Yes, you can take steps to look younger and stay fit. Scientists are studying anti-aging drugs and supplements. There are things you can do to slow ageing and even add years to your life. Here are expert anti-aging tips.
Sugar is aging's No. 1 public health enemy, says Troy, Michigan-based plastic surgeon Anthony Youn, MD, author of The Age Fix. "Sugary drinks like soda pop and punch cause 184,000 deaths a year," he says. Sugary drinks can make you look older and increase your risk of [type 2] diabetes and obesity.
Colorful fruits and vegetables are chock-full of anti-aging antioxidants—the valuable substances are in the actual pigments that make up the color of these foods, Dr. Youn says. "Eat a wide array of colors to improve your health and slow down the aging process."
Michael Roizen, MD, Cleveland Clinic's chief wellness officer and author of Real Age: Are You as Young as You Can Be, says flossing daily reduces gum inflammation. Inflammation is linked to heart disease and stroke and impairs the immune system, increasing the risk of infection, cancer, and brain dysfunction.
Everywhere there's stress. Changing how you react can slow ageing. Stress can affect health and longevity, says Dr. Roizen. "Learn how to manage stress with guided imagery, meditation, or deep breathing," says Dr. Roizen. When he's stressed, he presses his belly button to confirm that he's taking deep breaths.
Daily coffee or tea consumption is a top anti-aging secret. This habit lowers the risk of cancer, diabetes, dementia, and Parkinson's. "Decaf has half the effect, so caffeinated is better if you metabolise caffeine quickly and don't get headaches, gastric distress, or heart palpitations," says Dr. Roizen. "Drinking without side effects increases benefits."
Dr. Roizen says jumping 40 times a day on a hard surface will strengthen your bones and spinal discs. According to the CDC, over 32,000 older adults die from falling each year, so strong bones are an important anti-aging key.
Sitting or being sedentary for long periods of time increases the risk for all sorts of diseases and conditions that can shorten lives, Dr. Roizen says. "Don't sit for more than two hours in a row, and walk at least two minutes every two hours," he says.