Aging is the process of the degeneration of cells and tissues, which results in many physical and mental changes. It is a complex biological process, which causes deterioration of health with the passage of time. When a person ages, the body loses its capacity to regrow cells and tissues in order to compensate the losses incurred by the body due to cell death. In other words, the rate of cell degeneration surpasses the rate of cell regeneration in aging.
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Aging also brings considerable changes in the skin. Skin may start becoming drier with an appearance of wrinkles and age spots. Moreover, it may start losing its elasticity and become thinner. Also, the smoothness of the skin gradually vanishes with aging. Additionally, it takes much more time for the skin to heal. However, besides natural aging, early signs of aging may appear on the skin due to various environmental factors as well.
One of the major causes of premature skin aging is exposure to sunlight. While it is not possible to completely cut out on sunlight, some preventive measures can be adopted to prevent skin aging. When you step out of your home and go outdoors, make sure you apply sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher than that. There are other forces at play that cause skin to age. These include bad weather and poor habits.
Skin aging depends on a range of factors like diet, heredity, lifestyle and poor personal choices. For example, smoking produces free radicals. These are unstable oxygen molecules that are electron scavengers and damage cells leading to what is known as premature aging.
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Wrinkled and spotted skin could be a result of normal aging, exposure to sunlight (photoaging), pollution or loss of support from subcutaneous tissue. Stress, obesity and sleep pattern are all related to skin aging in some or other way. As one grows older, some changes occur naturally like skin becomes rougher and loses its elasticity. Moreover, the skin begins to turn transparent. This happens when epidermis becomes thin due to the flattening of the area near epidermis and lining of the dermis.
Aging can also be explained in a different way; there are three parameters of aging:
- Chronological age
- Biological age
- Psychological age
Chronological age is the number of years a person has lived. Biological age refers to how old a person looks. It depends on several factors like genetics, lifestyle, sleep habits and exercise. Also, it reflects the condition of internal organs and overall fitness. One might get old at the age of 40, while others might experience it at the age of 70. Lastly, psychological age refers to mental age, i.e., how one acts and feels. One, who is at 70, but is still fit, enthusiastic, has a positive attitude towards life, hopeful about future and flexible enough to quickly adapt to changes, should be considered young psychologically.
Aging Signs — How to Identify Them Early?
Whether natural or premature aging, it brings a lot of changes to our mind and body. Some of these common changes are discussed below:
Joints and Bones are More Likely to Break:
Weakened bones and joints are common signs of aging. The most common reason for a broken bone among the elderly population is osteoporosis. It is a bone disease which is characterized by low bone mass and density. Consequently, bones and joints become weaker and more prone to breakage. The density of bones decreases due to the body’s decreased ability to absorb calcium from foods. Ligaments that bind the joints together become less elastic and more prone to damage. This happens as cells become less functional. Joints may become susceptible to injuries. It causes the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage.
With aging, vertebral changes are also observed. Head starts bending forward due to pressure on the spine. Difficulty in swallowing might also occur.
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Reduced Vision:
After 40, people usually start experiencing difficulties in focusing on close objects due to thickening of the eye lens. This condition is called presbyopia, wherein the lens stiffens. Magnifying glasses are used to correct this eye condition. Due to stiffness of the lens, seeing in dim light also becomes difficult. Macular Degeneration also occurs as a person ages. It affects the central portion of the retina, which may lead to loss in central vision. Ability to distinguish between different colors also diminishes with age. For example, blue may look like gray.
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Loss of Hearing:
Nearly one-third of the population, who are above 60, faces issues related to hearing. There are tiny hair cells inside the ear, whose function is to help us hear. The sound waves are picked up by these hair cells. Due to aging, these hair cells get damaged or start to die. Hearing loss caused due to this condition is permanent as hair cells do not grow again. Various other conditions can cause age-related hearing problems. These include change in the structure of the ear or impairment in auditory nerves.
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Stamina Reduction and Decrease in Strength:
Due to aging, muscle tissues deteriorate, arteries harden, walls of the heart thicken, and heart rate becomes slow. Therefore, it becomes difficult to exercise and carry out strenuous physical tasks with the strength and stamina as one has at the age of 25. Some elderly also develop anemia, i.e., lesser count of red blood cells. Other symptoms of aging are chest pain, dizziness, breath shortness and even fainting.
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High Blood Pressure:
Hypertension or high blood pressure can also occur due to aging. With age, the blood vessels become less elastic and stiff. This leads to rise in the blood pressure level.
