A song says: “Who wants to live forever?” Well, if that were possible, many would say they would like to live thousands of years! However, it is possible and within everyone’s reach to have a healthier life, enjoy good health and delay and slow down aging.
Index
- How to live long?
- Causes of late life diseases
- Chronological and biological age
- Slowing down aging is a choice: how to do it?
- Rules for living longer
- Foods and drinks to avoid aging
- Other good habits to stay young
- Bibliography
How to live long?
Nowadays, barring the onset of particular pathologies, it is possible to reach 80-90 years of age in good health. It can be so for many, even by changing certain bad habits in adulthood, thus ensuring that the risk of health problems decreases.
In the past, people certainly lived a healthier existence from many points of view: simpler and more natural food, more time outdoors, more physical activity, less pollution…
In fact, the question that many ask is: what is the point of living up to 85-90-95 years of age with a thousand ailments and sick people, sometimes not self-sufficient and with degenerative diseases?
Causes of late life diseases
A sedentary lifestyle, alcohol, smoking and poor diet are habits that certainly do not allow you to live better and longer. The combination of these four elements could be harmful to a person to the point of reducing their life by 10-12 years.
Many underestimate being overweight: being 10 kilos heavier, for example, and not doing physical activity are factors that greatly affect the prolongation of life in a state of well-being. Unfortunately, it is common to think that it is enough to limit it with a cream or a miraculous supplement!
Chronological and biological age
There are two ages: the chronological one and the biological one. The first is the one we actually have and the second is the one that our body with its organs and systems demonstrates.
A 50-year-old woman, for example, on average has organs and systems in line with her chronological age. In better conditions, however, she may have them in line with those of a younger woman chronologically and in worse conditions she may have them comparable to those of a woman chronologically much older.
Slowing down aging is a choice: how to do it?
Each of us can, therefore, age prematurely or, on the contrary, slow down this process, gaining a biological age lower than our chronological age.
To slow down the natural aging process, all you need to do is reverse the trend and adopt a healthy lifestyle, eliminating what is harmful to your health. Obviously, if you are healthy, beauty will be a direct consequence, and your mood and quality of life will also be better.
Free radicals, molecules that are enemies of cells, can
- promote arteriosclerosis,
- weaken the immune system ,
- accelerate cellular aging.
Eliminating these wastes from the body would seem ideal. Since it is not possible, we must at least try to reduce them. For this reason, alcohol, excessively taken drugs, smoking, intake of toxic substances, long exposure to the sun, excessive physical activity, must be eliminated precisely to slow down the production of free radicals.
Antioxidants, such as vitamins, minerals, flavonoids and other trace elements are found in many plant and animal foods and therefore can only be consumed regularly in the presence of a balanced diet.
Rules for living longer
Here are some general tips based on my naturopathy studies and my experience, also supported by several scientific studies that you can find in the books in the bibliography. They are to be considered reference guidelines because everyone will then have to find their own best habits, better if with the help of an expert doctor.
Foods and drinks to avoid aging
- Keep your metabolism active : to start, eat 5 meals a day, three of which are essential and two snacks.
- Protect your cells by introducing Omega 3 with fish, preferably fresh, at least three times a week. Sardines, mackerel, anchovies, salmon contain polyunsaturated fats that help lower cholesterol, prevent strokes, thrombosis and cardiovascular diseases.
- Even the consumption of dried fruit such as almonds, walnuts and various seeds is beneficial because they also contain Omega 3, it is only necessary to limit them in terms of calories.
- Eating fruit (without excess) and vegetables helps prevent excess weight, cancer, heart disease. In addition, they detoxify the body, improve circulation and delay aging. Consuming at least three fruits a day that contain vitamin C helps the immune system and reduces the risk of infections. Instead, skip junk foods such as snacks or various snacks, especially if packaged, whether sweet or salty.
- Use extra virgin olive oil regularly , preferably raw so that it does not lose its properties. It is good because it provides vitamin E and polyphenols and is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids.
- Drink wine in moderation: the appropriate dose for men is two glasses of red wine a day and for women one a day. Doctors recommend a glass of red wine a day to prevent heart attacks or diabetes. Avoid spirits.
- Hydrate your body with water every day: drink a liter and a half, even herbal tea or herbal infusion if you don’t like plain water, it helps to drain and keep the intestine clean.
- Avoid sugary and nervous drinks ; don’t overdo it with coffee!
- Dairy products should be consumed in moderation: a Greek yogurt a day or Grana Padano DOC once a week provide vitamins A and E, Zinc and Selenium and other important minerals to strengthen the body.
Other good habits to stay young
- Taking a brisk walk every day for 40 minutes to an hour extends your life and has positive effects on your heart, lungs, mind and mood.
- Don’t smoke: It also helps to keep your skin young and not marked by time. Women who stop smoking around the age of 35 also add 6-8 years to their life.
- Avoid spending too many hours in front of the computer or TV to rest better at night; better to get some fresh air every now and then, stretch your legs and relax your mind.
- Do not expose yourself to UV rays for a long time to avoid skin aging, premature wrinkles and sagging, spots, freckles, burns and skin cancer.
- Having an active social life helps you avoid falling into depression, relieves stress and worries, helps lower cholesterol levels, anxiety and phobias.
- Finally, having healthy and satisfying sex two to three times a week also prolongs your life! Good sex releases endorphins and keeps you busy; it also burns calories, lowers blood pressure, improves sleep, keeps your immune system up or strengthens, reduces excess weight, and protects your heart.
