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The Healthy Anti-Aging Diet

By Lisa Wells, RN

Healthy Anti-Aging Diet

Those who wish to be more healthy and want to put up the best fight against the effects of aging should follow an anti-aging lifestyle. One of the most important parts of anti-aging is the diet. We can improve our cell building and restoration hormones such as HGH, but if we do not also provide the body with the brick and mortar it requires to actually build the cells, which we get from nutrients, and stay away from things that contain toxins that can cause harm, such as soy and fluorinated water, the benefits will be minimal.

The Cornerstones of the Anti-Aging Diet

Avoid sugars and simple and refined carbohydrates.
Replace the unhealthy fats with important healthy fats.
Eat plenty of lean protein.
Eat a wide variety of fresh vegetables and fruit.
Drink plenty of clean water that does not contain fluoride, replace missing electrolytes.
Eat enough fiber.
Avoid soy.
Avoid GMO's.
Take nutritional supplements if needed.

Sugars and Refined Carbohydrates

Simple carbohydrates such as white flour can be dangerous because they are digested so fast that they cause a sudden rise in blood sugar. The rise in blood sugar causes the pancreas to release insulin to carry the glucose into the cells and clear it out of the bloodstream. Insulin causes the excess sugar to be converted into fat and stored.

This cycle is detrimental to the body. Over time the body begins to become resistant to the insulin, and so more and more insulin is needed to regulate blood sugar. This can lead to insulin resistant diabetes (type 2 diabetes).

Also, too much insulin in the bloodstream has a damaging effect on the cardiovascular system and can promote heart disease.

Sugars and Refined Carbs Include:

Sweet foods such as cakes, pies, cookies, candies and pastries.
Anything with corn syrup, malt syrup, rice syrup, glucose, dextrose or maltose in it.
Natural sugars such as honey, syrup and fruit juices*.
Anything made with white flour such as breads, pastas, crackers, and tortillas.
White refined rice.
Processed foods such as salad dressings and frozen entrées.
Condiments such as ketchup, mayonnaise.
Soft drinks, fruit drinks, performance drinks, and vitamin waters.
Alcohol, which is converted into sugar by the body.

A Word About Fruit Juices: Due to their great nutritional value fruits are an important part of an anti-aging diet. However, it is usually recommended we eat more whole fruits than we drink fruit juice. Whole fruits contain fiber and the fiber helps to keep blood sugar levels stable. Also, some fruit juices have added sugar, so if you drink ready-made fruit juices check the label to make sure no sugar has been added.

Regarding Honey and Maple Syrup: Raw organic manuka honey and raw organic maple syrup have many health benefits such as antibacterial properties so they can be a good part of your health regimen. Since maple syrup is lower on the glycemic index than other natural sweeteners it can be a good choice to use when you need to sweeten your food. However, since both manuka honey and maple syrup do contain a good amount of natural sugar moderation is the key.

Read Labels: When looking for hidden sugars and refined carbs pay attention to the label. The ingredients are listed in the order of amount, with the most plentiful ingredient listed first. For instance, if sugar is listed in the top three or four ingredients you should avoid.

Be Careful When Choosing Wheat Products: Wheat flour, bleached and unbleached, enriched and fortified, are all names for processed flour that has had the natural fiber and most of the nutrients stripped out. Some products that are labeled whole-grain or whole-wheat may also contain processed flour. Look for products that specify they are 100% whole grain or 100% whole wheat.

Health Tip: Evidence is mounting that any type of wheat is not healthy for the human body. Two main reasons are the gluten that wheat contains, and the fact that much of today's wheat has been genetically modified.

The Importance of Protein

In order to successfully fight the aging process the body must be able to repair and rejuvenate itself. Protein is essential for building cells, tissues and organs. The source of protein is also important. The source should be low in saturated fats and organic if possible.

Good Sources of Protein:

Fish, preferably wild caught. Wild pacific salmon is the healthiest choice.
Eggs and egg whites, some have added omega-3 essential fatty acids.
Lean chicken, turkey and Cornish hen with no skin.
Lean cuts of beef and certain game animals.
Venison and buffalo meat contains less saturated fat than livestock animals.
Beans and legumes.
Dairy foods such as milk, yogurt, cottage cheese and cheeses.

Soy is Not a Health Food!

The unfermented soy that is found in protein shakes, protein and health bars, soy milk, baby formulas, etc., is called soy protein isolate.

Unfermented soy contains many toxins, including enzyme inhibitors, goitrogens and phytates. The high level of phytic acid in soy blocks the uptake and reduces the assimilation of important minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and copper. The goitrogens in soy are known to suppress thyroid function.

Soy also contains potent trypsin inhibitors, which prevent the body from breaking down and using protein. Soy is known to disrupt the endocrine system, which means it has a negative effect on our hormones.1

If the label does not specifically state that the soy is fermented, then it is unfermented.

Health Tip: It is best to not eat or drink anything that contains unfermented soybeans!

Fermented Soy

This is soy that has gone through the extensive fermenting process which destroys many of the toxins. Popular types include:

Miso - a thick paste that is used to make sauces, spreads, soup, etc.
Natto - popular in Japan as a breakfast food, is a good source of protein.
Tempeh - has a cake consistency, is higher in protein, fiber, and vitamins than tofu.
Tamari - this is soy sauce that is fermented and is also gluten-free.
Pickled Tofu (tofu cheese) - most tofu found in U.S. supermarkets is not fermented, but has only been coagulated for thickness.

About 90% of the soybeans being grown in the U.S. are genetically modified. If you choose to eat fermented soy you should choose only non-GMO sources.

