Aging gracefully

You want to age gracefully, right? Who wants to look old and worn out? Who wants to move like they're old and worn out? Who wants to be old and worn out?
Here are some great tips from an article I read:
1. Avoid the big no-no's: Don't smoke, don't get sun damaged and drink only moderately ( or in my case, not at all.)

2. Get moderate exercise: exercise is "the strongest beneficial behavior intervention that we know about." Moderate exercise makes the biggest difference

For example a 20- to 30-minute aerobic workout on the bike or machine three to four days a week followed by 10 to 20 minutes of weight training.

3. Eat a healthy diet and eat moderately: eliminate many unhealthful foods from the diet and reduced portion sizes, eat more whole grains, much less fat, more fish and more fruit and vegetables, eat red meat very sparingly (something in red meat accelerates inflammation in arteries and it turns out that inflammation in arteries ages your skin, ages your heart, ages all the things where your blood vessels go.)

4. Eat a diet high in antioxidants: dark fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, blackberries, watermelon, dark romaine lettuce and other dark greens. These foods are good because they are full of antioxidants, which are thought to bind with the unstable molecules that are constantly released as a byproduct of metabolism.

Although the science is still not conclusive for humans, there is strong evidence that these free radicals, knocking around in search of other molecules to bind to, damage healthy cells in the process. This oxidative stress can lead to inflammation and other adverse effects.

5. Take Vitamin E: take moderate (200 milligrams a day) Vitamin E supplements daily. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that, in animal testing, has been shown to prolong the life of cells and reduce cell proliferation. It can help maintain your youthful look. Vitamin E, working alone or in concert with other vitamins, is doing more than improving appearance Your insides will look way better than you outsides because of this vitamin. Researchers have found a "significant" reduction in the incidence of prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease and overall mortality after 12 to 20 years.

Also important are practices like moisturizing skin daily, flossing regularly, managing stress well, having a rewarding job, a hobby that's enjoyable, and also a good marriage and healthy kids. Many experts said living a happy life is a key element in aging well. The message is simple - Making an effort can really pay off.

Read more: http://www.heraldextra.com/lifestyles/article_4be82c97-c256-51fe-831e-6b67ea1c57d0.html#ixzz1VPCnALhY