This article originally appeared on Oxygen
Despite the fact that we all age every day of our lives, our society is completely obsessed with the concept of anti-aging. In fact, the #antiaging hashtag has garnered more than 13,057,120 posts on Instagram, and the global antiaging market is estimated to be worth approximately $260 billion by 2022.
Many of us are willing to shell out a pretty penny for a fancy wrinkle-reducing cream or acclaimed facial, but few really stop to think about some of the simpler ways to slow down the progress of aging. In fact, one of the most cost-effective and healthy anti-aging treatments might just be watching what you put on your plate.
It turns out that our body is made up of what we eat, literally. All of our cells have barriers called lipid bilayers. “Lipid (fat) bilayers are created with triglycerides, which come from the fats we eat in our diet, protein makes up our muscular system and our restoration and recovery, and carbohydrates fuel our cells and body functions, allowing our bodies stay active,” explains Nicole M. Avena, Ph.D., assistant professor of neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “Other vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, C, D, and biotin, also affect our outward appearance, including muscles, skin, eyes, and hair.”
the aging perspective and how it relates to dietary patterns is nothing new; in fact, it has been researched for decades. There have been many studies, including one published in the journal Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, linking what is known as “Mediterranean diet,” a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts and seeds, to increase life expectancy.
Unfortunately, the standard American diet is loaded with unhealthy foods that don’t contribute to longevity. Here, doctors share the foods that might be secretly aging you.
1. Foods loaded with sugar
You probably know that sugary foods and drinks aren’t the best for you, but you may not realize the harm they could cause. “Sugar can be very inflammatory and can break down the lining of the intestine and cause leaky gut problems, but sugar is also harmful in other ways,” explains the functional nutrition therapy doctor. tansy rodgersFNTP.
Avena also points out the toll sugar takes on your brain.
“Added sugar is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, causing excessive spikes in blood sugar throughout the day,” she says. “This and other lifestyle factors that fall short can lead to more disease states and ultimately diseases of the mind, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.” It is a good idea reduce your sugar intake to no more than 9 teaspoons per day, depending on the American Heart Association.
2. Processed meats
Processed meats like hot dogs, sausages and pepperoni are not only considered carcinogenic by the World Health Organizationmeaning they have the potential to cause cancer, but they can also age the skin quite a bit.
“Processed meats are full of sodium (table salt), nitrates and sulfites, which can dehydrate the skin,” Rodgers warns. “They also weaken collagen levels that the skin needs to stay plump, not to mention cause more inflammation in the body.”
3. Margarine
Butter is one thing, but Rodgers warns that margarine and other butter substitutes are full of unhealthy trans fats and vegetable oils. “Margarine is made from partially hydrogenated oil, which has been directly linked to heart disease, not to mention increasing the inflammatory response in the body,” she says. “Other unhealthy vegetable oils (yes, even the ones that say canola oil) are no better, as they can wreak havoc on your heart health and cause a systemic inflammatory response that can lead to cancer and other inflammatory issues.”
4. Conventional dairy
Despite what 1990s TV commercials would have us believe, milk is not a miracle health drink. In fact, studies, including one published in the journal nutrients, have linked cow’s milk consumption to skin inflammation, including excess oiliness and acne.
“Cow’s milk raises insulin levels, which increases circulating cortisol levels that bind to the sebaceous glands of the skin, increasing sebum production,” explains the naturopathic doctor and clinical nutritionist. David Friedmann, North Dakota, DC. “Cow’s milk also contains a sugar called lactose that can cause digestive problems such as bloating, gas, constipation and diarrhea, as well as sinusitis.” Friedman recommends trying some milk alternatives such as almond, cashew, oat, and coconut milk.
5. Ultra-processed foods
Most of the foods sold in the supermarket are processed, which means that they have been adapted from their original state. However, ultra-processed foods, such as frozen dinners, soft drinks, cured meats, packaged sweets and pastries, and salty snacks, have changed drastically from how they were originally grown or created in the wild, so they have very little value nutritional value and lack antioxidants “Not only does consuming too much of these foods crowd out the ability to eat healthier foods, but some processed foods that are high in sugar or refined carbohydrates can trigger an inflammatory response in the body,” explains Roger E. Adams, Ph.D., doctor of nutrition. and owner of eat wellfitness. “This response will cause a natural increase in free radicals, which can cause further damage in the future.”
6. Alcohol
While not necessarily a food, excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to a myriad of health problems, including accelerated signs of aging, according to the National Institute on Aging. “Alcohol acts as a diuretic that draws fluid from the skin, leading to dryness, fine lines and wrinkles,” says Friedman. “In addition, alcohol can negatively affect levels of vitamin A, an antioxidant that is important in the production of collagen, which keeps skin elastic, smooth and youthful.” She recommends always drinking in moderation (one drink or less for women and two or fewer for men, depending on the US Department of Health and Human Services).
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