Can Vitamins and Minerals Delay Biological Aging?

Aging is an inevitable process that nobody can avoid. However, just because it is unavoidable, it does not mean you are powerless against it. We are always told that anti-aging nutrients may help us live longer by delaying the natural aging process, but one has to wonder, is that really true?

The Five Main Causes of Biological Aging

First, it is essential to discuss the different factors that contribute to biological aging, before evaluating the role of anti-aging nutrients, including vitamins and minerals.

  1. Excess free radicals: These are the nasty, unstable molecules that break down healthy cells and prematurely age your body.
  2. Glycation: Creates "glue" that latches on to healthy cells and turns them into damaged cells. 
  3. Abnormal methylation: Causes abnormal cell division – which can accelerate the aging process.
  4. Chronic inflammation: Prolonged and excessive inflammation is not part of the normal inflammatory response process that occurs every day in the body. Chronic inflammation creates toxic chemicals that "eat away" at body tissues and upset your body's natural Balance.
  5. Cellular degeneration: Genetic cell instructions and codes become corrupt – and create sicker and weaker cells. 

 

Do Vitamins, Minerals, and Other Essential Nutrients Help Slow Aging?

The benefits of vitamins for aging are well-documented and numerous studies on this subject are still ongoing. For instance, a study whose findings were published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics revealed that a high intake of vitamin and mineral-rich foods throughout early adulthood helps delay the biological aging process. The study was carried out by Korean researchers and followed about 2000 middle-aged women and older adults for ten years. J. Y. Lee from Kookmin University, the lead author of the research, explained that there is a positive association between the consumption of folatepotassium, and vitamin C which also happens to be one of the vitamins that can support aging skin, and LTL or leukocyte telomere length.

The findings also showed the positive effects of these nutrients are more pronounced in middle-aged adults than in older individuals[1]. They were suggesting that eating antioxidant-rich foods and a higher intake of a diverse range of essential nutrients can positively impact the biological aging process and support your health in later years.

Furthermore, a study whose findings were published in Clinical Interventions in Aging showed that older individuals tend to consume relatively lower amounts of vitamins and minerals than recommended[2]. The research showed that a higher intake of these nutrients is strongly associated with improved health, including longevity.

 

Anti-aging Vitamins, Minerals, and Other Nutrients

We strongly believe that it is important to understand the anti-aging potential of the broad range of nutrients that are available when a healthy diet when combined with products such as Xtendlife's Total Balance range.

 

In addition to boosting overall health and longer-term wellness, many of these nutrients can help your skin maintain enhanced youth and vitality:

  • Vitamin A: What makes it so good? The answer is simple; it functions as an antioxidant. Not only does it help minimize the appearance of wrinkles[3], it also supports eye health.
    • Important: Xtendlife includes natural Beta-Carotene and natural mixed carotenoids in our supplements. These are the best options to supply you with vitamin A. Please avoid supplements with Retinol, which is a form of vitamin A.
  • ZincZinc is a mineral that your body needs to function properly, and while its benefits are well-known, many of us are not aware that this mineral has anti-aging properties too. A study found that zinc deficiency is linked to premature aging[4].
  • Vitamin C: The benefits of Vitamin C for anti-aging are well-known. Besides its amazing potential to support immune system health, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that higher consumption of foods rich in this nutrient is associated with better skin-aging appearance[5]
  • Vitamin D: Vitamin D is one of the best vitamins for seniors due to its beneficial impact on bone and joint health. The benefits of this micronutrient have been shown to go beyond healthy bones. Scientists discovered that regular intake of the sunshine vitamin is linked to a slower aging process[6].
  • Magnesium: This particular mineral participates in more than 300 processes in the human body, so it should be no surprise that magnesium has anti-aging properties. One study revealed that correcting the nutritional intake of magnesium could be inexpensive and straightforward support for a healthier aging process[7].
  • Vitamin E: Vitamin E is one of the most frequently mentioned anti-aging vitamins. It functions as an antioxidant and protects both the skin and your body from free radicals. Also, this vitamin promotes eye health, supports sharp memory and cognitive abilities, and much more[8].

 

The truth is these are just a few of the many examples that demonstrate the importance of a diverse range of nutrients in healthy aging. If you are wondering about what the best anti-aging nutrient is, you will not come across a definite answer. It is also important to note that while each anti-aging nutrient comes with a wide array of benefits, it is the synergy of the different nutrients that produces optimal results.

 

How Can I Consume Sufficient Amounts of These Nutrients?

The Western diet is not the healthiest in the world and often lacks the abundance of vitamins and minerals your body really needs. There is also yet another problem. Commercially grown fruits and vegetables result in decreased nutrient content, meaning your body still does not get the essential nutrients that you might expect.

Since it is almost impossible to get an adequate level of the ideal nutrients through diet daily, you need dietary supplements to support your diet.

Key Tip: When it comes to supplements, you should be careful and avoid items you can find in supermarkets that only focus on a few specific nutrients and invest in products that provide a truly comprehensive range of nutrients designed to work in synergy to benefit the entire body.

 

Total Balance - Your Complete Nutrient System

Our Total Balance range is a complete nutrient system that delivers potent vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to the right cells at the right time. This means fantastic support for immunity, overall health, and aging.

We cut no corners in the production of our products, and Total Balance is no exception. Only the highest quality and most bio-available ingredients are included. 

To ensure that these potent ingredients are delivered to offer maximum absorption, we enteric coat our Total Balance tablets, which means nutrients are protected from stomach acid as they travel to the upper intestine to be absorbed.

Total Balance

Your full body nutrient system designed to support all your cells, organs and systems.

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Total Balance Unisex

Essential Takeaways

  • Essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals have tremendous potential to support immune health and improve our overall quality of life. 
  • The growing body of evidence confirms that many of them have anti-aging properties. Increasing your intake of a carefully balanced range of nutrients is a great way to support healthy aging.
  • Total Balance is your full body nutrient system designed to support all your cells, organs, and systems and help defy the signs of aging.

 

References:

[1] Lee J.-Y., Shin C. & Baik I. (2016) Longitudinal associations between micronutrient consumption and leukocyte telomere length. J Hum Nutr Diet. doi: 10.1111/jhn.12403

[2] Thomas DR. Vitamins in Aging, Health, and Longevity. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2006;1(1):81-91., https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2682456/

[3] Vitamin A Helps Reduce Wrinkles Associated With Natural Skin Aging, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070521162324.htm

[4] Zinc deficiency mechanism linked to aging, multiple diseases, http://oregonstate.edu/ua/ncs/archives/2012/oct/zinc-deficiency-mechanism-linked-aging-multiple-diseases

[5] Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American women, Maeve C Cosgrove et al, Am J Clin Nutr October 2007, vol. 86 no. 4 1225-1231, http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/86/4/1225.long

[6] Aging process may be slowed by vitamin D, say scientists, https://www.theguardian.com/science/2007/nov/08/sciencenews.medicalresearch

[7] Killilea DW, Maier JAM. A connection between magnesium deficiency and aging: new insights from cellular studies. Magnesium research : official organ of the International Society for the Development of Research on Magnesium. 2008;21(2):77-82., https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2790427/

[8] Vitamin E Benefits, Foods & Side Effects, https://draxe.com/vitamin-e-benefits/

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