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Loss of Memory:
Forgetfulness is a common symptom of aging. Multitasking becomes difficult as one grows older. Decline in cognitive function is also observed in elderly. Diseases like dementia sets in. Care must be taken for Alzheimer’s disease, which is marked by the inability to learn and retain information. Around 1 out of 8 people in their 70s have Alzheimer’s, and around 45% of people in their 80s face this condition. Aging causes changes in brain size.
It is believed that aging shrinks the size of the brain. The shrinking of gray matter is due to nerve cell death. White matter starts developing lesions. There exists a strong relation between increasing age and changes in the brain. It is therefore recommended that healthy lifestyle must be followed to prevent brain aging. Plaques (unusual clusters of protein fractions) also form in the brain.
Skin Deterioration:
With age, the skin becomes less elastic, and fine lines and wrinkles start to appear. The skin dries as oil-producing glands in the skin becomes less functional. Skin becomes thinner and loses fat. It undergoes the process of wear and tear. Growth of fingernail also decreases with age.
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Sleep Disturbances:
Aging also affects sleep pattern. It is generally difficult for old people to sleep well as they frequently wake up during night. One might not get quality sleep and can’t be able to sleep as much as one could at the age of twenty.
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Height Reduction:
Reduction in height may be observed by as much as 2 inches. This is because of bending of the spine, change in posture and loss of bone density, and weakened joints and bones.
Reduction in Kidney Functions:
With age, the size and functions of the kidneys decline. Thus, it is advised to drink plenty of water. Toxins, alcohol and unnecessary medicines must be avoided. Atherosclerosis occurs in old age, which is characterized by narrowing of the blood vessels that transport blood to the kidneys. Due to decreased blood flow, the kidneys lose their ability to function at optimal level.
Urine Incontinence:
Also known as involuntary urination, leakage of urine occurs, especially when a person laughs or coughs. Urinary incontinence becomes more common as a person ages. This is caused due to urinary bladder spasm.
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Bad Effect on Teeth:
About 25% people over the age of 60 wear dentures. This is because teeth undergo degeneration with age. Adults may need to get their teeth implanted and undergo processes like bleaching. People, particularly those, who have not followed healthy teeth practices, are at a higher risk of losing their teeth with age.
Obesity or Overweight:
About 75% of adults above the age of 60 are overweight. These people are at a greater risk of conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Women start accumulating fat around their waist. Moreover, there is a greater number of complaints of arthritis from this section of the elderly population.
Less-Active Senses:
With age, all the five human senses (five) gradually deteriorate. Vision becomes poorer and generally, people after 45, suffer from glaucoma — a disease that damages the nerves of the eyes. Untreated glaucoma could result in permanent vision loss. Likewise, hearing ability also decreases, and people use hearing aid to listen well. Skin sensitivity and sense to smell also decrease due to less activity of sensory organs. These are connected to brain through nerve cells. With decreased activity of nerve cells, capability to sense gradually deteriorates.
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Wrinkled Skin:
Wrinkled skin is the most visible symptom of aging. It looks dull, pale, crumpled and full of lines. The skin becomes thinner, and loose due to reduced production of collagen synthesis. This is caused due to reduced activity of liver and kidney, weakening of digestive and excretory system, and circulatory system.
Loss of Hair:
Hair loss is another visible sign of aging. Hair on the different parts of the body become less. With aging, especially when you gain some weight, cholesterol level increases. This leads to accumulation of plaques in the arteries, which prevents proper blood flow. Due to this, tiny blood vessels die due to an insufficient amount of blood; thereby causing damage to hair follicles. This results in hair loss.
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Weakened Nails and Bones:
This indicates lack of calcium in the body. Weakened bones are more prone to breakage, and responsible for joint pains. Weakening of nails makes them brittle and discoloration of the same occurs. Bone is a structural component, thus any damage to it directly affects the internal and external body structures.
Weakened Internal System:
Internal system of a body consists of various physiological activities like metabolism, respiration, blood purification and circulation, water purification, reproduction, excretion and so on. With age, the whole system becomes weak, and their decreased activity results in many health conditions like breathing trouble, cardiovascular diseases and renal disorders.
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Lowered Activity of Hormones:
Reduced activity of hormones has a direct impact on the rest of the endocrine system. Hormones related to reproduction, become absent in both men and women with the aging.
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Psychological Changes:
When a person ages, lots of emotional changes are observed. Lack of independence and inability to perform day-to-day tasks along with memory loss and reduced vision bring considerable psychological changes among elderly. Sometimes, negative emotions or negligence result in depression and other mental health problems. This directly affects our physiology and may lead to various health conditions, such as high blood pressure, inadequate sleep, hormonal imbalances and Alzheimer’s disease. Psychological aspect is as important as physical aspects of aging because the former has a direct link to the latter.
