Turn back the CLOCK

Take years off your age with these stay-young strategies that will help keep your body healthy and strong

- KAREN EVENNETT

Take years off…YOUR FACE

You can blame your genes and use all the moisturisers that money can buy. But ultimately, your face will reflect your habits and lifestyle. ‘Smoking, stress and sugary foods have all been shown to age our skin faster – but healthy eating can slow down this process,’ explains nutritionist Dr Marilyn Glenville (glenvillenutrition.com). ‘Build your diet around anti-ageing fruit and vegetables, olive oil, nuts, legumes and oily fish.’

ANTI-AGERS

Go sugar-free One study showed that regularly drinking sugar-sweetened soft drinks has the same ageing effects as smoking.

Stay hydrated Drinking water and herbal teas throughout the day will enable nutrients to travel to your skin.

Fight stress It ages you inside and out. Try NHP Tranquil Support, £25.77 for 90 vegan capsules, to help you feel in control of your life.

NEED TO KNOW

It’s no coincidence that smokers tend to develop wrinkles ahead of their non-smoking friends. The habit causes blood vessels to narrow, so nutrients and oxygen struggle to reach the skin.

Take years off…YOUR HEART

Start by finding out your heart age, says Ruth Goss, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation (BHF). ‘We’ve partnered with NHS Choices to develop a handy online tool that helps all over-40s understand their risk of a heart attack or stroke. Find it on nhs.uk/conditions/ nhs-health-check/check-your-heart-age-tool. You should also book a heart health check-up with your GP if you’re over 40.’

ANTI-AGERS