Anti-ageing is not just about looking good externally, it’s also about taking care of our internal health.
There are some natural herbs and supplements that can further boost our immunity and our resistance to disease, while slowing down the degeneration process of cells in our body. Here are just three that deserve mentioning:
Drinking white tea delivers anti-ageing potential and high levels of antioxidants that may reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and age-related wrinkles, according to new research from the Kingston University in the UK.
Researchers from Kingston University and Neal’s Yard Remedies tested the health properties of 21 plant and herb extracts. Findings showed white tea prevented the activities of the enzymes that break down elastin and collagen, which can lead to wrinkles. These enzymes, along with oxidants, are associated with inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
“These enzymes and oxidants are key components of normal body processes. However, in inflammatory conditions, suppressing the activities of these excess components has been the subject of decades of research. We were surprised to find such high activity for the white tea extracts in all five tests that were conducted,” the researchers wrote.
Eight of the other plants and herbs analysed also helped protect against the breakdown of both elastin and collagen. After white tea, bladderwrack performed well, followed by extracts of cleavers, rose, green tea, angelica, anise and pomegranate.
White tea is available through department stores and offers a delicious herbal alternative.
Colostrum is a nutrient present in mother’s milk. It contains properties that defend the body’s immune system. Thus, Nature has made provision within the mother’s milk to support the newborn from the onslaught of environmental toxins and to keep the baby strong.
The properties of colostrum promote a healthy immune system and help fight infections and immune-related diseases. When adults take colostrum, it provides gastrointestinal support and helps slow down the effects of ageing.
For adult supplementation, colostrum is usually derived from cow’s milk, so it is a natural health food. It contains a complete formula of essential vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids, immune factors and growth factors.
History of colostrum
In the 1940s, colostrum became popular for use by people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and other age-related problems. In the 1950s, colostrum was a source of natural antibodies, which helped lead to the creation of the polio vaccine.
In the 1970s and 1980s, colostrum grew in popular use against yeast infections, viruses and the flu, and autoimmune problems. In the 1990s, colostrum was found to help fight stomach bacteria and help soothe stomach ulcers.
In the 2000s, colostrum has been studied for its natural growth factors that may help bodybuilders turn fat and flab into firm muscle, and to assist in anti-ageing efforts.
Colostrum can be purchased from health stores and the New Zealand varieties are considered of particularly high quality.
Drinking red wine has been credited for 200 years with a wide range of health benefits. French people drink wine every day with their meals and their diet is comparatively rich in saturated fats (cream, butter), yet they have a lower rate of cardiovascular disease than Americans and Australians.
Red wine contains a valuable polyphenol called resveratrol. The extensive interest in resveratrol has been attributed to evidence of its therapeutic potential for cancer chemoprevention as well as cardioprotection. Research also identified that resveratrol may aid in the prevention of age-related disorders, such as neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Moderation the key
The benefits of alcohol are all about moderation. Low to moderate drinking – especially of red wine – appears to reduce all causes of mortality, while too much drinking causes multiple organ damage.
The ideal is to drink no more than two glasses a day. Low doses of resveratrol improve cell survival as a component of cardio and neuro-protection, while high doses increase cell death.
Red wine contains a complex mixture of bioactive compounds, including flavonols, monomeric and polymeric flavan-3-ols, highly coloured anthocyanins, as well as phenolic acids and the stilbene polyphenol, resveratrol.
If you would prefer to eliminate alcohol altogether, resveratrol is also available in capsule form from some health food stores.
For further information contact Tina Viney on 07 55930360 or email info@apan.com.au
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