15 Best Tips to Delay Aging and Be Wrinkle-Free
We all are aware of the incontrovertible fact that aging can neither be delayed nor prevented. Moreover, the worst aspect is that its signs usually begin to appear on the most conspicuous part of our body, i.e., skin. Fortunately, there exist some ways that can help delay aging and keep our skin free of wrinkles and fine lines. Read further to know about these anti-aging tips:
Get Proper Sleep:
We all know that sleep is crucial to the health of our mind and body. Simultaneously, it helps maintain youthfulness. If you do not get enough sleep, i.e., 8 to 9 hours a day, chances are there that you may look 10 years older than your actual age in the next 5 years. Do not sleep with your face pressed against the pillow. This may develop sleep lines on your face, which can eventually turn into wrinkles.
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Use Antiaging Creams and Serums:
Choosing the right antiaging cream or serum according to the skin type can help you achieve better results. This would ensure a healthy, glowing skin devoid of wrinkles and age spots.
Use Face Wash, Toner and Moisturizer:
To keep skin wrinkle-free, wash your face with a face wash, use a toner and if required, a moisturizer. While using a moisturizer, make sure it is of good quality. This will help you maintain the desired elasticity and general health of your skin. You may also go for a gentle face cleanser. According to a research, the ability of the skin to absorb active ingredients from skin care products is maximum during night. So, apply skin care products at night for best results.
Drink Plenty of water:
Drinking at least 10 glasses of water a day will make your skin glow and leave a radiant shine on your skin, making you look younger. Also, drink milk as it has hydrating properties that give moisture and prevent dryness. Also, it reduces darkening of skin, which is also a sign of aging.
Include Calcium in Your Diet:
People with normal calcium level in their skin are less prone to premature skin aging with fewer chances of developing skin cancer. Topical products that contain calcium have antiaging and anticancer benefits. Calcium also helps in the rejuvenation of skin.
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Take Vitamins Each and Every Day:
Taking vitamin supplements daily, particularly Vitamin E and C along with antioxidant tablets, can maintain the health and youthfulness of your skin.
Drink Green Tea:
Rich in antioxidants, green tea prevents aging. It reduces the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease, helps maintain the bone density and works against vision issues that come with aging.
Exercise:
Do we even need to tell you this? It is a sure-shot way to prevent aging. People, who have a sedentary lifestyle with minimal physical activity, age faster as compared to those, who are active and exercise regularly. Research has established that exercise can help prevent aging. You can go for jogging in the morning. You can even undertake activities like swimming, cycling etc.
Use Sunscreens:
The role of sunscreens is not just limited to protection against sunburns and cancer but further extends to the prevention of premature aging. Recent research shows that sunscreens protect against photo-aging, wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity that are caused due to sun’s radiation.
Take Care of Your Teeth:
If your teeth rot or turn black, it will affect your looks and rob you of your youthfulness. So, it is best to take care of your teeth and make sure it does not destroy your appearance.
Meditate:
Meditation helps preserve the peace of your mind and keep your body healthy.
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Skin Exfoliation:
Exfoliation is a great way to revive your skin. It removes dead skin, unclogs skin pores, and improves the overall look and feel of the skin. However, one should not exfoliate more than once a week as it may turn the skin dry. This especially holds true for winters.
Pamper Yourself:
Go to a spa and get a full-body massage. This not just rejuvenates your skin, but also tightens the otherwise saggy skin. Go out during weekends as these small activities can bring out the glow in you and lift up your spirits.
Keep a Positive Attitude:
Maintaining a positive attitude towards every facet of life is sure to keep you stress-free. Stress is one of the major causes of aging and wrinkles. Thus, for a wrinkle-free skin, it is must to have a good and positive attitude towards life.
Laugh Often and Curtail Stress:
Laughing releases stress, which prevents the development of early signs of aging. It is best to spend quality time with friends and family.
Defy Aging by Changing Your Platter a Little — Antiaging Foods that Help
To slow down the process of aging and ward off age-related conditions, one can incorporate some diet-related changes in one’s life. Some anti aging foods you can include in your daily diet are discussed below:
Olive Oil:
Olive Oil contains polyphenols – a powerful antioxidant, which helps prevent the appearance of signs of aging
Yogurt:
The age-related benefits of yogurt have not been proven or documented, but it is known that yogurt is rich in calcium, which prevents osteoporosis. It also contains good bacteria that help maintain health of the gut and reduce incidence of age-related illness and skin aging.
