Anti-Aging and the Japanese Diet

Anti-aging and the Japanese diet was a focal point of an article in the May 2011 issue of Life Extension. The Japanese diet is largely comprised of seaweed in which there are specific types that have high content levels of a certain substance referred to as fucoidans. These fucoidan molecules have an important role regarding numerous functions physiologically, and most people on the western part of the globe get very few of them.

The Japanese Diet

The people of Japan have always been known to consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and lots of fish. Along with their "food is medicine" perspective the population there, these two things combined are believed to have advanced them in aspects of anti-aging. Another distinctive key player in their anti-aging success is seaweed. They are known for consuming large quantities in their diet regularly to the tune of 4-6 grams daily.

Anti-aging and Fucoidans

Different analyses focusing on the Japanese diet primarily in the region of Okinawa, a part of Japan known for it's centurian inhabitants, has revealed some evidence of these fucoidan molecules within the seaweed consumed there as having an anti-aging effect on the population. These crucial molecules have been linked to the regeneration of tissue, improved cellular function and cell communication.

How Fucoidans Work

With a diet rich in seaweed, and the fucoidan content contained within it, you end up with a great recipe for success in excreting toxins. This is because the fucoidans in the seaweed have the capability to bind to oxidants like dioxin that wreak havoc on cells in the body causing degeneration. Once they bind to the oxidants, they then help in facilitating the excretion of them, further assisting in maintaining cleansing for the body.

Fucoidans and Immune Function

Fucoidan rich seaweed is also responsible for enhanced immune function. In the Life Extension article, it states that fucoidans have the ability to adjust growth factors related to healing and regeneration of tissue, while at the same time stopping those that are related to quicker aging and degeneration. According to the article the fucoidans are related to halting inflammation while destructing invaders at the same time.

Frankly, after reading about these power molecules, I'm feeling as though we can't afford not to eat them via seaweed. For more valuable information regarding the Japanese diet and fucoidans, click here.