I thought Halloween came early when I saw Renee Zellweger on the red carpet last week. Honestly, I’ve never been a big fan or followed her closely, but I certainly can recognize her face…or at least I thought I could.
Cosmetic plastic surgery isn’t something I typically support. I change my tune when it’s required to help repair a medical condition, but when it’s purely for aesthetics or a fear of aging, I’m not so supportive of the idea. I find it unnecessary. Everybody ages and it’s a process that I believe should be embraced.
How you look and feel as you age, in my opinion, is very closely related to the lifestyle you lead. If you’re eating right, exercising, and taking care of yourself, you can slow down the aging process, allowing you to look and feel younger for longer. For example, there are people in my gym who look 15 to 20 years younger than their age, and they’re doing it without help from a cosmetic surgeon and even without prescription drugs.
Are there any specific foods that will slow aging and keep you younger? It depends. There are so many nutrients that are good for your immune system, skin, brain, and overall functionality, so foods featuring these nutrients are a great place to start.
Fruits and vegetables featuring antioxidants can help slow down the aging process. These nutrients help protect your cells from oxidative damage, while being a low-calorie, natural, and healthy way to get the nutrition you need. It’s recommended that you eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, in addition to lean protein and whole grains, in order to get sufficient amounts of all the vitamins and minerals you need. Some fruits and vegetables high in anti-aging antioxidants include:
- Blueberries
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Broccoli
- Bell peppers
Omega-3 fatty acid and other healthy fats can also help to slow aging. Omega-3 fatty acid from oily fish can help keep your skin soft and glowing, while providing benefits to your brain that can slow memory loss and maintain cognitive function. Other sources of healthy fat, like olive oil and avocados, can also offer esthetic benefits, while lowering cholesterol and improving heart health.
There are too many benefits of exercise to list, but some include stronger muscles to keep you sturdy and active; improved blood flow, which can help boost the appearance of your skin, nails, and hair; and the creation of a positive attitude, allowing you to be willing and able to try new things, stay active, and appreciate the body you’re in.
All of this can help you feel, behave, and look younger! So instead of unnecessarily going under the scalpel, try to make some changes in your diet, exercise regime, and overall behaviors to boost positive thoughts and confidence as well as obtain a more youthful appearance.
Sources for Today’s Article:
Fusco, D., et al., “Effects of antioxidant supplementation on the aging process,” Clinical Interventions on Aging September 2007; 2(3): 377–387.
Boelsma, E., et al., “Nutritional skin care: health effects of micronutrients and fatty acids,” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition May 2001; 73(5): 853–864.