The top 7 anti-ageing herbs that help lower your risk of age-related diseases like cancer, macular degeneration and dementia

More and more people are turning to anti-ageing creams and cosmetic surgery in their quest to look younger. This is all well and good but the fact remains that the best sort of anti-ageing therapy should focus on providing and supporting a healthy longevity. In other words, the issue is not so much about how old you look, but rather that you live a long and healthy life.

To achieve this you should follow an anti-ageing programme that helps prevent the diseases most commonly associated with ageing such as macular degeneration, heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimers disease. Here are 7 well-researched herbs that can help you live to a ripe old age and reduce your risk of developing an age-related ailment.

1. Ginkgo biloba. The herb ginkgo biloba is well known for its ability to improve memory and concentration, especially in older people. Better still, recent research has found that Ginkgo can protect brain cells and enhance their survival too (Cell Mol Biol 2002; 48(6): 693-697; Cell Mol Biol 2002; 48(6): 613-623). In addition to its benefits in existing cases of Alzheimers disease, which have already been established in a number of clinical trials, Ginkgo is also the No. 1 herbal candidate for preventing the disease (Arch Neurol 1998; 55(11): 1,409-1,415). Take 120mg of standardised ginkgo biloba extract a day.

2. Bilberry. A common problem associated with ageing is vision loss. In particular, a condition known as macular degeneration is a major cause of blindness in older people. Research has shown that bilberry has beneficial effects on the micro-circulation of blood in the retina and can help to prevent its degeneration. When combined with Ginkgo, which has been shown on its own to reduce macular degeneration in clinical trials, this is a particularly powerful combination (Wien Med Wochenschr 2002; 152(15-16): 423-426). The recommended dosage is one to two capsules a day.

3. Turmeric. Turmeric is commonly used as an ingredient in curries as a spice. Studies have shown that the phytochemicals in turmeric are powerful antioxidants that can help prevent cancer (Curr Pharm Des 2002) 8(19); 1695-1706). Researchers have also linked the reduced incidence of Alzheimers in Indian villages where just one per cent of those aged 65 and older contract the degenerative brain condition with the regular intake of turmeric in the Indian diet (Neurosci 2001, 21: 8370-8377). The recommended dosage is 500mg of standardised turmeric extract once a day.

4. Garlic. Heart disease is a major killer in the Western world. Clinical trials have shown that garlic can lower risk factors associated with the development of heart disease such as high cholesterol, high triglycerides and high blood pressure (Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients 2002; 229/230: 46-48). Take 600mg a day.

5. Korean or Chinese Ginseng. Ginseng is well-known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a longevity-promoting herb. Research has shown that it helps the body cope better with stress and also optimises the functioning of many bodily systems (Mills S, Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2000, pp 418-432). But recent studies out of Korea have added another significant development to our understanding of this highly prized herb. Studies there have shown that people who consume ginseng on a regular basis have a lower incidence of cancer. Take 500mg a day.

6. Schisandra. Recent research has focused on the schisandra berrys value in improving liver function, especially the capacity of the liver to detoxify and remove foreign chemicals from the body (Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients 2003;245: 108-112). Exposure to such foreign chemicals is becoming an increasingly important issue as the use of pesticides, herbicides and synthetic food additives becomes more and more widespread. Just a hundred years ago, the demands on the liver to detoxify these agents were substantially lower than they are now.

If these agents are not detoxified adequately, they can impair immune function and possibly even cause more harmful effects, such as increasing the likelihood of cancer. It is best to purchase a product that contains a standardised extract of Schisandra chinensis, in order to guarantee that you are receiving enough of the active ingredients. Because strengths can vary so much from product to product, please check individual product labels for details regarding dosage.

7. Echinacea. The most potent part of the plant and most extensively studied is the root, which has been found to possess antibacterial and immune-boosting properties helping to fight coughs, colds, viral infections, as well as upper respiratory tract and vaginal infections (Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000,(2):CD000530; Hopfenmuller W., Arzneimittelforschung,1994:44 1005-13).

Given that most of the degenerative diseases now have some link with immune function, the importance of maintaining a healthy immune system is more important for healthy longevity than ever before. Echinacea is taken three to four times a day, depending on the preparation see individual product labels for dosage instructions.

Feeling better, living better
While none of these herbs can promise to smooth out your wrinkles or erase the grey from your hair, they can help your body keep functioning at peak performance. This means youll feel better overall and feeling better means living better, well into old age. And thats what I call anti-ageing.