By Lisa Morrone –
Despite what the cosmetic industry would like you to believe, aging is a natural part of living. Yet no woman wants like to look or feel older than her years—in fact, if you’re like me, you wouldn’t mind appearing a few years younger than your chronological age!
This goal of feeling and looking younger is easier to obtain than you might think. You can effectively slow down, and even reverse, the aging process by learning to fight it on its own turf. Let me explain.
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In the course of living life, things which stress our bodies—inadequate sleep, smoking, eating high fat foods, even getting sunburned—produce an abundance of destructive particles known as free radicals. A free radical, very simply put, is a chemically “needy” molecule which longs to be completed by a single oxygen molecule. So it unashamedly grabs that oxygen from one of your healthy cells leaving that cell damaged, or aged, in the process.
Certain foods are engineered to fight back against these oxygen stealing bandits. These food items contain high amounts of anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants benefit your body by donating their “extra” oxygen molecules to those oxygen-seeking free radicals. This way the free radicals are satisfied and neutralized, leaving your healthy cells intact.
Two other food-based substances which have been shown to provide a powerful push back against premature aging are phytonutrients and omega-3 fatty acids. Both act to shore up your body’s cells, providing the nourishing foundation you need to age well.
Below are five must-eat foods I recommend if you are truly serious about looking and feeling younger.
1- Beans –Red, pinto, black, or kidney—hands down, beans top the list of anti-oxidant foods. Inexpensive and highly versatile, eating legumes are a tasty way to fight back against premature aging.
2- Broccoli-Packed with phytonutrients, this anti-aging vegetable has been noted to fight cancer and heart-disease. Steamed broccoli tossed with fresh lemon juice and sea salt, drizzled with olive oil makes a wonderful side dish!
3- Walnuts –One of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids; walnuts can be added to pasta dishes, cereals, and salads.
4- Blueberries-Wild berries have even greater anti-oxidant “muscle” than their larger, cultivated cousins. Sometimes called “brain-berries”, these tiny morsels have been proven to protect against brain aging.
5- Green Tea –Served hot or cold, this beverage delivers a huge nutritional punch because it contains ten times more anti-oxidants than vegetables do!
Bless yourself today—Eat well to live well!
Lisa Morrone, PT is a regular Health contributor for LivingBetter at 50+. A physical therapist, author, professor, and speaker, Lisa is on a mission to help people Get Healthy…for Heaven’s Sake! Visit her on the web at: www.LisaMorrone.com. Be sure to sign up to receive Lisa’s Monday Morning Health Tips, delivered right to your inbox!
1 thought on “Five Foods That Fight Aging”
Dear Lisa, I have read and followed the instructions in your book ‘Overcoming Headaches and Migraines’. The initial, partial relief I am experiencing, gives me new hope that there may be a permanent cure for the headaches, I have been living with for the past 40 years. In my opinion there are two causes to my sometimes 7-9 (on your 10 scale) headaches. 1.) A serious accident at age 17 when a car knocked me from my bicycle, resulting in head- and neck injuries that were never medically treated at the time. 2.) Stress. Over the years I climbed the corporate ladder but as usual suffered from the inescapable supply of growing stress. My perfectionist nature does its own part in this constant onslaught. My main remedies over the years have been 1.) outdoor activities (cycling, running, hiking) and 2.) my faith in Jesus Christ, and far too often, in my estimation 3.) Paracetamol. Whilst following your instructions in the book provide partial relief, I want to follow your further recommendation of seeing a ‘hands-on’ PT. Since I live too far away from NY for a visit to your practice, I am inquiring if you have the contact address of PTs in South Africa who follow your program. With thankful regards for your wonderful book. Hans P Fraembs