10 Plant-Based Ingredients to Help Maintain Your Youth


 
 
  1. Milk Thistle – Milk thistle contains compounds including silymarin with demonstrated liver-protective and antioxidant effects (6-8).
  2. Ashwagandha – This popular herb has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine known for its antioxidant and neuroprotective effects (9, 10).
  3. Horny Goat Weed – There’s evidence indicating that horny goat weed has antioxidant properties. It also supports healthy aging through different mechanisms, including support for immune and endocrine systems and benefits for metabolism and organ function (11-16).
  4. Grape Seed Extract – Grape seed extract has a high concentration of polyphenolic flavonoids which have been shown to improve parameters related to heart health and platelet reactivity (17-21).
  5. Turmeric – The curry spice contains curcumin and other curcuminoids which have demonstrated neuroprotective and immunoenhancing effects. It has also been shown to stimulate antioxidant defenses in the body (22, 23).
  6. Giant knotweed (a source of resveratrol) – Giant knotweed, as a natural source of resveratrol (also found in red wine), provides potent antioxidant and immune system support and has been linked with benefits for healthy aging (24-26).
  7. Pomegranate – This fruit has significant antioxidant activity due to its high polyphenol content. It has been demonstrated to support heart, metabolism, and detoxification systems (27-29).
  8. White, Green, and Black Tea – Various types of tea leaves contain biologically active compounds associated with many health benefits, including support for cognitive function and blood flow (30-33).
  9. Asian Ginseng – Shown to help improve glucose metabolism and circulation as well as moderate the immune response through its antioxidant properties (34, 35).
  10. Bilberry – Shown to support cognitive function and memory and protect the brain from oxidative stress (36-41).
 

