Aging is inevitable. And since it’s a given fact, the only thing left to do is to be proud of the years you accumulate. Think of your age as a symbol of your experience, wisdom and greater insight.

With today’s technology, there are ways to slow down the aging process such as these essential vitamins for boosting health at any age. But don’t forget that the key to looking young is to feel young. Individuals age more quickly with illness and chronic stress. Hence, much of what you do to take care of yourself every day will aid in keeping your youthful appearance.

If you’re not so into the idea of looking old, here are ways to help you defy your age while maintaining good health.

1. Exercise

Those who try their best to exercise and stay fit exude a youthful demeanor that originates from looking and feeling well. Every time you work out, you can feel your muscles relax. Below are three exercises that will help you look and feel young.

• Strength Training – can build your bone mass to prevent osteoporosis. This will keep you strong and accelerate your metabolism, allowing you to maintain a healthy weight and youthful figure. Ultimately, strength training makes you independent and competent in doing more things even as you age.
• Aerobic Exercise – increases blood circulation all over your body and strengthens your heart and lungs. This exercise also aids in digestion, reduces stress, and enhances sleep quality.
• Lifestyle Activities – such as ballroom dancing involve mental and physical mental stimulation. These types of activities help keep both your mind and body young. In general, the more you move, even if not intensely, the better for your body and mind especially as you get older.

2. Eat healthy

What you eat definitely reflects on your body. Try to eat healthy daily so your body absorbs all essential nutrients.

Here’s a guide on what foods to eat to make sure you get key nutrients:

Polyphenols

• Dark chocolate
• Cocoa
• Green tea

Vitamin A

• Leafy greens such as kale and spinach
• Red, yellow and orange produce such as carrots, bell peppers and cantaloupe
• Asparagus
• Sweet potatoes
• Broccoli

Vitamin C

• Strawberry
• Pineapple
• Kiwifruit
• Red bell pepper
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Orange
• Cantaloupe

Vitamin E

• Spinach
• Nuts and seeds
• Tomato products
• Vegetable oils

A balanced diet made up of a variety of lean proteins, colorful fruits and vegetables, seeds and nuts, whole grains, seeds and nuts is the way to go. Minimize your intake of highly processed food and sugar, and make sure to drink plenty of water.

Take Supplements

It’s not all the time that you have the opportunity to prepare and eat a healthy meal which is why supplements exist. If maintaining your youthful vitality is your prime concern, taking Niagen supplements will help increase your NAD levels.

NAD levels promote mitochondrial function which is an important component of aging. Your NAD levels are highest at birth but will decrease dramatically as you age. By taking supplements, you can make sure that you have enough nutrients even as you grow older.

3. Get enough sleep

Try staying up late at night and you’ll see horrible signs of sleep deprivation the next day. Repeat this for consecutive nights, and your chronic sleep deprivation will cause your body to age inside and out.

As individuals grown older, sleep becomes less of a priority. Those who get less than 6 hours of slumber may be at a huge risk for heart disease, obesity, stroke and decline in mental functions.

Take note of the following to get the right amount of sleep for your body.

• Adjust your attitude and habits to make sure you get seven to eight hours of sleep every night.
• If your lack of sleep is due to a snoring partner or other nighttime disturbance, do some lifestyle adjustments.
• Reduce your afternoon caffeine to get more restful quality sleep.
• Talk to a physician to get rid of sleep apnea and other medical conditions that are preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep.

Age is just a number, and dwelling too much on that can cause negative effects on your mind and body. The way you think controls how you age, and much of what you do on a daily basis will not only lengthen your life but also affect the quality of those years. Think positive, do away with bad habits and remember the tips above.

AUTHOR BIO

Frank L. Jaksch Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer and a co-founder of ChromaDex. He oversees research, strategy and operations for the Company with a focus on scientific and novel products for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets. Mr. Jaksch earned a B.S. in Chemistry and Biology from Valparaiso University.