.   The problem is that when vegetable oils are hydrogenated to lard and margarine it becomes the trans-fatty acid, which has a bad effect on the blood vessels, making them more prone to atherosclerosis. Use the above mentioned  guide to control your diet regarding fat intake.

  What about triglycerides?  What we eat as medium and short chain matters.   Any excess fat is converted to triglycerides so avoid too much animal fat and the rest of the triglycerides will be converted to energy.   Some of you might be taking virgin coconut oil but also eat a lot of animal meat.   The fat in animal meat will be converted to triglycerides.  Optimal level should be below 150 mg/dl.   If you have not controlled your lipids and must check it again do this every 4-6 months, otherwise check it annually during your birth month so you won’t forget. Give yourself that annual checkup treat, under the supervision and care of your favorite physician.

  LDL Cholesterol (lower is better): less than 100 mg/dl is optimal), 130-159 is borderline and you should be very cautious about animal fat intake.

  HDL Cholesterol (higher is better): less than 40 mg/dl is bad, take more of omega-3 and fish to raise this up to the optimal level of 60 mg/dl or more. If you are unable to raise this up and can only achieve 40-59 mg/dl, then stop eating meat or soup with beef and eat plenty of fiber and green leafy vegetables.

• 20Feb

  Diabetes Control – Part 3: The benefits of fiber

  Diabetes Control, Health Tips 1 Comment
  Share
  
  
  

  • Another factor in the self-management of diabetes is intake of fiber.  These can be from cereals, brown rice, oatmeal, whole wheat bread, vegetables and moderate amount of fruits.

  • Proper diet is a basic and it is best to limit fatty food pork, beef and chicken skin.  The bottom line is control your cholesterol intake to help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease which include hypertension.  Eat more of fish fat or better take omega-3 supplements.

  • There are medicinal foods that can help if eaten more frequently such as ampalaya, luyangdilaw (turmeric), or ordinary ginger.   Most foods that tend to lower cholesterol are high fiber foods.

  • Malunggay is good source of fiber and also help in diabetes.

  • We should eat fruits rich in bioflavonoids.  One of the most common of these is grapefruit.  However, grapefruit interacts with medicines and so grapefruit is best avoided.

  • Take bananas which are rich in potassium, those rich in Vitamin C and B-complex like guavas and dalandan.

« Previous Entries