Fish:
Fishes like tuna, trout and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Research has demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acids play a vital role in reducing skin damage and prevent the production of skin cancer cells.
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Chocolate:
In moderation, consumption of dark chocolate could help you look 10 years younger according to a recent research.
Nuts:
Nuts are sources of unsaturated fats, so the benefits are similar to olive oil. They are rich sources of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Wine:
Alcohol when taken in moderate forms can fight against age-related conditions like skin aging and memory loss; particularly red wine, which contains resveratrol can activate genes that slow cellular aging.
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Blueberries:
Blueberries are a great fruit to counteract the physical and mental effects of aging. They have a lot of antioxidants that interact with free radicals associated with cell degeneration and aging.
Sesame Seeds:
These are rich in calcium, minerals like iron, magnesium and phosphorous, fibers and more. All these ingredients help prevent aging.
Mushrooms:
Mushrooms are a wonderful source of vitamin D. Without vitamin D, the body cannot absorb calcium, the deficiency of which, could lead to osteoporosis, arched spine and broken bones.
Bell Peppers:
These are rich in vitamin C and play a major role in slowing the progression of age-related conditions like macular degeneration.
Pineapples:
It is a great source of manganese, which plays a role in strengthening the skin and improving its elasticity. As one ages, collagen production decreases. Pineapples help stave off wrinkles and fine lines.
Pomegranate Seeds:
Pomegranate seeds contain a handful of compounds that fight against damages from free radicals and increase the ability of the body to preserve collagen.
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Manuka Honey:
It has been used for ages as a natural medicine for rejuvenating skin and boosting immunity by stimulating cytokine production.
Turmeric:
Turmeric fights against cell damage and aging. The powerful pigment, curcumin present in it inhibits the shortening of telomere (a part of chromosome) by restricting the activity of telomerase – an enzyme – which is thought to be a leading cause of aging and degenerative diseases. The shorter the telomere, more would be the likelihood of experiencing cellular aging.
Spinach:
This is a nutritional star and contains folate, which is known to ward off aging.
Almond:
It contains vitamin E. It plays a role in anti-inflammatory processes and helps boost the immune system. The antioxidant content of almond protects cells from the damaging effects of free radicals in the body; thereby, reduces the risk of age-related diseases.
Lemon and Lime Juice:
Research says that people, who consume Vitamin C, a major component of lemon and lime juice, actually have lesser wrinkles and better skin texture.
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Watermelon:
It is packed with lycopene, which protects the skin by working as a natural sunblock, protecting the skin from the harmful UV rays that damage and age the skin. Water content in it keeps the skin hydrated and plump.
Cooked Tomatoes:
These contain lycopene, which protects against skin damage. Raw tomatoes also provide lycopene, but lycopene in cooked tomatoes gets easily absorbed by the body.
Carrots and Sweet Potatoes:
It is loaded with vitamin A, known for the regeneration and restoration of damaged collagen. It helps build elasticity and rejuvenate skin cells.
Oatmeal:
It is rich in carbohydrates, which help boost the levels of happiness hormone, serotonin. And what better way to look and feel young than to be happy.
Oranges:
These are again a wonderful source of vitamin C, which not only boosts immunity but also promotes collagen production. Collagen makes the skin elastic, supple and younger looking.
Best Anti-Aging Natural Skincare Tips
As we are well-aware of some general anti-aging skin care tips which have been discussed already to stay youthful, let’s move on to some natural remedies to delay aging.
Reiki:
Reiki is all about restoring energy within body. It can help you with repairing and regenerating cells, fighting wrinkles and putting the spring back in shape. Reiki is believed to have a natural energy that works to make a person look younger than his actual age. For such amazing benefits, it is considered as one of the best natural anti-aging treatments nowadays.
Acupuncture:
It helps stimulate collagen production in skin. This is with reference to microtrauma theory of how acupuncture works and collagen can tighten the skin. Acupuncture boosts blood circulation in the skin area leading to better nourishment and improved detoxification which helps improve texture of the skin. We know that stress also shows up on our faces. Acupuncture decreases stress hormones in the blood. Which further reduces stress and improves health. This method improves sleep and treats insomnia which results in overall better skin health. Also, acupuncture improves the function of liver and kidney making it more effective in taking the load off the skin and improves appearance of the skin as well.
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Acupressure:
Heavenly pillar acupressure point, which is located at the base of the skull, helps relieve stress in body and also helps in skin issues like acne. Stimulation of third eye point which is located just above the bridge of your nose can enhance skin health. Also, there is another point called as heavenly glow point which is located behind your jaw bone and it improves skin luster and facial muscle tone and gives the skin an overall glow. Facial Beauty point located at the base of the cheekbone stimulates circulation of blood in the skin.
