Eat to stay young

There are plenty of ways — or at least advertised ways — to tap into the Fountain of Youth, ranging from the relatively benign to the Machiavellian — from eye cream and Botox injections to chin implants and dermabrasion.

If having your facial skin “re-draped,” your deeper tissues “repositioned” or your face sanded down isn’t your thing, and spending hundreds of bucks on miracle creams doesn’t fit the budget, try eating.
There are many foods that can slow the aging process and potentially stave off age-related diseases and conditions such as dementia, cancers, type II diabetes and heart disease.

Some of the biggest bullies in the body’s neighborhood are free radicals and inflammation, which contribute to everything from wrinkles to cancer. Most of the so-called superfoods contain antioxidants, which neutralize free radicals, and anti-inflammatory properties.

For instance, a rash of 2009 studies has found that coffee has all sorts of potential health benefits. Besides its long-known applications for headaches, it may protect against dementia, stroke, skin cancer, endometrial cancer and diabetes — and it might even relieve pain associated with exercise.

Here are some other anti-aging gifts from Mother Nature, readily available at your local grocery store.



Turmeric

Extensively researched and widely acknowledged as a legitimate nutritional powerhouse, turmeric is a spice often found in Indian and Asian dishes. Although it provides high levels of iron and manganese, its most valued component is curcumin, which has been studied for its anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers are studying its possibilities in fighting cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. It’s worth noting that the studies focus on curcumin itself, with high doses of it administered to subjects (far more than you could eat in a day’s worth of curries). You can find turmeric powder and extract sold in capsules at health-food stores.




Watermelon

This fruit is a very concentrated source of lycopene, a carotenoid extensively studied for its anti-cancer properties. It boasts effectiveness against a growing list of cancer types, including prostate, breast, colorectal and lung. Watermelon also is packed with vitamin C, vitamin A and other powerful antioxidants.



Avocados

Beyond guacamole, avocados are dynamite at providing good-for-you nutrients, including oleic acid, a healthy fat believed to lower bad cholesterol; potassium, which protects your heart and arteries; folate for boosting skin health and lowering heart-attack risks; and a lot of those magical antioxidants.



Fish

Fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acid, which is an essential nutrient that the body cannot manufacture. It promotes heart health, can improve bone strength and offers pain relief from inflammatory disorders. Omega-3 acid is important for brain health and has been shown to help with depression. Focus on fatty fish such as salmon, albacore tuna, herring, mackerel and lake trout, and eat it twice a week.



Alcohol:

Have that pre-dinner cocktail guilt-free. A study by Wake Forest University found that people who reported having a beer, a glass of wine or a cocktail eight to 14 times a week were 37 percent less likely than teetotalers to develop dementia within the next six years. Moderate drinkers also may have reduced risk for stroke and heart attack.



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