23 Anti-Aging Foods to Turn Back the Clock and Feel Younger

 

Anti-aging can take on many different forms: it can refer to the way you look, the way you feel, as well as your longevity, how long of a life you’ll have. Several of these foods touch on all of these aspects, helping you to look better, feel better, and live longer. All that’s needed is to start incorporating them into your regular menu more often, and enjoying the benefits they provide. Start eating more of them today and you’ll feel the benefits right away.

 

1. Avocado
Avocado are a tasty way to give your body the things it needs in order to function at its best and fight the aging process. Oleic acid gets the most credit as a highly effective antioxidant when trying to prevent cancer, but also has other anti-aging benefits in addition to increasing your lifespan. Considering it also has healthy fats, potassium, and fiber it’s a great addition for your overall health. Anti-Aging Key: Oleic Acid

2. Pecans
The antioxidants in pecans are what it brings to the table as far as its anti-aging benefits go. Anything that helps keep your heart healthy is doing its job to keep you going long into old age. Remember it’s not just how long you live, but how many of those years are enjoyable where you can stay active and keep your mind sharp, and pecans have been shown to be a key ally in this quest. Anti-Aging Key: Antioxidants

3. Broccoli
Broccoli has so many health benefits to it, there’s no reason to leave it out of your regular menu any longer. George Bush might have made his stance against broccoli, but it’s something that can’t be ignored if you want to experience its benefits. The lignans in broccoli help fight off cancer, but also help prevent heart disease, boost your immune system, and keep your brain healthy. Anti-Aging Key: Lignans

4. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are very hydrating vegetables, and staying hydrated is one way to stay looking and feeling young, with plenty of energy. The silica in cucumbers will help your joints, bones, and connective tissues, all key components as you age. Another added benefit is that cucumbers are low in calories, which will help you get to or maintain a proper weight, which in itself has anti-aging value. Anti-Aging Key: Silica

5. Berries
Pick a berry, any berry, and the chances of it helping you stay younger looking are very good. Some of the most popular choices are blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries. The antioxidant value of these berries are all very high, which will help put a stop to the free radical damage that takes place in our bodies each day and can lead to accelerated aging. Try an anti-aging berry mix by combining any three or more of these berries in one bowl. Anti-Aging Key: Antioxidants

6. Apples
They say if you want to keep the doctor away, you should be eating apples daily. There’s a lot of truth to this old adage, and one of the key components of apples is their high levels of Vitamin C, which bolster the immune system and help keep you free from colds and other diseases as you go through life. But they also have fiber, which keeps you digestive system moving. A clean digestive system plays a big part in keeping you looking and feeling good at any age. Anti-Aging Key: Vitamin C

7. Beans
The protein in beans can help you build lean muscle, and it’s a plant protein so you’re getting the benefits of protein without having to eat meat, which often comes with added fat, calories, and cholesterol. Beans are also a rich source of antioxidants, which will help protect your cells from free radical damage and help you from experiencing many of the problems that can occur as you get older. Anti-Aging Key: Plant protein

8. Eggs
The amino acids in eggs will help contribute to your daily needs of these key elements the body needs to function properly. If you’re thinking that eggs will shorten your life because of all the negative press they’ve received for having a relatively high cholesterol count, most health experts agree that eating one or two eggs per day is healthy and will not cause a risk of heart disease, but rather provide you with improved health and longevity. Anti-Aging Key: Amino Acids

9. Oats
There are a few factors of oats that make them a great selection for those looking to slow down the aging process. For one, they are recommended by the American Heart Association for their ability to lower cholesterol levels. Plus they can help give you energy to get you through your day, or even through a workout. Building lean muscle is a recommended way to keep the body healthy and full of vigor. Anti-Aging Key: Beta-glucan

10. Red Wine
The reason you hear red wine in the news so much is because for several years now doctors have been recommending it to their patients as a way to keep their hearts healthy, but also it contains an element known as resveratrol, which been proven to block diseases from forming in the body. The usual suggestion is to have a glass a day, but sometimes this ranges to a glass and a half or two glasses. You don’t want to overdo it, because too much alcohol will speed up the aging process. Anti-Aging Key: Resveratrol

11. Pomegranates
Pomegranates have been getting a lot of press lately for their many health benefits, not the least of which is their anti-aging properties. You can find pomegranate juice all over the place, but there is also great benefit in eating the actual fruit and the seeds as well. You may also see it being used in beauty products such as creams, lotions, and even shampoos and conditioners, but eating the food is the best method. Anti-Aging Key: Vitamin C