Hydrotherapy:
Aging can take a toll on one’s life. Sore muscles, stiff joints, wrinkled and sagging skin and stress, all are associated with aging and these make you look older before time. Anti-aging natural treatments like hydrotherapy can work in such cases. Scientists are exploring therapeutic benefits of hydrotherapy. It is an important part of medical treatments as far as aging is concerned. This therapy works by restoring a youthful appearance to the skin. It also helps by retaining moisture in the skin. Anti-aging baths do more than treating wrinkled skin, it helps you look and feel younger.
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Chromotherapy or Light Therapy:
People can take vitamins, have Botox and try out other methods to look younger but nothing does the job more naturally like phototherapy or light therapy. Red Light therapy is used commonly to reduce wrinkles and decrease spots caused by the aging. It works its way down to the subcutaneous tissue of the skin without causing pain and being invasive.
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Aromatherapy:
Treatments carried out with essential oils not only boost the sensorial experience but also nourish the skin and stimulate renewal of cells. These oils also do not have any side effect. Various oils like orange oil, are used by skin care formulators for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
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Ayurveda:
Ayurveda – the ancient Indian medical science – is a pool of information on principles of antiaging therapies and skin care. It can open new horizons for developing anti-aging products and techniques that make use of natural ingredients. It can help you achieve the ultimate goal of ‘beauty from within.’
There are numerous therapies that you can try to fight off aging. Kaya lepam is a therapy in which your skin is therapeutically wrapped in a unique combination of milk, herbal powders and rice extract, which helps tighten your skin, remove dead cells and lighten the skin tone. Some other similar therapies include turmeric body wrap, honey and sesame wrap, neem wrap, chlorophyll body wrap and sandalwood body wrap.
Rasayana is a natural rejuvenation therapy, which helps infuse new life into body’s cells. Also, it minimizes the impacts of aging through free radical scavenging and stress busting. Likewise, Panchakarma, a bio-cleansing process, comprises 5 modules, namely therapeutic emesis, purgation, decoction enema, oil enema and nasal administration of medicines. These steps help in full-body detoxification and make the skin look more youthful. It helps revitalize your skin.
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Face Packs:
For preventing the skin from the development of any kind of skin problems like wrinkles, fine lines, sagging, etc. natural ingredients can be used. These can be applied directly to the skin in the form of anti-aging masks, scrubs, and creams which can be prepared at home.
Following are some sample recipes for cleansers:
- Rice milk cleanser: Rice is rich in Vitamin E. It smoothens the skin and helps in peeling off the dead skin as well. The main ingredients of the cleanser are brown rice flour and unsweetened organic rice milk.
- Cucumber aloe cold cream: The ingredients of the cream, aloe vera, cucumber, yogurt and lemon are rich in providing moisture to the skin during winters. Lemon provides glow and yogurt act as an exfoliating agent, which make skin healthier.
- Apple chia honey scrub: This scrub provides complete care to the skin as it contains high nutritional components. The chia is a good antioxidant which helps in removal of dead skin cells, honey helps in deep cleansing and apple provides smoothness and brightens up the skin.
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- Yoga and Meditation: Practicing Yoga helps in good blood circulation and has strengthening abilities. It also restores the body to its previous glory, gives a natural lift to your face and makes your skin glow. Apart from that, it cleanses the whole-body system, relaxes it and helps in maintaining overall well-being. Thus, yoga gives you all these anti aging benefits when you practice it regularly.
Benefits of Yoga and Meditation are enumerated below:
Balances the levels of glucose and insulin in body
As we age, our body starts collecting fats in our abdomen which results in abdominal obesity and a pot belly. This heap of fat in belly is harmful and might cause various problems like high cholesterol, blood pressure and various heart problems. The reason behind this deposition of fat in belly is the imbalance of insulin and glucose in body. This imbalance is common with age; however, yoga helps in balancing the level of insulin and glucose in body.
Also, the release of excess cortisol hormone is also responsible for this fat deposition in the abdomen. Cortisol hormone is released in body in case of excessive stress. Yoga helps in providing mental peace and calms the mind to avoid stress.
Controls the cholesterol levels
There are two kinds of cholesterols in our body i.e. HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) and LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein). LDL or bad cholesterol gets deposited in the arteries and blocks the flow of blood, this might result in various cardiovascular diseases and heart problems. However, HDL or good cholesterol works to remove LDL from arteries.
