How to Slow Down Aging

Dear readers, here is the follow-up to the previous article on the signs of aging, on understanding what happens to our skin and on possible solutions to slow down this process through good care routines, both at home and in a professional setting. We also invite you to read that article by following this link: ‘’Why Is My Skin Aging?’’ 

 Now that we know how to identify aging, how can we slow it down if we cannot stop it? Is it possible? Everyone is free to believe what they want, but according to several naturopaths and scientists, including Dr. Daniel Minier, who specializes in dermatology, aging is not just a matter of skin, but of the whole body, and it is therefore possible to slow aging if we take care of our entire body.  

 

 

Here is a summary of what he shares with us in the first chapter of his book entitled ‘’Vieillir est inutile et dangereux’’ (Aging Is Useless and Dangerous), published by Carte Blanche in 2016. 

Stop rusting from the inside!

First of all, he recommends activating our own anti-rust defences. Oxidation is a natural consequence produced by our body's waste and is directly linked to our digestion, to the fluctuations of our body's pH, and to our stress and emotions. Our diet should provide us with enough antioxidants to stop the oxidation of our cells. However, for several reasons that no longer need to be debated, including industrialization, air pollution, heavy metals, radiation, an ever-faster pace of life, a sedentary lifestyle, excess calories and sugar, and all kinds of physical and psychological stress, our natural antioxidants are less and less present in our bodies. As a result, our cells end up too oxidized, and when this situation becomes chronic, it is called oxidative stress. It permanently damages our cells, which, normally, are able to regenerate.  Several diseases are linked to this premature aging, including various cancers, skin aging (uneven pigmentation, wrinkles), chronic bronchitis, Alzheimer's disease and cataracts, to name just a few.  

Don't lose hope, there are solutions ????  

Let's not be alarmist: there are several solutions available to us. First, moving is a must. Regular physical exercise can add up to 7 more years of healthy life, because muscle contraction generates natural oxidation which, in turn, stimulates many antioxidant mechanisms, which helps reduce oxidative stress.  

Second, think about detoxifying. Several products on the market are not harsh and allow you to free your body of accumulated toxins. Always remember to eat plenty of insoluble fibre to properly flush out the toxins released by the body. There are several types of detox, including ones to cleanse the blood, ones to cleanse the lymph and even ones to cleanse the body of heavy metals, ideal for people who work in hair salons, in garages and even in factories or plant nurseries because of the use of pesticides.  

Third, getting a good night's sleep is essential, not only for our mood, but also for preventing certain diseases caused by oxidative stress, including skin aging. Better sleep will therefore help fight oxidation in our body and brain, thanks in part to melatonin, which is a natural antioxidant.  How can you sleep better? Here are a few tips we found interesting and that we don't often think of: get exposed to daylight early and often, work in a room with plenty of natural light, eat a breakfast rich in tryptophan (an amino acid) found in legumes, eggs and nuts, sleep in a room that is as dark as possible, and write down your worries before going to bed to free your brain of that burden and drift off into Morpheus's arms more easily ????.In addition, some natural supplements are very helpful for calming stress and finding rest more easily: STR-J as an herbal tea relaxes the nervous system while supporting the work of the liver, and HTP Power, in which HTP stands for hydroxytryptophan, a natural precursor of serotonin. Serotonin is a precursor of melatonin; the hormone that regulates sleep and wake cycles. 

Fourth and last proposed solution: eat more, more, more antioxidant-rich plants, fruits, herbs and nuts. Did you know that 1 to 2 Brazil nuts are enough to activate our own antioxidant systems? It all starts on our plate, we have to get used to the idea! It is also suggested to reduce our intake of so-called refined sugar and to favour more natural sugars such as maple syrup or honey, as well as natural sweeteners such as stevia or xylitol, which have no effect at all on blood sugar.  

So, do you believe that aging is necessary, or at least unavoidable, on a physical level (because maturing mentally, let's admit it, is very helpful? ???? )