12. Oranges
The Vitamin C content of oranges is well-known, and this is what is providing most of the anti-aging benefits to your body. Your immune system will thank you, and in return will help keep you healthy and feeling good. Oranges also contain a good amount of fiber, and can help you reach your daily fiber needs. They also supply you with energy, which makes them a great breakfast choice, or a midday snack to keep you going. Anti-Aging Key: Vitamin C

13. Pumpkin
These aren’t just for Halloween fun or holiday pies anymore, pumpkins have plenty of antioxidants in them that can help you feel great, and pumpkin seeds also provide plenty of healthy fats and minerals, so don’t forget those. If you’re stumped on how to eat more pumpkin, or how to get it into your diet outside of pie form, try making it or grilling it to soften it up. It tastes great and is great for you! Anti-Aging Key: Antioxidants

14. Green Tea
There are so many antioxidants in green tea that it’s hard to single one out, but there is actually a group that provides more anti-aging benefits than the rest. They’re called OPCs for short, and they are particularly helpful in battling both types of oxidants, both water-soluble and fat-soluble. Most vitamins out there are only effective at defending one or the other. This gives free radicals a sort of double whammy and therefore does the body twice as good. Anti-Aging Key: Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs)

15. Watermelon
Watermelon tastes so good it’s easy to forget that it’s also good for you. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, one in particular makes watermelon so effective at turning back the clock, and that is citrulline. It has detoxifying effects, boosts the immune system, helps with your metabolism, and helps keep your body balanced in key areas like your acid levels. Watermelon ranks on many healthy food lists, from being a top metabolism-enhancing food, to being a food that gives you energy. Anti-Aging Key: Citrulline

16. Tomatoes
The general rule of thumb is to eat more tomatoes, that’s just how good for you they are. Be sure to cook your tomatoes to unlock the most lycopene per bite, or go with sundried tomatoes if you want to get the biggest dose. Lycopene has been shown to help keep your heart healthy, and can also keep cancer at bay. In the world of antioxidants its considered king, so it’s really important to eat more cooked tomatoes regularly. Anti-Aging Key: Lycopene

17. Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are in the same family as broccoli, cabbage, and kale, and provide many of the same benefits. They’re high in Vitamin C, so rather than take a multivitamin or a Vitamin C supplement, try getting your daily needs met by the foods you eat. A serving of Brussels sprouts gets you a whole day’s worth of this powerful antioxidant that keeps your immune system strong. Anti-Aging Key: Vitamin C

18. Honey
The glucose oxidase found in honey has been shown to help clear out harmful bacteria in the body, bump up your immune system, and make you cleaner inside in general. Be sure to use raw honey rather than the processed kind most widely available. This will insure that you’re getting all of the benefits that honey can provide, and nothing has been stripped away during processing. Anti-Aging Key: Glucose Oxidase

19. Bananas
Bananas are a great fruit to enjoy whenever the mood strikes, since they’re super portable and come in their own packaging. They have plenty of potassium of course, but it also contains other minerals like magnesium, and vitamins like Vitamin C and Vitamin B-6. It’s great to eat foods like this that have a broad spectrum of nutrients that your body can use to keep all of its systems functioning at full power. Anti-Aging Key: Assortment of Vitamins and MInerals

20. Spinach
Spinach has plenty of good things going for it, fiber, protein, potassium, vitamins, and minerals, but the phytonutrients it provides are a big aid in keeping the body in tip-top condition. Fruits aren’t the only source of antioxidants, and certain vegetables contain plenty of them, spinach being one of them. Protecting your body from free radical damage is one of the top things you can do to delay the aging process. Anti-Aging Key: Polyphenols

21. Almonds
Almonds make a hearty snack, and also provide you with plenty of benefits like polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, healthy fats the body needs daily. But it’s the Vitamin E that really makes almonds special. This will help keep your hair and skin looking younger, both of which often display key signs of getting older. For best results, eat raw almonds and not the dry roasted or salted varieties. Keeping a supply of almonds handy is a great idea, since a handful can hold you over until your next meal and helps you avoid junk food or fast food. Anti-Aging Key: Vitamin E

22. Salmon
The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon are an important anti-inflammatory agent for your body, and can help reduce the symptoms of any disease or condition caused or worsened by excessive inflammation. It’s also a good source of protein, so if you are doing any sort of resistance training it will help you build lean muscle which will keep your body looking and feeling better, and help keep you at a healthy weight. Anti-Aging Key: Omega-3s