Cholesterol imbalance is common after reaching a certain age. However, aging is considered as a reason behind imbalance of cholesterol levels in body. Yoga helps in improving the HDL level in body and protects the body from various harmful factors.
Increases the level of melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone produced by pineal gland and has antioxidant properties which help it to function as an anti-aging compound. High level of melatonin is the sign of a healthy body. Yoga and meditation are proven to increase the level of melatonin in body and fight the signs of aging.
Balances metabolic rate and body temperature
Aging results in the reduced metabolic rate of the body. Being a physiological activity, yoga practices require a lot of energy, and thus increases the resting metabolic rate of body.
Also, the body temperature is related to metabolic rate i.e. low metabolic rate results in low temperature of the core of the body. As yoga works to improve the metabolic rate, it also helps in maintaining a healthy core temperature of body.
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Maintains DHEA level in body
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) also known as androstenolone, is a steroid hormone that is naturally made by the human body. It functions to improve the muscle to fat ratio in body and enhances the immune system. However, if the level of DHEA is low in body, it results in reduced bone density and various inflammatory diseases.
DHEA level, however, starts decreasing with age. Yoga helps in improving the level of DHEA in body and supports the body’s well-being.
But aging is not only limited to natural aging but also reduces levels of body hormones. As we go out, our body is exposed to pollution and dirt. Also, the harmful free radicals from the environment enter our body through various sources and increase the number of free radicals in body which may further cause effective signs of aging. This accelerated aging because of environmental factors is referred to as premature aging. But even in case of premature aging, the reasons are same i.e. imbalance in hormone and cholesterol levels of body.
There are various anti aging yoga poses that help in slowing down the aging process:
Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
This asana is called Dhanurasana or bow pose because in it, the body is stretched in a stringed bow like formation. The asana is held for about 15-30 seconds and helps in improving the appetite and digestion of body. It also helps in balancing the hormone levels of body and works to improve the posture of the body and cures backache as well.
Simhasana (Lion Pose)
Simhasana or lion pose is called so because it resembles a roaring lion. It helps in removal of the signs of aging from the face, increasing the blood flow on the face and improving eyesight as well. These benefits collectively improve the overall skin health and make you look younger. This asana is supposed to be practiced for about 30 seconds.
Ardha Pincha Mayurasana
Commonly referred to as dolphin pose, in this asana the body is positioned in an inverted ‘V’ formation for about 30 to 60 seconds. This asana helps in making your limbs stronger, also in controlling the blood pressure and maintaining the health of reproductive organs in women.
Utkatasana (Chair Pose)
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In Utkatasana, the body is positioned in the way as it looks like a person sitting on an imaginary chair. The holding time for this asana is about 30-60 second. This asana helps in the stimulation of cardiac and abdominal organs and preventing heart and digestive problems.
Virabhadrasana II (Warrior 2 Pose)
This asana is performed on an empty stomach and the body is positioned in warrior pose for about 30 seconds. It stretches and energizes the limbs of the body and helps in building the stamina.
Vrikshasana (Tree Pose)
It is referred to as tree pose and the body is positioned in the tree-like posture for about a minute. This asana helps in boosting the self-esteem and self-confidence and improving concentration as well. It is dependent on the balance and stability of legs.
Matsyasana (Fish Pose)
It is commonly known as fish pose and is performed with an empty stomach. It helps in improving the posture of the body, getting rid of tension and irritation, reduces signs of weakness, stimulates the abdominal organs and improves digestion as well.
How to be Young Forever- Anti-Aging Treatments and Methods (Scientifically)
Aging is all about looks and appearance for most of the people. This is because your exterior reflects the signs of aging immediately, and these signs are so visible that everybody starts noticing and pointing out. So, our focus here mainly is aging in the context of skin and hair, the most visible changes that almost instantly start getting ”You are getting OLD” attention.
Variation in texture and elasticity are the first signs of skin aging. You start spotting dark spots, crow’s feet, fine lines and not to forget dull texture and sagging skin. This is because of low levels of two major skin proteins, collagen and elastin which start depleting after a certain age. The depletion of these two proteins results in skin related problems like wrinkles, pimple, dark spots, fine lines, etc.
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Let us learn how to be wrinkle free even after 40, and enjoy a supple and smooth skin. There are tons of methods claiming effective results, but our aim is to inform you about the best ones that are effective and can be availed easily.
Clinical anti-aging treatments have gained momentum in the last decade due to advancement in medical technology and to some extent, increased consciousness among people about their looks and body image.
