The “Fountain of Youth” may just be a tale, but the science behind preserving youthfulness and living longer is real. In the search for a “fountain of youth,” researchers found some good stuff. Here’s eight.
1. Pursue Your Dreams
Haven’t found your dream job or soul mate? Doesn’t matter.
What does matter? Striving.
Striving helps you live longer.
We did not find that precisely living out your dreams matters much for your health… It was not the happiest or the most relaxed older participants who lived the longest. It was those who were most engaged in pursuing their goals.
If you’re striving for longevity, aim for some of the secrets below.
2. Do Cardio
Want to burn calories and keep your brain young at the same time? Get moving.
Recent research, cited by Harvard Dr. John Ratey, shows that aerobic exercise physically remodels our brains for peak performance.
How does that keep us young? It fights memory loss and sharpens intellect.
Not into striving or doing cardio? Take a nap.
3. Take a Nap
A short nap can help relieve stress and bolster the immune systems.
How long?
According to NASA, 25 minutes will do.
Research by NASA revealed that pilots who take a twenty-five-minute nap in the cockpit – hopefully with a co-pilot taking over the controls – are subsequently 35 per cent more alert, and twice as focused, than their non-napping colleagues.
After your nap, search for some life-extending formulas!
4. Find Your Longevity Formula
68% of people in the U.S. take supplements.
For anti-aging lovers, here’s some of the best – with a bit of a science tone.
R-Lipoic Acid keeps cells young by protecting against oxidative stress generated by high glucose levels. R-Lipoic Acid, significantly supports healthy inflammatory responses, acts as a potent free radical scavenger, and supports healthy mitochondrial function for energy.
Ashwagandha Extract enhances mental energy and concentration. Scientists have discovered that the Indian herb ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) counters some of the oxidative damage generated by nervous tension.
In a large clinical trial conducted by NutraGenesis, LLC, ashwagandha reduced levels of the hormone cortisol by up to 26% while maintaining already normal blood sugar levels and lipid profiles. Subjects who took the standardized ashwagandha extract reported improvements in energy, sleep and well-being, as well as diminished fatigue.
Additional research shown in Science Daily in 2015, suggests that ashwagandha supports the regeneration of axons and dendrites, nerve cell components that support brain and nervous system function, and may be beneficial in the treatment of Alzheimer’s.
AMPK Activator is a novel formulation that provides ActivAMP© G. pentaphyllum extract and standardized trans-tiliroside from rose hips. AMPK (adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase) is an enzyme found in every cell of the body.
Increasing AMPK activity revitalizes aging cells, promotes mitochondrial production, and “turns off” many of the damaging effects of aging – natural AMPK levels decline with age.
An article published online on September 4, 2014 in Cell Reports reveals the outcome of research conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles which found that activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in one organ decelerated the aging process.
Pycnogenol© French Maritime Pine Bark Extract provides Pycnogenol, a standardized mixture of pine bark-derived flavonoids that has long been used in Europe to treat cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and neurodegenerative conditions.
Since many physicians in the United States don’t know about it, it’s rarely recommended, despite the fact that its healthy effects were demonstrated in over 300 scientific publications.
(on Inspired Living™ Archive: For a list of tested (safe) and true (effective) supplements, click here).
Not into adding supplements? Use a little subtraction.
5. Cut Calories
Meat or no meat, some researchers argue that the only proven way to slow the aging process and maintain peak vitality is through caloric restriction. And there’s plenty of evidence to back it up.
“This diet has been the primary research tool used to study aging since the 1930s. Since then, over one thousand studies in a wide variety of laboratory animals have confirmed the dramatic results of longevity-enhancing, calorie-reduced diets.”
According to Dr. Roy Walford, one of the most renowned gerontologists (people who study aging) and author of Maximum Life Span, “Information is already available to enable one to live to be more than 120 years old if he begins early enough and adheres religiously to a lifelong regime of dietary restriction.”
A lifelong regime of dietary restriction? That’s rough! There’s gotta be a short-cut, right?
There is. Check out the 5-2 Diet. It’s more realistic and practical, and it helps with weight loss too.
Switching from nutrition to fitness now.
6. Pump Iron
No one likes to lose muscle tone. Dr. Michael Roizen, author of You On a Diet, says, “We lose an average of 5 percent of our muscle mass every 10 years after the age of 35—if we don’t do anything about it.”
What’s the best thing to do about it? Pump iron. Lift weights.
Lifting a few times a week preserves muscle strength, minimizes the muscle loss associated with aging. Pumping iron helps us lose fat while gaining muscle, increase bone density, regulate blood glucose levels, and manage cholesterol.
Not into pumping iron and getting sweaty? Sitting in silence can help too.
7. Meditate
Researchers found that meditation may improve a person’s psychological well-being. Nothing we haven’t heard before.
What is interesting is the changes are related to telomerase activity in immune cells, which has the potential to promote longevity in those cells.
Simply shown…
Meditation –> better psychological well-being –> telomerase activity –> longer cell life
(on Inspired Living™ Archive: For more on How to Calm Your Mind in a Chaotic World, click here.)
8. Hang With Friends
In the Longevity Project, author Howard Friedman shares research to support how social relations are vital to longevity. Playing cards and hanging out have been proven to support disease-free living.
Face to face contact is a key element in the fountain of youth. Get some.
In closing, it’s truthful to say that longevity genes make a huge difference. Some folks who live in their 100s can be obese, smoke and avoid exercise.
But for most of us, Sherwin B. Nuland, author of the Art of Aging put it well,
“Of all the factors that constitute human maintenance, improved methods of medical therapy appear to be among those of lesser importance…Responding to breakdown or its imminence is far less effective than prevention and attention to self-improvement, which have become increasingly recognized as the keys to healthy longevity”.
Wrap-Up
To Tap the “Fountain of Youth”, consider these…
- Pursue Your Dreams – Striving supports longer living.
- Do Cardio – Aerobic exercise keeps the brain fit.
- Take a Nap – 25 minutes keep you sharp and alert.
- Find Your Longevity Formula – R-Lipoic Acid, Ashwagandha Extract, AMPK Activator, and Pycnogenol© French Maritime Pine Bark Extract are some of the best in the anti-aging world.
- Cut Calories – Caloric restriction may be the single best proven method to live beyond 100.
- Pump Iron – Lifting weights preserves muscle strength, supports weight loss, increases bone density, regulates blood glucose and manages cholesterol.
- Meditate – Enhances your brain function and helps your cells achieve longevity.
- Hang with Friends – Getting face to face contact, playing cards, and hanging in social circles keeps us going.
Thank you for reading!
Dave
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