Do you want to age quickly? If you said YES, just keep doing the following 8 things and you’ll be well on your way! (Although I somehow don’t think you want that… am I right?)

1. 1. Eat processed foods for every meal.
   

2. 2. Never eat living foods in their natural form.
   

3. 3. Eat plenty of refined sugar.
   

4. 4. Drink color, chemicals and more from sealed plastic bottles.
   

5. 5. Overindulge in alcohol, drugs and cigarettes.
   

6. 6. Get irregular sleep.
   

7. 7. Practice being a coach potato.
   

8. 8. Pump that adrenaline with stress, drama and crankiness.
   
   

Just kidding! Please don’t do any of that!!!! :)

Okay, enough with the fun and games. You can do those things and you will surely start aging quickly, even if you are on the youthful side of the biological clock. What you do now - no matter how old you are - works its way into how you age. Here’s the reality check from the 8 tips listed above and ways to slow down the wear and tear that leads to aging.  

Anti-Aging Tip #1: Ditch the Processed Foods

Stay away from processed foods; they lead to premature aging. Recent studies have indicated that the consumption of processed foods leads to addictive-like eating behaviors, obesity, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), autoimmune diseases and much more. With potential assaults like these on your body - which are simply signs of premature aging - ask yourself if the convenience of processed foods is really worth all of this to you.

Anti-Aging Tip #2: Eat Mostly Plant Foods

The one universal recommendation on health, diet and longevity is that eating more fresh vegetables and fruits is key. Preparing fresh produce is actually really easy! Plus, plant based foods contain tons of the nutrition your body needs - even protein (don’t let anyone convince you otherwise). With mostly plants in your diet, you can push away cardiovascular diseases, Type II diabetes and other ailments. Then, watch your skin shine with a youthful glow.

Anti-Aging Tip #3: Quit Sugar

Oh, sugar!  Why do we all get so passionate about sweets and treats? It’s because sugar and sweets trigger the same parts of the brain that deal with addiction and they do so to the same magnitude as drugs - like cocaine - do. Become aware of ingredients in your food and read labels. Sugar adds up and ultimately shortens your life. Check your consumption against the The American Heart Association RDA levels to get a real awakening.

1. Maximum daily sugar intake:
   

2. Women:   24 grams (= 6 tsps or 100 calories)
   

3. Men: 36 grams (= 9 tsps or 150 calories)
   

4. Children: 16 grams (= 4 tsps or 65 calories)
   

5. (Note: 1 tsp = 4 grams)
   

Anti-Aging Tip #4: Drink Lots of Water!

The most necessary liquid for a long life is water! Bottle packaged, colorful, sugary, chemical laden drinks are toxic. The easiest guideline about how much water you need is to drink 8 glasses of water a day, but if you like more specificity, divide your weight (in pounds) in half and drink that number of ounces. For example, 100 lbs = 50 oz. Adjust upward if you exercise a lot or live in a hot, dry environment. The importance of water for life is irrefutable; without water, you would die in 3 days. Now that’s accelerated aging!

Anti-Aging Tip #5: Go Easy on the Alcohol

You may know that the overuse of alcohol can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and the damage of brain cells. However, very few people know that alcohol is a human carcinogen, often leading to cancers of the mouth, esophagus, pharynx and larynx. Plus, studies show that alcohol consumption increases cortisol levels and that alone speeds up your aging clock (see #8). Even if you have been told how good red wine is for you, go easy on the alcohol - in this category, more is NOT better.

Anti-Aging Tip #6: Sleep Time Repairs and Rejuvenates

Your body needs a certain amount of sleep and it cannot be saved up like a bank account to dip into later on. Sleep is such an essential part of living that, without enough sleep, your body’s systems break down and struggle. In fact, study after study have indicated that sleep deprivation - even for one night - has an immediate effect on immunity, cognitive ability, cortisol/stress levels, weight, heart disease risk, fertility, cancer risk and even on your genes. If you need help, check out 3 Steps to Better Sleep and snooze your way to rejuvenation. 

Anti-Aging Tip #7: Move, Even a Little

Aging doesn't have to be a declining journey. Instead, aging can include a quality life, free of debilitating or chronic diseases and be full of the activities that we often assume are “just for the young.” Whether a study is researching the skin’s youthful glow, cardiovascular health, muscle health, cellular health or even mental health, the repeated conclusion is that exercise is directly related to a path of longevity. And although starting young and keeping it up is best, one study proved that starting late is better than not at all and can still reap significant rewards.

Anti-Aging Tip #8: What Stress?

Drama, crankiness, anger and bitterness are traits that can keep the hormone, cortisol, elevated beyond it’s intended use. When stress becomes a part of daily life, all systems suffer. From immunity to chronic diseases, to metabolic syndrome and even libido, all systems experience a decline in system functionality, which then leads to aging. The solution, then, is to manage your cortisol levels, making sure they do not remain elevated. Some of the best ways for shedding stress and slowing down the aging process include: meditate, express gratitude, laugh, be creative and connect with other people.

See more of my articles for FitLife.tv here.

Image Credit: Natural Life Energy, Rodale News, WebMD, PhotoExpress

Sources: Processed Foods, Processed Foods, Processed Foods, Sugar,

Sugar, Alcohol, Sleep, Activity, Activity, Cortisol, Cortisol

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