Healthy cells in the human body are foundational to healthy aging. Read our article to learn about how to keep your cells healthy, according to the latest research.
Why is it important to have healthy cells? We’re glad you asked. Your body is made up of cells that support you throughout your lifetime. T cells enable your immune system to function, brain cells allow you to experience life and control your body, and red blood cells help you breathe. These are just 3 out of an estimated 200 cell types performing various crucial tasks within you at this moment – working to keep you healthy, functioning, energized and in control of how you approach life. Keeping them healthy keeps you healthy.
Now that you understand why it’s important to have healthy cells, take a look at what researchers say about how to keep cells healthy.
What foods help repair cells? According to scientific research carried out at the University of Michigan, a diet that is high in fruit, vegetables and whole grains is linked to healthier cells in women. Avoiding sugar, sodium and processed meats were also found to be beneficial to cell health. By measuring telomere length (telomeres are genetic structures typically found in eukaryote cells) researchers found that women who followed this dietary pattern had longer telomeres, and therefore experienced healthier cellular aging than those who didn’t. In response to whether this applies to men, one of the study’s authors told Science Daily, “We have seen some gender differences in previous nutrition and telomere studies. In our study, as well as in previous studies, men tended to have lower diet quality scores than women. Men also had higher intakes of sugary beverages and processed meats, both of which have been associated with shorter telomeres in prior studies.”
Antioxidants are key to cell health, particularly antioxidants that can get into the heart of your cells: your mitochondria. To nourish your cells as you age, you need to have a healthy balance between antioxidants and free radicals (scavengers that try to steal electrons from your cells). When there aren’t enough antioxidants within your cells, free radicals can get out of control – causing cell stress. MitoQ is an advanced antioxidant that has been scientifically proven to combat cell stress. It’s a molecule available in a pill form that travels deep into your cells, keeping free radicals in check. Studies have shown that MitoQ can decrease free radical production, support cardiovascular health and can help cyclists complete cycling time trials within a shorter timeframe.
Yoga and meditation are two other approaches that have been scientifically shown to naturally support cell health. Researchers from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) investigated how yoga and meditation impact cellular aging in healthy people. Their findings? Just 12 weeks of yoga and meditation lifestyle intervention “significantly reduced the rate of cellular aging in (an) apparently healthy population.”
It turns out oxidative stress, a leading cause of cell stress, can be reduced through practicing Tai Chi. Tai Chi is an exercise involving gentle movements that originated within ancient Chinese martial arts. Today, it is commonly used as a health practice as well as for rehabilitation. Researchers have found that, in older Mexican adults, Tai Chi is more effective at reducing oxidative stress than walking. So, if you’re looking for a gentle way to exercise and support the health of your cells, consider signing up for your local Tai Chi class!
When it comes to supplements for healthy cells, don’t look past Longvida® Curcumin. It's a breakthrough ingredient that’s 65-100 times more bioavailable than standard curcumin antioxidants. This superior absorption allows a significant portion to enter the bloodstream and have a supportive effect on immune response pathways. In 2017, researchers concluded that 12 weeks of Longvida® Curcumin reduced oxidative stress in healthy adults and improved arterial function – supporting blood flow and, therefore, cardiovascular health.
It’s common knowledge that cigarette smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your health – numerous studies have found it damages your body on a foundational level. Vaping is no better for your cells. In 2021, researchers published the findings of a study that explored how vaping impacted oxidative stress levels in healthy young people with no previous smoking experience. The findings were astonishing. After one 30-minute session of vaping, these young people experienced a significant increase in cellular oxidative stress. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking just a few puffs won’t do any harm, this research begs to differ.
Hopefully, this article has helped you build a toolkit that enables you to better support your cellular health. By adding these simple rituals into your daily routine, you’ll be better positioned to enjoy continued cellular health and cellular aging.
