Natural Anti Aging Solutions

Live longer - Be Healthy

These natural anti aging solutions are quite simple and we all know we should be doing them. If you understand the science behind how our bodies age then you'll know why these anti-aging tips are vital to longevity.

To live longer and have a better quality of life, it makes sense to take care of yourself in your youth. This will go a long way to ensuring good health in your later years. Here are some common sense anti-aging solutions to help you grow old youthfully.

Drink More Water

The human body made up of approximately 60% water. Every cell of the body contains water and we cannot survive without it for longer than a few days. Health experts say that many people are partially dehydrated.

The problem is that with age our sense of thirst gradually diminishes. This means that older individuals have been shown to have a higher risk of developing dehydration than younger adults. Dehydration is linked to allergies, hypertension and general aches and pains and of course digestion. Read more about the health benefits of drinking water.

Eat Healthily

A healthy diet is vital to your anti aging strategy but for some it's easier said than done. The rise in dietary related diseases are evidence that "we are what we eat". A balanced diet of fresh, whole (non-processed), organic and preferably raw food should make up a large part of your diet. Don't be caught digging your grave with your teeth.

Basic Guidelines For A Simplified Balanced Diet

Avoid white flour products and processed foods
Include whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, millet etc.
Avoid sugar - rather use honey, agave, xylitol or stevia.
Eat a variety of legumes and pulses(beans, split peas, lentils etc.)
No hydrogenated fats (margarine etc.)
Avoid fried foods
Eat low-starch vegetables preferably eaten raw.
Eat foods rich in omega-3 fats.
Eat low-fat, organic protein sources (fish, spirulina, organic whey protein, quinoa)
Include plenty of fresh organic fruit (especially from the super food range) and raw nuts.
Avoid colourants, flavourants, preservatives and artificial sweeteners.

Why choose wholefoods over processed foods?

Refined foods go through processing which results in a substantial loss of nutrients and creates an unbalanced food. When eaten, processed foods create imbalance in the body. Living food (such as fresh fruit and vegetables) are more nutritious and better than "dead food" (such as canned foods). Food grown in "live soil" (organic food) is better than food grown in "sterile soil". This has largely depleted trace minerals in foods.

Avoid Sugar For Anti Aging

When we eat sugar the body secretes high levels of insulin. Insulin and cortisol (the stress hormone), dramatically speed up the ageing process. Sugar depresses the immune system, it contributes to atherosclerosis, and it causes oxidative stress by creating AGEs (advanced glycosylated end-products). These accumulate in body tissues such as the skin (causing age spots), arteries, kidneys and brain. In other words, eating sugar makes you old.

Get Exercising To Live Longer

The anti aging benefits of exercise are continually being proven by longevity reseearch. Physical exercise is a key factor in the prevention of chronic disease and is extremely beneficial for improved mental function.

The main benefit of exercise is the increased oxygen to the brain, heart and other organs which in turn increases their well-being and functioning. Bouncing on a mini-trampoline is a well recommended form of exercise that can be done in the comfort of your own home and at a time that suits your schedule.

Brisk walking is also a safe and well recommended form of physical activity. Exercise realy is one of your key weapons in the fight against premature aging.

Anti Aging Solutions - Detox and Cleanse

The body detoxifies itself naturally through the skin and other organs of elimination. Assist your body with its cleansing ability by making some lifestyle changes. You need to minimise your exposure to external toxins.

Changes like drinking pure water, eating organic food, avoiding sources of air pollution and exposure to tobacco, limiting consumption of alcohol, preservatives, caffeine, sugar and processed foods. Simple measures like bathing daily, dry skin brushing, exercising, keeping hydrated, supplementing with herbal remedies that support the organs (like milk thistle for the liver), deep breathing and eating healthily are good anti aging solutions to follow.

Get Some Sunshine

Natural Vitamin D is another key weapon to improve health and longevity. Sunlight is the best form of Vitamin D and it's level in the body has some anti aging solutions.

Modern science is now realising that vitamin D does more than just aid the absorption of calcium and bone formation. It is also involved in multiple repair and maintenance functions, touches hundreds of different genes, and helps to fight infection by regulating the immune system.

Vitamin D deficiency is a growing epidemic across the world and contributes to many chronic debilitating diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and depression, as well as cognitive impairment in older people. Avoid synthetic Vitamin D₂ in supplements like fortified foods as high doses have been found to be toxic.

Get More Sleep

We joke about needing our beauty sleep but good quality sleep is essential to health, in fact some say that it's one of the best anti-aging solutions. While we sleep,the body "recharges", repairs and detoxifies.

The 24-hour circadian rhythm is our internal clock and governs the body's functions. This clock helps the body to adapt to the time of day and to environmental changes. Studies have shown a co-dependency between the circadian clock and the body's metabolism and cellular performance.

Sleep is also key in helping the body "dissolve" free radicals that greatly contribute to early aging. Disrupted sleep patterns can adversely affect health especially mental health (ask any new mom). Some effects include short-term memory loss and impaired creativity as well as weight gain or loss and an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. Lack of sleep weakens the immune system and

This list is not exhaustive. Anti aging solutions can be implemented in nutrition, exercise, weight management, mental attitude, work and relationships. Make good choices now and you'll reap the benefits as you get older.

Anti Aging Solutions Article References:

Science Daily March 19, 2009: How Your Body Clock Regulates Your Metabolism.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archives/2009/04/09

http://www.topantiagingtips.com/sleep.html

Bland JS. Improving Genetic Expression in the Prevention of the Disease of Aging - A Functional Medicine Approach to Anti-aging Medicine. Gig Harbour, WA: HealthComm Intl, 1998

Grossman T. The Baby Boomer's Guide to Living Forever. Golden, CO: Hubristic Press, 2000:127