Preventions Not Prescriptions

Ok...so, it's true, we really aren't getting any younger. Time is marching on, but that doesn't mean we have let it march across our faces. We do not have to allow the effects of time to take its toll on our bodies. There are steps we can take to slow aging and even prevent the aches and pains that come with more years under our belts. Here are a few tips to get you started. Do you find yourself zoning out, suffering brain fog, even forgetfulness? Add a handful of blueberries to your oatmeal or cereal. “Blueberries’ high flavonoid content has been found to help short- and long-term memory." Is your skin in need of saving? The skin of red grapes contains resveratrol, an anti-inflammatory that helps keep your skin looking good. Resveratrol can help protect you from UV radiation damage that may lead to skin cancer, too. Who doesn't fight belly fat? Eating more whole grains like barley or amaranth (which, like quinoa, is a great source of protein) helps the battle of the bulge. A Tufts University study found that people who ate diets rich in whole grains, and limited refined grains had 10% less abdominal fat than those who didn’t eat this way. I don't know about you, but I've reached the age where colonoscopies are recommended. One way to help protect against colon and prostate cancer is to up your legume intake. Dried beans, peas, and lentils are packed with dietary fiber, which helps speeds waste through the gut, wiping out carcinogens that may have built up there. What's more: beans are a rich source of folate, which helps repair damaged cells. Do you dread hearing that your cholesterol is high? Try flaxseed. Flaxseeds are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help decrease inflammation and fight plaque buildup. Flaxseeds also contain two other components that target LDL cholesterol specifically: lignans and soluble fiber, the kind that rids your body of cholesterol. Cancer is a scary word, and while great strides have been made to cure the disease, there are choices you can actively make to aid in its prevention. Pile your plate with cruciferous vegetable. They are full of phytonutrients that decrease inflammation—helps stave off lung, stomach, and other cancers. Plus, these natural chemicals also turn on tumor suppressor genes, which slow cell growth so that damage can be repaired. The old saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away," has some truth to it. This fruit packs a lot of pectins, a soluble fiber that helps prevent cholesterol buildup in blood vessels, reducing the risk of heart disease. Plus, their insoluble fiber helps keep your digestive system going strong. Also, remember exercise is key to feeling young. Proper nutrition prior to your workout and following your workout is a must. And to prevent days where aches and pains gnaw at you, consider adding ginger to your diet. Its powerful antioxidants make it an all-natural anti-inflammatory that can decrease post-exercise muscle aches, according to the Journal of Pain. Consume it daily and ditch your bottle of Advil. We all need sleep, and it has been proven that too little sleep can accelerate aging. In 2011, the Centers for Disease Control declared that insufficient sleep is a “public health epidemic” that’s been linked to chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and depression. So if you’re tossing and turning, drink some cherry juice, which is packed with melatonin that may prove beneficial in improving sleep quality and duration. While this certainly isn't an entire guide to staying and feeling young, it is a list of a few ideas to help get you started on the path of preventative care. Stop disease before it starts and take care of the one body you have been given.