In our appearance-obsessed culture, the anti-aging products and supplement business is booming.
Commercials, infomercials, testimonials and advertisements abound, with products that claim to turn back the clock and defy one’s age. With the anti-aging industry currently pulling in around $80 billion a year, it is clear that there is money to make in the anti-aging industry.
From anti-aging skin care regimens to give you decades-younger skin, to injections that claim to regain your youth, the hype abounds. Is there any truth to the anti aging supplement craze or is it all just propaganda?
The Truth
The irrefutable truth is that no anti-aging skin care products will make a 60-year-old look like a 20-year-old, and no anti-aging products will ensure you live forever. After that, it is a matter of opinion mixed with proven and dis-proven research, and a lot of hype.
Natural Anti-Aging Remedies
Vitamin C is a natural anti-aging supplement and is a powerful antioxidant, as is Vitamin E. Both of these antioxidants, along with others, are found in fresh fruits and vegetables, and help keep our bodies fighting free radicals. Foods high in antioxidants help keep our bodies healthy and disease-free.
Some of the best antioxidant sources include:
Certain Berries, beans, many fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts, some herbs and spices, beverages and a healthy dessert. We will find out what these may be in future articles.
Besides a healthy diet, prevention is one of the greatest tools in keeping your body and skin young beyond their years. One of the greatest sources of free radicals is the sun. Wearing sunscreen to block the UV rays that cause free radicals will keep skin looking healthy and younger as we age, and help prevent skin cancer.
Research is proving that daily exercise over a long period of time helps slow the aging process and helps people maintain cognitive abilities as well. The higher the fitness level is increased, the more improved the mental processes will be as we age, as well. Other benefits include maintaining a certain level of physical activity as we age, and the emotional benefits that come with a regular regimen of daily exercise.
Aging and exercise should be a first line of defense in the aging gracefully and healthy aging.
Other Anti Aging Products
Not all anti-aging products are as natural as antioxidants, or as safe. Among the more controversial anti-aging supplements are human growth hormone (HGH), DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone, an endogenous hormone) and hormone replacement therapy, including testosterone and estrogen injections. These options come with a high price tag, as well.
HGH, DHEA, testosterone and estrogen occur naturally in the body and are used to safely treat patients for certain ailments and health problems. Use as an anti-aging supplement, however, carries many risks that outweigh the potential benefits, benefits that have yet to be proven.
HGH, for example, comes with a myriad of negative side effects that include insulin resistance, excessive water retention, carpal tunnel syndrome, thyroid damage, liver damage, premature death and heart enlargement.
DHEA is a substance banned by many collegiate and professional sports teams. Side effects of DHEA include acne, hair loss, high blood pressure and, in women, changes in menstrual cycle, increased facial hair growth and a deeper voice.
Aging Gracefully
Instead of buying into the anti aging products supplement craze and the potential risk associated with it, many people simply choose to age gracefully. Accepting the natural stage of life you’ve come to and living a life of purpose as you age give a sense of fulfillment that no anti-aging cream can give.
Avoid associating the negative stereotypes of aging with yourself and others. The old saying “You’re as young as you feel” is as true as you want it to be.
Take up meaningful hobbies and engage in enjoyable activities with people who are important to you. Growing older brings many positives to your life, and it’s best to embrace who you have become, wrinkles and all.
Many will take this course, but many will also fight tooth and nail to fight the appearance of aging. Are there any anti aging products out there worth looking into? We will explore this too.
