12 Signs Your Longevity May Be Declining & What You Can Do About It.

As we reach our 40s and beyond we are often juggling careers, parenting or caregiving and everything in between.

But the thing that shouldn't fall to the bottom of the list is your health and how well you are aging.

While Wrinkles and grey hairs are part of the process, some aging signs are much more than skin deep.

Here are 12 signs that your longevity may be declining and how to take action.

1. Loss of Muscle Mass or Strength: If you have noticed you're struggling to lift things you used to carry with ease or recovering slower from workouts, or can see that skin starting to sag a bit around the arms- this could be a sign of age-related sarcopenia.

What can you do? Lift weights 2-3 times per week.

2.  Fatigue or Low Energy: Feeling constantly tired or drained, even after a full nights sleep? It may be a sign that your metabolism, hormones or nutrition need attention.

What you can do? Create a sleep routine, hydrate, eat nutrient dense and iron rich foods.

3. Weight gain, especially around Abdominal Area: Hormonal shifts post 40 can trigger fat storage, particularly the mid-section. As can high cortisiol production from stress.

What to do? Eat protein rich foods and decrease sugar content to balance blood sugar levels. Lift weights and use stress management techniques (meditate, yoga, breath work).

4. Frequent Illness or Slow Healing: If every cold lingers or cuts take forever to heal, your immune system may be struggling.

What to do? Eat more antioxidants/polyphenols, reduce sugar intake, avoid alcohol and soft drinks, improve sleep, bump up the zinc and vitamin C and take probiotics and Cell Charge of course.

5. Joint Stiffness or Pain: Mobility issues and aches are common with inflammation or a lack of movement.

What to do? Take Fish oil, eat more fish, nuts and seeds and avocado and stretch, low impact exercises like weight lifting, yoga and walking. 

6. Trouble Sleeping: Difficulty falling or staying asleep is a classic sign of adrenal or hormonal imbalance.

What to do? Cut screen time down at night, set a sleep routine, try magnesium or herbal teas and Cell Charge at night.

7. Brain Fog or Poor Memory: Do you forget what you walked into a room for? Or have trouble concentrating? Cognitive decline could be creeping in.

What to do? Do the crossword puzzle or word search, meditate, take DHA, get enough sleep and take the antioxidants such as Cell Charge.

8. Mood Swings or Irritability: Snapping at those around you over the littlest things? Feeling down for no apparent reason? Your nervous system may be in overload.

What to do? Balance it out with breath work, journalling, time in nature, time alone.

9. Loss of Motivation or Joy: Feeling a bit blah about life, work or hobbies. Emotional health is deeply connected to longevity.

What to do? Reconnect with your purpose, and build small actionable steps each day. 

10. Lack of Movement- Sitting Too Much: A sedentary lifestyle is one of the biggest predictors of early aging.

What to do? Move more. Walk rather than taking the car, or ride a bike. Prioritise it. Stand rather than sit. Walk after meals. Do your own gardening and house work.

11. Feeling Isolated or Lonely: Social connection is one of the top predictors for a long, healthy life.

What to do? Schedule a coffee date, join a group, calls someone who lifts you up.

12. Relying on Stimulants or Sleep Aids: Needing caffeine to function or meds to sleep? It could be a sign that your body is out of balance, you may have adrenal fatigue.

What to do? Seek help from a naturopathic practicioner to address the root cause. Use stress management techniques, clean eating and natural supplements to support your nervous system.

Have a question or comment? We would love to hear from you.

Till then, be your best version and thrive rather than survive.

Michelle x

The Secret to Optimal Health & Longevity!

We all want better health. We all want to FEEL good when we get out of bed, or run around with the kids, or go to that gym session after a long day at work.

We are all quite aware by now what a healthy diet consists of, but many of us don't know exactly what nutrients help us the most.

Enter polyphenols!

What are polyphenols?

They are natural compounds found in plant based foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and some wholegrains.

They are best known for their antioxidant properties, which help protect the body from oxidative stress and inflammation.

There are thousands of different types of polyphenols, including flavonoids, phenolic acids and stilbenes, each with unique health benefits.

