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As we age we lose vital nutrients, the ability to absorb them, and our hormone levels drop. It is a natural part of life. But there are certain supplements and lifestyle choices that can help ease the symptoms of these natural decreases, and it is important that you know about them.
The science on the efficacy of hormone replacement therapy is still in question. Some doctors consider the side effects worse than the good that they do. But a few of them are worth trying.
Melatonin As we age our sleep cycle is affected. In fact all our body’s bio rhythmic cycles are affected. And many of the elderly complain of insomnia. Used properly, melatonin can help people get back in sync and get more quality sleep.
Do not take melatonin if you have serious allergies, a disease affecting your immune system, or if you take steroids. The dose should be no more than .5 mg. and it should be taken about a half hour before bedtime.
DHEAThe use of this hormone can be risky. Studies have shown that it can increase strength and muscle mass, but it can also lower your HDL’s (good cholesterol), and in some cases cause heart disease and prostate cancer.
Many health magazines promote the use of DHEA as a miracle anti-aging hormone, but the jury is still out and self-medicating can possibly cause damage. So resist the urge to surrender to anything that touts slowing the aging process.
Carotenoids Carotenoids occur naturally in fruits and vegetables and all are good antioxidants. The alpha and beta carotenes, lutein, lycopene, and zeaxanthin are some of the major ones.
Some of them convert into vitamin A in the body, but combating free radical damage which can cause Alzheimers, aging, cancer, atherosclerosis, macular degeneration caused by aging, is their main benefit.
Many of the carotenoid containing fruits and vegetables have a higher content of carotenoids when cooked, but eating them raw still has benefits.
Flavonoids Also called phytochemicals, these plant based substances can be very important in decreasing the risks of heart disease and cancer. They can be found in red fruits, and red wine. Some of them, like Quercetin can be powerful antioxidants. Stay away from grapefruits though, as the flavonoid in them – naringin –can interact with medications and cause serious side effects.
Anti-aging Supplements
• Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant that can be found in green vegetables like broccoli and spinach. The doses can safely go up to 1200 mg a day.
• Choline and Phosphatidylcholine affect the production of acetylcholine in the brain and can help with memory loss and slowing the progress of Alzheimer’s. It can be found in cauliflower, peanut butter and peanuts, whole wheat bread.
• Coenzyme Q10 is another powerful antioxidant that increases the energy in cells in the body and helps protect the heart from damaging inflammation. You should take vitamin E and Selenium with CoQ10 to maintain good levels of it in the bloodstream.
• Glucosamine and MSM are said to aid in the pain of arthritis and the production of collagen. Many people take these for joint pain with good results.
These are some of the supplements that help promote feelings of wellness in seniors. As with any supplements, always consult your doctor before taking anything, and do your research so you know exactly what you are taking and how it may interact with foods you eat or medications you may be taking.
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