Food is the fuel that powers the body’s processes, be it digestion, sweating or rejuvenation. Much like a healthy water intake plays an important part in sweating, the right foods can fuel rejuvenation in aging populations.
There are a lot of diets designed to help us age gracefully. Some of these include:
- The MIND Diet
- The Longevity Diet
- The Mediterranean Diet
- The Okinawan Diet
All of these diets have common themes running through them in terms of the vitamins and nutrients that support good health. But what about a nutrition plan that specifically supports rejuvenation?
Food to Rejuvenate Health
When we look at nutrition and specific intentions we have for our health as we age, a holistic approach and an open mind is necessary to achieve the desired results. For a list of specific foods that can support rejuvenation read: Foods That Can Help You Fight Aging from the Inside
Instead, for the purpose of this article, we’ll focus on principles to follow in developing a nutritional plan for sparking rejuvenation.
Reduce Sugar
High levels of sugar is linked to chronic diseases such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes and other conditions that hinder the body’s ability to detoxify itself by causing damage to organs such as the kidneys and liver. By reducing sugar, these organs are able to do their jobs in a more effective way as you age.
Eat Foods Rich in Prebiotics
Your gut health is vital to the health of both your brain and body as it plays an important role in detoxification. Intestinal cells help process chemicals in food and help protect us from harmful toxins. Prebiotics are essentially fiber that powers the good bacteria in your gut, which you may know as probiotics. These produce fatty acids that are good for health.
Reduce Salt Consumption
Food just isn’t the same without salt, but as we age, monitoring and controlling salt intake is a part of good health. Too much salt in an older adult’s diet can cause fluid retention, which may then cause severe bloating. This is particularly the case for those who do not drink enough water or have conditions that impact the kidneys or liver. Too much salt and not enough water leads to the production of vasopressin, a hormone that prevents urination and thus detox and rejuvenation processes.
Support Your Built-in Detoxification System
The kidneys, liver and gall bladder all play important roles in detoxification and thus create an environment where rejuvenation can take place. Eating and drinking greens in smoothies is a good way to support this as they are not only a good source of fiber, but also digestive enzymes and phytonutrients. Chlorophyll-rich leafy greens help detoxify and set our bodies in a process of renewal.
Prioritize Your Protein
The loss of physical strength is something that can have a big influence on the ability of older adults to go about their daily routines. A study published in the journal PLOS One saw researchers combine whey protein, fish oil, vitamin D, creatine and calcium and administer the supplement to a group of males over the age of 70. The findings suggest that the supplement significantly helped the men maintain muscle mass, and when combined with exercise, improve strength.
Natural aging sees a decline in rejuvenation processes that keep us looking and feeling young. But by abiding by these principles and adhering to a healthy diet you can support the biological systems that keep your biological clock running at a more acceptable speed.