Longevinex Resveratrol Supplement Claimed to Have Anti-Aging Effects

For hundreds of years, humankind has been looking for the fountain of youth. One company, Longevinex, claims it's found a way to effectively use resveratrol. Resveratrol is found in red wine and is claimed to have anti-aging properties. It forms the basis for the Longevinex dietary supplement.

Longevinex markets an anti-aging supplement that consists of resveratrol, quercetin, vitamin E, and other ingredients. The theory is that the resveratrol molecule mimics the health effects of a calorie restricted diet and activates genes that have anti-aging effects. Resveratrol also has some anti-oxidant properties. Anti-oxidants are believed to have strong anti-aging effects.

Longevinex comes in a once-daily capsule. A one month supply costs $36.95 through the Longevinex web site.

There are a number of theories as to the causes of aging and a number of ways to address these causes through lifestyle and supplementation. I've been following my own anti-aging regimen for a number of years.

The most popular theory is that free radicals cause cellular damage and aging. Free radicals are molecules that are a by product of oxidation. A number of nutrients are called anti-oxidants because they eliminate free radicals in the body. The key anti-oxidant molecules are vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and zinc. It's no coincidence that these same components are usually associated with a strong immune system. Free radicals are believed to play a role in a number of diseases.

In my personal regimen, I address the free radical issue with an anti-oxidant supplement. My preference is a product called ACES + Zinc from The Vitamin Shoppe. This is a capsule which contains all the key anti-oxidants.

In addition, I often take supplemental vitamin C and E based on environmental factors or my current health status. Caution should be taken to avoid over-supplementation particularly with vitamin A which can toxic. The best way to supplement vitamin A is to take a beta carotene supplement which is converted in the body to vitamin A as needed.

A number of plants also have molecules that have been shown in studies to have anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties. Some examples are green tea, reishi mushrooms and ginseng. In my personal regimen I take a daily supplement of ginseng and reishi mushroom extract.

A calorie restricted diet has also been suggested to have anti-aging effects. I've been a vegetarian for 20 years which helps restrict my calorie intake. It also allows me to get a wider range of micronutrients that may have a synergistic anti-aging effect.

There are a number of amino acids that have anti-oxidant properties. As a vegetarian, I often supplement these amino acids to make sure that I get a full dose daily. The amino acids I use daily are N-Acetyl Cysteine, Glutathione, and Tryptophan.

While supplementation can certainly be an important part of an anti-aging regimen, I believe the greatest benefit comes from eating a varied diet rich in plant foods. I drink at least a cup of green tea everyday, stay hydrated with at least 8 glasses of water a day and eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

Other factors that have been identified in aging include the amount and quality of rest, stress management and physical activity. In my personal anti-aging regimen I include 30 minutes of daily activity per day. I prefer walking and yoga but any low impact physical activity is beneficial. I also have a daily meditation practice which manages stress. Stress releases a number of hormones in the body that can contribute to aging and weight gain.

I don't personally believe that every person needs the same amount of sleep. I try to sleep at least 5 hours every night and when I feel tired, I take naps to allow my body to regulate its own amount of rest.

According to the research I've followed over the years, consistency is the real key here. In designing my own anti-aging regimen I incorporated only those things that I knew I could commit to doing daily. Whatever your regimen, it needs to fit your lifestyle so you can be successful with it.

Longevinex makes some great claims. I may try adding their supplement to my own anti-aging regimen. However, whether you choose to use Longevinex or not, there are a number of lifestyle changes that you can make which will have anti-aging effects.

Sources:

Longevinex Proven Better than Resveratrol, Longevinex, http://www.longevinex.com/

Longevinex Issues 2008 Consumer Buyng Guide; Many Resveratrol Supplements Still Fail to Provide Labeled Dosage, eMediaWire, http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/11/emw568496.htm

Resveratrol, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reservatrol

The Vitamin Shoppe, http://www.vitaminshoppe.com