Ugh, I’m Getting Old
October 8, 2008
Lately, I’ve been noticing these annoying teenagers on the subway laughing and having a good time, admiring cute babies in strollers, reminiscing about my first kiss. I had to wonder, what do these feelings mean? I was staring at myself in the bathroom mirror when God told me the answer: I hate them because I am getting old. Then, a panic attack. Old. WTF? How did this happen??
Let’s be serious for moment. I’m sure you want to know the answer to this question: How do I feel about getting old? What is happening to me as I age? Can I slow it down? The most important question of all: am I prepared? I can answer the last one. Hell no. No one’s ever prepared for wrinkles and flabby skin.
What I found is that staying youthful, or anti-aging if you must, requires some planning and a bit of work. None can escape getting older. When I was a teenager, I associated “growing old” with mental growth – maturity and self-discovery. Now that I’m older I associate it with slower recovery after a late night tequila binge, stiff joints or sore muscles. As one continues to age, there is a deterioration of muscle strength, immune system response, bone density, and other functions. The physical changes that alert us to the fact we are getting older ranges from hair loss to thinning, saggy skin. But it doesn’t quite have to be that way — The key to staying youthful, strong and preserving that glow is as elementary as exercise and nutrition.
Treat your body with love and respect – that means less beer and cheetos and more nutrient-rich foods that are loaded with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Give it what it needs to function best, to look and feel its best. What are nutrient-rich foods, and what have they done for me lately?
Aging is caused by oxidation – when our body’s cells use oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals. Free radicals are damaged cells and are among the causes of many diseases, especially the ones associated with aging. Antioxidants act as a “neutralizer”, repairing the damage done by these free radicals. Oxidation is accelerated by smoking, alcohol and excessive sunlight. Imagine the amount of free radicals we can gobble up by consuming fruit and vegetables with each meal. What are some of these nutrients? The most studied include vitamins C and E, and betacarotene.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin found in all bodily fluids. It is an important nutrient used to make skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Vitamin C is essential for the healing of wounds, and for the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth. This powerful antioxidant cannot be stored by the body, so it’s important to get some regularly – which is easy enough if you eat fruits and vegetables. Foods that are good sources of Vitamin C include: red & green peppers, broccoli, strawberries, brussel sprouts, citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit, etc.).
Vitamin E is fat-soluble and the body can store it for long periods. This vitamin is promoted for a range of purposes, from delaying aging to healing sunburn. But it is a powerful antioxidant. Important sources include: vegetable oils, wheat germ, nuts & seeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables.
Beta-carotene is probably the most well known of the carotenoids [any of a class of yellow to red pigments] in more than the 600 different carotenoids that have been discovered. Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A (retinol) by the body. While excessive amounts of vitamin A in supplement form can be toxic, the body will only convert as much vitamin A from beta-carotene as it needs. This feature makes beta-carotene a safe source of vitamin A. Rich sources of beta carotene include: carrots, squash, kale, collards, apricots, cantaloupe.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are nutrient-packed, providing abundant amounts of vitamins and minerals. Our bodily fluids and tissues contain varying quantities of minerals which are elements of the bones, teeth, soft tissue, muscle, blood, and nerve cells. They are essential to our overall mental and physical well-being as well. The body uses minerals to perform many different functions – from building strong bones to transmitting nerve impulses. Small amounts of some minerals are also in foods. For instance, red meat, such as beef, is a good source of iron. However, it is better that you get your fat from fish, not from red meats. The fats in fish, called omega-3 fatty acids, lower heart-disease risk, and stimulate the immune system.
The real secret of youthfulness is your willingness to change; to eat better, exercise and constantly challenge your mind. You can’t prevent aging, but you can dramatically slow it down if you fill your life with wholesome foods, and of course, love, laughter and tons of fun. Too bad I have the most fun when I’m drunk.
Tagged as:
aging,
anti-aging,
exercise,
minerals,
nutrients,
staying young,
vitamins,
youthful
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Girl, I’m in the same boat as you I kid.you.not
I realized I might be getting a little old one day in July while I was sitting at my sister’s beach house at the Jersey Shore. See, the previous night, I helped my sister’s friend polish away a bottle of red wine (not my favorite, I’m a gin and tonic girl) – that wasn’t a problem. The next morning was. I remember drinking WAY much more than that in the past (I have no shame) and not feeling that way. So, I realized “Shit, did I get old?”
Now, its been all about me eating a lot better – and unfortunately (horror of all horrors) staying away from the booze. Never thought Id say it. I’m going the whole grains, tons of fruits and veggies, tons of homebaked stuff still and tons of sex and chocolate truffles route.
Shit, you cant ask me to give up truffles dude. I do, and people might get hurt.
I love your blog honey, and your picture looks gorgeous!
xoxoxo
Alisha
Free radicals are created when a molecular bond splits in a way that leaves a molecule with an odd, unpaired electron. These molecules will steal an electron from other healthy molecules damaging or killing the cell from which is it a part.
Antioxidants are simply molecules with an extra electron. Because everything in nature takes the path of least resistance, it is easier for the free radicals to take an electron from antioxidants than it is for them to steal one from a healthy cell.
Just thought I’d put that out there since people talk hear about antioxidants all the time, but most people don’t really know what they are aside from the advertising buzz word.