YOUR ANTIDOTE TO AGING.

Last night, my four year old son asked me to help him become 10years old. Having closed his eyes for about 2 minutes imagining that he was 10years old and hoping to rise up as a 1o year old by the time he opened his eyes. 

Very funny, I thought. I know many including me, who will rather imagine that they look as young as 30 or maybe 25 by the time they are 60years. While I pity the young man because he got disappointed at the end of the day, I saw hope for anyone whose imagination is contrary to the boy's own.

Aging can be described as a natural process that everyone must go through. It is what happens to our bodies’ overtime. It starts from the day we were born and continues until when we die. However, its ugly effects are only felt when we start hitting middle age. No one would love to see damaged skin complexions or visible lines on their faces, and many would do anything possible to halt aging or at least the unsightly effects of aging. The aging process may vary in individuals, some may age faster then others due to some factors, but the end result is, everyone will surely get to it some day.

Some may say that maintaining a constant supply of the magical Human Growth hormones (HGH) will mean enjoying a youthful life forever. Thank you Mr. Science, but how many can afford to submit themselves to an HGH replacement Therapy continuously, is it not pricey? What about side effects, are there none? While I wait for someone to lecture me on the HGH Replacement therapy, here is your antidote to aging.

They may actually represent a modern- day source of youthfulness, reduce the risk of some cancers, heart disease, strokes, cataracts and the ultimate- slow the aging process. They protect important cell components by neutralizing the free radicals. The antidote is called ANTIOXIDANT. Eating a diet rich in antioxidant vitamins may be the best way to improving your health and slowing down the aging process. Include antioxidant rich foods in your diet. Here are some examples.

1. Fruits

Citrus fruit and juices (oranges, grapefruits), Berries (strawberries, blackberry, blueberry etc),  carrots, kiwi, pineapple.

2. Vegetables

Raw cabbage, spinach, chili pepper, green peppers, tomatoes ginger, parsley, broccoli etc.

3. Dried fruits

Dates, prunes, apricots.

4. Cereals

Barley, millet, oats, corn.

4. Nuts and seeds

Hazel nuts, walnuts, peanuts, pecans, sunflower seeds.

5. Others

Egg yolk, liver, red beans, pinto beans

Finally, this is another reason to drink green tea.

FEEDING YOUR FACE- Tips to prevent pimples

Certainly you have heard or have been told that you are what you eat, what you take into your body can make or mar you health wise. Similarly, your skin is what it eats.  The food you consume has a big effect on what your skin look like. There is indeed no wisdom in spending fortunes on beauty products alone without feeding your skin with the right foods.

The reality is that many adults suffer from pimple problem, although it is supposed to be a teen crisis. Like most ailments, food plays a very important role in triggering, preventing and of course curing or reducing the incidence of pimples. Staying away from sugar which causes inflammation and aggravates breakouts can be a sure step to lessen or stop pimple rampage on your face. More so, you need a good supply of nutrients, oxygen and removal of metabolic wastes for you to have a problem free skin. Here are some important tips.

Keep hydrated. ‘water no get enemy’ is a popular song by a legend Nigerian musician, to this I’ll add, water is a peace maker who strive to ensure that your delicate cells do not battle with toxins that are not meant to be in your body. No one will dispute the role good hydration plays in keeping the skin looking healthy and even young. Keep your skin cells happy through drinking water. You can also improve hydration by eating watermelon.

Eat fiber rich foods. It is common knowledge that chronic constipation as well as foods rich in starches, sugar and unhealthy fats can trigger pimples. Think fiber rich foods like whole grains. The magnesium and B vitamins contained in them will help with the regeneration of your skin cells.

Load the antioxidants.  Ever wondered why vitamin E is often included in skin care products?  Vitamin E is an antioxidant; they are known to play a vital role in reversing the effects of aging and may even help prevent skin cancer. If you are desirous of a clear and flexible facial skin that is free from acne, eat antioxidant rich foods like avocado, tomatoes, garlic, walnuts, carrots and cabbage etc.

Soy milk is better. Studies have shown a correlation between milk and acne. It contains hormones that are inflammatory, stimulate oil glands, and lead to clogged pores. Try substituting milk with soy milk and other non dairy calcium rich foods like salmon, tofu, sardines, spinach, okra, collard greens, white beans, peas etc.

