Never look a day older: Here’s how the right diet can be the key to anti-ageing

Is anti-ageing simply aesthetics or is there more? On the one hand, it’s obviously tempting to look at it from a standpoint of aesthetics alone, for after all, who doesn’t want to look younger?

The truth is that anti-ageing strategies through food and a healthy lifestyle target a lot more than just aesthetics. Studies show that inflammation and ageing contribute to activation of white blood cells, acceleration of vascular ageing, atherosclerosis and heart disease. Ageing has an impact on every system in the body.

Oxidative stress in the body

What exactly does ageing mean? For this, let me explain the oxidative stress within the cells in your body.

Imagine if you cut an apple and leave it out in the air, allowing it to oxidise. That’s what it looks like within your body if you have high levels of oxidative stress, poor intake of antioxidants and the inability to deal with oxidative stress as you normally should.

Many nights of poor sleep or sleeping at the wrong times can instantly drop the melatonin levels in your body. Oxidative stress simply means that in the metabolic process of converting food to energy within your cells, the byproducts or free radicals are very high.

When there are inadequate antioxidants to combat this free radical damage, there is oxidative stress. To some extent, oxidative stress is supportive as it helps you kill pathogens and old cells as well as create new cells. In excessive amounts, it can cause ageing.

High levels of oxidative stress can slow down systems in the body as your cells are stressed. This causes you to age. It is also what makes you look old and feel old. If you think that it’s just age catching up, think again. It might not be.

The key to anti-ageing lies with you

The idea of longevity might seem something beyond your reach or just a saga from magical tales such as the existence of Shangri-La or strategies out of your reach or buried within a Himalayan cave, but this is just not true.

You have immense power within yourself to bring anti-ageing or longevity strategies into your life, through targeted food and lifestyle modifications.

Here are some of the ways you can combat the rigours of time with anti-ageing foods…

Sweet Potatoes

The first reaction I get when I mention sweet potatoes is that they belong to the "carbohydrate" group of foods. I think the word “carbs” is really misunderstood today. Complex carbohydrates are like super foods for your digestive system as they improve detoxification, which is the first system that needs to work amazingly well to prevent oxidative stress and ageing.

Sweet potatoes are rich in fibre and work like a broom through your digestive tract. Orange sweet potatoes are available for some months in the year, and when you do have access to them, I suggest you stock up plenty! They are rich in carotenoids which can convert to retinol or the active form of Vitamin A in your body, and this is one vitamin that is an anti-aging miracle!

Tulsi

Adaptogens are compounds found in plants that can help you combat physical and mental and oxidative stress.

These are usually found in plants which have undergone some level of stress within nature, withstood these obstacles and continued to survive under the harshest situations.

While there are adaptogens in traditional Chinese medicine and ancient Indian herbs, you can begin with one that is available easily, and simply profound and potent in its anti-ageing quality. This is the Tulsi or Holy Basil which can relieve stress in your body by modulating your own stress response and boosting your vitality.

Salmon

Be it wild Alaskan salmon or local Indian salmon, fish is an anti-ageing superstar! Oily fish like salmon is loaded in omega-3 essential fatty acids which help to neutralise free radical activity, boost mitochondrial function, relieve oxidative stress and combat ageing.

Omega-3 is divided into ALA, EPA and DHA. EPA is a potent antioxidant and is anti-inflammatory. It has a unique property of fighting the breakdown of collagen in the skin. Oftentimes ageing is deeply reflected in the skin, and salmon is a food that protects your skin and boosts elasticity and radiance.

Cranberries

Cranberries are usually associated with bladder health, so many people don’t select it consciously. Did you know that cranberries contain specific phytonutrients called polyphenols and are very rich in Vitamin C?

These little potent wonders are associated with reducing systemic inflammation and protecting your cell, both of which play a role in how your cells age. They are powerful antioxidants and are also immune modulators, which means that they keep your immune system in a state of balance. The more balanced your immune system is, the more powerful your mitochondria will be.

In fact, they are such powerful antioxidants that they improve your overall cellular recovery and fight oxidative stress. Make sure that you find cranberries that are dried without sugar or preservatives, and add a palmful into your salad!

Add these foods to your diet and you will find out how you can be in charge of fighting age with the power of the right diet and proper nutrition.

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