We're living longer than ever before in the developed world thanks to improved health care, access to nourishing food, and improved living conditions. A child born now can expect to live to be 100 years old. Aging well is a privilege and should be highly valued.
But, with a longer life, what can we do to ensure that those years are going to be fulfilling, full of energy and vitality rather than health conditions and fatigue that interfere with a good life?
Our lifespan is increasing, but our health span isn't keeping up: How can we naturally support healthy aging?
Longevity research is consistently showing that one of the most reliable ways to support aging well and over time is with a reduced intake of food, including some version of fasting so that the body has time to repair. One healthy way to start intermittent fasting is reducing your ‘feeding time’ to an 8-hour period and having 16 hours of not eating. It might sound drastic, but it’s as simple as finishing your last meal in the evening at 6pm and ‘breaking your fast’ at 10am, for example. This approach could be followed every day, or a few days each week – whatever works best for you and your lifestyle.
Nutrient-dense foods that can support vital energy and the aging process within the cells are cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, and colourful fruit and vegetables, rich in fibre. Green tea is rich in antioxidants, and drinking tea offers not just nutrition but also a moment in your day to relax and share time with loved ones, an important part of wellbeing.
What about the effect of stress and exercise on aging?
Reducing stress and regular exercise are also vital. Exercise improves oxygen uptake and heart heath. It increases muscle mass helping to prevent loss of muscle mass as we age, which is associated with increased oxidative stress and poor function of our cell’s ability to produce energy. Stress creates oxidation and inflammation within the body, so managing stress effectively through lifestyle adaptations is important.
Aging support beyond skincare
Up until now, aging well has mostly lived in the realm of skincare, and while we all might accept that there isn't much we can do to improve our appearance as we age, there’s now new research and discoveries to approach healthy aging from the inside out.
Introducing science-based nutraceuticals: Science Research Wellness
SRW Laboratories (Science Research Wellness) range works to support your cell's natural defences for healthy aging. SRW have worked with experts around the world to create innovative products with ingredients that play an important role in supporting your body throughout the decades.
Before we get started there’s a few words to get familiar with in the realm of longevity support…
1. Autophagy
This is a natural process where the body ‘cleans out’ damaged or unnecessary components of cells. Autophagy is one of the benefits to fasting.
2. Senescence
As we age, cells can lose the ability to divide and grow as they are supposed to meaning cells are aged.
3. Gene
A gene is a section within our DNA that is programmed for a particular characteristic.
4. DNA
Strands of protein that carry genetic information. DNA is made up of chromosomes.
5. Telomere
At the end of each chromosome is a telomere, which helps protect the ends of chromosomes and the process of DNA being copied when cells divide. It’s thought that as we age, telomeres get shorter.
6. Proteostasis
This is a complex pathway that the body has to ensure has balance to the proteins within a cell.
7. Nutrient sensing
Cells recognise and respond to fats, proteins, and carbohydrates that have been consumed and direct the body with instructions based on whether it is a time of feast or famine.
What are the 9 Hallmarks of Aging?
Within the aging research realm, there are hallmarks of aging that occur. SRW formulates ingredients that support the 9 hallmarks of aging. In combination, these supplements support:
- Healthy mitochondria and energy production
- Stem cell health
- Intercellular communication
- Healthy DNA function
- Normal gene function
- Healthy telomere function
- Normal cellular turnover
- Healthy proteostasis
- Regular nutrient sensing
Science Research Wellness Aging Well Range
The three products (with more to come) are Cel 1 Stability, Cel 2 Nourishment, Cel 3 Renewal and they can be taken separately or together.
Cel 1 Stability
What does it support?
Cel 1 is formulated to support aging well by supporting healthy DNA structure and function (including telomere health).
Who is it recommended for?
Best suited for those with a biological age of 30+, or for individuals who might be experiencing environmental or lifestyle factors that increase cellular stress, like not enough sleep, stress, lack of exercise, exposure to pollution or UV.
Cel 2 Nourishment
What does it support?
Mitochondrial function (also known as our cellular batteries that generate the energy vital for our cells) by supporting healthy aging and youthful cell function. Mitochondrial function declines with age, usually around our 50s. Recently, research has shown that healthy levels of a nutrient found in cells called NAD+ supports healthy mitochondria and healthy levels of energy generation supporting our stem cells and healthy levels of intercellular communication. Cel 2 is designed to support these key areas of your cells and to support healthy aging.
