You are what you eat

What you put in your body has a huge impact on its outward appearance...

Wrinkly skin and old age usually go hand in hand. But the truth is, there are ways to slow this process – and in some cases even reverse part of the damage – simply by taking into consideration the body’s nutritional needs.

One factor that can considerably speed up the ageing process is an excessive production of free radicals and the onset of oxidative stress. Unbeknown to many, a high concentration of oxygen is actually toxic and can have a corrosive effect on our cells. Dangerous by-products – free radicals – are produced during bodily processes that use oxygen, such as the combination of oxygen with digested food. If these molecules are in abundance (oxidative stress), then the ageing process is accelerated and the onset of age-related diseases, such as arthritis, cancer, Parkinson’s, premature ageing and stroke – to name just a few – is more likely. You can see a similar process happening if you cut an apple in half and leave it uncovered – the browning that occurs is oxidisation. Without protection, the apple will soon rot away.

Free radicals will always be produced naturally within the body, and some oxidation action is necessary for life. However, environmental factors – such as industrial chemicals found in plastics and foods, cigarette smoke, excessive exposure to the sun (UV rays), pollution, excessive exercise, pesticides used in farming and an unhealthy diet (one that’s lacking in antioxidants and is high in processed foods) – all contribute to the production of these damaging molecules.