Tips For Healthy Living

In a society that values youth above wisdom and beauty above intelligence it is interesting, although not really surprising,  that most people search for anti-aging solutions in a chemical bottle or a pill when the answer is staring them right in the face at the grocery store.

Basically, the idea behind maintaining a youthful appearance is to have a well maintained body.  This starts with watching total calorie consumption, saturated fat intake and increasing the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables that you eat.  People interested in anti-aging foods should also decrease the amount of white flour, sugar and salt that they eat.

Avocados, usually eaten as a vegetable, is a good source of vegetable fat that can reduce the level of high density lipids – the bad cholesterol.  It’s also a good source of vitamin E and can help maintain healthy skin.

Berries are also known to be a good source of flavonoids which are powerful antioxidants.  These help the protect the body against damage caused by free radicals.  The best berries are blackberries, blueberries and raspberries.

Another one of the great anti-aging foods are the cruciferous vegetables including cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, radishes and watercress.  These vegetables help the body fight against cancer and toxin build up in the body.  The best way to eat this is raw of lightly cooked so that the important enzymes, that do all of the work, remain intact. 

Garlic is one of the foods whose benefits have tried to be mimicked in pill form but the form that provides the best benefit is the food.  Eating a clove of garlic a day, either raw or cooked in your meals, helps to protect against heart disease and cancer.  In a study researched in Iowa found that women between age 55 and 69 who ate a clove of garlic at least once a week were 50% less likely to develop colon cancer.  In another study in India the researchers found that garlic reduced cholesterol levels and assisted in blood thinning.

Ginger is a spicy root used in several tasty Chinese dishes.  It can help the digestive system and circulatory system that is useful in the elderly population.  Some also believe that it helps to alleviate rheumatic aches and pains.  Again, use the real ginger root and not the powdered form for the most benefit.

Nuts are a great source of vegetable fats and minerals.  Walnuts are rich in potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and selenium while raw almonds are a strong source of vegetable protein.  Nuts can also help to lower cholesterol levels.  Remember to use raw nuts, not the roasted ones, as the roasting process changes the nature of the fats and you lose the benefit.

Carrots are an excellent source of beta carotene that is a powerful antioxidant.  Studies have shown that people who eat carrots daily have a decreased risk of several different types of cancers.  True to the old tales this vegetable does help to keep the vision sharp and protect the eyes from age related diseases.  Carrots have the most benefit if taken as a freshly made juice or eaten raw.  Try adding them to your salad daily as they give a slightly sweet taste to the salad.

Other foods that are important in the fight against aging are sprouts, lentils, brown rice, raw seeds, raw nuts, seaweed, wheatgrass juice and green leafy vegetables.  Each of these foods offers the body the nutrients it needs to regenerate stronger and more youthful cells.

Other important criteria are plenty of good water and lots of restful sleep.  Water helps to hydrate the cells, plump them and give them the minerals and hydration they need to work their best.  You can drink too much water so don’t overdo it.  Drink a maximum of 8 glasses of water a day unless advised otherwise by your health care professional.  Our bodies need sleep to work best and regenerate daily and, although the number of hours varies with each individual, an average of 7 hours a night has been found to work best for most people.

Tags:   anti-aging · NutritionNo Comments