Instant Access To 100,000+ Essays!

Longevity and nutrition From the time man first recognized his own mortality, the quest for immortality has been sought after. The search for the “fountain of youth” began. Now with the American population growing increasingly older, the search has become an interest to many. Magic potions, pills and powders have been created in vain and with hopes of slowing and reversing the aging process. While there is no quick fix and death is inevitable, extending life is obtainable. Nutrition is the key to essential heath and longevity. Why do we age? Science has been pondering over this question for years. Many of the physical changes that we know as “aging” can be traced to accumulated damage caused by compounds called free radicals. (Dolby) Free radicals are electrically charged molecules with an unpaired electron capable of attaching to healthy cells in the body, causing them to lose their structure and function. (Dossey 427) What can be done to stop the damage to cells caused by free radicals? The answer is simple: antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that limit free radicals before they attack cells. (Dossey 427) Antioxidants are easily obtained through numerous fruits and vegetables. But increased l