You have more control over aging than you may think and once you understand the underlying cause, you can dramatically slow down the process. Aging happens when cells and DNA become damaged and unable to repair themselves. This occurs either because of oxidative stress caused by free radicals or because of telomere shortening.
Telomeres are the protective tips of DNA, and when they get too short, cells become unable to reproduce, which causes the tissue to degenerate and eventually die. The most effective way to halt aging is thus to reduce oxidative stress and lengthen telomeres.
Here are 7 powerful, all-natural remedies that target aging at its the source, so that you not only look and feel years younger, you also reduce your risk for chronic disease and extend your life expectancy.
1. Avoid Environmental Agers
Smoking and overexposure to the sun (to the point of burning) both increase oxidative stress and are well-known age accelerators; however, there are more subtle ones to tend to as well. Chemicals in your shower water can dry out your skin, making it look older, and a shower filter will not only benefit your appearance, but it will also reduce oxidative stress by lowering the number of toxins you are introducing into your body. You should filter your drinking water as well because it likely contains chlorine, fluorine, and other toxic chemicals.
Dry air can also make your skin appear older, and a humidifier is a great way to put the moisture back into your skin. Finally, reduce your exposure to xenoestrogens (environmental estrogen-like compounds) by using organic cleaning, personal care products, and cosmetics; and avoiding fabric softeners, perfumes, and plastic food and beverage containers.
2. Consume an Anti-aging Diet
Your diet has a direct and profound effect on oxidative stress levels, telomere length, chronic disease risk, fitness level, and longevity. The latest research shows the best, most protective anti-aging diet is a wholefood, plant-based diet. Wholefoods are loaded with antioxidants to help prevent free radicals from causing oxidative damage to your cells and DNA. Antioxidant dense foods also help to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and several other chronic diseases.
Be sure to include a lot of variety in your diet and choose deeply pigmented fruits and vegetables when possible, as they tend to be the highest in nutrients (e.g. choose sweet potatoes over white potatoes and red leaf lettuce over iceberg). And finally, drink plenty of filtered water as it hydrates your body and is essential for the elimination of toxins.
3. Eat the Best and Avoid the Worst Foods for Aging
Consume the following anti-aging superfoods regularly: raw fruits, especially berries, pomegranates, beets, and watermelon because they are extremely high in antioxidants, and raw veggies, especially cruciferous vegetables because they contain DIM which reduces toxic estrogens and DHT. Also consume nuts and seeds (especially walnuts and flaxseeds because they are rich in omega-3s), spirulina (it’s dense in many anti-aging nutrients), spices (virtually all of them are anti-inflammatory and high in antioxidants), and green tea (it increases longevity).
What you don't eat is every bit as important as what you do eat, and if you want to reduce your toxic load, optimize anti-aging hormones and protect your cells and DNA you should avoid the following: dairy, sugar, fast food, junk food, GMO foods, alcohol, meat, fried foods, processed foods, and vegetable oils.
If your current diet is heavy in these foods, eliminating them may seem daunting and unappealing. But eating healthy can be both simple and incredibly delicious when you use recipes from the Simply Healthy Cookbook.
4. Reduce Stress
Stress shortens telomeres, causes cells to age faster, reduces life expectancy, and increases inflammation and the risk for nearly every chronic disease. One of the most effective ways to keep stress at bay is to meditate or practice yoga regularly. Yoga is truly an amazing practice for longevity; it keeps you limber, oxygenated, strong, and relaxed. A regular meditation and yoga practice will also keep you more balanced, and lead to more mindful and healthy food and lifestyle choices.
Getting enough sleep is also essential for fending off stress and keeping aging at bay. Your body and cells do most of their rejuvenating and repairing during sleep, and if you regularly get less than 7 hours of sleep you are missing out. And finally, make laughing and great sex a priority. Laughing and sex are the best and most enjoyable anti-aging medicines; they release stress and anti-aging hormones and make you instantly look and feel younger.
5. Exercise
A sedentary life weakens the muscles, leads to weight gain and hinders the formation of new blood cells. Exercise, on the other hand, slows down cell aging, lengthens telomeres and is one of the most effective anti-aging remedies out there. It protects your heart, arteries, and cardiovascular system; stabilizes blood sugar and promotes a healthy body weight. It reduces stress, it helps you sleep better, and it fights depression and produces happy hormones (which is beneficial because depression accelerates aging). Plus it promotes detoxification and increases the circulation of blood and essential nutrients to your organs.
When it comes to preventing aging, a well-rounded exercise program is best. Be sure to include cardio (make sure to break a sweat, so you release toxins which will keep the skin glowing), strength building (to protect against osteoporosis and increase your metabolism) and stretching exercises (to keep the body limber).
6. Take H2 and Herbs
H2 hydrogen is the most effective antioxidant ever discovered. It has a unique ability to scavenge only the toxic free radicals, the ones that cause cellular damage and aging and keep the helpful free radicals intact. It is also the smallest antioxidant and its tiny size allows it to infuse into all of your cells, into the mitochondria and the nucleus and cross the blood-brain barrier. Regular use can help slow aging by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation and protecting telomeres. It also helps increase energy and immunity, enhances the appearance of your skin, and boost athletic performance and recovery time. You can get yourself a bottle of this antiaging superstar here.
The following anti-aging herbs can also slow aging by reducing oxidative damage to the cells, fighting inflammation, supporting hormone production, and fighting stress: Ginseng, Rhodiola, Lycium, Licorice root, Green tea, Maca, Ashwagandha, Ginger, Garlic and Ginkgo.
7. Include Instant Remedies
The most effective anti-aging remedies work from the inside-out and typically take some time before they are reflected in your appearance. While waiting for them to work, you can get an instant anti-aging effect by massaging your face daily. Also, try jumping on a trampoline for 10 minutes to get your lymph flowing; this will help reduce puffiness and enhance the flow of blood and nutrients to your skin.
You can also use anti-aging face masks that target your particular skin concerns. Grated cucumber combined with lemon juice will lighten freckles, acne scars, and other skin discolorations. Aloe vera will enhance the healing of acne and skin wounds and keep the skin healthy and blemish-free. Oatmeal can be used as a gentle exfoliator, removing dead cells, for an instant glow. Honey with rose water can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. And avocado is excellent for smoothing wrinkles and moisturizing dry and/or irritated skin.