How to slow down the process of ageing

Why do we age?
Why does aging affect us differently?
The three main aging accelerators
Can we ever halt aging?
So what can we do now?
Recommendations for prolonged youth
The importance of rest and sleep
Get between 7 and 9 hours of shut-eye
Avoid tobacco and alcohol
Proper hydration slows aging
Maintain optimal serum sodium levels
Cleanse and moisturize skin
Use sunscreen all year round
Reduce stress
Higher stress levels correlate with aging indicators
Relaxation and optimism are key
Practice yoga or meditation
Maintain a healthy diet
Lead an active social life
Regular exercise
When in doubt, ask Cher
Why do we age?

A question that has piqued curiosity and fueled scientific research for decades: Why do we age? Annually, a myriad of studies strive to unravel the enigma of aging in hopes of slowing, and possibly reversing, this inevitable process.

Why does aging affect us differently?

Interestingly, despite being the same age, some individuals seem to age faster than others. To comprehend this disparity, we turn to the epigenetic clocks—measures of changes experienced by our DNA due to varying factors such as lack of sleep, alcohol consumption, and poor diet among others. However, it's a complex puzzle with multiple pieces to consider.

The three main aging accelerators

A recent research endeavor led by Carlos López-Otín and Guido Kroemer, from the universities of Oviedo and Paris respectively, unveiled three novel processes impacting aging: chronic inflammation, disturbances in autophagy (a cellular renewal process preventing waste accumulation), and alterations in our body's microbiota.

Can we ever halt aging?

Some scientists are hopeful that we might one day put a stop to aging. One recent study published in 'Nature' underscored the importance of identifying and eliminating senescent or "zombie" cells—those that, rather than self-destructing after their lifespan, linger and cause damage to healthy neighboring cells.

So what can we do now?

As we await the discovery of the proverbial fountain of eternal youth, what can we do to delay the inescapable?

Recommendations for prolonged youth

Exclusive treatments and expensive cosmetic surgeries might keep some celebrities perennially youthful, but for most of us, there are simpler and more affordable steps that can help maintain our youth longer. It's also worth noting that some believe youth isn't just a state, but a feeling and a way of life.

The importance of rest and sleep

Adequate rest is crucial if we want to slow down aging. According to a study published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, insufficient sleep could be directly related to premature aging. At the same time, sleep deprivation can lead to dark circles or bags under the eyes, contributing to an 'aged' appearance.

Photo: Bruce Mars / Unsplash

Get between 7 and 9 hours of shut-eye

In our fast-paced world, sleep deprivation has become a global epidemic. Health experts recommend 7 to 9 consecutive hours of sleep, with the lack thereof leading to serious health problems.

Photo: Cassidy Dickens / Unsplash

Avoid tobacco and alcohol

A study from the University of Southern California, published in Scientific Reports in 2020, demonstrated that tobacco and alcohol consumption contribute to premature brain aging, as observed from over 17,000 brain scans. That's not to mention the visible effects on our skin.

Proper hydration slows aging

A study from the U.S. National Institutes of Health reveals that proper hydration (2.7 liters per day for women and 3.7 for men) can help us live longer.

Maintain optimal serum sodium levels

Researchers noted that by maintaining optimal blood sodium levels (between 135 and 146 mmol/l), the risk of premature death and chronic diseases could be reduced. This was concluded based on previous studies with mice where reduced water intake led to an increase in serum sodium, shortening their life by six months—equivalent to 15 human years.

Photo: Engin Akyurt / Unsplash

 

Cleanse and moisturize skin

In terms of skin appearance, maintaining proper care is important. A beautiful, hydrated, and radiant skin is synonymous with youth. Cleansing and moisturizing with products suitable for our skin type are essential.

Use sunscreen all year round

Health professionals repeatedly advise the use of sunscreen throughout the year, as harmful solar radiations—UVA and UVB—affect our skin not just in summer, but all year round. By doing so, we prevent not only serious issues such as skin cancer but also typical age-related skin spots.

Reduce stress

A 2021 study from Yale University directly links stress to cellular aging and the onset of various diseases like heart conditions, obesity, and diabetes.

Higher stress levels correlate with aging indicators

According to the aforementioned Yale study, individuals with higher stress levels exhibited greater markers of accelerated aging, such as increased insulin resistance.

Relaxation and optimism are key

Stress hormones expedite the chemical changes in DNA, causing our organs to age. The solution? It's quite simple: relaxation, self-control, and an optimistic outlook on life.

Practice yoga or meditation

Yoga or meditation can help delay aging by halting the loss of gray matter in the brain and preventing the shortening of telomeres—special DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes whose length is associated with cellular aging and consequently, the onset of degenerative diseases.

Photo: Bruce Mars / Unsplash

Maintain a healthy diet

Eating healthy is paramount for maintaining youth and health. A balanced diet, devoid of empty calories and excess sugar, and rich in minerals and vitamins, helps keep our bodies and outward appearance in optimal condition.

Lead an active social life

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), isolation and undesired loneliness pose significant risks to both mental and physical health deterioration, underscoring the importance of maintaining an active social life.

Regular exercise

The benefits of regular physical activity are well-documented. Besides improving physique and maintaining a youthful appearance, exercise strengthens the immune system by releasing chemicals that reinforce and prolong the protective layers of DNA chromosomes, which wear down over time.

When in doubt, ask Cher

And if all else fails, we could always ask 77-year-old Cher about her secret to the coveted eternal youth. Or maybe Lucille Ball, who said: "The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age."

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