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Aging is a reality we all face; it’s part of life’s journey. Though there’s no way of stopping it, we can make intentional choices to help slow down body aging. Body aging refers to the physical changes our bodies undergo as we get older. It includes changes like decreased skin elasticity, muscle loss, and a slower metabolism. These changes are natural, but their progression can be influenced by lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, stress management, and overall self-care.
Are You Aging Faster than You Should?
Let’s talk about the telling signs that your body might be aging rapidly than it should. These include:
- Lower Sleep Quality: As people age, they often struggle to fall asleep. They wake up more frequently during the night and tend to rise earlier in the morning.
- Hair Loss Hair loss is another sign, often caused by hormonal changes, genetics, or health issues, resulting in thinning hair or baldness.
- Increased Risk of Chronic Diseases A higher risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis can signal faster aging, influenced by lifestyle, genetics, and bodily changes.
- Loss of Mobility: Difficulty in moving easily, can indicate underlying changes in physical health. Various factors contribute to this decline, including reduced strength, issues with balance, and changes in walking patterns.
- Poor Gut Health: Older adults with less diverse gut microbiomes (fewer types of microorganisms in the digestive tract) seemed to be unhealthier, had higher LDL cholesterol, and lower vitamin D levels.
Known as body aging (biological aging), this process of aging is driven by environmental and lifestyle factors. Unlike aging dictated by genetics and time, (dictated by genetics and time), body aging is caused by repeated exposure to external elements such as sun exposure, diet, smoking, stress management, and physical activity.
That’s why better lifestyle choices can help lead to better health and greater chances of aging gracefully.
Steer Clear of These Body Aging Red Flags
Choose wisely and age gracefully! Here are some activities you might want to skip!
1. Sleeping Late
Staying up late, binge-watching your favorite series or scrolling endlessly through your phone might be fun, but your body could be paying the price. Poor sleep causes your body to release stress hormones like glucocorticoids and activate the sympathetic nervous system (which controls your “fight or flight” response). These stress signals force your body to work harder and affect how the cells produce energy. This process also releases harmful by-products known as reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage parts of your cells, including your DNA. Want to look and feel younger? Trade those late nights for regular rounds of restful, quality sleep.
2. Stressing Excessively Over Things
If budget or work issues are weighing you down, consider taking a breather or taking it slow. Chronic stress can age your body faster than you realize. When stress levels rise, cortisol floods your system. Psychological stress can affect the way cells function, which can indirectly contribute to conditions like insomnia, diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, and other heart diseases.
3. Putting Off Exercise Time
Prolonged sitting doesn’t just affect your mood; it can also age your bones prematurely. When you don't move around much, your bones can suffer. One study found that spending 12 weeks in bed made healthy adults lose about 1% to 4% of their bone density in places like the spine and hips. This happens because the body breaks down bone faster than it builds it up. Also, being inactive can hurt your blood vessels. In another study, women who rested for 56 days had worse blood vessel health, but exercising helped fix that.
4. Skipping Opportunities to Learn New Skills
Your brain needs challenges to stay sharp. Without them, you might find your memory slipping and your problem-solving skills fading. Psychologist Bradley Busch highlights that learning new things creates connections in the brain, which can help slow down cognitive decline. Engaging in hobbies such as learning languages or music can be particularly beneficial.
5. Getting Sun Exposure Without Protection
Trying to get some vitamin D from the sun without sunscreen might do more harm than staying indoors. Unprotected sun exposure is one of the leading causes of premature aging. Ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage the skin, leading to wrinkles, sunspots, and a loss of elasticity. Consistent use of sunscreen can help protect the skin and prevent these adverse effects.
Check on Your Vitamin D Level
Even though the Philippines is a tropical country, about 48.7% of individuals are Vitamin D deficient, according to the FNRI National Nutrition Survey published in 2015. This deficiency can have serious consequences, as low levels of vitamin D can weaken bones, impair immune function, and contribute to mood disorders.
The good news is that you can take action to address the warning signs of Vitamin D deficiency, which contribute to accelerated aging (like chronic diseases) to helping to slow down the body aging process, along with proper diet and exercise.
Vitamin D aids in reducing the risks of fractures and osteoporosis. Additionally, vitamin D supports muscle strength, which is vital for balance and mobility.
Moreover, research links adequate vitamin D levels to cognitive health, suggesting it may help protect against memory decline and improve mood, together with proper diet and a healthy lifestyle. Its immune-boosting property is also significant, as it helps fend off infections that can be more common in older adults.
Consider adding Colecalciferol (Vitamin D3) (Forti-D), now with 2000 IU to your routine!
Colecalciferol (Vitamin D3) (Forti-D) 2000 IU is a vitamin D supplement that contains 2,000 IU of vitamin D3. It helps treat vitamin D deficiency to reduce the risk of age-related diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, and bone diseases (like osteoporosis). Vitamin D also supports the optimum functioning of 36 vital organs, with proper diet and exercise. Try taking Colecalciferol (Vitamin D3) (Forti-D) 2000 IU daily, to experience the benefits.
You can also consult your doctor to determine your current vitamin D levels. He or she can help you find the suitable dosage for your needs.
If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
ASC Reference No. U0141P112524F
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