Written by: Dr Lynn Anderson, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Throughout history, Mother Nature, or Mother Earth, has been defined as the wholeness and interconnectedness of life. Mother nature works tirelessly to balance life. But can we find all we need in nature?
Mother nature provides food, water, air, sunlight, and everything essential to life. Yet, sometimes, we forget that these things are essential for humans to survive and thrive.
Since almost the beginning of time, humans have searched for the fountain of youth or some elixir to ensure a long and proper life. Accounts of this search date back to the writings of Herodotus in the 5th century BC.
The early Egyptians, the alchemist, and many Pagen and tribal cultures have considered nature a source of renewal and rejuvenation. However, three things are essential if we are to survive and thrive.
Diet, exercise, and sleep are the three main pillars of health essential for healthy aging. We need sleep to rejuvenate and regenerate. We need exercise to stay strong and improve circulation, and we need a diet to fuel the body with the nutrients it needs to remain vigorous, vital, and healthy.
One of the main components of the aging process is the mitochondria. Think of these as batteries that exist inside our cells. They supply the energy we need to stay healthy and robust when working effectively and efficiently. But just like everything else, we must feed the mitochondria. No drug or chemical can provide the body with the fuel to support mitochondria health. Only nature can provide humans with the fuel of life, found only in a healthy diet.
One of the fuels that mitochondria need is urolithin metabolites, which form by the breakdown of ellagitannins by gut microflora. So, we need to consume foods rich in ellagitannins to produce urolithin. Some of the best foods for this are pomegranates, walnuts, almonds, raspberries, blackberries, cloudberries, tea, muscadine grapes, tropical fruit, and oak-aged wine.
Urolithins stimulate mitophagy, a process by which damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria are selectively degraded and removed from the cells. This action helps maintain healthy mitochondria and prevents the build-up of dysfunctional mitochondria, which can lead to cellar dysfunction and contribute to diseases and aging.
It works like this – we consume ellagitannins-rich foods. Our gut microbiota breaks this down into urolithins, which feed the mitochondria, the battery or power source that strengthens the cells.
So, although we may search endlessly for some magic elixirs or mythical fountains of youth, in the end, we will always return to Mother Nature for the solution to health and well-being, and it is health and well-being at every age that slows the aging process naturally. So, yes, we can slow aging naturally.
Namaste~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace
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Dr Lynn Anderson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Doctor Lynn is a Naturopath, yoga nutrition therapist, fitness professional, karma master, published author, international speaker and video producer with over 40 years’ experience in the field of natural health and fitness. She has been featured in Redbook, Reader’s Digest, Huffington Post, Shape, SELF and various other national publications, TV networks and Podcasts. She is the author and producer of the Soul Walking series; Karma, Prosperity, Vitality and The Naturopathic Wellness Series; The Yoga of Nutrition and Recipes for Health, Sex, Happiness and Love; and Doctor Lynn’s Proactive-Aging Workouts; DVDs and TV with international distribution; CEC author, Burnout – it happens to all of us.