These anti-aging treatments are specifically designed to revitalize the skin and restore its youthful glow. There are multiple treatments methods that are employed for the treatment of age-related skin problems or damages that are basically the signs of premature aging. The treatments basically include the remediation of the skin and its internal components. Below discussed are some of the most popular anti-aging skin treatments methods:
Wrinkle treatment or anti-aging methods are designed to revitalize the skin and bring back its glow along with elasticity and suppleness. There are multiple treatments methods that are employed for the treatment of age-related skin problems or skin damages as a sign of premature aging. Such skin treatments involve regeneration of skin and its internal components. Following are several treatment approaches that are being used currently for anti-aging skin treatment.
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Injection-Based Methods:
In this method, different types of filler materials are injected into the skin that helps it to recover from various damages. Some common types of fillers used for the anti-aging skin treatment are given below:
- Dermal Fillers: These are the compounds used to fill deep folds on the skin like laugh lines or smile lines. The most-common dermal filler is collagen, but nowadays hyaluronic acid is being extensively used as an alternative. The effect of hyaluronic acid is found to last between six months to one year. It is also known to stimulate the growth of collagen already present in the skin.
- Synthetic Fillers: Unlike collagen and hyaluronic acid, these fillers are synthetically prepared and they sustain longer than the dermal fillers. However, risk of lump formation beneath the skin is associated with synthetic fillers. These lumps can be further removed with some surgical method.
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- Fat Transfers: This includes extraction and processing of fat extracted from one’s own body and injecting it back into the skin. This treatment can last for 5 to 10 months, but the fat usually gets absorbed by the body after some time.
- Muscle Relaxers: Muscle relaxers are used to treat wrinkles and tighten the muscles. The botulinum toxin (BOTOX) temporarily paralyzes the facial muscles on direct injection and prevents the emergence of the wrinkles. The effect of the BOTOX lasts for a few months, but with continuous treatments, the duration of its effectiveness can be further extended.
- Liquid Facelift: This process of anti-aging treatment is a combination of two processes, viz., dermal fillers and muscle relaxers. The effect of the treatment lasts for 1-2 years.
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- Fat Melting: This process utilizes deoxycholic acid – a chemical that naturally occurs in the body and responsible for the emulsification of dietary fat. The chemical is generally injected into small areas to remove fat.
- Chemical Peel: This is a process of removing off dead skin cells from its top layer using chemicals like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and trichloroacetic acid. In high concentrations, these chemicals tighten the skin as a result of collagen formation. This method helps reduce sun damage, discoloration, fine line and scars. While in lower concentration, it just causes skin redness; it takes several weeks to heal when the concentration of acid is kept high. The impact of the treatment in terms of longevity solely depends on the concentration of the acid used.
This percutaneous collagen induction therapy is also known as micro-needling. The process includes rolling a cylinder with small needles over the skin. The damage caused by the needles stimulates the production of collagen to repair the skin. The process is effective in treating acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles.
Microdermabrasion:
This is a skin rejuvenating process, which helps in the removal of damaged cells in the epidermis – the topmost layer of the skin – and makes the skin soft and bright. The skin exfoliation is done by spraying tiny crystals on the skin that scrub out dead cells from the epidermis. This process takes around 24 hours to heal and thereafter, a new and smooth layer develops. Microdermabrasion is helpful in treating wrinkles, fine lines, and improving the texture of skin. The process is followed by re-moisturizing the skin as it temporarily removes the moisture.
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Laser Treatment:
Probably, laser-based treatment is one of the best non-surgical methods for anti-aging skin treatments. The process involves tightening of the skin, where heat is used to treat the damaged epidermis, which eventually stimulates collagen formation. Most of the laser affects just the surface of the skin, while a few go deeper for better outcomes. The collagen formation tightens the skin and minimizes the risk of development of fine lines. The treatment is effective in curing moderate lines and wrinkles, and to enhance the texture and tone of the skin.
Thermage:
It is a heat-based, non-surgical anti-aging treatment that helps in the tightening of skin. In this, radiofrequency energy develops a uniformly distributed heating effect inside the dermis – the thick layer just under the epidermis. The mild heating effect speeds up the formation of the new collagen and tightens the skin. The effect of the treatment lasts for up to 2 years.
Platelet-Rich Plasma:
In this natural method, blood is collected from a person and then injected into his/her skin after centrifugal treatment. The blood platelets with growth factors cause stem cells to produce collagen, which leads to skin regeneration and repair.
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Stem Cell Therapy:
It is an advanced medical approach for anti-aging treatment, which slows down or repairs damage to organs caused by stress, poor diet and toxins. Here, the stem cells are extracted from fat tissues and then used for enhancing to restore regenerate and restore body systems like hormonal, immune and circulatory. The effect of the treatment can be identified by higher energy level, better immune response, improved blood circulation and so forth. The treatment is effective for 5-10 years.
