The selection of diets that have high ORAC value is emerging as an important nutritional maneuver for anti-aging of all body systems. High ORAC means Oxygen Radical Absorbence Capacity in "Antioxidant Value." Focused interventions for anti-aging, such as the use of human growth hormone (HGH) or HGH releasers, and topical antioxidants are merely examples of potential anti-aging "Band-aids."
Evidence that adverse lifestyle accelerates aging has clearly been proven. However, the investment in "behavior change today for health tomorrow" requires many incentives.
I would prefer to redefine the direction of anti-aging approaches in the dietary supplement industry. The quest for longevity must be seen as the eradication of common diseases that cause premature disability and death (Table 2). Combat against these common diseases is the first stage of any anti-aging strategy. I believe that we can redefine the significance of certain chronic disorders in terms of their ability to cause premature aging.
The modern epidemics of Syndrome X (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and obesity linked by insulin resistance and excess) and maturity onset diabetes mellitus are among the most important public health initiatives, and they form a common basis for premature aging (Table 1). It is time
to move beyond focused anti-aging interventions and combat chronic diseases with the first-line options of positive lifestyle change, including the important areas of nutrition and dietary supplements.
Natures Benefit, Inc. believes that Syndrome X and maturity onset diabetes mellitus are the most important public health initiatives, and they are primary examples of aging diseases. To respond to this major
public health concern, Natures Benefit has produced two proprietary products for the nutritional support of Syndrome X and maturity onset diabetes. Syndrome X Nutritional Factors™ are available in mixed powder format or capsules and ingredients are shown in Table 1, where effects of these dietary supplements are highlighted.
Table One
| Components & Associations of the Metabolic Syndrome X |
Functional Properties of Syndrome X Nutritional Factors™ |
| Insulin Resistance | Patented oat beta glucan fractions 01 oat soluble fiber (US patent 6,060,519) may lower blood glucose levels after sugar intake. Chromium may assist insulin function. |
| Abnormal Blood Lipids (cholesterol) | Oat beta glucan may reduce blood cholesterol levels (LDL and triglycerides) and may variably increase good cholesterol (HDL). Antioxidants and Chromium may exert favorable effects on blood cholesterol. |
| Obesity | Oat beta glucan may make people feel full when taken prior to meals and assist in calorie control. The starchblocker Phaseolum 2250 )Phase 2) may inhibit sugar absorption. |
| Hypertension | Variable but small reductions in blood pressure result from weight control and lifestyle change in the PLAN! |
Oxidative Stress (advanced glycation end products) |
Antioxidants may be beneficial for health, e.g. bioflavonoids, ellagic acid, anthocyanidins and alpha lipoic acid. |
| Homocysteine | Vitamins B6, 812 and folic acid may reduce blood homocysteine levels. |
Natures Benefit has embraced the science behind the free-radical theory of aging by producing a quintessential, redox-balanced, powerful antioxidant sold as Antioxidant Power TM. It combines antioxidants that access lipid and water compartments of tissues with antioxidant potential over a comprehensiveredox range. So important are antioxidants that Natures Benefit has produced a green tea concentrate with added antioxidants.
Osteoporosis is a devastating disease for the mature population. Bone fractures and impairments of skeletal functions occur in elderly people with osteoporosis and they are milestones for loss of quality of life, precipitation of institutionalization and sometimes premature death. One of the most complete bone-boosting nutritional supplements on the market with a complex evidence-based formula that contains patented ingredients is Antiporosis which is part of the "Antiporosis Plan" proposed by Natures Benefit.
Natures Benefit believes that coral calcium is a versatile and
valuable holistic mineral supplement. While its role in anti-aging remains unclear, mineral supplementation in anti-aging protocols may have widespread benefits.
The principal boost to the sale of anti-aging products will come from public education where the issues that cause tissue aging become clearly understood. The dietary supplement industry should be able to provide the message that the first-line approaches to anti-aging are rooted in natural medicine which includes change of adverse to positive lifestyle.
Aging cannot be considered a disease. Beneficial supplements exist in the areas of the development of osteoporosis and its nutritional management by bone-boosting substances, and a nutritional approach to common modern diseases of accelerated aging such as Syndrome X and maturity onset diabetes. Syndrome X has emerged as the most important public health initiative facing Western nations, and a general consensus exists that the firstline option to deal with this constellation of problems should involve nutritional change, behavior modification and the judicious use of dietary supplements.
Table Two
| Common Aging Disorders | |
| Condition | Nutritional Considerations |
| Menopause | Menoplan™ |
| Sleep Problems | Sleep Naturally™ |
| Obesity | Lowcarb Diet Facilitator |
| Oxidative Stress | Antioxidant Power™ Green Tea Max™ |