(BPT) - For anyone interested in healthy aging, it can seem overwhelming to keep up with the latest trends. The good news is, many trends today focus on holistic approaches aiming to support your body's natural processes.
To stay healthier as you get older, it's important to understand how your body's systems change. For example, your digestive system slows, and the strength of your immune system declines. Fortunately, some lifestyle habits and supplements can help your body's processes function better. Certain trending practices and supplements are backed by scientific research. Because everyone has different health needs and concerns, consult your health care provider before beginning any wellness routine.
Here are five ways to help support your well-being as you age.
Follow a varied, plant-based diet
Plant-based diets continue trending due to concern for the environment as well as the desire to be healthier. A diet rich in plant-based foods can help reduce your risk for heart disease and other illnesses, which increases as you age. Advocates of plant-based diets stress the importance of choosing a variety of foods including fruits and vegetables, whole grains and protein sources like legumes and nuts.
Support your immune system with glutathione
If you haven't heard of glutathione yet, you probably will. Celebrities and influencers are embracing the trend of supplementing with glutathione, a substance that's produced in the body's cells, but declines as you age. Glutathione is comprised of three types of amino acids: cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine. Important functions of glutathione include supporting your immune system and neutralizing free radicals, plus improving the function of certain enzymes in your body.
To help increase the levels of this vital antioxidant it's far easier to take an oral supplement such as those containing Setria® Glutathione, a clinically researched form of L-glutathione. Setria®
Oral supplements have shown efficacy in raising the body's glutathione levels[1]. Higher levels of glutathione help with immune support,[2] gut health,[3],[4] skin health,[5] fitness[6],[7],[8] and healthy aging.[9]
"With consistent use of a product containing Setria® Glutathione, you can significantly boost a substance that helps your body to function optimally as you age," said Danielle Citrolo, PharmD, VP, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, Kyowa Hakko U.S.A., Inc.
To find products containing Setria® Glutathione from supplement brands you may already know and trust like BrainMD, Ghost or Codeage, visit SetriaGlutathione.com/en/where-to-find.
Back to basics: Get enough sleep
Like much advice you've heard your entire life, sufficient quality sleep is a basic worth repeating. When you sleep, your body undergoes a restorative process essential for your well-being. Research shows getting good quality sleep is vital to help prevent many aspects of aging, including disease and cognitive decline.
While it can be harder for older adults to get enough sleep, stress reduction and relaxation techniques like meditation or breathing exercises can help.
Try fermented foods
Consuming certain fermented foods and drinks is also on-trend, and there's scientific evidence behind it. Fermentation helps provide anti-aging effects ranging from improved gut biome and immune function to reduction of inflammation, increased antioxidants and more. Examples of fermented foods include yoghurt, kimchi, miso, kombucha and sauerkraut.
Keep moving
The benefits of exercise to boost health as you age are well documented. It's also key to vary your routine to include cardio exercise like brisk walking, plus strength training and balance. Exercise benefits include lowering disease risk, better sleep, reducing fall risk and improving cognitive function.
Boosting your health as you get older is possible by following health practices and by strengthening your body's natural processes. Learn more at SetriaGlutathione.com.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
[1] Richie JP, Jr., Nichenametla S, Neidig W, et al. Randomized controlled trial of oral glutathione supplementation on body stores of glutathione. Eur J Nutr. Mar 2015;54(2):251-63. doi:10.1007/s00394-014-0706-z
[2] Fraternale A, Paoletti MF, Casabianca A, et al. Antiviral and immunomodulatory properties of new pro-glutathione (GSH) molecules. Curr Med Chem. 2006;13(15):1749-55. doi:10.2174/092986706777452542
[3] Gaike AH, Kalamkar SD, Gajjar V, et al. Effect of long-term oral glutathione supplementation on gut microbiome of type 2 diabetic individuals. FEMS Microbiol Lett. Jan 17 2023;370doi:10.1093/femsle/fnad116
[4] Mardinoglu A, Shoaie S, Bergentall M, et al. The gut microbiota modulates host amino acid and glutathione metabolism in mice. Mol Syst Biol. Oct 16 2015;11(10):834. doi:10.15252/msb.20156487
[5] Weschawalit S, Thongthip S, Phutrakool P, Asawanonda P. Glutathione and its antiaging and antimelanogenic effects. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017;10:147-153. doi:10.2147/ccid.S128339
[6] Hwang P, Morales Marroquín FE, Gann J, et al. Eight weeks of resistance training in conjunction with glutathione and L-Citrulline supplementation increases lean mass and has no adverse effects on blood clinical safety markers in resistance-trained males. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. Jun 27 2018;15(1):30. doi:10.1186/s12970-018-0235-x
[7] Figueroa A, Maharaj A, Kang Y, et al. Combined Citrulline and Glutathione Supplementation Improves Endothelial Function and Blood Pressure Reactivity in Postmenopausal Women. Nutrients. Mar 23 2023;15(7)doi:10.3390/nu15071557
[8] Cabre HE, Greenwalt CE, Gould LM, Smith-Ryan AE. The effects of L-Citrulline and Glutathione on Endurance performance in young adult trained males. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. Dec 2023;20(1):2206386. doi:10.1080/15502783.2023.2206386
[9] Sekhar RV, Patel SG, Guthikonda AP, et al. Deficient synthesis of glutathione underlies oxidative stress in aging and can be corrected by dietary cysteine and glycine supplementation. Am J Clin Nutr. Sep 2011;94(3):847-53. doi:10.3945/ajcn.110.003483