The nutrients in food can be broadly classified as fat, proteins and carbs. Metabolism is the process of how these cells, organs and tissues in our bodies breakdown these nutrients to give us the energy and maintain our body in a healthy and strong manner.

As we get older, our metabolic rate slows. The mitochondria in our cells, which we liken as the little energy factories in cells that convert nutrients to power, literally becomes less efficient with age.  

The implications of a slowing metabolism are manifold- it explains why it gets harder for us to lose those extra pounds as the years add on; and those extra pounds if left unaddressed could potentially lead to more serious health problems like heart disease and diabetes. Furthermore, those extra pounds can cause a further slowing down of metabolism, as overweight individuals tend to burn fat even less efficiently.

There are some things we can do to address this slowdown to an extent.

Exercising actually helps increase the number of mitochondria and it also increases their metabolic activity. Most doctors would recommend both cardiovascular activity and strength training.

It is important to stay fit after middle age. As we get older we are subject to sarcopeniaor or muscle wasting. Strength training, in this respect helps tremendously as muscle burns more energy (which means calories) than fat.

Eating balanced meals is also important. Each of the primary food fuels has important individual contributions to make to the whole metabolic scheme.

Fatty acids aid in the synthesis of cell membranes. Carbs are a quick energy source for brain and muscle fuel and used for a plethora of biochemical reactions, including building DNA. Amino acids build protein—the structural basis of our cells. Again, all of this is part of metabolism—converting and using nutrients to maintain healthy cells, organs and tissues. Diets that eliminate an entire food group will take a toll on the body in the long run.

Most doctors recommend having whole-grain carbs and protein, both of which take longer to digest and will keep you going longer.

Skipping meals is counter-productive. Eventually our body gets smart and starts to conserve when you go for awhile without eating. Skipping meals could mean that the next meal you eat is overeaten as you are hungrier and you are taking in more calories when your body is conserving.

Drink lots and lots of water. Any process in the body is done using water. Some studies have shown that drinking water actually increases our body’s metabolic rate. Drinking water also helps with digestion.

Drinking green tea, at least 3 cups a day is also said to help. A 2009 Tufts University study showed that drinking 3 cups of green tea a day assisted participants in losing twice as much weight, as well as more belly weight!

Our anti-aging food supplement, Celergen has been specially formulated to provide the benefit of increasing our energy levels. Together with bio-active fish DNA, CoQ10 and other anti-oxidants like Selenium and grape seed extract, consuming Celergen increases one’s energy level and enhances the immune system.

Do write to us at sales@celergenswiss.com should you have any questions on Celergen anti aging food supplement.

Studies have shown that CoQ10 boosts our energy and helps improve the immune system. It also serves as an antioxidant.

CoQ10, also known as Coenzyme Q10 is present in small quantities as a natural compound in the mitochondria of our cells.   Mitochondria is also called the energy-producing centre of the cell which keeps us active and alert.

As an energy booster, CoQ10 is involved in the production of a cell molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which serves as a major energy source for our cells. ATP also helps initiate a number of biological processes which includes muscle contraction and protein production in the body.

As an antioxidant, CoQ10 neutralises free radicals that cause damage to the body. Free radicals are harmful as they alter cell membranes; tamper DNA and causes cell death. Free radicals are the by-products of cell oxidation and its damaging presence can be enhanced by environmental toxins like ultraviolet light, radiation from various objects like cell phones, radio or TV towers, cigarette smoke and air pollution. Free radicals have been associated with cancers, heart disease and even aging wrinkling skin. Antioxidants like CoQ10 neutralise free radicals and prevents or limits further damage caused to the cells.

There are clinical studies that suggest that CoQ10 improves immunity in individuals with immune deficiencies like AIDS and severe infections like yeast, bacteria and viral infections. It has been claimed that CoQ10 increases sperm mobility which increases chances of fertilisation. Other studies have focussed on the use of CoQ10 in the treatment of heart diseases, hypertension and diabetes.

As an anti-aging ingredient, CoQ10 has been used in cosmetic products for healthy and glowing skins.

CoQ10 is primarily available in foods that include oily fish like salmon and tuna, organ meats like liver and whole grains. If you have a balanced diet then most likely you are already obtaining sufficient amounts of CoQ10. Supplements however can be useful especially in today’s world of hectic lifestyles of processed and fast foods.