23. Oysters
Oysters have the reputation for being an aphrodisiac, but they also contain minerals that are helpful in maintaining the health of some of your most important organs, your eyes. Getting proper amounts of selenium can also be useful in preventing certain types of cancer, and low levels have been linked to diseases. It’s better to get your selenium from natural sources like oysters, rather than from supplements. Anti-Aging Key: Zinc and Selenium

6 Skin Habits That Take Off Five Years

 

Forget about spending big bucks on scary, doctor's office procedures. Celebrity dermatologist and Skin Rules author Deborah Jaliman, M.D. reveals how to erase the years at home and on the cheap.

By Ava Feuer

Dark spots and uneven texture are dead giveaways to your true age. Keep fooling folks by applying an at-home retinol every night. "It's one of the few things that reverses sun damage," says Jaliman. "It will lighten brown spots, improve texture, and make skin smoother. You can see a difference in weeks." By stimulating collagen production, the inexpensive remedies cause dead skin to slough off faster, eliminating signs of ware and dullness. But be aware that retinols make skin particularly sensitive to sunlight, so after applying one at night, be extra-sure to wear at least SPF 30 the next morning. Jaliman likes Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer ($20.99).

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Use a retinol

Dark spots and uneven texture are dead giveaways to your true age. Keep fooling folks by applying an at-home retinol every night. "It's one of the few things that reverses sun damage," says Jaliman. "It will lighten brown spots, improve texture, and make skin smoother. You can see a difference in weeks." By stimulating collagen production, the inexpensive remedies cause dead skin to slough off faster, eliminating signs of ware and dullness. But be aware that retinols make skin particularly sensitive to sunlight, so after applying one at night, be extra-sure to wear at least SPF 30 the next morning. Jaliman likes Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer ($20.99).

Get your vitamin B

You likely get your necessary supply of B3, a vitamin that helps treat osteoarthritis and may lessen the risk of Alzheimer's disease, in meats, eggs, green vegetables and beans. But when it comes to your skin, it's best to apply the B vitamin, which is also known as niacin, topically. The anti-inflammatory is particular effective at reversing sun damage in those who suffer from acne or rosacea. Jaliman uses AzaClear in her office, but also recommends StriVectin TL Tightening Face Serum ($89).

Try a sonic cleansing system

"A lot of what's causing people to look older is a build-up of dry skin," says Jaliman. A great way to exfoliate without irritating skin, sonic cleansing devices are far more effective than your run-of-the-mill scrub. "I've actually tried to use an exfoliant and then used a white towel, and I see how much dead skin, makeup, and dirt are still on my face," says Jaliman. "You use a sonic cleansing system, and you see there's nothing left." She likes Clarisonic for its swappable heads, but if you're on a tight budget, Olay Professional's Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System ($24.99) and Neutrogena's Wave Sonic ($15.99) are also good options.

Use a white sunscreen

If your sunblock is clear, it's time to toss that tube. Europe recently banned the transparent formulas because they contain nanoparticles, which can enter the bloodstream and liver. Although the FDA hasn't yet approved the same regulation, this is one trend worth getting ahead on. As long as sunscreen comes out of the bottle white — no matter how easily it rubs in — the formula is safe to use. The American Academy of Dermatology now recommends applying at least SPF 30 every day, and nothing says old age like sun damage-induced wrinkles, so heed this advice.

Don't use your hands

Regardless of how vigilantly you wash your hands, bacteria becomes trapped underneath your fingernails. When you use your fingers to scrub off makeup or to apply cleanser, that grime travels to your skin. Washcloths, which aren't laundered after every use, present the same problem. Instead, use a cotton pad, and follow cleansing with a swipe of a glycolic or salicylic acid-soaked pad, like Philosophy's Clear Days Ahead ($39). "It takes me 30 seconds to do this — and to apply an anti-aging cream," says Jaliman. "It's about getting into the habit, like brushing your teeth."

Grow younger with your moisturizer

Less well-known than antioxidants but perhaps more effective, cytokines, a naturally occurring plant growth factor, have been shown to stimulate cellular growth and collagen production. With that skin cell turnover comes the opportunity for new, fresher looking cells to emerge, reducing fine lines, wrinkles and skin roughness. Unlike petri-dish-made growth factors, cytokines are unlikely to irritate skin, making them ideal for every day use. Find the ingredient in Kinerase Lotion for All Skin Types ($72).