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Exercise to Look and Feel Younger
You may have been able to avoid exercising up until now, but once you turn 40 your metabolism drops another 2 percent and if you don’t exercise approximately 7 pounds of lean body mass will be replaced with fat by the time you turn fifty. Your digestive system also tends to slow down and hormonal fluctuations can cause food cravings for high calorie junk foods which can also lead to weight gain. Aside from the fact that it will make you look younger and feel younger, exercise is also important in your forties because it will reduce your risk for the majority of age-related diseases and even increase your lifespan. For optimal anti-aging results your exercise regime should include a mixture of cardio exercise, strength training and stretching.
Eat the Good and Avoid the Bad
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past century, you are probably well aware that a healthy diet is essential to feeling young and energetic. But did you know that what you eat has a substantial impact on your outer appearance as well? In order to optimize the appearance of your skin and slow down the signs of aging, you should consume a diet that is chocked full of whole foods, with an emphasis on raw fruits and vegetables and drastically reduce your intake of anything that is processed or packaged. This sort of diet will provide you with ample nutrients and antioxidants which will not only help to enhance the appearance of your skin but also help to reduce your risk for future health disorders. You should also emphasize omega-3 fatty acid rich foods such as cold-water fish, flaxseeds and walnuts.
Replenish the Healthy Bacteria in Your Gut to Feel Younger
As we age our healthy gut bacteria tend to decline and replenishing these bacteria with probiotics is essential for healthy aging. Preliminary evidence suggests that the healthy bacteria found in probiotics can preserve the integrity of your intestinal and digestive tract, aid in weight loss, and increase your immune system. If you choose to take a probiotic supplement be sure to choose a trusted brand because probiotics vary greatly in quality, can be quite costly, and often times don’t provide nearly as many beneficial bacteria as claimed on the bottle. Alternatively, you can consume fermented foods and beverages such as sauerkraut, miso, organic yoghurt, kimchee, sour pickles, kefir, noni juice and kombucha tea on a regular basis.
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