The Secret to Staying Young
There are some definitive tips and tricks to help the body cope with the aging process and secrets that can help you age with grace. When you think of aging, a few things may come to mind like wrinkles on the skin, gray hair and the need for reading glasses. There is no doubt that as we age our body goes through changes and begins to lose some of its spunk. But there are some things that can be done to counteract the effects of aging.
Diet takes a huge toll on how we age. Our diet can either support us during the aging process or further harm us. Fewer calories are needed as the body ages. Both genders, 55 and older, need approximately 15 to 200 less calories on a daily basis than those younger than 55. This decrease in calorie needs is due to the decline in metabolic rate and also because most people have decreased physical activity. Also, there is a certain hormone produced by the thyroid that slows down metabolism. Studies showed that individuals who exercised more, ate less and cut calories showed lowered production of this T3 hormone.
As we age, our joints tend to lose mobility, our muscle mass decreases and we can lose flexibility in our ligaments. One way to combat this is to keep going with an age-appropriate exercise routine. Even if it’s only 30 minutes a few times a week, your workout routine will help improve circulation, increase muscle mass and promote more flexibility.
Skin health is a common concern because aging brings with it wrinkles and age spots. Without adequate water, the skin loses even more elasticity than is loss as we age. Proper hydration is essential and can help to prevent excessive wrinkles. Medical experts recommend drinking at least 6 to 8 large glasses of water a day. Some health experts even urge people to drink half their body weight in ounces of water per day. Because the skin also stops producing as much oil, it’s important to intake healthy oils on a daily basis.
Essential fatty acids are absolutely required for the health of all membranes in the body and are particularly beneficial to skin health. They can be found in walnuts, hemp seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and even in some green leafy vegetables such as swiss chard.
Continue to the Secret to Staying Young Part II
