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DISORDERS
(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,
causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)
Disorder: AGING
Description:
Although growing older is not an illness or a "Disorder," the passing years do make the body more vulnerable to disease. The physical and mental damage that we associate with old age seems to be triggered by a lifetime of damaging molecules, called free radicals, that affect us on many levels. The free radical theory of aging has been the subject of a great deal of research in recent years. Biochemists estimate that every cell in the body is hit 10,000 times every day by free radicals patrolling the body. These free radicals, if present in excessive amounts, begin attacking the cells’ protective membranes and genetic material (the nucleic acids DNA and RNA), causing cellular damage and malfunction.Symptoms: There are many diseases that accelerate aging, including heart disease, high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, cataracts, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.
Other health problems including constipation, depression, heart palpitations, heartburn, indigestion, and weight gain are some of the more common complaints that accompany aging.
Incidence:
Causes: The reasons we deteriorate and develop wrinkles, age spots, flab and life-threatening conditions include genetics, disease, environmental factors such as smoking and diet, and the aging process itself. Scientists have found that 40 to 50 percent of all of the proteins in an older person may be damaged by free radicals. Proteins are involved in a myriad of functions in the body, from guiding chemical reactions to supplying energy to maintain the body’s structures. The fact that laboratory studies indicate that damaged proteins shorten the life span of laboratory animals, has led some scientists to suspect that free radicals may directly cause aging.
Treatments: As the body ages, its systems slow down and become less efficient, so the correct nutrients are more important than ever for repairing and regenerating the cells. In additional to life-style changes, a rich supply of vitamins and minerals is clearly a priority in any anti-aging program. Although the body produces natural antioxidants to neutralize free radical damage, antioxidant supplementation is necessary to neutralize free radicals that sneak past the natural antioxidants produced by the body’s cells.
Nutrients:
Supplement Dosage Comments
|
Coenzyme Q10 |
100 mg. daily |
Aids circulation, improves cellular oxygenation, and protects the heart. |
|
Multivitamin and mineral complex
with Vitamin A and natural beta-carotene and potassium and selenium and zinc |
25,000 IU daily 15,000 IU daily
99 mg. daily 300 mcg. daily
50 mg. daily. Do not exceed a total of 100 mg. daily from all supplements. |
Important antioxidants. Protect the lungs, needed for growth and repair of body tissues and smooth skin. Plays a role in cellular integrity and water balance. Prevents premature aging, boosts immunity, protects against cancer. Needed for wound healing and healthy skin; enhances immune function. |
|
Omega-3 essential fatty acids (flaxseed oil, primrose oil, and salmon oil are good choices). |
As directed on label 3 times daily, with meals |
Plays an important role in cell formation; essential for proper brain function; protects the heart and helps to keep plaque from sticking to the arteries. |
|
Pycogenol or grape seed extract |
50 mg. twice daily. As directed on label. |
Possibly the most powerful free radical scavengers. They can pass the blood-brain barrier to protect brain cells. |
|
Vitamin E |
Start with 200 IU daily and slowly increase to 800 IU daily. |
A potent antioxidant that fights cellular aging by protecting cell membranes. Also improves circulation and prolongs the life of red blood cells. |
|
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids |
4,000-10,000 mg daily, in divided doses |
Powerful antioxidant and immune system enhancer that reduces allergies, protects the brain and spinal cord, keeps white blood cells healthy, fights fatigue, and increases energy. |
|
Calcium and Magnesium and Vitamin D |
1500 mg. daily
750 mg. daily 600-1000 mg. daily |
Necessary to prevent bone loss and for normal heart function. Needed to balance calcium. Enhances calcium absorption. |
|
Chromium picolinate |
400-1000 mcg. daily |
Improves insulin efficiency which maintains the health of the glands that control aging. |
|
Lecithin granules or capsules |
1 tbsp 3 times daily with meals. 1200 mg. 3 times daily, with meals. |
Improves brain function and memory. Protects nervous system cells. A fat emulsifier. |
|
Melatonin |
1.5-5 mg. daily, taken 2 hours or less before bedtime. |
Delays the aging process and improves sleep. Good for many disorders associated with aging. |
|
Glucosamine Sulfate |
As directed on label. |
Important for the formation of bones, skin, nails, connective tissues, and heart valves. |
Herbs:
 | Burdock root and red clover cleanse the bloodstream. They can be used
separately or in combination. | Echinacea helps to boost the immune system. | Garlic helps immune function and protects the heart.
| Ginseng and ginkgo biloba extract are good for giving extra energy,
improving brain function, and increasing circulation. Caution: Do not
use ginseng if you have high blood pressure.
| Horsetail, taken in tea or extract form, is an excellent source of silica, a
form of the trace mineral silicon. Silicon is important for maintaining the
strength of bones and connective tissue, and possibly the walls of blood
vessels.
