Coz Being Ageless Is Priceless

Posts tagged ‘DNA’

Super Bugs: No Problem! Supercharge Your Immune System!

Ebola, AIDS, MRSA, Vancomycin-resistant Pseudomonas, chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium (cause of Malaria). These are just a few of the super bugs that we could all possibly encounter in our world that’s rapidly getting smaller every day due to air travel. In recent times when sea travel was the main mode of transportation, people who were still asymptomatic would usually show signs and symptoms before they arrive at their destination. In today’s world of faster air travel, people infected may not show signs and symptoms until they arrive somewhere. This can cause the rapid spread/transmission of communicable diseases. This is especially true in a stressed-out, nutritionally-deficient, and unhealthy population.

What is the traditional answer to this issue? I think that we all know the answer to that. Suffice it to say, this reactionary approach (the race to find cures) doesn’t work well because these bugs are smarter than we think. By the time so-called cures are available, they’ve already mutated to a form that’s resistant to the “cure”. That’s one of the reasons why we have MRSA and Vancomycin-resistant Pesudomonas, among many others.

There is no one to blame for this scenario. Health care practitioners (by indiscriminate use) and patients (by insisting that they be given a medication) alike are responsible for the proliferation of super bugs.

What then can we do about it? I would say that we adopt what the traditional Chinese medicine practitioners did in earlier times. A doctor at the time would only get paid or compensated when their clients are healthy. If their clients get sick, the doctors don’t get paid. It does make a lot of sense to do this. This preventive approach would save billions of dollars in health care.

What are the things we can do to fortify our immune system? Let’s start with the basics before we even discuss specifics. Having a healthy diet, adequate water intake, enough exposure to sunlight and the earth’s electromagnetic energy, rest, exercise, good relationships and stress reduction all go a long way in building our immune defenses.

There are ways to strengthen the immune system with the use of dietary supplements. Here are just a few examples;

mixed carotenoids (natural vitamin A)- good for the mucous membranes (respiratory and intestinal tract protection)

vitamin C complex (natural vitamin C with bioflavonoids)- traditionally used to boost the immune system against infections and tumors but also good for formation of collagen, along with L-lysine and L-proline

vitamin D3- studies show that it could protect against the flu (low levels of exposure to sunlight during the winter months make one vulnerable to the flu) and against certain forms of cancer

selenium- one of the co-factors in the formation of glutathione, which is abundant in the spleen and lymphocytes, both involved in immune system health

zinc- has antimicrobial properties and also good for prostate health in men

manganese- helps in the production of SOD, one of the antioxidants endogenously produced in our bodies

probiotics- an essential nutrient especially if one has taken antibiotics in the past, helps prevent bacterial and fungal overgrowth in the intestine

clove- has the highest ORAC (antioxidant levels) level among all natural substances, has antimicrobial properties as well

thyme- its constituent thymol has antifungal properties

lemon- has d-limonene which has anti-carcinogenic properties, has anti-viral properties as well (along with other citrus oils)

cinnamon- has antibacterial properties, also regulates blood sugar

rosemary- antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory

oregano- antimicrobial

chlorella and spirulina- immune stimulants

raspberries- rich in ellagic acid, which has anti-carcinogenic properties

apricots- rich in vitamin B 17, also has anti-carcinogenic properties

wolfberries- also stimulates release of HGH from the pituitary

broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables- lowers xenoestrogens, cleanses liver

frankincense- helps repair DNA

Related Articles

Written

on December 1, 2010

Telomeres: What Is It And Does It Influence Aging?

Static thumb frame of Animation of the structu...

Image via Wikipedia

Besides looking at the mirror, another objective way of telling how fast a person is aging is through telomere testing. Before anything else, what are telomeres? Telomeres are sections of DNA at the end of each chromosome that serves as a cap to your genetic material. Every time a cell replicates, its telomere will become shorter. Shorter telomeres imply a shorter life span for the cell.

What effect does telomere length have on my health and wellness? Age adjusted telomere length is the best method to date to assess biological age using structural analysis of chromosomal change in the telomere. Serial evaluation of telomere length is an indicator of how rapidly one ages relative to a normal population. Therapies directed at slowing the loss of telomere length may slow aging and age-related diseases.

Does diet have any effect on telomere length and repair? An inflammatory diet, or one that increases oxidative stress will shorten telomeres faster. This would include refined carbohydrates, fast foods, processed foods, sodas, artificial sweeteners, trans fats and saturated fats. A diet with large amount and variety of antioxidants that improve oxidative defense and reduces oxidative stress will slow telomere shortening. Consumption of 10 servings of fresh and relatively uncooked fruits and vegetables , mixed fiber, monounsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, cold water fish and high quality vegetable proteins can prevent premature shortening. In addition, caloric restriction is advised combined with an exercise program. Fasting for 12 hours each night at least 4 days per week may also be protective.

What lifestyle modifications are likely to be helpful? One should achieve ideal body weight and body composition with low body fat (less than 22% for women and less than 16% for men). Decreasing visceral fat is very important. Regular aerobic and resistance exercise for at least one hour per day, sleeping for at least 8 hours per night, stress reduction, discontinuation of all tobacco products and bioidentical hormone therapy may decrease the rate of telomere loss.

How do you measure telomere length? The Patient Telomere Score is calculated based on white blood cells (T-lymphocytes). This is the average compared to telomere length on lymphocytes from a sample of the American population in the same age range. The higher the telomere score, the “younger” the cells. A Telomere Score that is above the average line is desirable.

What can I do to reduce my rate of telomere loss? Shorter telomeres have been associated with metabolic abnormalities, obesity, and several degenerative diseases including cancer, dementia, and cardiovascular disease. In vitro studies have shown that telomeres are highly susceptible to oxidative stress, which will shorten telomere length and enhance cellular aging. Minimizing associated risk factors that are linked to shortened telomere activity is recommended and include:

Reduce oxidative stress

Correct micronutrient deficiencies, especially vitamin D

Change sedentary lifestyle, increase physical activity

Avoid weight gain or obesity

Correct insulin resistance

Related Articles

Written

on November 29, 2010

Breast Alert! Women Beware…..

the international RADURA-logo

Image via Wikipedia

Annual breast radiation ain’t hot! Yup, you read it right. That’s what you call the standard procedure used to screen for tumors in the breasts. More benignly called “mammograms”, the procedure actually involves the use of ionizing radiation. And what does ionizing radiation do? It damages the DNA, causes cell mutation and voila, tumor formation. The studies are found in prestigious journals such as the Archives of Internal Medicine, as mentioned in NaturalNews.com. There are other ways to screen for breast tumors. Besides self-breast exams, other procedures include breast thermography, ultrasound or even MRI. What things can one do to prevent problems in the breasts anyway? Simple things such as going bra-less at night, wearing bras without metal wires, avoiding the use of anti-perspirants, intake of cruciferous vegetables, avoiding environmental toxins (such as xenoestrogens from plastic containers since they accumulate in fatty tissues such as the breasts) and regular detox. So, smart up women (and that goes for men too)! Be informed! Ask questions!

Related Articles

Category:

Environment, News, Tips

Tagged with: