Introduction
As we age, our bodies naturally start to show signs of wear and tear. But, with the right lifestyle choices, you can help slow down the aging process. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a renowned neurosurgeon and medical correspondent for CNN, has identified five key ways to prevent aging. Eating the right foods is one of the most important steps you can take to keep your body healthy and youthful. Eating the wrong foods can accelerate the aging process. In this article, we’ll explore five ways to prevent aging, according to Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and the foods you should be eating to keep your body looking and feeling young.
5 Ways to Prevent Aging, Says Dr. Sanjay Gupta — Eat This Not That
Aging is a natural process that everyone goes through, but there are ways to slow it down. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a renowned neurosurgeon and medical correspondent for CNN, has shared his top five tips for preventing aging.
1. Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins is essential for maintaining a healthy body and preventing aging. Avoid processed foods and sugary snacks, and opt for nutrient-rich foods that will help keep your body functioning optimally.
2. Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise helps to keep your body strong and your muscles toned. It also helps to reduce stress, which can contribute to aging. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, and mix up your routine to keep it interesting.
3. Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for keeping your body and mind healthy. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to ensure that your body has enough time to rest and repair itself. Not getting enough sleep can lead to a weakened immune system, which can contribute to aging.
4. Protect Your Skin
Protecting your skin from the sun is essential for preventing premature aging. Wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and wear protective clothing when you’re outside. Also, make sure to moisturize your skin regularly to keep it hydrated and healthy.
5. Manage Stress
Stress can take a toll on your body and can contribute to aging. Make sure to take time for yourself and practice stress-relieving activities such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing. Also, make sure to get enough sleep and exercise to help manage stress levels.
To stay young, some say, you need to think young. And to think young, you literally need to consider your brain health. Cognitive decline is one of the most common—and destructive—factors associated with aging. But you can keep your brain vital and functional well into old age, by adding some simple habits to your routine, says CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, author of Keep Sharp, a recent book on that very topic. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Regular exercise is the most important thing you can do for brain health, says Gupta. “Exercise, both aerobic and nonaerobic (strength training), is not only good for the body; it’s even better for the brain,” he writes in Keep Sharp. “Using sugar to fuel your muscles instead of sitting idle in your blood helps prevent dramatic glucose and insulin fluctuations … that increase the risk for dementia. Exercise also helps lower inflammation, and that is critical in preventing dementia.” The ideal amount is at least 150 minutes a week, but research shows that as few as 11 minutes a day can increase your lifespan.
“Clean living can slash your risk of developing a serious mind-destroying disorder, including Alzheimer’s disease, even if you carry genetic risk factors,” Gupta writes. He recommends consuming less red meat and processed foods and more fruits and vegetables. And one brain food in particular: “Berries, in terms of what they can do for the brain and some of these certain chemicals that they release, are probably going to be one of your best foods,” said Gupta.
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“We’re learning that the brain is constantly going through this ‘rinse cycle’ at night,” clearing away debris and toxins, said Gupta. If you’re dreaming in the morning before you wake up, it’s a good sign your brain has been through this self-cleaning regimen. Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep a night.
“Many well-designed studies have found that people with high blood sugar had a faster rate of cognitive decline than those with normal blood sugar,” Gupta writes. He told Men’s Health that when he cut added sugar from his diet, his “cognitive day”—the length of time a person can be productive—increased.
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Social interaction is a major predictor of neurogenesis, or the creation of new brain cells, which reduces the risk of dementia. “We know that social interaction is so critically important,” said Gupta. “We are social creatures. We know that there are certain neurochemicals that are released when we actually can touch and look someone directly in the eye.” And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don’t miss these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.