Water, Exercise Can Fight Signs Of Aging

Dr. Jamie Y. Marable, Contributing writer

Over the span of a lifetime, the human body undergoes a number of transformations. If you are a baby boomer who is experiencing various signs of aging, you can probably attest to this fact. You may be experiencing weight control issues that were never a problem for you before, and dry skin and fine lines around your eyes and mouth.

While these are only a few of the signs of aging, they are often the most noticeable and can wreak havoc on one's self confidence. You don't have to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars however trying to reverse the hands of time. There are a few simple things that you can do daily to fight the signs of aging and look and feel your best.

Water: The Fountain Of Youth

Drinking water is one of the cheapest and most effective ways that baby boomers can fight the signs of aging.

The human body is made up mostly of water, and it needs water to stay healthy. Water has been described at the "liquid fountain of youth" because of its ability to clear toxins from the body, moisturize the skin and help burn fat.

It is recommended that the average person drink 8 glasses, or 2 liters, of water per day, although people who are obese or extremely active may need to drink more.

Unwind With Red Wine

Although water should be your primary beverage of choice, red wine has also been scientifically proven to have anti-aging benefits and can help improve bone mineral density and ward off a number of diseases. This is due to a compound in red wine called resveratrol, which has been found to have a host of anti-aging effects on lab mice.

To enjoy the age-fighting benefits of red wine, women should have one glass per day and men can have up to two glasses.

Take Anti-Aging Supplements

There are a number of supplements that you can take to help fight the signs of aging.

The top 10 supplements identified by Healthnotes include ginkgo, acetyl-L-carnitine, vitamin D, vitamin C, lutein, vinpocetine, multivitamins, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate and SAMe.

Before you head to the store to purchase these supplements separately, however, it would be wise to speak with your doctor or nutritionist about which ones are best for you. A multivitamin taken daily with meals may be enough to provide you with the ammunition that you need to fight aging effectively.

Consider Calorie Restriction

Calorie restriction has been found by researchers to expand the lives of certain animals (Mayo Clinic, 2007).

When a person engages in calorie restriction, she consumes fewer calories than her body needs in order to maintain its normal weight. Although there are conflicting reports about how much one should reduce their calorie intake in order to maximize the anti-aging benefits, the estimate is somewhere between 20 and 30 percent.

According to the Mayo Clinic, people who have participated in short trials of calorie restriction have seen some improvement in their overall health, including a decrease in body fat, lower cholesterol levels and fewer problems with hypertension.

However, it is also emphasized that calorie restriction can have negative effects as well, including a reduction in bone density and muscle mass, memory loss and even depression. It is therefore unwise to engage in calorie restriction without first consulting with your physician.

Exercise Regularly

Not enough can be said about the benefits of exercising regularly. It is a well-known fact that exercise can improve both your mental and physical health, which are both important in the fight against aging. Whether you take a daily walk or jog, work out regularly at a health club, or sign up for an aerobics or yoga class, you need to exercise for optimal health. The key is to find activities that you will enjoy so that you'll be motivated to continue with them.

You may also want to consider exercising with a friend. That way, you can hold each other accountable and develop a routine together.

Stay Positive

Above all, it is important to maintain a positive attitude and a healthy outlook on aging and life in general. Persons who focus only on the negative aspects of aging miss out on the many benefits, such as wisdom, family and freedom. A few extra pounds or wrinkles should never outweigh the numerous blessings that life can bring.

A positive attitude can also increase the likelihood that you'll make smarter choices when it comes to food and nutrition and even exercise more frequently. If you are a positive person, your inner beauty will continue to radiate no matter what age you are.