Eat Selenium rich foods. The mineral selenium plays a key role in the health of the skin cells by protecting against damage by the sun. Dietary selenium comes from nuts, cereals, meat, fish and eggs with Brazil nut the richest dietary source.

Drink green tea. This makes the list not just for its antioxidant property, also because of its wealth in anti-inflammatory chemical called catechins, which helps to combat free radicals and prevent fine lines.

Which other foods have you fed your face with? Please share in the comment section below.

Foods to feed your face younger

The first item I singled out at the shop was a moisturizer lotion, which moisturizes or highlights the skin, creating a healthy glow. It will leave skin with a light golden shimmer and helps even out skin tone leaving skin looking less blotchy and more radiant. I stared at the pricey cost and wondered why some people tend to look younger than they actually are while some look prematurely old due to skin wrinkles (Wrinkles can be caused by different factors including sun damage, stress, poor health, unhealthy lifestyle, drinking and smoking).

Window shopping commonly creep into my schedule just like many women, so I didn’t buy the pricey lotion but left the shop thinking about a dietary solution for a younger look being so certain that it is the food that we put in our mouth, not the creams we put on our skin that will be our best weapon in the war against premature aging. 

Good news! I found some tips. They are some top wrinkle preventing foods.

 Blueberries- Researchers at Tufts University analyzed 60 fruits and vegetables for their antioxidant capability. Blueberries came out on top, rating highest in their capacity to destroy those skin-wrinkling free radicals.   They also contain anthocyanins, substances which have been shown to be highly effective at strengthening the collagen in the skin preventing it from sagging. 

 

Avocado- Studies show that substances in the pulp of avocados can actually trigger DNA to produce more embryonal collagen, the type we start our lives with, and which produces smooth and wrinkle free skin.

Cabbage - Cabbage, along with other members of the cruciferous family of vegetables such as broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, radish and watercress are all packed full of age-preventing phytonutrients.  Eat at least one serving of these vegetables every day cooked as lightly as possible to preserve their goodness.

  

Watermelon- Both the flesh and seeds of the watermelon are nutritious so try blending them together in a food processor and drinking as a juice. The flesh contains vitamins A and C, both vitamins are essential for healthy, glowing skin.  The seeds also contain selenium, essential fats, zinc and vitamin E, all of which help against the free radical damage that causes premature ageing and heart disease.

Mackerel- Mackerel and other oily fish such as trout, salmon, fresh tuna and sardines are a great source of both protein and essential fatty acids (two of the most important building blocks for the healthy renewal of skin cells). Eat one or two portions of oily fish a week.

Liver- Liver is an excellent source of both iron and vitamin A.  Vitamin A enables the body to produce more keratin, a substance that helps to protect the skin from the elements.  Iron assists the circulatory system to carry beneficial nutrients to all cells and take potentially aging waste products away.

Soya milk- Soya milk is a great wrinkle preventer as it contains lecithin, which is a good source of the rejuvenating vitamin E.  It also contains choline and inositol which has been shown to be effective in slowing down the ageing process of the skin.

Wholegrain- Brown rice, oats, whole wheat cereals and wholegrain breads are rich in fiber which help to prevent premature ageing by ensuring your body can process the nutrients from your food as efficiently as possible  - and when your digestive system is working well, your whole body will radiate health and vitality.  The fiber in whole grains also helps to stabilize blood sugars, stop cravings and prevent over-eating.

Nuts and seeds- Nuts and seeds are a great source of zinc which helps to prevent premature sagging and wrinkling of skin by keeping its support structure, collagen, strong.  They are also packed full of selenium, essential fats and vitamin E, all of which help against the free radical damage that causes premature ageing of body tissues.

Oranges- Oranges are part of the citrus family which are all jam-packed with vitamin C - one of the best nutrients you can take to help repair and heal damaged skin tissue.   In fact, citrus fruits are so full of anti-ageing properties that according to a recent study carried out at the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago even the very smell of them can help us appear younger!  Researchers asked 37 men and women to estimate the age of a series of models in photographs while wearing masks that were infused with the various aromas and found that the smell of grapefruit or other citrus aromas resulted in the men perceiving the women to be six years younger than they really were!  

Very interesting, don’t you think so?