Antiaging Antioxidant
Some foods and beverages contain powerful substances called phytonutrients that some believe are capable of unlocking the key to longevity. Phytonutrients, which are members of the antioxidant family, gobble up "free radicals" -- oxygen molecules that play a role in the onset of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease.
Beyond antioxidants, some other compounds in foods can affect aging. They can be classified according to their impact on inflammation at the cellular level, experts say.
Dermatologist and best-selling author Nicholas Perricone, MD.says, "All foods fit into three categories: pro-inflammatory, neutral, or anti-inflammatory," Perricone says you can help to slow aging at the cellular level by choosing foods that are anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants. "Age-related changes may be reversed by consuming foods and beverages that are rich in a variety of compounds, including antioxidants, and are anti-inflammatory, such as cold-water fish and richly colored fruits and vegetables," he says.
Calorie restriction has been studied extensively in regards to longevity. Caloric restriction seems to slow down some of the destructive processes that take place in cells and tissues with aging. Scientists don't yet know exactly how or why it works, but have developed several theories.
First of all, caloric restriction seems to reduce damage from chemical metabolic processes, particularly oxidative and glycation damage, thought to be leading causes of cell aging and death. This can also be combated with the use of a high quality antioxidant.