Staying strong & healthy while aging gracefully.

 

-          Human growth hormone

§          The human growth hormone (HGH) is secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain. It works to regulate the activities of the vital organs and though helps maintain the body health. After adolescence, HGH control more than just growth; as adult HGH helps us repair tissue, heal cells, help regain bone strength, brain function as well as the health of nails, hair and skin. In addition HGH strengthen the immune system to resist damage at the cellular level. Unfortunately after adolescence, HGH decreases 14% each decade!

§          Recommendations to help HGH be release and effective as the body ages: avoid all sweets before bedtime as HGH is mostly effective to repair at night and sugar impairs its capacity to heal. HGH is also stimulate during exercise so keep fit

-          Aging factors

§          Smoking & too much alcohol

§          Drugs (medical or illegal ones)

§          Sugar & bad eating habits

§          Sun damage

§          Pollution: air, food additives, tap water

§          Diseases & surgery

§          Family genes

 

-          Keeping young & healthy:

§          Avoid the aging factors above as much as possible.

§          Exercise: your body but also your mind (play Scrabble, Chess, do cross-puzzles…)

§          Take supplements: multi-vitamins & minerals daily. Also depending on your health and family medical history you may want to increase some supplements dosage.

§          Eat healthy: small meals often. Do not go more than 4 hrs without food: your brain won’t appreciate it. When eating out: share dessert and eat only to 80% of what your stomach fullness (when you constantly over indulge, you put enormous stress on your digestive system which will contribute to disease or faster aging. Take your time while you eat, enjoy, chew well & savor.

§          Do not over cook meat to charcoal: lightly grill, bake or broil. Avoid all processed luncheon meats (they contain nitrate: very harmful). Watch for low-fat salad dressing: they are full of sugar!

§          Try to eat carbs, protein and fat at each main meal. Protein drinks are good after working out or if you are on the run (as a snack, not a meal replacement!)

§          Hydrate yourself: drink water, herbal teas

§          Sleep well: 7-8hrs/night is important to let the body repair itself.

§          Enjoy life: laugh, play to release stress!

 

-          Nutrition for long health: supplements

·          Take a good multi vitamin & mineral daily with food

·          Vitamin C: do not take Time-release (it creates bleeding in stomach lining). Buffered C is the best option. Rosehip is very gentle for elderly and pregnant women. The body cannot absorb more than 600mg of Vit C at a time unless it’s ill. So take extra C only when time of weakness and a cold or flu shows up.

·          B- Complex: in time of stress or when the brain needs more nutrients (exam time, big presentation…): 50mg to 100mg daily for 3 weeks.

·          Vitamin E: for infertility, menses problems, spontaneous abortion. Never take Vit E and iron supplement at the same time.

·          Chromium: to help control blood sugar level.

·          Iron: too much may contribute to diseases. So do not over do it. Only good to take during pregnancy, or if anemia is detected.

·          Calcium: Coral calcium or liquid calcium. Should always be taken with Vit D as it increases calcium absorption. A calcium/magnesium combo is best.

·         Silica: very good for Bone problems (osteoporosis…)