For ages man has searched for the elusive fountain of youth, but can we really slow down the aging process or are we doomed to play the hand that fate and genetics have dealt us? Why do some people look thirty when they are sixty? And why do some thirty-year-olds look fifty? What’s the secret? Read on to find out ways you can start preserving your youthful appearance today.
Manage Your Stress
That’s right. One of the most severe causes of aging is unhealthy stress. Recent research suggests that when the body is exposed over a long period of time to stress, the aging processes of the brain accelerate. Learning to manage your stress effectively is key to a youthful appearance. Learn to take time in your day to do something that calms you down. Learn to prioritize responsibilities. Make a list of things you need to accomplish and check them off one by one as you finish them. Calming rituals including meditation and yoga will reduce your levels of stress hormones and keep you looking and feeling better.
Stop Smoking
You’ve heard it before, but the plea to stop smoking deserves a spot on our list. Tobacco is one of the most powerful stimulants known to man. A single puff of a cigarette exposes the body to over 4,000 chemical compounds and 600 additives. Smokers tend to have pronounced wrinkling and lines, gauntness or an off-color complexion. This is likely due to the barrage of chemicals clouding around your mouth, cheeks and nose in the form of smoke and the muscle movement of inhaling itself. Not to mention the risk of heart attack and lung cancer.
Eat More “Anti-Aging” Foods
There is a group of substances known as "antioxidants" that helps greatly in keeping you young. They neutralize what scientists call "free radicals". Free radicals set off a chain reaction that can kill cells, tear holes in cell membranes, mutate DNA which is the mastermind of cell activity. One theory, which was formulated by Denham Harman, PhD, a biochemist at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, contends that the cumulative damage by free radicals is responsible for the decline in functioning that accompanies aging. Two known antioxidants are Vitamin A and C. The best source of Vitamin C is citrus fruits. Rich sources of Vitamin A are carrots, squash, spinach and collard greens.
Work it Out
Most adults lose one percent of bone mass annually. As you lose bone minerals your bones become lighter, more porous, weaker and greater risk of fracture. You can increase bone density and strength with weight bearing exercises such as walking, bicycling, swimming or weight training. Measure your 25 (OH) vitamin D level every year. Take Vitamin D to reduce your bone’s aging.
Take Care of your Teeth
After 40, the main cause of tooth loss is periodontal or gum disease. The culprit: "plaque", a sticky film made up of bacteria, saliva, and food debris. Bacteria produce toxins that irritate gums, making them recede and form pockets. If the immune system of the body can't fight the bacterial invasion, the bones anchoring the teeth eventually erode and teeth fall out. Also, poor dental hygiene leads to high levels of inflammation which is bad for you. Brushing every after meal and daily flossing will reduce plaque attacks. Low dose doxycycline may also help reduce inflammation. So visit your dentist at least twice a year!
Following these guidelines should keep you on track to a more youthful you. Just remember, what you put in your body affects what you look like on the outside. Take care of you and you’ll enjoy a healthier, happier life and a more youthful glow.
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