As you transition into your “senior years,” it is important not to let age determine how you look and feel!  After all, age is much more than just a number. By making healthy choices, you can actually look and feel much younger than your physical age.  In fact, you could even slow down your body’s aging process!  You know, your age is not just determined by your birthday!

How Old Are You – Really?

Did you know that you could biologically be much older or younger than your years spent on earth?  There is a new blood test available that determines your biological age by measuring your telomeres.  Telomeres are sections of genetic material located at the ends of your chromosomes.  Each time a cell replicates, the telomeres become shorter.  By measuring the length of your telomeres, you can determine your body’s true biological age.

Diets high in processed foods, sugar, artificial ingredients and trans fats speed up the oxidation in the body, therefore shortening telomeres at a faster rate.  Slowing your body’s oxidation process slows the shortening of the telomeres, thus creating a “younger” biological age.

5 Steps to Slowing the Aging Process

Here are 5 things you can do to slow down the aging (or oxidation) process:

  • A Healthy Diet.  As always, a healthy diet to prevent oxidation and improve how you look and feel is most important.  Because cooking your foods kills valuable enzymes, nutrients and antioxidants in food, try to incorporate raw, uncooked, fresh fruit and vegetables into 70-80% of your diet. Juicing is a great way to incorporate fresh raw nutrients into your diet and feel younger.  Another tip is to make sure your diet includes lots of color like green, purple, red, and orange foods, which are some of the highest sources of antioxidants.
  • Omega-3. Omega-3s have also been shown to preserve telomere length.  These essential fatty acids are great antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties.  I recommend fish oil for your omega-3 intake, but make sure the bottle specifies it is tested for purity and is free of metals and contaminants.  Many “cheap” fish oils can do more harm than good because they can contain toxic elements.
  • A Multivitamin. Studies have shown that taking a multivitamin can also slow telomere degeneration. Those with higher levels of antioxidant vitamins D, E, and C have longer telomeres.  Again, make sure you are buying a quality multivitamin from a reputable company because “cheap” vitamins have synthetic ingredients that cause oxidation in the body.
  • Antioxidants. Yes, some foods and even vitamins are good antioxidants, but there are  stronger antioxidants available on the market today. The antioxidant capacity in one of these pills equals buckets and buckets of nutritional food. Here are some favorite antioxidant options to wisely incorporate into your daily regimen:
    • Resveratrol
    • Astaxanthin
    • Turmeric
    • Green and White Tea
    • Alpha Lipoic Acid
    • Grape Seed Extract

Personally, I like to switch them up and take a different one each month.

  • Exercise and Healthy Weight. Weekly exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are very important in slowing the aging process.  Not to mention, you will feel so much better!  One of my favorite ways to exercise is rebounding.  All you have to do is purchase a small trampoline and jump!  It takes only 20-30 minutes a day, is easy, inexpensive and most anyone can do it. The advantage of rebounding is that it works both the cardiovascular and lymph systems.  A sluggish lymph system results in cellulite, but I have seen my cellulite decrease dramatically when I rebound regularly.

You’re Only as Old as You Feel!

The saying rings true, “You’re only as old as you feel.” Chances are that if you feel good, you have been taking care of yourself and your true biological age will reflect that. Incorporating these 5 steps into your life will not only slow the aging process, but help you feel younger and healthier.  You deserve to look and feel your best!  Start your quest towards a better, younger, and happier life today with antioxidants!

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