(HealthNewsDigest.com) - What is the most important part of your anti-aging routine? Slathering on an expensive skin cream? Camouflaging your grays with hair color? Whitening your teeth? You can spend your energies (and budget) trying to fool Mother Nature or you can follow some smart tactics that will help to protect your body from the ravages of time.

"There is a good reason why some people age better than others, and it's not all about genetics," explains pharmacist and author Sherry Torkos, BSc, Phm. "Sure, you know the importance of nutrition, exercise and managing your weight. But now medical science also supports some very specific strategies that will help to ensure that you live a healthier, more active life as you get older."

You’ll need your heart for the rest of your life.
Many people don’t even think about heart health until their doctor tells them they have cardiovascular disease. “Don’t assume your heart will give you a mild warning that there is a problem,” says Torkos. “Heart disease can go undetected until it’s too late to reverse. Women especially are more likely than men to die after their first heart attack.”

Studies have shown that you can reduce the risk of heart disease by following a heart-healthy lifestyle. That includes eating well, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing stress. Two proven heart-healthy tactics that you may not know about, says Torkos, include:

• Swap green tea for coffee: “Green tea contains antioxidants and an amino acid called L-theanine that offer benefits for the heart.”
• Make sure you are getting your garlic. “Garlic helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduces clotting, and helps to prevent plaque formation in the arteries. Most research has been conducted on aged garlic extract.”

If your joints are bothering you, even sitting can become painful.
Mobility is essential to staying active and being active cuts your risk of many chronic diseases, which is why joint health and bone mass both make Torkos’ list. “Most of us think osteoporosis only affects us later in life. The truth is that we actually start losing bone mass in our 20s and 30s. Osteoporosis is called the Silent Thief because bone loss can occur slowly over many years and without symptoms until a sudden strain, bump or fall causes a bone fracture. At that point, you can only build back a marginal amount of bone. And if you already have bone loss, you can still take measures to prevent further loss and strengthen your bones."

The latest bone and joint health tactic comes from hens – or rather, their eggs. “Research shows that one of the cleanest and most absorbable forms of calcium comes from eggshells. It is called ESC. “It’s so easily absorbed by the body that you need to take less of it than other forms of calcium supplements. Eggshell supplements are safe, natural, gentle on the stomach and do not contain contaminants. There are also products available now made with Natural Eggshell Membrane, or NEM, to support joint health. We all know that if your joints are bothering you, you won’t get the exercise you need to keep your bones healthy. There are a variety of products that include NEM showing up in the marketplace.”

JointSense™ from The NutraSense Company is made exclusively with NEM. This clinically proven joint health care supplement has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation and increase range of mobility after only 7 days of use. NEM is GRAS status approved (generally recognized as safe), vegetarian, and sourced and manufactured in the U.S. Visit www.nutrasense.com for Research studies and more product information.

Eat, play, de-stress
“Stress has far-reaching effects on our long-term health. It is linked to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure, anxiety, depression, memory loss, insomnia, muscle tension, obesity, fatigue, sexual dysfunction and many other problems.” A smart stress-busting strategy can involve yoga, meditation or even long walks on the beach. “The proper foods can also promote good energy and balance in your body,” says Torkos. “Most whole grains and vegetables are rich in B vitamins and magnesium, which are known for their anti-stress properties and to support the nervous system.” Supplements can also help take the edge off stress:

• Try L-theanine. “Research shows that the active component found in the leaves of green tea, the amino acid L-theanine, induces relaxation and improves mental focus without drowsiness. The pure form of L-theanine, called Suntheanine, is a popular addition to supplements, beverages and foods. It helps to get you in that zen state.”

Don’t be a welcome mat for germs!

As you get older, your immune function declines. “This makes you more at risk for colds and flu. You will also be more susceptible to serious, life-threatening complications such as pneumonia. Torkos’ favorite immune-boosting strategies include:

• Limit your sugar. “Eating or drinking 8 tbsp. of sugar, the equivalent of about two cans of soda, can significantly reduce the ability of white blood cells to kill germs.
• Maintain a normal weight. “Obesity can affect the body’s ability of white blood cells to multiply, produce antibodies and rush to the site of an infection.”
• Choose smart supplements. Vitamins C and D support immune system health. Also consider taking a supplement that contains Wellmune, a clinically-researched brand of gluco polysaccharide that has been shown to naturally prime the body’s neutrophils, which are the soldiers of the immune system that work to identify and destroy foreign invaders.”

Torkos adds, “Your health is like a retirement fund. The sooner you begin making deposits, the quicker the benefits begin to build. And so, it also stands to reason, the more substantial the contributions, the more substantial or “healthier” the result

Sherry Torkos, BSc, Phm - Biographical Summary 
Sherry Torkos is a pharmacist, author, and certified fitness instructor. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in 1992 and practices holistic pharmacy in the Niagara region of Ontario.

As a leading health expert, she has delivered hundreds of lectures to medical professionals and the public. She is frequently interviewed on radio and TV talk shows throughout North America and abroad. Sherry has authored 14 books, including The Canadian Encyclopedia for Natural Medicine, The Glycemic Index Made Simple, Winning at Weight Loss and Breaking the Age Barrier.

Click to buy JointSense™ with NEM from the Nutrasense online store.

For more information contact:
Robin Harding
NutraSense Inc.
800-350-7017 ext. 108