According to science, aging is a continuous process influenced by our genes and lifestyle, affecting each and every one of us uniquely/differently depending upon our response to the process. For most of us, by age thirty-something the process of aging becomes more and more pronounced so that by our forties we’re on the path to what our life might look like for a long, long time. However, that statement is not completely conclusive or applicable to everyone. Genes are thought to play a part in the overall process, either contributing to our natural decline (i.e. disease) or our prophetic wellness and longevity (take a good look at your ancestors and you might just see your future). Personally, I believe aging begins in the mind (first) and then progresses throughout the body (second). Our mind is the most powerful tool/weapon we can possess in the aging process. Administering wellness to our mind (from early childhood to adulthood) including the thoughts we dwell on to the food/beverage we drug it with and our commitment to daily exercise/activity are all essential in how we meet and greet the aging process. When someone thinks they’re too young to care about aging, they’re wrong. Just the same for those who are approaching the threshold of middle age and beyond; you’re never too old to do what’s right for your mind, body and spirit. The bottom line is simple: We can’t stop aging, regardless of how hard we try. But we can accelerate it (through abuse) or slow it down (to some degree) by eliminating poor choices in exchange for practicing practical common sense. If knowledge is truly power then increasing our knowledge certainly can help us eat, drink, think and physically act toward the improvement of our wellness in our daily lives.
What is the root cause of aging? Mostly, cell degeneration is the culprit behind aging. Whether it’s directly associated to genetics, infection, disease or neglect, our body cells can easily degenerate through the physical and emotional toxins we ingest daily (i.e. environment, food/beverage, drugs, abuse, emotional/mental stress, etc.). Our body contains trillions of cells, found in tissues which make up our organs (i.e. muscles, brain, heart, lungs, skin, etc.). The job of our cells are simple; to reproduce constantly or lay dormant and replicate when needed. Other organs cannot reproduce or replicate and must be rebuilt (i.e. muscles), therefore requiring our intentional assistance in the process. Genetics can have a great deal of influence upon our cellular structure, often affecting our future health. However, it is all together possible to positively assist our future health by taking preventative measures early in life. My own father once said, “If I had known I would live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” He died at 69 years “young” from congestive heart failure, the result of alcohol abuse and smoking cigarettes most of his life. I feel certain that had my dad practiced wellness he’d still be alive today.
Can we turn back the clock on aging? Prevention is the key in living your life to the fullest, but it’s not a guarantee. What would more than likely be a good way to “turn back” the hands of time would be to rethink that goal. Instead of trying to be 30-something (again) try being the best whatever-plus something that you can! Nutrition plays a huge part in the rebuilding/restoring and redeeming our cellular process. Increasing your daily intake of antioxidants to 3000-5000 ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) per day will not only make you feel better it will be the greatest two-for-one boost to your cellular restoration. Antioxidants replenish and restore our cellular growth while stopping the spread of toxins throughout our bodies. Nutritional food (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and certain nuts/seeds) are all natural ways to feed our bodies what they so desperately need; vitamins and minerals. Healthy complex and some simple (i.e. fruit) carbohydrates are part of a well balanced nutritional lifestyle. Start with what you can do and your body will thank you for it. Visit http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=15866 for a list of 326 food items compiled by the Nutrient Data Laboratory, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center and the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.
What if I am suffering from illness/disease, what can I do to live better? There is nothing to say that you can’t help your health and wellbeing with everyday steps toward wellness. If disease or illness has visited itself upon your life make a concerted effort to fight for your life! If you’re on medication, ask your doctor what is the goal of medication (to heal or maintain) and what do you need to do to help the medicine do what it’s trying to do? Too often we take medicine without asking these two important questions (you’re not questioning the doctor – you’re simply taking personal responsibility to do everything he/she is asking you to do to become as healthy as possible). Too many people remain on medicine thinking that the medicine is the only answer for healing their body. I’m not against taking medicine when the body can’t do what it needs to do to heal itself, but I am all for being proactive when taking anything (including supplements and alike) that is meant to help you attain balanced health.
What else can I do: Pray, meditate on the truth and renew your mind, daily. What we believe highly affects what we seek to achieve.Quick Tip for Wellness: Three things are certain; we are born, we will attempt to live a ________ life, and one day we will die. What is up to us is how we fill in the “blank” between those two statements.
Quick Tips for Wellness, Pat Ferguson, Copyright © 2011, All Rights Reserved
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