by Kodjo Adadevoh

Created on: February 16, 2009   Last Updated: December 04, 2009

We are what we eat. Food has a profound influence on the health of our cells and how we feel. A lot of changes gene expression, that is the proteins that are expresses is thought to result from epigenetic factors which in turn result from a combination of the foods we eat and environmental factors. Even though we may be born with given genetic makeup, we are not entirely powerless to influence our fate with respect to our pre-dispositions; the foods we eat along with our life-style can lead to beneficial medical outcomes.

Researchers have studied aging for centuries, and have concluded that aging results from defects in the natural processes of cell replication. There are three prevailing thoughts on this subject; the depletion of the finite number of stem cells that we have as we age, the shortening of telomeres at the end of chromosomes, and the increase in free-radicals in our cells. Two of the three changes are outside our realm of control; however the fourth factor, free radicals, is within our control. Free-radicals lead to cell damage, the consumption of antioxidants which are plentiful in red fruits, green tea, ginger root and a host of other fruits and foods is one way to control the levels of free radicals that our cells get exposed to.

Stem cells are progenitor cells that fix damaged tissues, as we age and loose the amount of stem cells; we lose our ability to repair tissue. Telomeres are responsible for stabilizing the ends of chromosomes during replication, thereby preventing the development of rouge cells. As we age, the length of our telomeres shortens, leading to instability during each cell replication. Finally, as we age, the number of free radicals increase leading to damage of our cells. We are limited in our ability to deal with the shortening of our telomeres and the depletion of our stem cells; however, we can prevent cell damage that results from the presence of free radicals.

There are a host of foods that help to remedy the negative effects of the natural aging process, but more specifically the increase in the levels of free radicals. We cannot reverse the aging process; however, we can increase our quality of life by eating foods that help to prevent cell damage and the onset of avoidable diseases. To prevent pre-mature aging, our diets must include whole, natural foods which are good sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial chemicals.

Whole grains contain most of their germ and bran, whereas, processes

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