No doubt about it — Americans don’t like getting older. Spending a few hours watching late-night television confirms the theory that Americans are willing to spend whatever it takes to sustain a youthful appearance and delay the inevitable signs of aging.
A 2015 Transparency Market Research survey published projections for the anti-aging market to exceed $191.7 billion globally by the year 2019. That’s almost $200 billion in anti-aging products and methods.
Calcium
Building up bone density is certain to protect yourself against osteoporosis and other age-accelerating conditions. “Studies show that you may need as little as 500mg of calcium and 500-600mg of magnesium in your supplement to prevent and even reverse osteoporosis,” wrote Nan Fuchs, Ph.D., a nutrition expert.
Vitamin A
After years of sun worship via summer afternoons on the backyard trampoline or lying poolside, our age will be written all over our wrinkled face. Fortunately, eating foods rich in Vitamin A will help repair damaged skin cells. So, eat your spinach and add some sweet potatoes and mangoes to your plate, as well.
Water
Omega-3
Eating foods loaded with Omega-3 will help stave off the brain-fogging signs of memory loss. “The American Heart Association recommends eating two servings a week of omega-3 rich, fatty fish, like salmon, herring, sardines, and albacore tuna. This is primarily for heart health, but your brain also will reap the benefits,” wrote contributor Shawn Radcliffe regarding a new study on the benefits of fish oil. For the non-fish fans, Omega-3 can also be found in nuts and flaxseeds, or can be taken as a supplement.
Supplements
There are a handful of lab-tested natural supplements that have proven to reduce the signs of aging like wrinkles and brown spots (i.e., Glucosamine, Coenzyme Q-10, Vitamin C and E), but even fewer that might actually extend a person’s life altogether. One such supplement, Protandim, has been making an impact in recent lab tests. Since 1999, the natural plant-based supplement, distributed by LIfeVantage, has been proven to increase the median survival in mice, thus delaying the aging process. Also, it has been shown to suppress tumor-promoting oxidative stress, cell proliferation and inflammation and the ability to protect the heart from oxidative stress and fibrosis.
Massage
What was once considered a simple luxury for people with money in their wallet and too much time on their hands, massage has been shown to reduce stress, aid in digestive disorders, relieve insomnia, and encourage joint and muscle flexibility. All of these factors contribute to discomfort compounded by aging.
“If you don’t have the time or money to get one regularly, you can achieve a lot of the same benefits by taking 20 minutes each day to stretch, meditate and calm yourself, breathing deeply in and out,” said Lisa Hedley of the Mayflower Inn and Spa in an article by Ingela Ratledge.
In truth, we can’t stop time. But by incorporating healthy foods, drinking water, and relying on plant-based supplements, we can look like we did.