The recommended dosage of CoQ10 is 30mg – 200mg a day. Younger, healthy adults tend to be on the lower end of the range. Its presence in Celergen, as a component of the total formulation of premium anti- aging ingredients amounts to 10mg.

Do write to us at sales@celergenswiss.com if you have any questions about Celergen.

Many reasons and situations abound each day that can rile us. Whether it is the traffic, schedules, people or events that can provoke our heartbeat to pump a lot faster and blood pressure to climb, the outcome is not good at all for our health.  

Plenty has been said about the negative physiological effects that uncontrollable anger can have on our body.

What is more important is to remind ourselves how to walk away from those angry moments, thereby reducing the stress factors in our lives.      

Here are some effective methods that we would like to share with our readers on how we can avoid those unhealthy outbursts.

Breathing techniques

Have you seen an angry bull? It puffs and pants until it runs out of steam while charging at its opponents. That is exactly what happens when we get into a fit of angry outburst.

Breathing exercises or techniques can help us avoid an angry outburst. A quick succession of deep breaths if done continuously will reduce the rage immediately. It is good to deep breathe for some time after a stressful day at work or office, like what is taught in meditation classes.

Positive communication

A healthy way to communicate when we are angry is ‘Positive Communication’. Attempt to say something good and if there is nothing good to say, don’t say a word. Less said is better than saying something nasty in a fit of rage which can be counterproductive. It is not a question of yielding but remaining calm yet assertive.

Listening

Listen to the other person’s point of view to avoid getting angry due to communication breakdown. Listening to somebody else’s point of view without interrupting can help us deal with emotions that could turn hostile anytime. When we get a chance to respond, respond calmly and express what we want to in a positive, healthy manner. The bottom line is to listen more and talk less.

Having the last say or not?

How often do we find ourselves determined to have the last say in an argument? In this unyielding uncontrollable rage, we strive to have the last word, to make the last statement to prove our point. However, remember that winning this battle round does not mean that we would have won the war.     

Start counting or praying

Another effective way of avoiding an outburst would be to start praying. Yes, prayer helps.

Or simply start counting, slowly from 1 to 10 or as long you need to, to the point where you don’t feel as angry as you were.

Walk away

Finally, one of the best things to do if caught in the middle of an argument is to simply walk away.

Take time out and ease yourself out. Breathe, think positive, even if it is full of negative things we see or hear. The need to separate oneself from the situation and break away from the urge to react should be there.

Do leave us a comment or ideas we can share with other readers on coping with anger.

It is common knowledge that chronic stress is linked to heart disease, high blood pressure and even cancer. We know it is bad for our heart and body.

What’s interesting is research that has shown a direct link between stress and aging at the cellular level. Stress actually damages our DNA.

A team lead by Elissa Epel at the University of California, San Francisco did a study on 30 women who were young and healthy, except that these were mothers who have been exposed to consistent stress factors namely from taking care of their chronically ill children, like kids with autism. Her objective was to study what chronic stress looked like on healthy individuals.   

Through a series of psychological tests, the women were further categorised by their mental and psychological strength in coping with the stress.

The research team looked into the cell structure of these women, specifically the part of the cell called the telomeres, which protect the DNA of our cells. Telomeres, located at the end of our DNA strands are known to protect the DNA from damage. The older we get, the thinner the telomere, the lesser protection we get for our DNA. Once the telomeres wear out, our cells die. This accounts for the weaker eyesight and muscular strength as we get older. In this picture on the left, the telomeres are indicated as the white dots at the ends of the chromosome strands.  

Epel and team showed that stress had the effect of thinning the telomeres of the stressed-out moms. The data showed that the shorter the telomeres were, the worse stress some of these women had undergone. Their cells aged much faster than they should have been aging if they had not had that stress.

What’s more, it turned out that the moms who coped well under stress didn’t suffer the same damage to their telomeres.

The bottom line is that while a certain degree of stress does get things done, consistent exposure to stress factors and how we manage the stress, from having a more positive attitude and mindset to other coping strategies are key to the health of our cells.

