Longevity: Discover two incredible anti-ageing nutrients

Usually our thoughts dont turn to anti-ageing until at least the age of 40, and often not until were 50 or older. By the age of 60, many of us have radically altered our diets, are exercising more, and are taking various supplements to improve our health.

And while its true that taking these steps will definitely promote a healthier body, two of the best anti-ageing nutrients ascorbic acid and vitamin D are often completely overlooked.

Stock up on natures no. 1 weapon of defence

Ascorbic acid more commonly known as vitamin C is one of your bodys main protectors against toxins, carcinogens, invading micro organisms, and stress. Theres just one problem: Our bodies are born with a genetic defect that makes it impossible for us to produce ascorbic acid on our own. Instead, we have to depend on outside sources in order to provide an important defence to help keep us optimally healthy.
Textbooks on human genetics have repeated this incontrovertible fact for almost a century, but somehow theyve managed to entirely neglect its full implications for optimal health, anti-ageing and longevity.

Tens of thousands of other species make their own ascorbic acid in their livers or kidneys. Their ascorbic acid production increases when they ingest a toxin or carcinogen, when their bodies are invaded by viruses or other microorganisms, and whenever theyre placed under any stress, such as extremes of heat or cold, emotional stress, or sleep deprivation. Why? Because ascorbic acid is one of Natures primary stress fighters and detoxifiers in nearly all animal species, including birds and fish.

Without the ability to make ascorbic acid, humans are missing a major built-in biochemical defence. And without dietary ascorbic acid, we simply could not survive. When we supplement with it, however, it can literally add years to our lives.

The proof is in the numbers

Researchers from UCLA conducted a 10-year study of over 11,000 adults between the ages of 25 and 74. They concluded that men who took (only) 800 milligrams of ascorbic acid daily lived six years longer than men who took only 60 milligrams daily (Epidemiology 1999; 3(3):194-202). 
Higher quantities of ascorbic acid intake were also associated with greater longevity in women, although the effect wasnt as strong. Higher levels were found to reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease by 42 per cent in men and 25 per cent in women.

Similarly, in a study of over 19,000 adults aged between 45 and 79, those with the lowest plasma ascorbic acid levels were twice as likely to die over a four-year time period as compared with those with the highest levels (Lancet 2001; 3;357(9257):657-63). Deaths from all causes decreased as plasma ascorbic acid levels increased in both men and women. Even a small increase in plasma ascorbic acid that could be caused by eating just one additional fruit or vegetable daily was associated with a 20 per cent reduction in the risk of death from all causes.

Take between 1 or 2 grams of ascorbic acid once or twice a day. Youll soon know if you need to cut back on it as youll experience excess gas and diarrhoea.

Vitamin D can also help you live longer

Im sure you probably know by now how good vitamin D is for you and that the sun is the very best source of this nutrient. Study after study has shown that a lack of vitamin D is a direct cause of disease, disability, and shorter life spans.
Unfortunately, a large majority of dermatologists and conventional doctors are too crippled by heliophobia (helios is Greek for sun; phobia is Greek for exaggerated or irrational fear) to pay any attention to this research.

Medically induced heliophobia has led to the use of irrational quantities of sunscreen, which is justified by the so-called experts on the basis of preventing skin cancer, when the message they should really be concentrating on getting across is sun exposure in moderation. Fortunately, better-informed experts, such as Professor Michael Holick, point out that for every one case of skin cancer prevented by application of heliophobic principles, there are between 20 and 30 more cases of breast and prostate cancer that are directly traceable to a lack of vitamin D. The risks of developing colon and other cancers are also increased by a lack of vitamin D.

Fight the flu the natural way

Recently, researchers found a link between inadequate vitamin D in large populations and sudden mass outbreaks of influenza and other viral diseases (www.vitamindcouncil.com; J Cell Biochem 2003; 88:296-307).

Vitamin D is naturally at its lowest ebb during the winter flu season. Remember: even when your skin is directly exposed to the sun during the winter months, very little vitamin D is formed at all if you live in places like the UK.

If youre a serious anti-ageing enthusiast, 400IU of vitamin D a day should be just a starting point for finding out your individual optimum level. After using that amount for a few months, work with a practitioner skilled and knowledgeable in nutrition and natural medicine to have your serum calcium and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels checked.

Tropical levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (60 to 100 nanograms per millilitre) are considered both safe and optimal for the best of health, anti-ageing, and longevity. Serum calcium is a double-check on vitamin D safety, since taking too much vitamin D will cause your serum calcium to elevate. If this happens, you should stop supplementing with vitamin D temporarily and use a lower level when you start taking it again even if the 25-hydroxyvitamin D level is at the optimal tropical level.

Vitamin D has plenty of other health benefits and longevity-promoting effects. It helps prevent autoimmune diseases such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. It also promotes healthy bones and is a useful treatment for osteoporosis, effectively treats psoriasis (with topical vitamin D), and helps overcome hypertension.
So to live longer, make sure youre taking in adequate vitamin D (from sunshine and supplements), in addition to taking ascorbic acid, avoiding sugar and refined carbohydrates and eating more whole foods.