Inner Health
Constant yo-yo dieting will prompt premature ageing. Most weight-loss diets are low in fat, and when skin cells are deprived of essential fatty acids, it can result in a dull, lifeless-looking complexion.
Make sure you are eating the right type of fats. Saturated fats are linked with heart disease and strokes so avoid eating too much butter, eggs, dairy produce and meat. Stick to unsaturated fats (found in cold-pressed oils, nuts and seeds), Omega-3 (found mainly in oily fish such as salmon, tuna, herring and mackerel) and Omega-6 (found in sunflower and sesame seeds, linseed and soya).
Overeating highly processed foods and animal proteins can also accelerate ageing and lead to a build-up of toxins and wastes within the body. Experts now advise eating three to five light meals a day, rather than one or two heavy meals. Aim to eat as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible, increase your intake of protein and whenever possible, buy organic produce.
Overload
Cut down on foods with a high sugar content and use natural honey as a sweetener. To curb cravings for sweet food when you are highly stressed and exhausted, take 1-2g of vitamin C and a high-potency vitamin B complex daily with a meal. As time passes, the stomach produces less digestive acid. If you suffer from a bloated stomach, try cutting out foods like wheat and beans.
Natural Boosts
Garlic contains 12 antioxidants which help boost immunity and suppress general body deterioration. Eat a clove of raw or cooked garlic every day or take odorless garlic tablets. To remove the odor after eating garlic, munch some parsley. Also, try taking 30 mg of oil-based co-enzyme Q10 daily with a meal as it is a powerful antioxidant.
Ginkgo biloba is effective in improving memory capacity and is being tested to treat Alzheimer's disease. It also boosts immunity and overall wellbeing. Try taking 60-180 mg per day.
