By Lucy Miller, PT and Health Writer
Anti-ageing hacks are things you can do to slow down or even prevent the progression of age-related conditions.
Here’s a selection to get you started...
Swap lettuce for broccoli
Yes, salad is healthy - but broccoli is healthier and one of our favourite and tastiest skin-saving foods.
One study showed that broccoli can help block the DNA damage that is so detrimental to our health and skin whilst another found that a natural compound called NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) found in the vegetable can reduce typical ageing signs, loss of insulin sensitivity, weight gain and decline in physical activity. Broccoli is also a great source of fibre, which helps maintain steady blood sugar levels and also contains a secret weapon against tired-looking skin — sulforaphane, which has been shown to stimulate new skin cells reduce inflammation and helps promote the production of collagen.
Swap Hot for Cold
Ok, please don’t shoot the messenger BUT cold water therapy is an anti-ageing hack that reaps the therapeutic benefits of exposing your body to extreme temperatures, in a bid to improve mitochondrial (cell) health. Not only is it great for alleviating the symptoms of depression whilst decreasing inflammation and post-exercise muscle soreness but cold water also causes the lymphatic vessels to contract which helps flush an accumulation of toxins and waste from the body that can otherwise cause cellular damage, inflammation, and premature ageing. Brrrrrrill.
Don’t just eat vitamin C - have a supplement too
Vitamin C is a fantastic skincare ingredient, and a powerful antioxidant, that helps to fade dark spots and also stimulates collagen production to keep skin smooth and youthful. Try Correxiko Raw Vitamin C and don’t forget to keep including it in your diet too. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who ate foods rich in vitamin C had fewer wrinkles and less age-related dry skin than those whose diets contained only small amounts of the vitamin so stock up on foods such as red peppers, strawberries, and Brussels sprouts, which have plenty of collagen-stimulating and youth-boosting effects.
Swap cake for a pear - or any fresh fruit for that matter
Yes, that slice of chocolate cake may feel and taste good, but unfortunately, that hefty dose of sugar could be causing a rapid increase in your blood sugar levels and doing some serious damage to your skin.
Researchers have found that high blood sugar levels have been linked to ageing skin by causing collagen damage. This is due to a process known as glycation.
In this process, elevated levels of sugar can attach to proteins in the skin to form harmful molecules known as advanced glycation end products, which researchers call (very fittingly) AGEs.
The proteins in the skin that are most impacted are collagen and elastin fibres. The process of glycation results in cross-linking of these fibres, which means they become more brittle and less resilient. Our bodies also lose the ability to repair collagen that's been glycated. This ultimately results in a loss of elasticity (the ability of the skin to bounce back. This in turn accelerates the sagging and wrinkling of the skin.
To protect collagen, it's very important to stop sugar spikes. Studies have shown that strictly controlling blood sugar levels over four months can result in a reduction of glycated collagen formation by 25%. So our advice; focus on whole foods. And eat more fruits and vegetables eat more foods that are naturally high in fibre and leave the cake for that special occasion.
Sprinkle collagen on your morning cereal
They say a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down - so what if we told you that a spoonful of Correxiko Collagen helps the fine lines go down? Since marine collagen is the same collagen naturally found in our skin, ingesting it helps reverse the effects of ageing on the skin, hair, bones, and tissues in our body.
It repairs the skin's collagen and elastin protein fibres while thickening the outermost layer of the skin, also known as the epidermis.
Science also proves that marine collagen supplements have a significant role in decreasing wrinkles, improving skin hydrating, and strengthening the body and it couldn’t be easier to include in your diet. Simply ingest two scoops throughout the day in your favourite smoothie, or sprinkled over your cereal or yoghurt and you’ll notice brighter skin and a visible decrease in the visibility of skin ageing and scars in the space of a few weeks.
Swap Netflix for time with your friends
Why is making time to work out with a friend such a bonus, especially when it comes to ageing? Because, as experts suggest friendships have been proven to not only improve the quality of life, but also allow for improved attitude, faster healing time, and increased feel-good neurochemicals. Research also shows that those who have healthy friendships and connections are happier in life, and when you’re happy, you tend to glow, which, in turn, makes you look younger, too.
Swap coffee for ginger tea
If you love to wake up with a hot mug of coffee - then a cup of ginger tea is the next best thing. Not only is ginger excellent for digestion and stomach health, but it also reduces inflammation (too much of this can break down collagen), so it’s perfect to keep your skin healthy. Drink ginger tea twice a day or mix some grated ginger with a tablespoon of honey once every morning. It’s a great nightcap too - and will add to your daily hydration levels of the recommended two litres of water a day
Swap long gym sessions for HIIT
Exercising is as good for your skin as it is for your body and one reason is that it releases a compound called IL 15, which prevents cell death. A skin study by McMaster University in Canada revealed that participants who took part in just two cycling sessions a week for three months showed changes that they reported made the skin look up to decades younger. Even better researchers have found that High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT training) which involves alternating between very intense spurts of action and a more leisurely pace during exercise helps to rejuvenate protein-building factories in our cells, known as ribosomes, and boosts the energy-producing capacity of our cells’ powerhouses, known as mitochondria. As we get older, the ability of our mitochondria to generate energy dwindles and HIIT can help to reverse the age-related changes seen in mitochondria.