What happens in our minds and how we perceive stress can affect the most fundamental aspect of our physical being.

An antidote to premature aging is definitely laughter. Celergen and other physical remedies aside, a natural thing to do like laughter could well be the best anti aging remedy that exists.

Any laughter, including anticipated laughter is good. It improves our health, boosts energy and unquestioningly improves the outlook on life.

When we laugh, we use a lot of muscles and it helps stimulate our immune system. Humour exercises our minds, adds fun and enjoyment to our life. Laughter stimulates heart and blood circulation, improves lung capacity and exercises facial and abdominal muscles.

Just anticipating a good laugh produces health protecting hormones.

In fact, endorphins increase by nearly 30% and HGH which is an anti aging hormone increases by up to 90% when people are just thinking about watching a funny video or a funny movie!

Numerous studies have shown that people who have a good sense of humour and an inclination to laugh at things are less likely to develop a heart disease compared to those people who possessed anti social type ‘A’ symptoms.

Other studies have shown that doses of laughter help relieve hay fever symptoms. A happy frame of mind can bring relief to any allergic symptoms.

Genetically we are all programmed to laughter. Babies laugh spontaneously without any coaching or coaxing. It comes naturally.

Sadly, as we grow older, laughter can be less spontaneous or at worst, sometimes even fake. Ultimately whether laughter is simulated through a funny movie, reading funny jokes or books, or from the silly things we think of or hear or even share with others, laughter can bring incredible health benefits.

And now, watch this video for some serious anti-aging tips from the 80s.  Enjoy!

Salabmisri is part of the arsenal of herbal treatments used in Ayurvedic medicine. It is a potent aphrodisiac and sexual tonic which is said to increase production of semen, increases lust and gives strength to the body.

This herb is extracted from a flowering plant known as Orchis Mascula. The plant is in flower from mid-April to mid-June with its bulb growing to 0.6m tall. A single flower-stem rises from two fleshy, egg-shaped tubers. It is these tuber roots which are grounded to produce a powder called Salab which is commonly taken as a drink mixed with water or added to other foods to make them more nutritious.

The plant’s name “Orchis” is actually a Greek word ‘όρχις orchis’, which means “testicle”, due to the appearance of the paired tuberoids.  According to Dioscorides, an early Greek physician, married couples used Orchis Mascula to determine the sex of their unborn child.  When the man ate the larger tuber, they would have a boy; if the woman ate the smaller tuber, they would have a girl!

Today, tubers are cultivated and irrigated for medicinal purposes. The tubers contain glucoside, a bitter substance, starch (27%), mucilage (48%), sugar, albumen, traces of volatile oil and ash containing chiefly of phosphates and chlorides of potassium and lime. 

Apart from its aphrodisiac properties, Salabmisri is also used for the treatment of old age related problems including gastro-intestinal disorders, irritable bowel syndrome and urinary tract related problems.

Whether its Celergen or Salabmisri, these natural food extracts can spice up one’s sex life which is essential to living an active, healthy and balanced life.

“Anti-ageing around the world” is our blog series to provide interesting snippets on anti-aging recipes and secrets from a cross-cultural perspective. There is so much we can learn from the different cultures and countries around the world and how each approaches food, medicine, and lifestyle choices in unique ways to keep young, live well and beautifully. We welcome your comments and suggestions.

Ginseng is most often associated with China, Japan and Korea, but it is also found in the Siberian belt of Russia, Brazil, Peru and parts of the USA. In India, Ginseng is known as Ashwaganda.

Ginseng has a botanical name, Panax which means “All Heal” in Greek.

Ginseng originated in Manchuria and has been in use for some 5000 years. Ginseng was originally called ‘Ren Shen’ by the ancient Chinese. ‘Ren Shen’ means ‘Man Root’. It was named so due to the human-like shape of the Ginseng root. The Chinese believe that whatever the shape of a human body the root takes, it would relieve them of any ailment to that part of the body.

The Ginseng plant has a fleshy root and from its root, we derive the nutritious herbal tea.

Ginseng Tea is said to have many healing and energy-giving properties. The healthy aspect is due to the presence of natural chemicals called ‘Ginsenosides’ in the Ginseng root which makes it different from the traditional, commercial tea.

