Counter The Effects Of Aging With Your Diet

This is hardly a new philosophy, but is something that we often overlook. Those of us who have reached thirty or above may be thinking about how to age gracefully, so to speak. This is what today’s article is all about – how to adjust your diet to give you that youthful spark, or at least slow down the effects of aging.

To begin with, let’s explore some reasons why our looks fade, so to speak, when we age. A large part of it is to do with our skin – surprise surprise! Our skin is, as we know, the largest organ in the body. Not only that, it is one of the organs that constantly have to renew itself, which in itself is a resource-intensive task.

Not all of us know that the skin is made up of two layers – the dermis and the epidermis. The dermis, which is the inner layer, is responsible for the skin’s plumpness. This is where the signs of ageing are most commonly seen. It is made mainly of the proteins collagen and elastin, which give the skin firmness and elasticity.

During the aging process, collagen levels get reduced, fat cells shrink and skin cell renewal slows down. To add to this, things such as a poor diet, stress, and exposure to pollutants and UV rays will spell disaster for the skin. Worse still – whatever happens at the dermis level cannot be negated by the epidermis, and this is why we age.

Since there are so many factors involved in the aging of skin, we’d be lying if we said that all you had to do was change your diet. It really isn’t as simple as that. There are a lot of other things you have to pay attention to – such as exposure to UV rays. However, diet can negate some of the effects of aging, so here are some things you should include:

One: Oily Fish

Remember how we said that the dermis is responsible for the plumpness of your skin? The reason for this is the availability of fat cells. But instead of stocking up on unhealthy fats, go for healthier varieties such as certain fish species. On that note we move on to the next item.

Two: Mediterranean-Type Food

By this we mean olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds and once again, oily fish. You see, the Mediterranean diet includes fats and other lipids that are known to be healthy. Added bonuses include the lowering of inflammation. Another Mediterranean food item is coconut oil, which is known for its anti-microbial properties.

Three: Food With Plenty Of Lean Protein

Of course you already know that protein is important for health generally. In the context of skin and youth, collagen is the protein which you should be focusing on. Collagen can be produced by other proteins in conjunction with antioxidants. Recommended sources include eggs, whey protein powder, fish and poultry. Beefcake!

Four: Love Your Greens

One word – detox! Yes we all know that this term is often overused in the health and wellness community, to the point that I have even “bashed” it in some of my previous blog post. However, when it comes to aging, this suddenly becomes relevant. Like it or not, your skin eliminates waste, and so green vegetables can help with this “detox”.

Five: Antioxidants

Due to the fact that we are always exposed to UV radiation and other sources of pollution, it is unsurprising that free radicals are found in abundance on the surface of our skin. While this is hardly a problem in the short term, it has the potential to affect skin structure in the long term. As such, antioxidant-rich foods such as vegetables and Brazil nuts can help reduce the amount of free radicals lurking.

Six: Water

This is the one most of us, myself included, tend to overlook at least from time to time. In addition to fat, water is the other key ingredient that can give your skin the nice plump look. Any organism, when dehydrated, looks wrinkled and aged. By ensuring that you are well-hydrated, you maximise your chances of having that youthful glow.

So that’s our list. Try it and let us know how you go. If all of these sound foreign to you, the best thing you can do is commit to starting the process. You can gradually introduce one or two of these components first and work your way up. Your skin will thank you. Oh, and if you can, do supplement it with products from Laschwandra’s or Travel Fitness Australia. Cheers.

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