What Foods And Exercise Slow Down The Aging Process

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  • Monday, December 26, 2011
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  • Can you go on a day without eating anything? Some people claim they can, but very often not without consequences. Foods are important parts of our daily lives. They feed the cells of our body so all our organ systems can function normally. Foods, as well as exercise, are important factors in the aging process, too. They can either delay it or accelerate it.
    So if your goal is to live a higher quality of life for a much longer period of time, here are some of the best food choices and exercise programs to help you get to your ultimate goal.
    Foods That Slow Down The Aging Process
    Berries. Berries, especially blackberries, strawberries and blueberries have high levels of flavonoids, one of the most powerful types of antioxidants which assist the body fight the health-damaging free radicals that cause cancer and premature aging, among others. These also help improve memory which tends to diminish as you progress in years.

    Cruciferous vegetables. Eating cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cabbage, radish, watercress, turnip, and Brussels sprouts, gives you extra protection from toxins and other foreign objects that accelerate aging, weaken the immune system and cause a range of disease. 

    To benefit from their health benefits, you need to eat around 115 g of cruciferous vegetables of any kind every day and most preferably in their raw form.
    Spinach. Spinach is another important vegetable to consume everyday. Spinach is rich in Vitamin K, which besides being essential in blood clotting, also helps reduce the impact of aging on bone density. There are also zeazanthin and lutein in spinach, nutrients that lower the risk of macular degeneration in aging individuals.
    Tomatoes. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant which besides being responsible for the red color of fruits and vegetables, also protects the skin from sun damage and cancer. Eating tomatoes or drinking tomato juice every day will not only give your skin a pinkish glow but will help you stay young and healthy longer.
    Dark Chocolate. Many consider chocolates as comfort foods without really understanding how is it that they feel a lot better after eating, say, a bar of dark chocolates. Well, dark chocolates have flavanol, a chemical naturally occurring in plant that relaxes the blood vessels, reduces stress, and lowers blood pressure.
    Almonds. Almonds are rich in Vitamin E, also a powerful antioxidant that works to protect the muscles as well as the nervous system. Regular consumption of almonds can prevent problems with speed, balance, and coordination.
    Avocado. Avocado is good for the heart as it has the good fat which helps to lower bad cholesterol levels. It also contains Vitamin E, so it’s great for the skin as well.
    Curry Powder. The antioxidant curcumin in curry powder reduces the incidence of Alzheimer’s, a condition common to the aging population.
    Watermelon. Watermelon, including the seeds, is very nutritious with Vitamins A, B, c, and E, plus selenium, zinc, and the good fats. All these nutrients come into play to protect the skin as well as the body from premature aging.
    Water. Well, you probably do not think of water as food, but it is something that you consume or need to consume in great amounts everyday, anyway, so I decided to put it on the list just the same. Maybe the most people know about water is that it has hydrating properties which help to keep the skin supple, smooth, and young-looking, but more than that, water improves metabolism, cleanses the system, and flushes out toxins which make help to make one beautiful inside and out.

    Types of Exercises That Slow Down The Aging Process

    Cardio exercises. Walking, swimming, biking, dancing, doing aerobics exercises or some other forms of cardiovascular exercises, when done for a quarter of an hour to an hour 3 to 4 times a week, improve heart function which tends to diminish with age. If you are unable to do these exercises outdoors, you may consider investing on a few sets of exercise equipment to be able to workout at home.
    Resistance exercises. Resistance exercises increase or regain lost bone density, improve strength and balance.
    Exercises that relax the mind. Yoga and Pilates exercises can help slow down the aging process by creating a healthy balance among the systems of the body.

    Sticking on a healthy dietary plan and exercise regimen is not an easy thing to do. There are many stumbling blocks along the way, and it is really easy to lose motivation when you do not have clear-cut goals of what you want to do with your life. And so before you begin attempting to slow down the aging process, make a list of what you want to achieve, how much you want to achieve, and how soon you expect to achieve it.



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