References

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  2. Freitas-Simoes TM, Ros E, Sala-Vila A. Nutrients, foods, dietary patterns and telomere length: Update of epidemiological studies and randomized trials. Metabolism. 2016 Apr;65(4):406-15.
  3. Wolkowitz OM et al. Leukocyte Telomere Length in Major Depression: Correlations with Chronicity, Inflammation and Oxidative Stress-Preliminary Findings. PLoS One 2011; 6(3):e17837.
  4. Cassidy A et al. Associations between diet, lifestyle factors, and telomere length in women. Am J Clin Nutr 2010;91:1273-80.
  5. Demissie S et al. Insulin resistance, oxidative stress, hypertension, and leukocyte telomere length in men from the Framingham Heart Study. Aging Cell 2006; 5: 325-30.
  6. Sweazea KL, Johnston CS, Knurick J, Bliss CD. Plant-Based Nutraceutical Increases Plasma Catalase Activity in Healthy Participants: A Small Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Proof of Concept Trial. J Diet Suppl 2016;0,0:1-14.
  7. Velussi M et al. Long-term (12 months) treatment with an anti-oxidant drug (silymarin) is effective on hyperinsulinemia, exogenous insulin need and malondialdehyde levels in cirrhotic diabetic patients. J Hepatol 1997;26:871-9.
  8. Soto C et al. Silymarin increases antioxidant enzymes in alloxan-induced diabetes in rat pancreas. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. C Toxicol. Pharmacol 2003;136:205–212.
  9. Nelson SK et al. The induction of human superoxide dismutase and catalase in vivo: a fundamentally new approach to antioxidant therapy. Free Radic Biol Med 2006;40:341-7.
  10. Ahmad MK et al. Withania somnifera improves semen quality by regulating reproductive hormone levels and oxidative stress in seminal plasma of infertile males. Fertil Steril 2010;94:989-96.
  11. Cooley K et al. Naturopathic care for anxiety: a randomized controlled trial ISRCTN78958974. PLoS One 2009;4:e6628.
  12. Wu et al. Effect of wolfberry fruit and Epimedium on DNA synthesis of the aging-youth 2BS fusion cells. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Hie He Za Zhi 2003:23;926-928.
  13. Liu et al. Study on the changes of protein phosphorylation of p65 in lymphocytes of rats in progress of aging and interventional effect of Epimedium flavonoids. China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2008;33:73-76.
  14. Meng et al. Studies on the effect of active constituents of Herba Epimedii on hypothalamic monoamines neurotransmitter and other brain functions in aging rats. China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 1996;21:683-685.
  15. Wang et al. Effect of Herba Epimedii and Fructus Lyciion mitochondrial DNA deletion, activity of respiratory chain enzyme complexes and ATP synthesis in aged rats. Journal of Peking University (Health Sci) 1996;21:683-685.
  16. Zeng et al. Studies on the antioxidant effect of constituents of Herba Epimedii. China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 1997;22:46-47.
  17. Niu et al. Study on the savaging activity of Epimedii on hydroxyl radical. Chinese Journal of Sports Medicine;19:434-435.
  18. Vigna GB et al. Effect of a standardized grape seed extract on low-density lipoprotein susceptibility to oxidation in heavy smokers. Metabolism 2003; 52:1250-7.
  19. Kar P et al. Effects of grape seed extract in Type 2 diabetic subjects at high cardiovascular risk: a double blind randomized placebo controlled trial examining metabolic markers, vascular tone, inflammation, oxidative stress and insulin sensitivity. Diabet Med2009;26:526-31.
  20. Barona J et al. Grape polyphenols reduce blood pressure and increase flow-mediated vasodilation in men with metabolic syndrome. J Nutr 2012;142:1626-32.
  21. Tome-Carneiro J et al. Consumption of a grape extract supplement containing resveratrol decreases oxidized LDL and ApoB in patients undergoing primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a triple-blind, 6-month follow-up, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Mol Nutr Food Res 2012;56:810-21.
  22. Weseler AR et al. Pleiotropic benefit of monomeric and oligomeric flavanols on vascular health–a randomized controlled clinical pilot study. PLos One 2011;6:328460.
  23. Nelson SK et al. The induction of human superoxide dismutase and catalase in vivo: a fundamentally new approach to antioxidant therapy. Free Radic Biol Med 2006;40:341-7.
  24. Pungcharoenkul  K and Thongnopnua P. Effect of different curcuminoid supplement dosages on total in vivo antioxidant capacity and cholesterol levels of healthy human subjects. Phytother Res 2011;25:1721-6.
  25. Xia L et al. Resveratrol reduces endothelial progenitor cells senescence through augmentation of telomerase activity by Akt-dependent mechanisms. Br J Pharmacol 2008;155:387-94.
  26. Timmers S et al. Calorie restriction-like effects of 30 days of resveratrol supplementation on energy metabolism and metabolic profile in obese humans. Cell Metab 2011;14:612-22.
  27. Brasnyo P et al. Resveratrol improves insulin sensitivity, reduces oxidative stress and activates the Akt pathway in type 2 diabetic patients. Br J Nutr 2011;106:383-9.
  28. Rosenblat M et al. Anti-oxidative effects of pomegranate juice (PJ) consumption by diabetic patients on serum and on macrophages. Atherosclerosis 2006;187:363-71.
  29. Heber D et al. Safety and antioxidant activity of a pomegranate ellagitannin-enriched polyphenol dietary supplement in overweight individuals with increased waist size. J Agr Food Chem 2007;55:10050-4.
  30. Guo C et al. Pomegranate juice is potentially better than apple juice in improving antioxidant function in elderly subjects. Nutr Res2008;28:72-7.
  31. Scholey A et al. Acute neurocognitive effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Appetite 2012;58:767-70.
  32. Wightman EL et al. Epigallocatechin gallate, cerebral blood flow parameters, cognitive performance and mood in healthy humans: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover investigation. Hum Psychopharmacol 2012;27:177-86
  33. Kuriyama S et al. Green tea consumption and cognitive function: a cross-sectional study from the Tsurugaya Project 1. Am J Clin Nutr2006;83:355-61.
  34. Mandel SA et al. Molecular mechanisms of the neuroprotective/neurorescue action of multi-target green tea polyphenols. Front Biosci 2012;4:581-98.
  35. Ramesh T, Kim SW, Hwang SY, Sohn SH, Yoo SK, Kim SK. Panax ginseng reduces oxidative stress and restores antioxidant capacity in aged rats. Nutr Res 2012;32:718-26.
  36. Shergis JL, Zhang AL, Zhou W, Xue CC. Panax ginseng in Randomised Controlled Trials: A Systematic Review. Phytother Res 2012.
  37. Krikorian R, Shidler MD, Nash TA et al. Blueberry supplementation improves memory in older adults. J Agric Food Chem2010;58:3996-4000.
  38. Joseph JA, Shukitt-Hale B, Willis LM. Grape juice, berries, and walnuts affect brain aging and behavior. J Nutr 2009;139:1813S-7S.
  39. Williams CM, El Mohsen MA, Vauzour D et al. Blueberry-induced changes in spatial working memory correlate with changes in hippocampal CREB phosphorylation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Free Radic Biol Med 2008;45:295-305.
  40.  Legault J, Girard-Lalancette K, Grenon C, Dussault C, Pichette A. Antioxidant activity, inhibition of nitric oxide overproduction, and in vitro antiproliferative effect of maple sap and syrup from Acer saccharum. J Med Food 2010;13:460-8.
  41. Brewer GJ, Torricelli JR, Lindsey AL et al. Age-related toxicity of amyloid-beta associated with increased pERK and pCREB in primary hippocampal neurons: reversal by blueberry extract. J Nutr Biochem 2009.
  42. Dulebohn RV, Yi W, Srivastava A, Akoh CC, Krewer G, Fischer JG. Effects of blueberry (Vaccinium ashei) on DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, and phase II enzyme activities in rats. J Agric Food Chem 2008;56:11700-6.
  43. Groff and Gropper. Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism. 5th Ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Learning. 2000.
  44. Shils et al. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 10th Ed. 2009.
  45. Fenech M et al. Folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine status and DNA damage in young Australian adults. Carcinogenesis 1998;19:1163-71.

Elizabeth Blackburn 

Additional Information on Telomeres




My personal note:
Every hunting athlete, weekend athlete, and daily morning athlete, needs a doctor who actually spends the needed time with you to bring out your better health.

MDVIP is a national network of primary care doctors who see fewer patients so they can focus on delivering personalized medicine, patient-centeredmedicine and preventive care that starts with the MDvip wellness program. As a weekend or passionate daily hunting athlete you need more the just a 20 minute visit with your name tossed in a folder with your data. If you have issues while hunting, your MDvip doctor is actually there if needed. Now it's foolish to call for every little sliver, but when you need answers quick for a broken bone, chest pains, etc. you can count on a MDVIP doctor. The nice thing about MDVIP, you can be hunting in any state in the US and be connected if needed. 

I share with you ideas in the field when it comes to healthy decisions. I'm no doctor, but I played one on TV, LOL :)
So, when it comes to my posts it's always best to talk to your doctor about any of my topics.