Mesotherapy:
Mesotherapay is an anti-aging treatment in which the mesoderm of the skin is treated. The technique involves injecting various essential vitamins, enzymes and hormones in the skin that help in its revitalization and removes excessive fat. There is no pre-defined formula for the substances that are injected into the skin, but most commonly used substances include vasodilators, antibiotics, collagenase enzyme, thyroxin, calcitonin, plant extracts and vitamins. The treatment is effective in curing skin problems like wrinkles, fine lines, hair loss, skin pigmentation as well as tightening of skin and body recontour.
Fractional CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing:
This is a method for skin resurfacing, which cures advanced skin damages and wrinkles. This method utilizes CO2 laser to remove skin tissue layers in fractions, and help in decreasing age spots, scars, fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation. Medication is required before and after the treatment to ensure effective healing. The impact of the treatment is known to last for 8-10 years.
Effective Antiaging Creams and Serums – Remain Wrinkle Free
The market is currently brimming with umpteen skin care products; usually in the form of anti aging creams or serums for topical applications. Continuous use of these anti aging products is known to curb signs of premature aging as well as delay the process of natural aging. Active ingredients of such products act in different ways on your skin, allowing you to achieve your anti-aging goals. You can go for the following creams and serums to remain wrinkle free:
- Creams that contain a blend of hyaluronic acid, vitamin B, and amino peptides. These work on fine lines and wrinkles and give you youthful skin.
- You can also go for products with ingredients like beeswax, algae extract, coconut oil, and shea butter. It helps smooths away fine lines and wrinkles. Further, you can use creams loaded with ingredients like green tea and jojoba oil.
- Creams with retinol are useful in case of uneven skin tone. Such products offer long-term results that you could only expect with a cosmetic surgery.
- When it comes to youthful skin, collagen is the most important factor. To increase moisture retention, stuffs like sunflower, rice bran, camellia, japonica seed oils work really well.
- Use vitamin-rich moisturizers. Vitamin C and E are known to reduce wrinkles and give you a younger looking skin.
- Use potent nourishing lotions packed with avocado, olive fruit oils and oxygen-boosting complex.
- Use formulations having ingredients like aleuronic acid to fight against aging. Moreover, a blend of collagen and microalgae oil brightens the skin and improves skin elasticity by working on fine lines and wrinkles.
- In order to counteract hyperpigmentation, consider exfoliating peels containing lactic acid and licorice root extracts. Products with lemongrass concentrate can be used to improve skin radiance. Its regular use gives younger looking skin.
- Mix Serums containing green tea and coffee along with hyaluronic acid and mozuku green algae helps you get well-hydrated and plump skin. This combination works against skin aging and reduces wrinkles.
- Products featuring a combination of green tea, rice and algae have anti-aging benefits and give soft and supple skin with a glowing complexion.
- Serum harnessing the properties of rose, essential fatty acids, and vitamins A, C and E can brighten skin and repair damages caused due to UV radiation. You can use gels packed with antioxidant resveratrol and baicalin, and vitamin E.
- Antiaging products with rice peptide and alfalfa complex preserve collagen levels and fibrillin in the skin.
Supplements or Medicines that Help Delay Aging
The top five anti-aging supplements are:
- Omega-3-fat oil that is a powerful anti-inflammatory material which repairs the age-related cellular damage. Fish oil has omega 3 fatty acids which are a good anti-aging tool.
- Green superfood powder composed of antioxidant properties of grass juices, herbs, berries that helps to slow down aging.
- Resveratrol is a good element the effectively slows down aging. Red wine is a good source of resveratrol. Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in grapes and berries Daily dose of this supplement is recommended for better skin.
- A mixture of herb juice, containing ashwagandha, basil, Rhodiola and ginseng lower the cortisol level and helps to reduce stress level.
- Coenzyme10 is a powerful antioxidant that restricts premature aging. As we grow older, an enzyme called CoQ10 produced by the body decreases and this is related to various age-related disorders and skin aging. The presence of these enzymes in the body protects cell from damage resulting in healthy skin and hair and good overall health.
- Biotin: It is a water-soluble vitamin. It is a coenzyme but it is not synthesized in the body, so it has to be taken as a supplement. This vitamin stops cell death which causes aging.
- Vitamin E: Research suggests it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which are important in skin regeneration and cell growth, the process in which old diseased cells fall off and radiant and glowing skin takes its place. This vitamin also helps in protecting skin from wrinkles and environmental damage.