Have you ever come across someone who looked much younger than their chronological age? We all did, and we were certainly impressed.
The common saying “you’re only as old as you feel” rings true in the case of Jenny Darren, a 68-year-old woman who wowed the audience, and Simon, with his personality and delivery of the song Highway To Hell Watch Jenny Here and challenged the perception of aging. Despite her white hair and her not-so-firm body, she exuded youth through her voice and her energy. He had the confidence and determination to succeed and he did. He not only was he able to entertain the audience, but he made everyone question the age factor and clearly understood that biological age is something we earn, are in charge of, and can definitely reverse course. How did she do it and how can you do it too?
Scientists at New York University found that nearly 30% of aging is dictated by genetics, but the remaining 70% is due to lifestyle. What does this mean for us now that we are living much longer? We can change the way we look and the way we feel because we are in control of it.
Many people associate hormonal fluctuations with teenage girls and women, but the truth is that people from all walks of life suffer from hormonal roller coasters. But is it unavoidable? Is there anything you can do to help your body stay in balance? Yes. There are many things you can do and let’s start by focusing on an organ that is responsible for jumping. It’s the thyroid.
The thyroid is part of the endocrine system that uses iodine to produce, store, and release T3 and T4 into the bloodstream. These hormones regulate various bodily functions such as metabolism, circulation, the nervous system, and more. Indeed, the hormonal imbalance affects the body and, in turn, affects the skin.
The fact is that the healthier your lifestyle, the less breakouts and stress you will experience.
Let’s talk about a healthy balanced diet and a low sugar diet. From my experience, the Mediterranean Diet is the smartest diet. You are not restricted and can eat healthy fats, but focus on low sugar intake. One of my friends who is a nutritionist says, “If horses can eat grass and be strong and healthy, why can’t we?” He proposes a raw food diet by juicing kale and broccoli while adding fresh fruit and water. Keep it simple, he says, there’s no need to make it creamy by adding all kinds of potential hormone-disrupting dairy or sugar from juice concentrates. Be sure to add healthy fats to your diet. Not only does it hydrate the skin, but it is a fuel that helps the body function efficiently.
The skin suffers the consequences of a poor diet rich in carbohydrates. Glycation is a natural process in which sugar in the bloodstream binds to proteins, forming harmful molecules responsible for premature aging. Collagen as you know is made of protein, the body’s hormones depend on a normal level of insulin. When the stress level rises too frequently, it can trigger a cascade of events that lead to high blood pressure in addition to acne and wrinkles. That is exactly what I mean by focusing on wellness during my consultation with a client who is coming in for a skin care consultation or skin care treatment.
What about sun exposure and aging skin? Too much sun and unprotected skin will age prematurely and, as a result, the skin will become brittle, wrinkling with visible sagging from the jawline to the neck. It has been said that the longer we use our skin, the more effects the environment has on it. Apply your sunscreen!
As a skin care professional, I am happy to say that we have come a long way from blaming skin aging on our hormones and aging to reversing the aging process naturally through phototherapy, peels, microdermabrasion and antioxidant-rich skin care products. If you haven’t seen our plant-based products yet, you can here.
Living a healthy lifestyle means many things to many people, some realize they need to include raw foods in their diet, others need to exercise more, and many find they need to find something they are passionate about, something that makes them happy. Whatever your lifestyle improvement needs, you’ll benefit from knowing that it all starts with a positive attitude and a smile.
