Slow down aging with antioxidants and CLAs

Baby Boomers are famous for many things, among them the popularizing of adult sports and fitness activities, but aging gracefully simply isn’t on the list.  As a generation, we refuse to go quietly into the night. 

Some of the easiest ways to slow down aging are regular exercise, adequate sleep and sufficient intake of water (eight 8-ounce glasses a day is a good start.)

But for busy professionals, it’s not always possible to do those things.

Fortunately, there are foods and new supplements that have been shown to retard the aging process. These foods contain high amounts of anti-oxidants that fight the free radicals that cause symptoms of aging.

Insufficient antioxidant intake can exacerbate the following conditions:

• Lowered energy
• Poor sleep
• “Crow’s feet” around the eyes and mouth
• Leathery skin
• Weight gain
• Slower mental acuity

In particular, berries are very high in anti-oxidants because unlike oranges, grapefruits and apples, they have not been bred to get bigger and bigger.  Since berries are small, they maintain a higher concentration of phytochemicals.

In 2004, researchers tested the antioxidant power of more than 100 fruits, vegetables, raw nuts and spices. As reported in the June 2004 issue of Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the top 20 fruits and vegetables for anti-oxidants are:

1. Small red beans (dried), also
   known as Mexican red beans
2. Blueberries (wild)
3. Red kidney beans
4. Pinto beans
5. Blueberries (cultivated)
6. Cranberries
7. Artichokes (cooked)
8. Blackberries
9. Prunes
10. Raspberries
11. Strawberries
12. Red Delicious apples
13. Granny Smith apples
14. Pecans
15. Cherries
16. Black plums
17. Russet potatoes (cooked)
18. Black beans (dried)
19. Red plums
20. Gala apples

The only problem with getting anti-oxidants into our bodies is our modern lifestyle. Most people are far too busy to prepare and eat fresh fruits and vegetables at every meal and every snack.  Fortunately, there’s a work-around.

You can stir a 7-gram scoop of EnergyFirst Greenergy into a glass of juice and reap the rich rewards of eating two pounds of fresh green vegetables. If you can’t get juice at work, take antioxidants with each meal.

Another anti-aging tool in your arsenal should be Conjugated Linoleic Acids (CLA).  CLA’s act to reduce body fat while retaining muscle tissue.  CLA’s occur naturally in meat, especially wild game and grass-fed beef.

If you don't have the inclination, the palate or the budget to eat wild game or grass-fed beef frequently, Gerry Morton, CEO of EnergyFirst suggests supplementing with Energy First CLA softgels.