While we cannot reset the clock there are things we can do to slow down and perhaps even reverse premature aging. Dr. Dean Ornish proved that just three months on a whole-food, plant-based diet, coupled with exercise, could significantly boost telomerase activity. In fact, this is the only intervention that has been shown to do so. In a five year follow up study he found that those who changed their diet and lifestyle to healthier options actually grew their telomeres while those who did not in a control group predictably saw their telomeres shrink with age. Periodic fasting has also shown to slow the aging process.
Telomere shortening is not the only thing that indicates accelerated aging. Oxidative stress has also been proven to be a significant factor in the cause of premature aging. Oxidation literally burns cells out via the production of free radicals. Free radicals are like energy and life vampires. Anything that produces antioxidants neutralizes free radicals in the body. This includes things like meditation, prayer, grounding, positive thinking, reducing lifestyle stress, adequate rest and of course consuming antioxidant rich foods, juices and freshly harvested spring water.
We measure antioxidants using the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) scale. Fresh blueberries are well known as having a relatively high ORAC value of 6,552. Higher still is fresh goji berries at 25,300. Fresh herbs such as cloves blow these two things out of the water with an ORAC value of 314,446! The highest antioxidant substance you can consume is a phytonutrient called Astaxanthin. It has an astonishingly high ORAC value of 2,822,200! This is why astaxanthin is the primary active ingredient in anti-aging skin creams used in all beauty salons as it literally reduces and in some cases can remove wrinkles.
Astaxanthin is like anti-aging on rocket fuel! It is found in very high quantities in Fresh Spirulina which is an edible aquaculture. Unfortunately, astaxanthin is heat sensitive and the ORAC value is destroyed when spirulina is made into a powder. This is why astaxanthin is only effective in Fresh Spirulina. The good news is that there is a Fresh Spirulina farm in Vero Beach. I am the local distributor of this Fresh Spirulina and I can get you some if you like.
In summary, here are the top natural things you can do to reverse premature aging:
1) Eat a whole food, plant-based minimally processed diet
2) Regular Fasting
3) Fresh Spirulina
4) Reduced lifestyle stress
5) Fresh Pure Spring Water (collected at the source)
6) Sensible Exercise
7) Prayer and/or meditation
8) Fresh Clean Air
9) Adequate Rest
10) Positive Thinking
11) Grounding
The power of raw foods!
I simply cannot overemphasize the power of raw foods! To say that going from SAD to 100% raw is like “night and day” is an understatement. It is more like being launched to another reality or dimension! Not only did I quickly lose 100 pounds of excess weight but, all of my health challenges went away and my mental clarity, focus, awareness, sensitivity and sense of connectedness soared to levels I never knew existed! Without me realizing it this newfound sense of awareness and energy began to steer my life in another direction.
Upon graduating from the International Institute of Original Medicine (IIOM) as a Doctor of Naturopathy in Original Medicine, I started my own private practice in Maryland, hosting Raw Food Retreats, began to teach gourmet raw food “cooking” classes, host raw potlucks, raw chocolate parties, movie nights and health education lectures. IIOM is accredited by the American Naturopathic Medical Accreditation Board (ANMAB), and the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP.) I am also co-author of the book, “Natural Vibrant Health – Raw Foods” which is a collection of my favorite raw food recipes. I also authored the book, “Growing Your Own Living Foods – Sprouting the Easy Way.”
Brian Heteich has been hosting health retreats around the country since 2010 and has served at several prominent natural healing centers including Hippocrates Health Institute, Dr. Fuhrman’s Health Oasis and Briarley Hill Retreat. For more information visit https://brianhetrich.wixsite.com/brianhetrich.
