Chronological age and biological age are not the same: the former is inescapable, the latter is in our hands. We should not confuse ageing with the signs and symptoms of disease. stop-the-clock™ nutrition can hold back the years!

Ageing occurs at the cellular level. Researchers into anti-ageing have identified a number of mechanisms, including:

Genetic clock (number of cell divisions): a reduction in the telomere (a series of protective DNA bases found at the end of a chromosome). The enzyme telomerase, which protects the telomere, decreases as we age. This enzyme can be protected nutritionally.

DNA damage: DNA is the programming for cellular renewal. It can be damaged in two important ways: free radical attack and protein glycosylation. Mitochondrial DNA is particularly susceptible: it does not have the repair mechanisms of chromosomal DNA.

Free oxidising radicals (FORs) are highly reactive atoms/molecules which have unpaired electrons. Free radicals are produced normally in the body but we are also exposed to them in the environment: eg. radiation, heavy metals, industrial pollution, cigarette smoke, heated fats and stress. Cell membranes are susceptible to lipid peroxidation by FORs thereby compromising cellular integrity.

Glycosyl ation Sugar-damaged proteins and other complex derivatives of glucose are called Advanced Glycosylated End Products (AGEs) and their formation increases with the level and time that blood sugar is elevated. The concentration of AGEs can be measured in, for example, collagen, which is the major protein which makes up connective tissue. (Glycosylation causes cross-linking of collagen and thereby wrinkles!) AGEs also trigger the production of free radicals by the immune system.

Calorific restriction is thought to increase longevity. This may be due to:

a) reduced exposure to free oxidising radicals created during normal cellular metabolism; and

b) lower blood sugar levels.

Other contributory factors in the ageing process:

• methylation defects
• hyperinsulinemia
• inflammation
• reduced detoxification ability
• altered immunity

What can we do about it? stop-the-clock™ practitioners can advise on ways to limit exposure to adverse factors, upregulate antioxidant defence systems and control blood sugar levels.

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