Aging with Ayurveda by Sunil Ahlawat
Vata Ayurveda considers childhood to be the Kapha stage of life. Adulthood is Pitta time, and old age is the Vata stage of life. Aging of the skin is due to the aggravation of vata dosha, which naturally increases with age. Old age is a slow and continuous process of physical deterioration in strength, in energy and in initiative and cannot meet the requirements of an active life. According to ayurveda anti aging means primarily maintaining a healthy body into old age and slowing down the processes of aging, wear and tear, and degeneration. The aim of Ayurveda anti-aging is to aspire to a healthy aging process, to keep both body and mind functioning at optimal capacity. Factors due to which skin get aged divided in to internal and external factors. Internal factors include doshas imbalance due to improper dietary habits and routine life style. External factors include the lifestyle and environment of the individual like smoking, exposure to sun, exposure to cold, poor diet, too much stress, lack of exercise etc.
Symptoms of aging are:
- Dry and Thin Skin
- Fine Wrinkles
- Sagging folds over the eyelids, neck, jaw, and arms.
- Abnormal Blood Vessels.
- Age Spots pigment cells in sun-exposed areas.
- Benign and malignant skin tumors
Causes:
- Sun exposure
- Smoking
- Eating of wrong foods
- Less intake of water and other fluids.
- Using soaps with harsh chemical ingredients
Diet care for anti-aging:
Much of life extension has been concerned with the use of nutrition, in the form of diets or supplements, to extend lifespan. The many diets promoted by anti-aging advocates are often contradictory. One of the few areas of consensus among nutritionists is the importance of keeping stable blood sugar levels, achieved in part by managing the food choices. As scientific research reveals more and more about how the human body works, what foods promote a healthy body, and what foods cause physical stress, it is becoming evident that many of the life threatening diseases experienced by aging people are the result of an unhealthy lifestyle and a poor diet. Viewed from this perspective, any foods that form part of a healthy diet might be considered anti aging foods, but it’s also true that some foods in particular seem to have unusual properties.
The largest group of these anti aging foods are the ones that contain antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that clear away free radicals, damaging particles that damage body cells and accelerate aging. Free radicals are always being produced in our bodies, so antioxidants are constantly needed to remove the free radicals before they have a change to do damage. Many foods, particularly fruits, vegetables, and whole grains contain antioxidants which are highly beneficial in anti aging food.
Diet is the major part and its necessary to design a diet that is healthy for the body in general and helpful for avoiding the typical signs of aging. Such a diet would avoid consuming pesticides and other toxins as much as possible (organic foods are best for this), as well as foods that are high in fat, salt, and sugar. Grains should be whole grains because the body converts the sugar in these carbohydrate sources at a slow and steady pace (to learn more about this, read about the glycemic index). Anti aging food stars are the whole vegetables and fruits. Proteins should come primarily from beans, nuts, and seafood, with a minimum of dairy, poultry and red meat products. Healthy fats include olive oil and, to a lesser extent, other vegetable oils – avoid trans fats and saturated fats as much as possible.
Though, for many people, adopting a diet of anti aging foods may seem like a drastic and difficult task, most people quickly discover a feeling of increased wellbeing, and gradually come to enjoy eating these wholesome healthful foods. And they are able to enjoy good health longer into their senior years. Anti-aging foods are definitely worth a try. Supplementation can also ensure that you get the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients you need, as sometimes even the most well-balanced diet is lacking in some essentials.
Yoga in Anti-aging:
Yoga helps in maintaining the health of the human body. Regular practicing of Yoga has the ability to be young once again. yoga revitalizing the mind, rejuvenates the body. Yoga helps in elasticity to the spine, firming up the skin improving the quality of loose arm muscles, By practicing inverted Yoga postures, you can turn back gray hair to its natural color.
Practicing Yoga = Fit Body = Active Mind = Glowing Skin = Anti Aging