How to Improve Your Health and Increase Your Lifespan!

Posted on :  May 12, 2020
Active Seniors

by Ashleigh Feltham
Accredited Practising Dietitian and Accredited Nutritionist

Seniors Bike Riding

There are endless articles talking about superfoods, but have you considered targeting specific foods containing a healthy enzyme to increase your health and potentially your lifespan? Nicotinamide Riboside (NAD+) is an enzyme which plays a role in potentially increasing both these factors.

Studies have shown as you age your levels of NAD+ decrease. By the time you are 50 years old, your levels of NAD+ are 40% less from when you were 20 years old. NAD+ enables the proper function of proteins in your cells called sirtuins. These proteins play a role in preventing age-related disease and dysfunction. When there is no longer enough NAD+ the results start to wreak havoc on your body in forms of disease and risk of conditions like:

  1. Loss of youthful skin
  2. Increased fat levels
  3. Loss of muscle
  4. Depression
  5. Heart disease and dysfunction
  6. Loss of immune function
  7. Diabetes
  8. Fatty Liver Disease
  9. Poor eyesight
  10. DNA left unrepaired and damaged which can increase the risk of cancer
  11. Death

There is good news. There is a factor which can be found both in supplement and food sources which may help replenish and maintain your NAD+ stores called nicotinamide riboside. This factor is found in food sources of Niacin (vitamin B3). The RDI for women aged 19 years and older is 14mg and for men 16mg. Foods which can help you get to this target include:

  1. Tuna – 100mg of tuna has around 12 mg
  2. Salmon – 100g of salmon has around 4.45 mg
  3. Trout – 100g of trout has around 3.34 mg
  4. Dairy milk – much higher amounts compared to most plant-based milk sources unless fortified with higher amounts.
  5. Yeast
  6. Chicken
  7. Green vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, avocado, edamame and peas.
  8. Tomato
  9. Cabbage

The unfortunate news is food sources do contain limited amounts of nicotinamide riboside. However, with a varied diet and including good sources of vitamin B3 like the quality products by Safcol you will be giving your body the best health advantage.

Take home message

The key to endless life and health is not yet known but nicotinamide riboside may be one factor which may prove to increase your longevity and healthspan.

Not only is Safcol the Seafood Experts tuna lunchbox friendly, but it also tastes delicious, and boasts some amazing health benefits! Tuna contains Omega-3 fats that are an unsaturated form of fat called polyunsaturated. These types of fats cannot be made by the body, so we need to include them as part of our diet to stay healthy. For good health, you need omega-3 fats in our diet, particularly the type which comes from fish and seafood because it contains two acids known as docosahexaenoic acid or DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA. These two acids are linked to better health for your body particularly for your brain and heart.