It's a wondrous thing, how the human body is meant to heal and restore itself. Cuts heal themselves, infections can be cleared up on their own, and even broken bones mend and repair. And when it comes fighting the effects of time, there are actually anti-aging fruits and vegetables that actually work. They may not be miracle pills that you can take when you're 80 and expect to live forever, but it is true that many persons today are living longer than they ever did before, and it may be partly due to what scientists and doctors are finding out about how our bodies actually work. We now know more about how the things we put into our mouths affect our systems overall, including the aging process. By following a diet rich in anti-aging fruits and vegetables, a person can not only extend their life, they can also look great as they age as well!

Those that are high in Vitamin C seem to be the best anti-aging fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C is a natural healer than boosts the body's immune system. Higher levels of Vitamin C have been linked to reduced risks of heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain cancers in both men and women.

Anti-aging fruits and vegetables should also contain high amounts of Vitamin D, which is important for healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D is produced naturally when we are exposed to sunlight, but it's said that when we reach our 70's, we are producing only about 40% of the Vitamin D our bodies need.

Anti-oxidants, the elements that our bodies use to fight free radicals or the agents that damage healthy cells, are also necessary as we age and are found in all anti-aging fruits and vegetables. These anti-oxidants help our body's to repair themselves from the inside out.

So with all that being said, what are the best anti-aging fruits and vegetables? Obviously citrus fruits as they contain high amounts of Vitamin C. This includes oranges, tangerines, limes, and grapefruits. Bananas, strawberries, blueberries and apples are also high in many vitamins. Cantaloupe, peaches and apricots have those vital anti-oxidants as well.

And of course you don't want to overlook the vegetable part of anti-aging fruits and vegetables. Having a healthy digestive system is vitally important for your overall health; if your body is working hard to digest that heavy steak or spicy burrito, you're overworking your heart and lungs that are sending blood and oxygen to your stomach and intestines. Anti-aging fruits and vegetables are those with a lot of fiber that help the digestive process along. This includes all green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, and kale. Carrots, cucumbers, and celery are also crunchy, fibrous, and healthy.

It seems from most research that all fruits and vegetables can be considered "anti-aging fruits and vegetables," so there really isn't much of a need to decide whether or not to have a certain piece of fruit or whether or not to have a salad - the problem simply lies in making these great products a regular part of your diet in the first place!

Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with aging such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin E, Selenium, Beta Carotene, Lycopene, L-Glutathione, Vitamin D, Green Tea, and Antioxidant.

Vitamin C, E and some forms of Vitamin A and the mineral Selenium are known to be antioxidants that help to protect the body from these free radicals.

Vitamin A is stored in the liver and fat cells of the human body and can reach toxic levels. DO NOT take more than the recommended dosage of Vitamin A.

Up to one-third of older people can no longer absorb Vitamin B from their food. Vitamin B is needed to form red blood cells and keep nerves healthy.

The mineral Selenium has been associated with a significant reduction in the incidences of lung, colorectal and prostate cancer. Good sources are fish, asparagus, brazil nuts, meat, poultry and bread.

Beta Carotene helps protect Vitamin C from oxidation, which enables it to perform at optimum efficiency. Symptoms of Beta Carotene deficiency include ache, dry dull hair, dry skin and thickened scaly skin on the palms and soles of the feet.

Lycopene is very powerful in quenching free radicals as is L-gultathione. Ultra Antioxidant allows cells to perform more efficiently with less oxygen, enabling sufficient oxygen to be utilized for the cells and organs that specifically need it.

Vitamin D is manufactured in the skin following direct exposure to sunlight. Many studies show that Vitamin D production decreases in older people and in those who are housebound. Vitamin D is needed by the body to absorb calcium, which makes your bones stronger and helps prevent factures.

Green Tea Contains antioxidants that may protect against heart disease, several types of cancer, and skin damage.

Natural antioxidants are abundant in fruits and vegetables such as, apples, blueberries, broccoli, cherries, cranberries, grapes, spinach, and Spirulina a blue-green algae.

A 2006 article in the Journal of American Medical Association suggested that by periodically restricting our caloric intake to as little as 890 calories a day, or fasting, resulted in a decrease in insulin levels and body temperatures, another two biomarkers of longevity. Restricting calories helps to eliminate the free radicals by burning off more calories than you take in thus reducing the amount of fat stored in the human body.

Skipping a meal here and there from an evolutionary point of view would be beneficial. The human body is used to going days without eating anything but today we have constant access to food and we are taking in calories all day long.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.