The Chinese have a great faith in Ginseng and considers it as a sort of rejuvenating, cure-all palliative for a variety of ailments. Chinese are known to consume Ginseng Tea regularly as they believe drinking of Ginseng Tea leads to long life. Ginseng was so dear that it was bartered for gold and soon became almost extinct until commercial cultivation was inevitable.  However, wild Ginseng is believed to have more medicinal value than cultivated Ginseng.

The Ginseng root is used fresh or dried for later use. You get it in whole, sliced, in powder form and even in tea bags. Ginseng plant leaves are also used, but these are not as popular as the root. Ginseng is cultivated for 6 years before their roots are harvested into Red Ginseng and White Ginseng.

The difference lies in the way the roots are processed. To make White Ginseng, the root is peeled and sun-dried. The dried root looks yellowish-white. To make Red Ginseng, the unpeeled root undergoes steaming, turns reddish-brown, and is then dried.

While Ginseng has been traditionally considered a ‘cure all’, the efficacy is not proven. Even so,   many people swear by Ginseng Tea and consume it on a regular basis, especially in China.  According to these Ginseng supporters, it is beneficial in so many ways.

Ginseng helps to build up appetite and digestion, reduce physical and mental stress, counter arthritis, counter asthma and diabetes, reduces risk of cancer and lower (LDL) bad cholesterol levels.

Ginseng aids respiration and is rejuvenating and works against fatigue. It aids the immune system and works as an aphrodisiac, is effective against headaches and provides a cure for stomach ulcers and diarrhoea. It is supposedly good for blood circulation.

You can say it is almost like the “all in one” herbal remedy, much like another herb Shilajit which we covered in one of our previous blogs.

“Anti-ageing around the world” is our blog series to provide interesting snippets on anti-aging recipes and secrets from a cross-cultural perspective. There is so much we can learn from the different cultures and countries around the world and how each approaches food, medicine, and lifestyle choices in unique ways to keep young, live well and beautifully. We welcome your comments and suggestions.

 The delicate tofu is the solidified milk by-product of grounded cooked soya beans.

Typically associated with a vegetarian’s diet for people in the West like America, Europe and Australia, its historical and cultural links acutally go back to ancient Chinese times.

One legend has it that Liu An, the grandson of Emperor Liu Bang at the time of the Han dynasty, was eager to learn the magical art of immortality and so he went deep into the mountain to refine immortal pills. Immortal elixirs he did not produce, instead, a white and tender concoction with enticing fragrance was produced from bean juice. There and then, the product was named “bean curd” or “tofu” and  Liu An’s hometown in Shouxian County of Anhui Province, has since been dubbed as the “hometown of Tofu”.

Tofu and its production techniques subsequently spread to Japan, Korea and other parts of Asia like Vietnam and Philippines, so much so that it is a standard fixture on the menus of Asian restaurants.

Aside from this small indulgence into the historical elements of this wonderful anti-aging food, Tofu (also known as Soya Bean Curd) – is aptly named the “perfect food”. 

And that is because it is high in protein, low in fat, low in calories and a good source of calcium as well as vitamin E. It is also cholesterol free.  Two small pieces of Tofu, it is said, can satisfy a person’s need of calcium for the day. 

Tofu is made by grinding cooked soya beans until a milk is produced. The soya milk is then made into a solid form by mixing it with a natural mineral coagulant like calcium sulphate. The resulting Tofu is naturally bland.

Tofu is an ideal additive to both sweet and savoury dishes. There are two basic types of Tofu. Silken Tofu is soft and can be utilised as an ideal additive for dressings, sauces and in dairy free versions of ice cream or cheese cake.

Firm Tofu, a more solid form of Tofu, can be cut into rectangular pieces and stir-fried, grilled, scrambled, pickled, smoked, baked or barbecued.

For food adventurers, believe it or not, there’s even smelly Tofu. Just visit the street stalls in Taiwan or China.

Studies have shown that soya beans and products derived from it play an important role in preventing various types of cancer, specifically breast cancer. It is also known to have prevent osteoporosis and symptoms related to menopause.

Proponents of tofu for heart health point to the low incidence of heart disease in populations that consume tofu regularly, such as in Asia. No wonder that the Japanese island of Okinawa has the world’s highest concentration of residents living past 100 years and longer, more than anywhere else in the world.      