The main benefits are:

1. Anti-inflammatory properties: Polyphenols have been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, which is key factor in the development of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

2. Antioxidant effects: Polyphenols act as antioxidants, scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative stress in the body. This can help slow down the aging process, ultimately leading to better health and longevity.

3. Cardiovascular health: Several studies have shown that polyphenols can help improve cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels, and improving blood flow. This can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death worldwide.

4. Brain health: Polyhenols have been linked to improved cognitive function and a reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. These compounds can help protect brain cells from damage and support overall brain health as we age.

What exactly are they found in?

• Berries- strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.
• Dark chocolate (at least 50%)
• Green tea
• Leafy greens- spinach, kale, broccoli 
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Nuts - almonds, walnuts and pecans
• Cell Charge- contains 22 polyphenolic antioxidants and much more!

Polyphenols are powerful compounds with numerous health benefits, making them an essential part of a healthy diet. By including a variety of polyphenol-rich foods in your meals, you can protect against chronic diseases and optimise your health.

Thriving rather than surviving!

Nourish Your Body: Simple Ways to Get More Nutrients into Your Daily Diet.

Eating nutrient dense doesn't have to be hard, it is actually really easy once you are aware of what you eat and make conscious choices.

1. Eat a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables

One of the easiest ways to increase your nutrient intake is to include a wide variety of colourful fruits and vegetables in your meals. Different colours indicate different nutrients. The combination of different micronutrients have a powerful effect on the health of our bodies.

Have vegetables more than once per day. Aim for at least 4 different types per day and as fresh as possible. Shop local so produce is in season and not imported.

2. Choose whole foods and limit processed foods

If it comes from a packet keep it to a minimum. Cook from scratch more. Change white rice for brown, white pasta to quinoa. Rye or spelt breads rather than wheat. These food contain more micronutrients, fibre all which help regulate blood sugar levels, improve digestion and provide sustained energy throughout the day.

3. Include lean proteins

Protein is an essential building block for repairing tissues in the body, so it's important to include lean sources in your daily diet. Options like organic chicken, wild caught fish, organic eggs, organic or grass fed red meat, tofu and organic legumes. Protein rich foods can also help you feel full and satisfied, reducing the likelihood of overeating.

4. Add healthy fats

Omega 3, 6 and 9 fats are essential for healthy cell function including, brain, hormone and overall wellbeing.

Our body cannot make these fats so they must come from our diet.

Omega 6 and 9 are often more abundant in the average diet, but it is omega 3 that is the most beneficial, acting as an anti-inflammatory among other things.

Avocaodos, nuts and seeds, extra virgin olive oil and whole grains and red meat are some examples of foods with omega 6 and 9. Omega 3 on the other hand is mostly found in fish and seafood, plant oils, eggs and nuts and seeds.

5. Snack on nutrient dense foods

Swap the highly processed, sugar laden, high salt and high preservative foods for nutrient dense alternatives. Eg: potato crisps for rice cakes with avocado and lemon juice or instead of store bought flavoured yoghurt and muesli- plain greek yoghurt and home made raw muesli.

Getting more nutrients into your diet doesn't have to be hard or unpleasant.

Keep it varied, keep it fresh and home made as much as possible. And yes the saying is true, eat the rainbow!

Taking Cell Charge is also assurance you are getting maximum micronutrient uptake as it is a multi-mineral, polyphenolic blend of all the micronutrients your body needs to thrive, many of them cannot be found in any foods today.

Easy No Bake Healthy Chocolate Crackle Slice

Ingredients:

• 2 3/4 cup Freedom Foods Rice Puffs
• 1/2 cup dessicated coconut
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cacoa powder
• 3 Tablespoons of maple syrup

How to:

1. Put the rice puffs in a heat proof bowl, coconut and stir
2. Meanwhile melt coconut oil then add into bowl and stir well.
3. Then add cacoa powder and maple syrup, stirring again.
4. Pour into pre-lined square tray and flatten till evenly spread.
5. Refridgerate till set (usually overnight best) then store in an air tight container in the fridge).
6. Enjoy!