True beauty is whole!

Today, beauty and anti-aging practices are flourishing due to increased consumer demand for products and treatments that support youthful appearances. Many of these approaches may be effective in their external application, and can provide results that makes us happy! However, these short-term external results often discount the internal aspects of health, which are required for sustainability. 

Can we achieve youthfulness and beauty without compromising overall health?

Can it be easy and sustainable? How do we avoid temptation of cutting corners and make an honest effort? And where do we start? With high demand and numerous options, finding what actually works and is safe can become overwhelming.

We know that our bodies are made up of trillions of cells, and aging occurs with natural and unnatural cell death along with ineffective cell regeneration. As an infant, child and young adult, our body’s cells are strong, resistant and rapidly regenerating. This begins to decline as we get older. Natural aging is inevitable but what can be done about premature aging?

Premature aging happens for the following reasons: stress, cellular toxicity and compounding nutrient deficiencies. These factors can and should be addressed through mindful lifestyle and practices which starts with food, hydration, our environment and then can be expended upon.

Food provides us with the building blocks required to repair, regenerate and build new healthy tissues. Nutrient rich, fresh whole foods provide our bodies with the perfect balance of phytonutrients, vitamins, lipids and proteins which are essential for beauty inside and out. The main principles in assessing foods are organic or free of chemical residue, local and fresh, raw (enzyme and nutrient rich) as often as possible, mostly vegetables, fruits, greens, nuts and seeds. When consuming animal products, we should look for hormone-free, antibiotic-free, grass-fed, pasture raised, organic or wild options.

Since water makes up approximately 75-80% of our body, it is a highly important but often overlooked factor in health. Water is essential for cleansing, lubricating, nourishing our cells and tissues. Not drinking enough water can negatively affect our immune system, digestion, metabolism, mental health, and can significantly contribute to premature aging. Dehydrated skin and hair lacks luster and youthful appearance.

Antioxidants found in foods and taken as dietary supplements help to reduce cellular damage that contributes to aging. Antioxidants have the ability to “recycle” one another and work by neutralizing free radicals before they can damage cells. They protect our bodies from chemicals and other toxicants, excess sun exposure, and even the damaging effects of stress.

If we are not getting all the required nutrients via diet, we should consider supplementing for many reasons. Some of these reasons are: increased metabolic demand resulting from modern lifestyle and environmental pollution, greater physical, mental, and emotional stress, decreased nutrient levels in food due to modern agricultural practices (article: “historical changes in the mineral content of fruits and vegetables”), compromised digestion synthesis and assimilation.

Here are some of my most favorite formulas in AOR collection and few highlights of why I like them for beauty and anti-aging:

benaGene®

benaGene® protects and repairs DNA. It contains oxaloacetate, a key intermediate in the Krebs Cycle which is involved in cellular energy production. benaGene® is a novel caloric restriction mimetic (CR mimetic), influencing the expression of over 350 genes in a similar fashion to caloric restriction. Human clinical trials have confirmed both reduction in glucose levels and an improved uptake of glucose without negative side effects. Anyone who is interested in slowing down the aging process will want to consider taking benaGene®.

Antioxidant Synergy

The Antioxidant Synergy formulation contains (α)-Lipoic acid, Vitamin E Complex (Mixed Tocopherols), Vitamin C, Coenzyme Q10, N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), Selenium, and Resveratrol. Each of these antioxidant nutrients plays a powerful role in neutralizing free radicals, supporting liver detoxification pathways, and in recycling each other for ongoing benefits. This product is an outstanding value when compared to the price of buying the nutrients individually.

Lysine, Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid

As we get older, our bodies produce less hyaluronic acid, which is a protective substance found in the fluid that surrounds our joints. It acts as a shock absorber, reducing friction, facilitating movement and providing nourishment to the joints. Lysine and vitamin C are two nutrients whose role in the body is to aid in collagen and connective tissue formation. They also give skin its elasticity, and help keep nails and hair strong and supple.

We should do our best to stay healthy by caring for our bodies from the inside out with proper hydration and nutrition for true beauty and longevity.