As the medical community makes amazing strides to extend the human lifespan, more and more emphasis is being put on extending the quality of life. Consequently, there are many products on the market today which promise to slow or reverse the effects of aging on the body and the mind. There are several common herbal supplements which are touted to have positive anti-aging effects, as well as proven dietary and lifestyle methods for slowing the aging process. Let’s take a look at just a few proven methods . . .
If you’re concerned about the effects of time on your mind and body, consider the following:
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo extract is believed to reinforce the walls of the capillaries, which in turn improves circulation and reduces the incidents of blood clot formation. Ginkgo Biloba, as a powerful antioxidant, is also credited with protecting nerve cells and appears to have a dramatic effect in maintaining brain cell function. It is primarily used to enhance memory and attempt to prevent the onset of dementia and even Alzheimer’s disease.
Green Tea
Green tea has long been hailed for its health benefits, including its potent antioxidant properties. Green tea has also been shown in recent studies to protect cells against damage, and may even be beneficial in preventing certain types of cancers.
Lycopene
Lycopene is the chemical commonly found in many vegetable and plant products, most notably tomatoes. This powerful nutrient has been linked to the prevention of certain forms of cancer and coronary heart disease. Specific studies have been conducted which resulted in the success of lycopene in treating prostate cancer.
Exercise
The benefits of daily exercise are immense for the body and the mind. Not only is exercise good for your physical health, but it can be good for your mental health as well. A daily walk, run, or bike ride can be used as a meditative tool to clear your mind of the stresses of the day or even to work out solutions to problems that you were otherwise too involved with to see clearly. As little as 20 minutes of cardio three times a week has been proven to dramatically improve the overall condition of the heart, circulatory and pulmonary systems.
Meditation
More and more research is being conducted on the positive effects of daily meditation on the aging process. As many are finding, a healthy mind promotes a healthy body. Since the immune system can be so dramatically affected by stress, ten minutes a day of quiet meditation may just be enough to release tension and allow the immune system to function properly.
Skin Care Supplements
The most recent clinical studies have shown that skin moisturizers containing vitamins D, E, C and Niacin will not only protect the skin from sun damage, but also repair damage to the skin caused by aging and the elements by increasing the regenerative attributes of certain tissue membranes.
Water, Water, Water
The benefits of proper daily water consumption include promoting the health of the digestive system by continually flushing waste and impurities from the body. The result is that the waste products spend less time in the body damaging cells, and therefore you end up with a healthier immune system and skin.
You can’t stop the aging process completely, but you can slow it down. By implementing these few methods into your daily regimen, you can fight the effects of aging naturally. As always consult with your doctor or other healthcare provider before taking any supplements to prevent any possible interactions.
