Looking Our Best While Aging

LookingBestAgingJacquie Eubanks RN BSN

It’s a simple fact, we all want to look our best at every age. While aging is a normal natural process, aging well and gracefully requires a positive outlook, good habits, healthy choices and maybe a bit of courage! Though we must accept the inevitability of aging, it doesn’t mean we can’t look and feel good while doing it. Outward appearance can have a significant impact on self-esteem, and a healthy confident attitude regarding aging can lead to a happier state of mind. Aging well means taking steps to promote healthy longevity so you can look forward to celebrating your birthday each year.

One key to looking well is eating well, as foods that are good for your body are equally good for your appearance. Cleaning up your diet is one the best things you can do to look and feel healthier. For healthy, more youthful looking skin, eliminate unhealthy, salty, fried, sugary, pro-inflammatory foods, and include anti-inflammatory fresh whole foods, green leafy vegetables, omega-3 fats, berries, nuts and spices.

A diet high in colorful antioxidant and phytonutrient-rich fruits and veggies supports overall health and disease prevention, boosts the immune system, aids weight maintenance, and gives skin a healthy, more youthful glow. A diet high in sugar and high glycemic refined carbs can result in systemic inflammation. Inflammation produces enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, negatively affecting skin health and appearance.

A healthy relationship with food supports a healthy body image. When reaching and maintaining an ideal body weight, keep in mind that being too thin can make one appear older than their years, and carrying excess weight can prematurely age the body. Healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and ideal body weight is subjective. You can be slightly overweight and still be healthy, if you are adhering to healthy lifestyle habits, eating well and exercising.

Staying well hydrated benefits digestion, nutrient absorption and delivery, as well as toxin elimination. Keep in mind that the skin is the body’s largest organ. All organs consist of cells, and all cells need sufficient hydration for proper function. Insufficient hydration can result in less resilient, dry, tight and flaky skin. In addition to drinking water for daily hydration, address dryness by applying a hydrating moisturizer while the skin is still porous after a bath or shower.

Products that contain hyaluronic acid are wonderful for skin hydration. Hyaluronic acid attracts, absorbs and holds water, thereby plumping cells and supporting elasticity and a more youthful appearance. Retinoids, vitamin A derivatives, found in prescription and OTC products, have been shown to help unclog pores, speed cell turnover, even out skin tones and smooth fine lines. Retinoids can initially cause dryness, redness and flaking, so be sure to follow directions for use. Apply at night before bed, and follow with moisturizer to prevent dryness.

Statistics shows that one in three Americans report they are not getting enough sleep on a regular basis. If you are getting fewer than 6 hours of sleep nightly, it’s very likely to negatively affect your appearance. Inadequate sleep has been correlated with reduced skin health, diminished skin barrier function, accelerated skin aging, and lower satisfaction with appearance. Sleep gives the skin time to rejuvenate and repair from the stressors of pollution and UV rays. While you are sleeping your body boosts blood flow to the skin, providing nutrients, vitamins, minerals and hydration. Insufficient sleep can result in a lackluster complexion, while getting sufficient “beauty sleep” can keep skin looking youthful. Strive for 7 – 9 hours nightly and you are likely to notice a healthier appearance in just a matter of weeks.

One more good reason to exercise–physical activity boosts circulation, nourishing the skin with oxygen and nutrients. Exercise helps keep collagen-damaging cortisol levels in check, and supports the production of new collagen, which helps to keep the skin more firm and supple. Perspiration helps to clear pores, eliminate toxins and correct hormonal imbalances that can cause adult breakouts. Heart pumping aerobic exercise not only benefits overall health, it gives you that healthy post-workout glow.

Psychological stress has been shown to trigger numerous health conditions, and research has confirmed skin as a target of stress responses. Stress is known to affect multiple neuroinflammatory skin conditions including acne, psoriasis and several forms of dermatitis. Elevated levels of cortisol result in moisture loss, collagen damage, redness, fine lines and wrinkles. Lifestyle habits that help reduce stress, including sufficient sleep, regular exercise and finding time for relaxation, all contribute to overall healthy aging, as well as stress-free more radiant skin.

Professional Supplement Center carries these and other high quality products in support of healthy aging:

HyaGloHyaGlo™ by Cogent Solutions Group: This well tolerated, moisture-retentive, advanced skincare provides pure hyaluronan serum, a unique hydrating substance naturally produced by the body. Apply twice daily for deeply hydrated, silky smooth, more radiant skin. Vegan formulation.

 

Hyaluronic AcidHyaluronic Acid by Pure Encapsulations®: This product provides support for a healthy and youthful appearance by hydrating and smoothing the skin, and modulating the appearance of fine lines and age spots. Additionally, hyaluronic acid supports joint comfort and function by promoting healthy joint lubrication and shock absorption. Gluten and soy free, Non-GMO formulation.

 

Collagen JS 1000 mgCollagen JS 1000 mg by Pure Encapsulations®: This product supplies patented BioCell Collagen®, along with hyaluronic acid in support of healthy skin and optimal joint motility and comfort. Gluten and soy free, Non-GMO formulation.

 

Collagen Beauty...Collagen Beauty Green by Vital Proteins®: This nourishing, powdered elixir provides Non-GMO marine collagen peptides, along with hyaluronic acid, amino acids, organic raw greens, and probiotics in support of overall healthy skin, hair, and nails. Flavored with organic coconut water and Madagascar vanilla bean. Gluten free, Non-GMO, kosher formulation.

References:
Sleep deprivation leads to aging skin, study suggests. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130723155002.htm
Does poor sleep quality affect skin ageing? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25266053
7 Ways You’re Aging Your Skin. http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20402986,00.html
Health Tip: Getting Your Beauty Sleep. http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=194947
Younger Skin Through Exercise. https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/16/younger-skin-through-exercise/?_r=0
The Beauty Benefits of Exercise. http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/the-beauty-benefits-of-exercise/
Anti-Inflammatory Diet. http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/arthritis-diet/anti-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory-diet.php
7 Surprising Benefits of Exercise. http://time.com/4474874/exercise-fitness-workouts/
Brain-Skin Connection: Stress, Inflammation and Skin Aging. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4082169/

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