These Diet Mistakes are Aging You

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When it comes to food it is human nature to lean towards our favorites but when our preferences could be aging us, nutritionists say we  might want to consider a new diet that will lead us to over-all good health.

Obesity:  How Many People Are Affected

Close to 70 per cent of Americans are either overweight or obese. Obesity can lead to diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and some forms of cancer. Anyone who becomes seriously ill tends to age faster; however, the obesity issue goes beyond this obvious factor. Scientific studies show that obesity may accelerate the aging process. St. Thomas Hospital in London conducted extensive research on obesity and discovered that diet played a big role in aging. During the study researchers measured the length of chromosomes called “telomeres”. When a telomere is short it counts down cellular regeneration leading to faster aging. The telomere length in obese people was shorter. The research discovered the difference between being lean and being obese related to an extra 8.8 years of extra aging.

Good Skin Health

Cutting calories is a logical course of action, yet you can’t go overboard. Many people make diet mistakes that can lead to further aging, including aging of the skin. If you cut your carbohydrates and fat drastically in an attempt to lose weight, your diet becomes unbalanced and it can have a negative impact on your skin thus leading to a more aged appearance. Cutting too many calories can make you nutrient deficient. As a result, cell regeneration slows down and your skin becomes dry, can wrinkle, and sag.

Sweet tooth

Skin is also damaged by too much sugar. Collagen keeps skin firm and smooth; however, sugar damages collagens so cutting down on how much sugar you eat, consuming low glycemic carbohydrates like whole grains, and substituting with herbal sweetener is a better diet option.

According to the National Coffee Association, close to 55 per cent of Americans drink coffee on a daily basis. Nutritionists suggest that drinking green or black tea is a better alternative. The teas contain protective substances such as theaflavins that prevent the breakdown of collagen.

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Vitamins and Minerals

While vitamins and minerals play a role in your over-all good health, they also have a place in protecting your skin and helping you look younger. For example, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that higher consumption of vitamin C can lower the appearance of wrinkles, and higher consumption on linoleic acids are connected to lower incidents of skin dryness. The study went on to say that eating a lot of carbs and fats does not help the aging process.

According to the Mayo Clinic foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants will help our skin age better. Staff at the clinic suggests it is a mistake to include a lot of processed foods, refined foods, and saturated fats in your diet. They say they are not only bad for skin, but do not promote good health in general.

If your diet is lacking in alkaline rich foods you could be adding on years. Alkaline minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium support our skin and bones strength. Parsley, almonds, pears, lemons and kale are a few examples of alkaline rich foods.

Careful consideration of what we consume can make a difference in our outward appearance and general health. The next time you go to the market, consider some healthy choices to side-step the negative consequences of aging.

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