There is as yet no wonder drug or other treatment to prevent all the physical symptoms of ageing or to make us live longer. There are, however , many safe , natural methods of reducing some of the problems associated with ageing and of helping ourselves to stay as fit and well as possible so that we can enjoy our natural life span to the fullest as we age gracefully.
Did you know Going to religious environment such as Mosque seems to promote longevity. Research indicates that regular attendance reduces the risk of heart attack, high blood pressure and suicide. This may be because of the increased hope that religious belief engenders, as well as the social support of the mosque and other form of religious organization.
Ageing is associated with increasingly slow cell division , mechanical wear and tear , the continued loss of brain cells, various environmental factors damaging the genes , and free radicals causing oxidative damage. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules created through the normal process of generating energy within cells, but their levels are raised by smoking , an unhealthy diet and anxiety.
Their effects on the body as it ages include loss of elasticity in the skin, blood vessels and tendons, as well as a progressive decline in organ and joint function. If you lay the foundations of good health in youth and middle age, however , you are much more likely to maintain it into old age.
PREVENTION
You may not be able to stop your hair from turning grey or your skin from losing the smoothness of youth , but you can do much to avoid a pot belly, mental confusion, dimming eyesight, stiff joints and many of the other problems of ageing. You can also keep your immune system working well and take steps to prevent age-associated diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, artifirial disease, arthritis, and osteoporosis.
It is important to stay active in mind and body . the principle ways of doing this are to maintain your interests and social activities , sustain close relationships, exercise regularly , eat a healthy diet and not smoke. You should also expose your skin to daylight so that you make enough vitamin D to keep bones strong, but be careful to avoid ultraviolet rays at their most intense (10am – 3.00pm).
Mental wellbeing:
Such activities as engaging in stimulating discussion , reading a book or newspaper, articles , doing cross-word puzzle and playing chess or bridge help prevent the gradual loss of nerve connections in the brain.
Relationships:
Fostering good relationships with family and friends is life-enhancing and life- lengthening, probably because it reduces stress, boosts the levels of natural body chemicals that foster feeling of wellbeings, and provides another reason for living. Even having a pet can prolong life by reducing your stress levels and lowering your blood pressure.
Stress management:
High levels of stress encourage more rapid ageing. Stress can also lead to arterial disease and trigger such illness as infections, arthritis and migraine. Minimize the pressure in your life and learn how to manage your reactions to those that remain.
Exercise:
At minimum , get half an hour of moderately vigorous exercise five days a week. It will make you feel happier, increase your mental powers, and improve the health of your heart, lungs, skin, eyes and other tissues.
Consult your therapist if you are uncertain as to what type of exercise is suitable in your case, especially if you have a helath problems. Popular forms of exercise for older people include swimming and low-impact aerobics. Weigh-bearing forms exercise, such as walking, tennis, and dancing. Help ward off osteoporosis. Yoga and tai chi improve flexibility, and most types of exercise strengthen muscles to some extent. Regular yoga practice has been shown to help reduce aches and pains in old age.
Youthful skin
Help slow the ageing of skin by taking the following measures:
- Protect yourself from excessive exposure to the sun.
- Prevent skin dryness and wrinkles by applying a moisturiser with an SPF of at least 15 every day.
- Smooth on a little antioxidant oil each day. Make it by adding one drop of geranium or thyme oil to a teaspoon of sweet almond oil.(if you make this up fresh each time, no preservative is necessary.)
Diet:
Well-nourished people who are not overweight tend to age more slowly and suffer from fewer ailments. A poor diet- especially when it is combined with lack of exercise –can lead to the accumulation of fat around the abdomen. This form of weight gain carries and increased risk of diabetes and arterial disease, which may reduce quality of life and life expectancy. As you grow older , your digestive system becomes less efficient, so you need a more nutritious diet, with fewer refined, fatty foods and more foods rich in antioxidant nutrients (beta-corotene, vitamin C and E, selenium and zinc) and plant pigments (flavonoids). Avoid alcohol .
Good fat
The omega -3 fatty acids in oily fish (such as sardines, mackerel and tuna) cab help keep your blood vessels in good condition. Try to have three 100-gm serving a week or take Krill fish omega oil capsules as supplement.
Herbal remedies:
- Garlic : to improve immunity and circulation , include a crushed raw clove in your food each day , or take garlic capsules.
- Ginkgo biloba: for mental functioning (especially memory) and circulation , try taking supplement made from this herb.
- Ginseng : to protect against loss of sex drive or general debility, take some ground ginseng root each day, either in tea or tablet form.
- Green tea: for its antioxidant and blood-thinning effects, have at least a cup a day.
Caution for safety concerns.
Vitamins and minerals:
Consider taking supplements of the antioxidant nutrients beta carotene, selenium and vitamin B12 ,C and E.
When get medical help
- You feel depressed about growing older
- You have symptoms of desease that aren’t responding to natural treatments.
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