In a new series we round up the latest
proven age-defying strategies
Feed your face
It’s what we put in – not on – our bodies
that really counts when it comes to younger-looking skin. Expensive anti-ageing
moisturisers certainly play their part, but don’t forget the stop-the-clock
ammunition on the shelves of the supermarket. Here are six steps to a fresher
complexion:
·
Drink five or six glasses of fluid every day to keep skin hydrated and flush out toxins. It
doesn’t always have to be water – black or green tea also gives you
health-boosting flavonoids, while juiced fruit and veg have been proven by
German scientists to dramatically improve skin’s hydration and density.
·
Omega 3 fatty
acids from salmon, sardines, walnuts and omega 3-enriched eggs all help plump
up our skin cells.
·
A, C and E are
the vitamins that your skin loves. Antioxidant A (in spinach, carrots, sweet
potatoes and apricots) protects the skin from free radicals responsible for
premature ageing; C (in kiwis, citrus fruits and broccoli) boosts collagen;
while E (in dark green veg and olive oil) protects the skin from sun damage.
·
Wholegrain foods
contain more anti-ageing antioxidants than the white alternatives, and the
fibre helps stop bad fats and toxins from damaging skin.
·
Silica holds
moisture in the skin and helps maintain its elasticity. Find it in celery,
cucumber skin, green beans and strawberries.
·
Carotenoids –
found in leafy greens, some fruits and root veg – give the skin a healthy glow.
In fact, scientists in the US found that a carotenoid glow was more attractive
to the human eye than a suntan.
Celebrity secret
‘I
think what ages you most is disappointment and a lack of enjoyment,’ she says.
“So I try to do what I love.’
Domestic goddess Nigella Lawson, 52, says
happiness is the secret to fighting off the ageing process. ‘I think what ages
you most is disappointment and a lack of enjoyment,’ she says. “So I try to do
what I love.’
Walk this way
a
brisk walk daily can delay the ageing process by 12 years: it helps the body
usr oxygen more effectively
Few things in life that help us stay
younger for longer are painless, fun and free – but walking is one of them.
Scientists in Canada say a brisk walk daily can delay the ageing process by 12
years: it helps the body usr oxygen more effectively – and increased oxygen
levels help stimulate the body’s immune system. All you need is a good pair of
trainers and a bottle of water. Begin by walking for 15 to 20 minutes five days
a week and build up; as you get stronger, swing your arms to burn more calories
and pull in your tummy to strengthen your core abdominal muscles. Keep it
interesting by varying the route, altering your speed and downloading your
favourite music on to your MP3 player. One hour’s vigorous exercise is said to
increase life expectancy by two hours – so start banking those steps now.