Many Asians also believe that eating Tofu will result in having a beautiful, smooth complexion like the texture of silken white tofu.

 “Anti-ageing around the world” is our blog series to provide interesting snippets on anti-aging recipes and secrets from a cross-cultural perspective. There is so much we can learn from the different cultures and countries around the world and how each approaches food, medicine, and lifestyle choices in unique ways to keep young, live well and beautifully. We welcome your comments and suggestions.

While collagen is the more prominent of the twin proteins that make up about 30% of our body’s total protein, Elastin plays no less a critical role in the structural constitution of our body.

Elastin is a protein produced by our own body that gives elasticity to our tissues and organs. It is found predominantly in our skin, the walls of our arteries, in our lungs, intestines and other elastic tissues. Whereas collagen provides rigidity, elastin is the protein which allows the connective tissues in our blood vessels and heart tissues, for example, to stretch and then recoil to their original positions.

Fibrous in nature, elastin protein possesses great tensile strength, which means, among other things, it provides firmness to the skin.

Our bodies produce elastin from birth and peaks at about puberty. Thereafter, production dramatically slows and over time with age, depletion of this protein occurs more than production. One obvious sign is the onset of wrinkles or less firmer skin.

There are various anti-aging remedies targeted at treating this depletion of collagen-elastin. Whilst some turn to Botox treatments and collagen fillers for the temporary but obvious fix, other methods look at attacking the problem at its root cause- which is stimulating our own body’s production of elastin and collagen.

Lifestyle choices can greatly affect the amount of elastin in your skin, while eating foods rich in zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A and antioxidants help promote elastin.

Another way of compensating for this naturally occurring loss is to take an elastin- and collagen-boosting supplement daily, like Celergen.  

Celergen Unraveled is an info-section on our blog to explain in greater detail what makes Celergen work, particularly frequently asked questions from customers. Email us if you have any questions.    

In Celergen, we have extracted the best anti-aging nutrients from Fish DNA.

From birds, we have harvested nourishing bird’s nest which is the secretion of the swallow (which we covered in a previous blog post). And from bees, we have derived Royal Jelly, the secretions of worker bees to fatten up the Queen bee.

Royal Jelly is another of nature’s creation, a by-product of the reproduction cycle of the busy bee.

Royal Jelly is the nutritious secretion from the glands of worker bees that is fed to bee larvae.

When a colony of bees decides to retire an ageing queen bee or because the old one was killed, they start to nurture the next successor by feeding all the larvae with this secretion, even if most of these larvae end up being worker bees and the male drone bees. After three days, feeding to the larvae of the worker bees and drone bees stops and becomes exclusively reserved for the Queen larvae. This helps the larvae grow large in size and aids it in developing ovaries necessary for laying eggs. The end result is an unbelievable ability to reproduce- the mother of all bees can produce up to 2000 eggs a day!

Added to this fertility enhacing benefit is the long life enjoyed by the Queen Bee. The Queen is said to have a lifespan 60 times longer than the drone bee. Talk about outliving your partner, or rather generations of partners!     

                            Pic: Larvae of queen bee surrounded by Royal Jelly

The royal jelly that we consume is harvested from the queen cells that stock these secretions for the queen larvae.

Royal jelly is collected and sold as a dietary supplement. It claims various health benefits because of the components present in it like Vitamin B complex. Overall, it is composed of 65% water, about 13% of protein in a crude form, sugar and fatty acids, along with niacin, folic acid, and enzymes 

Apart from immunity enhancing and fertility aiding benefits, Royal Jelly is said to cure a long list of ailments such as high cholesterol, arthritis, fatigue, nervousness, weak kidneys, skin rashes, high blood pressure, allergies and sexual dysfunction.  The caveat however, is that it may cause allergic reactions like asthma and hives in some people allergic to specific pollens.

“Anti-ageing around the world” is our blog series to provide interesting snippets on anti-aging recipes and secrets from a cross-cultural perspective. There is so much we can learn from the different cultures and countries around the world and how each approaches food, medicine, and lifestyle choices in unique ways to keep young, live well and beautifully. We welcome your comments and suggestions.