Can We Slow Down Ageing? 7 Tips You May Not Know About

The body's natural ageing process can be a source of worry for some people and, as wrinkles and grey hair appear, we begin to wonder about ways to slow down the clock.

While ageing is an inevitable process, and turning back time is not actually possible, there are certainly ways in which we can slow down the body's ageing rate. In this article, we will take you through six of the best strategies you could adopt to retain that youthful look and feel for longer, in the most natural way possible.

Slow down your body’s ageing process from the inside-out with the help of The Y Collection range of products.

What causes fast ageing?

Although the human body is a complex, and often self-repairing, system, the ageing of this remarkable machine is something which simply can't be avoided, and will eventually show its effects in all areas of the body.

Both our genetics and environment play an important part in this process, but nothing does more to slow down the speed at which we age than our daily choices and behaviours. A natural decrease in substances like collagen, elastin, testosterone and oestrogen will happen over time, resulting in a more aged appearance and fragile body. However, two of the most powerful ageing accelerators are actually internal inflammation and oxidative stress.

Heavily influenced by our diet and lifestyle, inflammatory processes and oxidative stress damage the body at a cellular level, and in addition to potentialising ageing, can lead to the appearance of various conditions including diabetes, arthritis and cardiovascular disease.

Can ageing actually be slowed or reversed?

Unfortunately, it's not possible to reverse ageing once it has already happened, but it is possible to slow the ageing process down. As mentioned above, targeting damaging internal processes, such as inflammation and oxidative stress can actually help you look and feel younger for longer. As far as appearance goes, greying hair, for example, is not something you can slow down, but there is a lot you can do through diet and lifestyle to keep your skin looking great, while still avoiding invasive cosmetic procedures.

7 Tips To Keep You Younger for Longer

Now that you know that slowing down ageing is actually possible, here is a list of science-backed ways that you may not have heard about to look and feel your best for many years to come.

1. Keep your fridge gut-friendly

It is safe to say that, when it comes to ageing, you should trust your gut. How well your digestive system works is a great indicator of the presence of both of the ageing accelerators already mentioned: inflammation and oxidative stress. Undesirable digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation and bloating can all be indicators of inflammation within the body, which can ultimately contribute to ageing. In turn, a disrupted gut microbiome, which lacks good bacteria where bad microorganisms thrive, will also trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and other cell-damaging processes.

All of this means that you should keep both your fridge and your pantry stocked with gut-health foods. Be sure to include probiotics like yoghurt and kimchi, good fibre sources like flax seed, wholemeal grains and legumes, and load up on antioxidant-rich ingredients like fatty fish and berries.

That being said, it's important to understand that gut health is all about balance, so don't be tempted to go on any radical diets claiming to have anti-ageing powers. Try to stay as close as possible to the diet to which you were originally exposed (that from the place where you were raised, for example), and avoid changing the main ingredients you eat too often. Focus on keeping a varied diet, with high-quality products which are, more often than not, those in season at the moment.

2. Go below the surface

Skin ageing is perhaps the number one concern people have when considering how the passing of the years impacts our appearance. In view of what we know about the gut-skin axis, a direct connection through which the gut and skin influence each other, we should start caring for our skin by the dietary recommendations offered in the item above, with a special focus on keeping a high antioxidant intake.

Studies show that poor gut health can be behind an array of skin issues, such as rosacea, psoriasis, acne, excessive oiliness, and even fine lines and wrinkles. Luckily, these and many other skin concerns can be improved through a healthy lifestyle and diet, and with the help of high-quality skin-health supplements, such as Y SKIN.

After looking at your gut, and what you allow into it, it's time to consider the external factors and environment. Prioritise skin protection through the regular use of high-SPF sunscreen and by avoiding excessive pollution and sun exposure. Additionally, you should focus on keeping the skin hydrated through a daily water intake of approximately three litres, and via the use of topical moisturisers. Speaking of topical cosmetics, if you would like to add these to your skincare routine, be sure to look for what research has shown to be truly effective in the way of anti-ageing ingredients, which includes substances like retinol, alpha hydroxy acids and vitamin C.

Ultimately what helps ageing skin is a combination of balance and nutrition from the inside, and extensive protection on the outside.

3. Break a sweat

The human body is a machine designed to be on the move and adding physical exercise to your daily routine is an excellent way to stay young.

Apart from the cardiovascular benefits most of us already know about, exercising regularly has a number of other positive and anti-ageing effects on the body. A good workout routine increases the natural production of antioxidants within the body, which helps address the issue of oxidative stress.

