Let’s face it; none of us is getting any younger. But that sure doesn’t mean we can’t refuse to “act our age.” Every day new research is revealing ways we can slow down the hands of time and give ourselves an aging makeover.
Put the brakes on aging and feel younger than you have in years, with these four powerful state-of-the-science anti-aging secrets.
1. Regrow your thinning hair:
Your hair may be your crowning glory, but for a lot of us that crown starts to thin as we age. Recapture the hair of your youth with a 2,000 year old Asian medicine secret. Recent research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food has revealed that Korean red ginseng naturally stimulates hair follicles, which could translate into a thicker head of hair for you.1
At the same time, ginseng may help you reduce your stress levels, a common cause of hair loss. Pick up a supplement at your local health food store or online and start to regrow your own crowning glory.
2. Boost your bone strength:
The more trips we’ve made around the sun the more at risk we are for thinning, weakening bones. And, of course, weaker bones mean fractures, like a broken hip, could be in your future. But it turns out there’s a food hiding out in the produce aisle that could help you protect your bones and reduce your risk for breaking them.
According to researchers eating just one red grapefruit a day could boost your bone strength by a healthy 15 percent!2 The key is the bone friendly nutrient lycopene which supports bone cell health and growth.3,4,5
Not a grapefruit fan? Try cooked tomatoes or red bell peppers instead.
3. Bring your blood pressure under control:
If you’ve found your blood pressure creeping up along with the number of candles on your birthday cake you’re not alone. As we age the stiffening or our large arteries and the build-up of plaque makes our risk for high blood pressure climb.6 In fact, about 65 percent of Americans over the age of 60 have high blood pressure.7
Fight back with anti-aging grape seeds. A daily dose of 250 mg to 300 mg of grape seed extract could significantly reduce your blood pressure according to research published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.8 The antioxidant-rich extract reduced blood pressure an average 11 points within the first 30 days in 93 percent of the women tested, according to the researchers. Grape seed extract supplements are available online and in health foods stores.
4. Smooth out wrinkles and fight dry rough skin:
Plump smooth skin is a sure sign of youth. Help keep your own skin looking like a teenager’s by stocking up on anti-aging kiwis. It turns out this funny looking fuzzy fruit is bursting with collagen-supporting vitamins.
Collagen is the key to fighting sags and bags. And according to researchers, foods with the highest vitamin C and vitamin E content can help us fight off dull, dry and wrinkled skin.
In a British study, women with the most free-radical-fighting vitamin C in their diets had the smoothest and most wrinkle-free skin.9 And Australian researchers from the University of Monash found that folks over 70 who ate a diet rich in vitamins C and E had less photaging, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.10 Other foods that contain healthy amounts of these skin-friendly vitamins include red bell peppers, guava, papaya, and collard greens.
The next time someone tells you to act your age tell them, “No way!” Instead, fight those tell-tale signs of aging and feel fifteen younger with these four powerful anti-aging secrets.
References:
1. “Red Ginseng Extract Promotes the Hair Growth in Cultured Human Hair Follicles,” Journal of Medicinal Food. March 2015, 18(3): 354-362
2. “The effects of lycopene intake and exercise on bone health in young female rats,” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2011, 8( Suppl 1): P30
3. “Lycopene consumption decreases oxidative stress and bone resorption markers in postmenopausal women,” Osteoporos Int. 2007 Jan;18(1):109-15
4. “Lycopene II–effect on osteoblasts: the carotenoid lycopene stimulates cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity of SaOS-2 cells, J Med Food. 2003 Summer;6(2):79-86
5. “Role of tomatoes and dietary lycopene in the prevention of osteoporosis,” Dr. L.G.Rao, University of Toronto, Executive Summary, January 10, 2004
6. “Understanding Blood Pressure Readings,” American Heart Association, Updated: Nov 7, 2016, heart.org accessed 12/4/2016
7. “Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure,” NIH – National Heart Blood and Lung Institute, nhlbi.nih.gov accessed 12/4/2016
8. “Grape Seed Procyanidins in Pre- and Mild Hypertension: A Registry Study,” Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013; 2013: 313142
9. “Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American women,” Am J Clin Nutr. October 2007, vol. 86 no. 4 1225-1231
10. “Skin Wrinkling: Can Food Make a Difference?” Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2001, Vol. 20, No. 1, 71–80
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