Health Answers

Anti-Aging Tips - Free Radicals Cause Aging

Some genes can speed up the death of a human being. In recent times, the National Institutes of Health researchers recognized a gene on chromosome number 10 that may be responsible for the late commencement of Alzheimer’s disease.

Thus, this theory propounds that how we age and what age the process of aging will start is very much related to our genes.

The Free Radical Theory is yet one more theory that tries to explain the process of aging in a human body.

Free radicals, which are formed as a consequent reaction to everyday chemical reactions within the body, are more often than not neutralized by antioxidants before they can do permanent damage to our cells.

Vitamin E and vitamin C are considered as anti oxidants. As we age, our body’s capability to create the enzymes that are responsible for producing these antioxidants weakens considerably.

This fact was brought to light by researchers who were studying the process of ageing in a human body. Vitamin C is found in citric fruits and is a water-soluble vitamin while vitamin E may need to be consumed artificially.

Anti-Aging Tip - Make Friends

Most of us know from personal experience that having a good circle of friends can make our lives happier and more meaningful.

Research now shows that longevity also depends on these friend circles and people who are ‘friendly’ will in fact live longer! However, the same is not true of relatives; no direct correlation could be found between the presence of relatives in one’s life on the longevity.

In a 10-year longevity study of people above 70 years of age, researchers observed that a group of good friends is more liable to increase longevity in elder people rather than relatives.

Based on this study, researchers concluded that close relationships with children and relatives had very little effect on the rate of longevity for older people. People with a widespread network of good friends outlived those who had fewer friends by 22 percent.

The positive outcomes of friendship on the longevity of people continued throughout the decade, despite the consequences brought about by profound changes in life. Making friends cannot be an activity that you will learn overnight.

To stay young, you need to get out of your shell and face the world. Meet new people and try making new friends. A friendly person is always sought after, and thus looked upon as a jovial person. A cheerful person is known to live longer and stay young at heart.

While studies could not ascertain the cause for close friendships having a dramatic effect on longevity, the researchers came up with a number of suggestions powered by a sense of logic and observation.

Friends may encourage their older buddies to take good care of their health. They may persuade their friends to stop smoking or take a medical test.

Friends may also assist the elderly people get through difficult times in their lives, by offering them emotional support. This acts as a coping mechanism that has a positive effect on their self-esteem.

A person who thinks positive invariably remains younger and happier at heart. A social network is necessary for man to grow in, and the presence of non-kin members makes a person develop a network, which is far removed from a feeling of bias.

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