Who is it recommended for?
SRW recommend incorporating Cel 2 into your healthy aging strategy from a biological age of 30. Alternatively take Cel 2 at any age if you are looking for a sustainable energy solution.
Cel 3 Renewal
What does it support?
Cellular ‘housekeeping’ so healthy cells function normally, supporting healthy aging and youthful cell function. Our bodies are made up of over 30 trillion cells and they all work in concert to deliver key functions that enable us to be healthy. As we age, these housekeeping activities can be compromised. Cel 3 is designed to support healthy levels of cellular renewal, protein levels within cells that support these processes and healthy aging of the cells.
Who is it recommended for?
SRW recommend incorporating Cel 3 into your healthy aging strategy from a biological age of 50, or earlier as part of a long-term healthy aging plan.
Taken in combination, Cel 1, Cel 2 and Cel 3 provide natural protection to support your body and support healthy aging.
The hallmark hero ingredients
Key ingredients in Cel 1 Stability
- 2-Hoba (Hobamine) is found in Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat and supports the protection of DNA from the effects of free radicals. SRW Laboratories is the second company in the world to have access to this technologically advanced ingredient.
- Astragaloside A is a compound that is known to support key parts of our DNA known as telomeres, as well as supporting healthy cells and your immune system. Astragaloside A also provides antioxidant benefits to the cells.
- Rutin is a flavonoid antioxidant that, taken in conjunction with vitamin C has been shown to support healthy DNA by reducing the risk caused by environmental factors such as UV radiation, chemicals, and toxins.
- Curcumin is found in turmeric. It has diverse and broad biological activities, such as a being a potent antioxidant and support for the immune defences.
Key ingredients in Cel 2 Nourishment
- NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) supports the body’s natural levels of NAD+ to support healthy cell metabolism and energy levels. NMM has shown in research to support the health of the nervous system. By supporting natural levels of NAD+, our mitochondria are supported with fuel for repair and maintenance of the cells. NAD is another nutrient that declines as we age.
- Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring carotenoid sourced from algae. Its unique structure provides antioxidant benefit specifically for cellular membranes, including those in the mitochondria, and around the nucleus, which houses DNA. Studies on astaxanthin have shown promise for supporting healthy aging. Astaxanthin also provides natural support against free radicals.
- Pterostilbene is related to resveratrol but with a significantly higher bioavailability with many health benefits. Taken in conjunction with NMN pterostilbene supports healthy mitochondrial reproduction and function, stem cell health and intercellular communication. Pterostilbene works alongside NMN to support certain cellular pathways (SIRT activation) that the mitochondria use to function optimally.
Key ingredients in Cel 3 Renewal
- Fisetin has been shown in scientific research to support the clearing out of senescent (aging) “zombie” cells which build up as we age. As much as 50% of fat cells in obese older adults are senescent which is a major contributor to ill health.
Fisetin is a flavonoid extracted from Cotinus coggygria. Working together with apigenin, it supports the healthy level of cell renewal and cellular function. Fisetin also supports antioxidant synthesis, which is the body's natural defence against harmful chemicals, used to protect our DNA and cellular function. - Apigenin is a natural flavonoid that is abundantly present in a range of plants such as chamomile. Apigenin supports the cleansing of damaged cells and healthy cell levels in our bodies. Apigenin also supports normal nutrient sensing networks and NAD+ levels to support healthy cell function.
- EGCG is an extract of green tea that supports the nutrient sensing networks in our cells and healthy levels of autophagy (cellular turnover).
- Berberine is a promising antioxidant extracted from Cortex phellodrendri, a plant. Berberine supports the mitochondria’s natural defence against oxidative stress. It supports NAD+ levels and autophagy.
- Oleuropein is a phenolic compound found in olive leaf that supports the natural recycling and reuse of cellular components by our cells. Research findings show promise with regards to autophagy and oleuropein.
SRW offer a superb range of formulas based on the hallmarks of aging, nine factors that are generally considered by researchers in the field to be the major contributors to the aging process.
Discover the Science Research Wellness range now.
Vitamins and minerals are supplementary to and not a replacement for a balanced diet. Always read the label and use as directed.
SRW, Auckland