| Licorice root is an effective anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic agent
that supports the organ systems. Caution: Do not use this herb on a
daily basis for more than seven days in a row. Avoid it completely if you have
high blood pressure.
| Milk thistle promotes good liver function.
| Nettle is full of vial minerals and is good for hypoglycemia, allergies,
depression, prostate and urinary tract disorders.
| Valerian root is valuable as a sleep aid and tranquilizer.
| Wild yam contains natural steroids that have a rejuvenating effect. Steroids
are what help exercise to melt off more weight and build muscle. This hormone
is found in the human body as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Take larger
amounts – 2400 mg. daily, dropping to 1600 mg. daily – for two weeks, then
stop for two weeks. | |
Recommendations:
| Eat a balanced diet that includes raw vegetables and fruit, whole grains,
seeds, nuts, oats, fish, and soybeans.
| Include garlic, onions, mushrooms and barley in your diet. These foods are
good sources of germanium, which lessens free radical damage.
| Avoid alcohol, caffeine, red meat, salt, tobacco, white flour, white sugar,
chemical food additives, drugs, pesticides, and tap water.
| Decrease your overall food consumption, but increase your intake of raw
foods. Eat only when you are hungry and cut your total calorie intake.
Research suggests that life span may increase if caloric intake is decreased.
| Keep active and enthusiastic about life. Regular exercise is most important
in slowing the aging process. Brisk walking and swimming are highly
recommended.
| Do not use harsh soaps on your skin. Use olive, avocado, or almond oil to
cleanse the skin; pat the oil on, then wash it off with warm water and a soft
cloth. Use liquid creams and lotions to keep your skin from becoming too dry.
| To halt wrinkles, stay out of the sun. Exposure to the sun also promotes
free radicals that can cause the brownish spots on the skin known as age
spots.
| Allow yourself sufficient sleep. Proper rest is important.
| Improve circulation with deep breathing exercises.
| By keeping up your appearance, exercising every day and being involved in
hobbies and other activities, you can keep your mind active. This is most
important. | |
Considerations:
There are several substances available that have properties that make them "natural life extenders":
| Coenzyme Q10 protects the heart, increases tissue oxygenation, and is vital for many bodily functions. The liver has the highest level of coenzyme Q10 of any tissue. Since the liver is the main detoxifying organ of the body, optimal liver function is vital for minimizing damage to the body’s tissues. |
| Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone that enhances immune function. It has been found to help prevent and treat many of the disorders associated with aging. |
| Ginkgo biloba is an herb that has powerful antioxidant properties and that supplies oxygen to the brain cells, enhancing brain function. |
| Melatonin is a natural hormone that acts as an antioxidant and may help counteract insomnia and boost immunity. As we age, production of melatonin decreases. In one laboratory experiment, mice given melatonin lived almost one-third beyond normal life expectancy. |
| Morel, reishi, shiitake, and maitake are mushrooms that were touted by the ancient Chinese as superior medicines for giving eternal youth and longevity. They prevent high blood pressure and heart disease, lower cholesterol, prevent fatigue, and viral infections. They are found in supplement form as well as fresh. |
| Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) keeps hair healthy and helps premature hair loss. |
| Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), is a B vitamin that helps keep skin healthy and delays wrinkles. |
Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:
|
Product No 59618- |
Description |
Comments |
Cost |
|
949-11 |
Coenzyme Q10 100 mg. Caps. |
Take 1 tablet daily |
$17.96/30 |
|
969-15 |
Multivitamins with minerals Silver Tabs. |
1 tablet daily. |
$6.75/100 |
|
222-12 |
Grape seed extract 150 mg. w/Bioflavonoids |
As directed on label. |
$29.66/60 |
|
082-15 |
Vitamin E dl-alpha tocopheryl 400 IU |
1 tablet daily |
$5.03/100 |
|
970-12 |
Vitamin C 1000 mg. w/rose hips tabs. |
1 tablet daily |
$6.17/100 |
|
140-17 |
Super cal/mag Tabs. |
1 tablet daily |
$4.73/180 |
|
921-15 |
Lecithin 1200 mg. softgels |
1 tablet daily |
$4.05/100 |
|
702-127 |
Glucosamine 400 mg. Tablets |
As directed on label. |
$11.66/60 |
|
927-12 |
Melatonin 3 mg. w/B6 Tabs. |
1 tablet ½ - 2 hours before bedtime. |
$4.95/60 |
|
950-12 |
Ginkgo biloba 60 mg. Caps. |
1 tablet daily |
$8.96/60 |
|
239-15 |
Evening Primrose Oil 500 mg. Softgels |
As directed on label. |
$8.09/100 |
Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2nd Edition
By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
Prevention’s Healing with Vitamins, by the Editors of
Prevention Magazine Health Books
The Green Pharmacy, by James A. Duke, Ph.D.