Biological age. Sweet TnT Jouvert couple in Trinidad Carnival 2017.

Biological age: Hack yours for better health

Aging is a universal condition that affects everyone. As we age, our skin wrinkles, and our hair turns grey, but various other chemical and physiological reactions occur. These reactions can onset conditions such as mental and physical fatigue. However, things such as NAD+ supplements and meal timing methods can help us “hack” our biological age!

What happens when we age?

Both our bodies and mind go through various stages of aging throughout our life. Cells are, in large part, the main culprit for aging. They become more extensive and are less able to divide and multiply, and many cells lose their ability to function, or they begin to function abnormally.

Evidence of our biological age

Body

Appearance-wise, our skin becomes much paler and wrinkled. Hair grows slower and carries less pigment, all the while becoming less abundant on the scalp.

Physically, our cardiovascular system becomes much weaker than it was in our 20’s and 30’s, making it harder for blood to flow through the veins and arteries. These effects may make it increasingly challenging to stay active and in shape.

Mind

As we age, our brain goes through changes that can slow down our thinking: It loses volume, the cortex becomes thinner, and our brain receptors don’t fire as quickly. This can make forgetfulness much more apparent and abundant. Cognitive decline may occur after middle age, but it doesn’t typically happen until our mid 60’s and early 70’s.

These changes influence various bodily functions, but they are very gradual, taking decades to become prominent. However, things such as sleep deprivation, high amounts of stress, and lack of exercise, unfortunately, speed up the aging process. But there are methods out there we can take to help slow or even reverse aging symptoms!

What do we mean by “hacking” our biological age?

When we say we will help “hack” your biological age, we simply mean we will present small changes you can make in your lifestyle and diet that can mediate the symptoms and signs of aging. This is what is known as “biohacking.”

Biohacking is mainly associated with one term: “nutrigenetics.” This refers to the idea that your body’s total genetic expression can be mapped out and optimized by testing how different nutrients affect your health over time.

Altering your diet with nutrients such as NAD + supplements and adjusting your activity level can actually help slow or even reverse aging signs. Let’s take a look at what we can do to make this dream a reality.

1. Try NAD + Supplements

NAD+ is a chemical compound that helps promote healthy brain function, regulate metabolism, repair damaged DNA, and strengthen our cell defenses.

This chemical is abundant in our body throughout our teens and early adulthood, but levels sharply decrease with age. Researchers testing the effects of NAD+ on animals have found that raising NAD+ levels may help reverse signs of aging and lower the risk of many chronic diseases. Oral NAD+ supplements are a great option, but NAD+ infusions promote higher bioavailability, meaning a fuller dosage enters the body than oral supplements.

2. Adjust your diet to give yourself that glow

Ensuring we fuel our body with antioxidants, healthy fats, water, and essential nutrients will help prevent wrinkles, dull complexions, and fine lines. Lotions, facemasks, and other topical creams may help but rarely produce lasting effects. Try some of these amazing anti-aging foods!

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3. Keep your activity UP

According to researchers, one of the best ways we can combat mental aging is staying active. This doesn’t mean you have to train for three marathons a year, though. Simple exercises like walking, swimming, and even dancing for an hour a day can take ten years off your brain’s age.

4. An active brain is a healthy brain

Similar to how we exercise our bodies to keep them in shape, we can also exercise our brains to help establish new connections between nerve cells and help the brain generate new cells. Harvard Medical School explains that “mentally stimulating activity should help to build up your brain. Read, take courses, try “mental gymnastics,” such as word puzzles or math problems. Experiment with things that require manual skill as well as mental efforts, such as drawing, painting, and other crafts.”

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5. Care for your body and mind

It goes without saying that the mind and body are so immensely interconnected. Avoiding sleep deprivation and situations prone to unnecessary stress and anxiety can profoundly impact how your brain and body function. Be sure to get at least eight hours of sleep per night and keep in mind that life isn’t so serious and it is not worth stressing over the unnecessary.

“When should I start?”

This is entirely up to you. Honestly, the sooner you get to doing the things above, the greater chance you have at preserving your youth. But don’t feel you have to rush into any of the above suggestions: take your time. Make sure to consult your doctor before altering your diet or taking advantage of dietary supplements because everyone’s body is different and reacts differently to individual routines.

This article was originally published at iveeapp.com.

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