Obesity has long been identified by a myriad of studies as having a major impact on longevity. Interestingly, research has found that by lowering visceral fat levels, we also naturally significantly bring down our risk of developing inflammation, which could ultimately stimulate ageing in all areas of the body.

4. Spend less time at the pub

The negative effects of alcohol consumption have been advertised by experts for years, but many people don't realise the extent to which this common habit can impact our body's ageing process.

Among many other well-known concerns, such as the increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, alcohol use can cause significant damage to the brain, accelerating the ageing of that specific organ.

Some may claim that alcohol-related health problems only affect heavy drinkers, but the latest research says otherwise. While heavy alcohol intake has been indeed linked with a decline in cognitive function and higher chances of developing various forms of dementia, for example, scientists have found evidence that no amount of the substance can be considered safe for the brain. So if you would like to maintain your brain young for as long as possible, which most of us do, it’s better to skip your regular happy hour at the pub, or at least pass on the alcoholic drinks.

5. Get good at Sudoku

The body was made for moving and the brain was made for learning, so continuously challenging yourself with new activities is an excellent way to stay sharp.

Keeping your brain in shape can actually be a lot of fun if you are into games. You can improve cognitive function by simply spending a small part of your day playing crosswords, sudoku or jigsaw, for example. To enhance neural connections, memory and cognitive flexibility, which is the brain's ability to switch between different tasks and thought processes, you can take up a new language, explore new moves at a dance class, or engage in any other activity that involves learning a skill i.e. keeping your brain young!

6. Stop and smell the roses

A stress-free life can not only make you happier, but it can also make you live healthier and longer.

Once again, to discuss stress-related ageing, we must mention the subject of inflammation. In this case, the inflammation is a consequence of continuously high levels of cortisol in the body, a hormone released by the adrenal glands whenever we undergo a stressful situation. Since inflammation has the potential to boost ageing, developing a stress-reducing lifestyle is among the best strategies you can adopt to keep your body in ship-shape.

If you can’t change a particularly stressful work schedule, you may try adding meditation, yoga and other mindfulness practices to your calendar. Physical exercise is also capable of relaxing the mind and body, with added benefits if practised out in the open. In fact, even if you are not exercising, spending some time outside can be of value for your health. A 2019 study found that, surprisingly, spending as little as twenty minutes out in nature can already result in significantly lower cortisol levels in the body.

7. Don’t be afraid to hit the hay

Getting plenty of good quality sleep is also among the best anti-ageing strategies out there. On top of its role in reducing stress and fighting inflammation, sleep is a critical tool used by the body to maintain every aspect of the organism functioning properly.

It is in our sleep that the body works most intensely on repairing itself, especially during slow-wave sleep (SWS), which is when heart rate, breathing and brain waves become slower and more regular. This is considered to be a deep sleep stage, and is one of the reasons why not only the quantity, but also the quality of sleep is so crucial to maintaining good overall health.

While we rest, the body produces extra protein molecules that work as building blocks for regenerating cells and tissues. That is also when the brain conducts its cleaning procedure, eliminating toxins like beta-amyloid proteins, which can play a part in the development of diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Can supplements help slow down the ageing process?

At The Y Collection, our vision is to ‘Extend healthy living’ with a mission to provide a healthier future and healthy ageing for all. Every product in our range has been scientifically developed to help delay the ageing process through the control of gut-derived inflammation, but also to provide a better quality of life in the present moment.

Our leading product, Y SKIN, is among the best supplements for ageing skin, supporting your health from the inside-out, and ultimately delivering a more hydrated, clear and youthful-looking complexion. Also targeting internal inflammation, but with a more holistic approach, Y GUT sensitive is a gut-health supplement which will help you slow down ageing throughout the body by promoting a highly-diverse and balanced gut microbiome.

Supplements on their own might not help you achieve everything you wish for when it comes to ageing, as there is no magic pill capable of stopping the body’s natural processes. However, if you lay down a good foundation by adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle, then the science contained in a well-rounded supplement can enhance the efficiency of your bodily functions and take care of some of the more common issues caused by ageing.

Key takeaways

In summary, while science is currently unable to stop or reverse ageing, it can still inform our efforts towards maintaining a youthful look and feel. Our diet and lifestyle have the highest impact in how fast our body declines, but knowing how gut health affects the skin and many other organs you can now leverage on the technology present in gut supplements to fight ageing more effectively. So pick a healthy routine and diet, and stay consistent. Discipline in implementing these science-backed strategies can deliver truly incredible results to your overall health, and will do much more for your quality of life than simply helping you feel better when looking at the mirror.