I've been thinking a lot lately about 'Aging', probably because I'm in that 'baby - boomer' age group and also because I work so closely with people who are aging, some beautifully and some not so well.
Foods that turn back the clock
So how do we turn the clock around? How do we avoid aging before our time and being over run by free radical activity. I nearly over looked something, but now I'm really taking it serious and seeing the results. I've come across some amazing information about OPC's (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins) - big words, with big action attached to them. What particularly interested me about them is the way they were discovered and where you get them from. Main food sources that are high in OPC content are - in this order - Red wine, berries (blueberry, cranberry (red bilberry) and lingonberry, barley, rose hips, bean hulls, chocolate (yep you got it, Chocolate) turmeric (curcuminoids), rhubarb (I can smell that rhubarb crumble now), apples and sorghum. Now the botanical sources from most to least OPC content, include: Grape seed, white pine, bilberry leaf, witch hazel, horse chestnut, hawthorn leaf, gingko leaf, birch leaf and black jack oak.
What to avoid that ages your body
Everyday sources of Free Radicals - Food preservatives, highly processed foods like hot chips (sorry), UV radiation induces free radical formation in our skin, which may lead to skin cancer. Modern day conveniences including cell phones and microwave ovens - along with x-rays and other radiation sources, promote increased free radical activity. Fatty foods increase levels of LDL, cholesterol in blood, which are readily oxidized by free radicals. Wow, seems like we have heaps of this sort of food in out diet?
If that is what you are eating, then its time to look at OPC's and make some changes - fresh salads, more fruit, long walks and peaceful times during the day, and use the mobile phone on speaker more!
Helping you to live longer...
Annie
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