There is much information online about the dangers of unfermented soy.

Eat Healthy Fats

All fat was given a bad name quite a while ago as many in the medical industry and our culture advised us to stay away from it because it could cause heart disease.

The truth, however, is that fats are essential to the body's ability to function. We are now finding that the health problems seem to be related to eating unhealthy man-made trans fats instead of the healthy fat the body needs.

Health Tip: We should try to avoid foods that contain trans fats and make sure to take in a healthy amount of essential fatty acids such as omega 3.

For more information please see my article:

Fats in the Healthy Cardiac Diet

Our Need For Fiber

One of the most important but overlooked components of a healthy diet is fiber. The body needs two types of fiber, soluble and insoluble.

Soluble Fiber - is dissolved somewhat in the GI tract. It helps to slow down digestion, thereby helping with the stabilization of blood sugar. Fiber also extends the full feeling and so may help with weight loss.
Insoluble Fiber - is not dissolved at all. For this reason it helps to push food along the GI tract, which improves elimination and aids in colon cleansing.

Many whole fruits and vegetables naturally contain both types of fiber.

Don't Forget Your Water!

The human body is made up of about 70% water and for that reason we won't last long without it. Also important are the minerals (electrolytes) and trace minerals that are found in natural spring water.

Many people today use bottled water. Bottled spring, purified and distilled waters are usually lacking in the required minerals, and reverse osmosis removes all minerals.

If drinking bottled water or if you use a water purifier you may wish to replace any missing or low minerals.

Health Tip: Some manufactures now add electrolytes to their bottled water. Please look closely at such products because you will usually find the small wording "electrolytes added for taste only". This means that the small amount of electrolytes they have added to the water will not replace what is missing.

Coconut water is an excellent source of electrolytes and also contains valuable B vitamins.

Fluoride in Drinking Water

As unbelievable as it may sound, many cities in the U.S. actually add man-made fluoride into the municipal water supply. This means that you not only drink fluoride but you bathe in it as well.

Fluoride is a known endocrine disruptor, which means it negatively affects hormones. Some of the areas we know that fluoride can effect are the brain, thyroid gland, bones, pineal gland, and blood sugar.2

Please be aware that about 99% of bottled waters contain fluoride. If the bottle does not specifically state that it is fluoride free then you can assume it does contain it.

Also, if your water purifier does not state that it has a filter specifically designed for fluoride removal then it will not remove it.

Genetically Modified Food

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), also called "genetically engineered” foods are live foods whose genetic makeup has been changed in a lab using combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and viral substances. Such acts of food manipulation do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.

Much of the soy, corn, canola, alfalfa, sugar beets, squash, zucchini, Hawaiian papaya and cotton being sold today is genetically modified. These items are also frequently used as added and sometimes hidden ingredients in processed and unprocessed foods

"Roundup Ready" soybeans and corn have been modified to withstand the onslaught of spraying with Roundup herbicide, which contains glyphosate.

Notice: The WHO (Word Health Organization) has declared that they believe glyphosate is probably a carcinogen (can cause cancer). Besides the WHO's findings there is much research to support the belief that glyphosate can cause a wide range of illnesses to all forms of life exposed to it.

Nutritional Supplements

Vitamins and minerals have been available for decades, and for many years most doctors had the opinion that they were worthless. Due to research showing the importance of these vital nutrients and the decrease of nutrients found in today's foods many doctors now recommend at least taking a daily multivitamin.

In the last 20 years more and more nutrient research has become available. Since demand pushes improvements there are now nutritional supplements that derive all their vitamins and minerals from whole foods. However, there are still many supplements that are made up of only cheap man-made synthetic isolated vitamins. Some companies will even add a tiny amount of whole food to their product so they can call it a whole food supplement, but if you look closely at the ingredients label you will see that 100% of the U.S. RDA (recommended daily allowance) still comes from synthetic vitamins.

As an example, if you are shopping for vitamin C you will find much ascorbic acid, which is a man-made isolated synthetic vitamin made mostly from genetically modified corn. It does not contain the cofactors needed for the body to best utilize vitamin C. The best vitamin C supplement is one that obtains all its vitamin C from whole food thereby ensuring all the cofactors that nature intended are included. One great source of vitamin C is acerola cherries.

Health Tip: For the best benefits look for a multivitamin that is 100% whole food sourced.

For more information please see my article:

Information and Recommendations About Nutritional Supplements

Closing Thoughts

The busy lifestyle that many of us live puts even more stress upon the body. Also, besides dealing with the aging process many of us are living in areas where toxins are all around, from the toxins in the air to the genetically modified foods that many in the U.S. government think we shouldn't be informed about.

Today there are so many things that add to the body's toxic burden, which if not addressed may speed up the effects of aging and cause serious illness. The areas of diet I have discussed in this article should be important to anyone wanting to be more healthy. Our health is ultimately our own responsibility, so I recommend everyone educate themselves and discuss with their private doctor the diet that is best for them.

Related Articles

Normal Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels

Growth Hormone and Cholesterol

Hormones That Decrease With Age and Our Options

More Anti-Aging and Health Articles by Lisa Wells, RN

Please note: I always recommend everyone consult their private healthcare provider about taking any health or nutritional products or changing their diet.

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Bibliography

1. Daniel, Kaayla T, The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America's Favorite Health Food, Newtrends Publishing, Inc., March 2005.

2. Connett, Paul, The Case against Fluoride: How Hazardous Waste Ended Up in Our Drinking Water and the Bad Science and Powerful Politics That Keep It There, Chelsea Green Publishing, October 2010.