Every living organism is constantly aging from millisecond to millisecond. So it's impossible to stop or reverse aging if we define aging in strictly chronological terms. But most of us don't. We tend to look at aging as a deleterious process - a process that may involve any number of pathologies, from arthritis and heart disease, to diabetes and Alzheimer's. Health Writer, Jean Carper, states, "Many prominent investigators now view aging not as an inevitable consequence of time, but as a disease itself - the ultimate conglomerate disease itself - the ultimate conglomerate disease caused by a life-time of environmental assaults to cells. Aging occurs when cells are permanently damaged by continual attacks from chemical particles called free radicals."

The question is, "Is it possible to defend our bodies against these free radicals?" With advances in medical science and being aware of the advantages of a healthy lifestyle, our picture of an "old" person is changing - because many older folds just don't look or act old any more. 

We've come a long way from William Shakespeare's perception of old age where he describes this stage of life as a "second childhood, without teeth, vision, taste, everything." 

Look at the typical baby boomer, who is between the ages of around 50 to 65. Paul McCartney, a former Beatle and a baby boomer, still brings the house down at his concerts. The Rooling Stones certainly aren't gathering any moss as they tour various countries. And Henry Winkler, formerly the "Fonz" of the TV show Happy Days, is showing no signs of slowing down as an actor and producer. Their energy and attitudes exude youth. 

Along with celebrities, the general aging population is also enjoying a longer, healthier life. One of the largest growing segments of the population is centenarians (0ver 100 years of age). Better nutrition is likely to be one of the main reasons for this increase in healthy life span. So to what advances do we owe our newfound health and youthfulness, and how are we progressing in the "slowing-the-aging-process" department?

Defending Against Aging- A Nutriitional Perspective
Physicians presecribing an osteoporisis drug also recommend a combination of exercise, Calcium an dVitamin D supplements. In order to prevent or reduce the risk for osteoporosis, women are told early on to make sure they include Calcium and Vitamin D supplements in their diets. 

New Discovery About Vitamin D
In addition to supporting bone health, a study reported in the medical journal Carcinogenesis has shown that Vitamin D may also support prostate cell health. 

Fish for Good Health
Based on numerous clinical trials, eating fish at least once a week or taking fish oil capsules daily are now strongly recommended to help support heart, bone, and brain health. 

Nutrients for Youthful Joints, Memory & Heart
We take Glucosamine supplements to help support joint health, Co-Q10 to energize heart muscles, Phosphatidylserine, Alpha-GPC to support memory, and Maitake mushroom extract and/or Colostrum to enhance our immune systems. Folic Acid, Vitamin B6 and B12 are believed to help support normal homocysteine levels, which may impact heart health. And now, research suggests that carrots may do more than keep vision sharp. 

Long-term intake of Beta Carotene Keeps Mind Sharp
Eating Beta Carotene-rich carrots may keep your memory sharp as you age. Oxidative stress contributes to brain aging. Scientists have recently discovered that long-term use of Beta Carotene may help prevent mental decline, a concern for just about every baby boomer. The effect Beta carotene has on the brain is attributed to its rich supply of antioxidant constituents. 

According to a randomized study published in the medical journal archives on Internal Medicine, Harvard researchers followed more than 4000 men and who were either treated with 50 mg of Beta Carotene every other day or a placebo pill. After about 18 years, the men who took the Beta Carotene exhibited dramatically higher scores on several cognitive tests compared with teh placebo group. Additionally, the researchers followed another group of participants for about one year. Their results suggested that  long-term intake of Beta Carotene confers cognitive protection. 

Multivitamins Endorsed by the AMA
Most of these nutrients can be found in various foods, but according to an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Americans have suboptimal intake of many of these nutrients from their diet - a risk factor for chronic diseases, especially for the elderly. The author of the article concluded that, "Pending strong evidence of effectiveness for randomized trials, it appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements." 