Even if it’s not something we look forward to, aging is
inevitable. As the years come and go, signs of aging appear. With time,
everyone will notice a few gray hairs and wrinkles revealing their age when
they look in the mirror.
It should come as no surprise that for all the external
signs of aging we undergo, we’re actually aging internally too. You may have already
noticed creakier bones, worsening vision, and achy joints, but you may not have
noticed the changes to your cardiovascular system.
One of the most important organs in the cardiovascular
system is the endothelium, which lines your blood vessels and produces Nitric Oxide.
As the endothelium ages, Nitric Oxide production naturally declines. This
decrease is completely normal, but since healthy Nitric Oxide production
maintains blood flow to your vital organs, it makes sense to do everything you can
to make sure your endothelium is as healthy as possible.
The great thing about cardiovascular health is that it’s
never too late to start making healthier choices – I was in my 60s when I
started running marathons! By supporting the health of my endothelium and heart
every day, now that I’m in my 70s I feel better than I did in my 40s.
Make the commitment to your well-being by aging as
healthfully as possible. While you can’t stop or reverse the aging process, you
can still look and feel great as you get older.
5 easy ways to support healthy aging of the endothelium:
Eat well
A healthy diet is the cornerstone for endothelial health.
Closely adhering to a diet that emphasizes healthy fats, fresh fruits and
vegetables, fish, herbs and spices, and whole grains supports healthy endothelial
function.
Move often
Movement stimulates the endothelial cells to produce Nitric
Oxide, making exercise one of the most important steps to supporting
endothelial health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend
150 minutes of exercise per week. If you can move more than that, great! More movement
equals more support for the endothelial cells.
Take nutritional supplements
In addition to a healthy diet and regular exercise, be sure
your endothelium is getting the nutrients it needs to support healthy function.
Dietary supplements like L-arginine, L-citrulline, CoQ10, krill oil, Omega-3 DHA
and EPA, and garlic support healthy endothelial cells and Nitric Oxide
production.
Laugh more
Laughter has been long known to have positive effects on the
body and mind, and it turns out it’s good for the endothelium, too. Research
presented at the Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology
showed that laughter causes the endothelium to dilate, or expand, in order to
increase blood flow.
Sleep well
When you’re busy, it’s tempting to scrimp on sleep. But
getting plenty of sleep and rest is actually a productive activity for the
body, and especially the endothelial cells. Getting the recommended eight hours
of sleep per night gives your endothelial cells the chance to heal and
regenerate.
Healthy aging really comes down to healthy living. Take it one day at a time, and remember that each great choice you make adds up to a lifetime of wellness and vitality.
Written by Louis Ignarro, Ph.D.
Dr. Ignarro is a member of both the Editorial and Nutrition Advisory
Boards of the Herbalife Nutrition Institute and receives compensation for his
endorsement of Herbalife® products. Herbalife markets an heart health
supplements.
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