Natural Anti-Aging Advice:

This is the kind of stuff I like. I ripped this info from a wellness email I get from the healthplan we have at work. It's useful info:


The five steps to younger-looking skinMy staff at RealAge.com has evaluated the research about avoiding aging skin and identified five things that make a difference in how old you look.

Step One: Be smart about your time in the sun
Step Two: Protect your skin with moisturizer
Step Three: Eat nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day
Step Four: Manage stress
Step Five: Drink water

Step One: Be smart about your time in the sunOK, let’s look at all the reasons why you should spend time in the sun – it’s a mood lifter and a major source of vitamin D, needed to head off many cancers, especially of the mouth, throat, stomach, and colon. So 10 or 20 minutes a day in the sun will provide a day’s worth of protection, about 1,500 IU. If you don’t get outdoors much, don’t forget to eat plenty of the foods that include Vitamin D – such as fortified milk, salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna, and sardines.Because you don’t want to trade skin cancer for that sunshine-produced Vitamin D, here are tips for enjoying the sun:
Minimize your time in direct sunlight. Plan your outdoors time for early morning or late afternoon, because the sun’s rays are less powerful then
Put on sunscreen just before you leave the house. It takes sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes to become effective, giving you time to absorb all the Vitamin D you need for the day. Keep applying the sunscreen throughout your time in the sun.
Wear sunglasses with 99 percent UV protection. Because powerful rays can get to your eyes from above your glasses, it's also smart to wear a sun hat.

Step Two: Protect your skin with moisturizerYou can slow skin aging by using moisturizer to keep your skin soft. And, don’t forget the sunscreen!

Step Three: Eat nine servings of fruits and vegetables a dayAntioxidants – which will give your skin a healthy glow – abound in fruits and vegetables, especially those with deep green, yellow, orange, and red colors. Eat at least four fruits and five vegetables a day to keep your skin looking good. Reduce your intake of simple or high glycemic-index carbohydrates, such as enriched bread or flour products, processed and refined foods, candy, and soft drinks.Great for healthy skin:
Foods with vitamins A and C, zinc, lean proteins, and essential fatty acids
The skin on fruits and vegetables – when washed well
Raw or lightly cooked vegetables
Complex or low-glycemic index carbohydrates, such as whole-grain breads and cereals, and legumes.
Healthy fats for skin cell regeneration – avocados, nuts, salmon, and flaxseeds
Colorful fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants
Whole-grain breads and cereals rich in magnesium and B vitamins to help regenerate skin cells See the sidebar below for a list of recommended skin-loving fruits and vegetables.

Step Four: Manage stressWhether your daily stress is about finances, relationship, lack of sleep, or a combination of these and other stressors, you need to take active steps to find solutions. Until then, manage your stress with good-for-you comfort foods, meditation, and exercise.
Eat comfort foods: True comfort foods include:
Berries – Vitamin C to help you fight stress
Guacamole – B vitamins for your nerves and brain cells
Mixed nuts – B and E vitamins and zinc
Oranges – Vitamin C to soothe you
Asparagus – Folic acid to lighten your mood
Meditate: Do it every day, before bedtime, or whenever your stress gets overwhelming. Find a quiet place to sit comfortably without being disturbed, close your eyes, and clear your mind of all thoughts. Try repeating a simple sound -like “om”- over and over to keep distracting thoughts out of your mind. You can focus on your breathing; you can pray. Whatever it takes to have at least five minutes of silence in your day will help you manage your stress.
Exercise: Exercising regularly is another great way to reduce stress. I recommend walking 30 minutes a day.

Step Five: Drink waterDrink water several times a day to moisturize your skin from the inside out, to help keep your skin hydrated and plump, and maintain its elasticity and suppleness. You’ll have less drooping, less drying, and less damage. Alcohol, coffee, tea, and sodas don’t count – they can actually rob your skin of moisture, so they should be limited in your diet.
Other causes of skin damageOther factors also may damage skin condition and appearance and cause aging. These include:
Poor diet
Lack of exercise
Allergies
Excessive alcohol consumption
Lack of sleep
Fluctuations in hormone levels such as during pregnancy, menopause, or adolescence
Bottom line:The payoff to actively and consistently following these five steps is a more youthful appearance.
Additional Information
Find more skin-healthy food selections with the RealAge Vitamins and Nutrients Best Bets
For personalized advice on improving your skin through your diet, take the RealAge Skin Care Assessment.
Foods rich in skin-loving vitamins and minerals
Almonds
Enriched bran or wheat flakes
Pumpkin
Apples
Evaporated milk
Pumpkin
Asparagus
Fortified whole-grain cereals
Raisin bran
Atlantic cod
Granola
Safflower oil
Atlantic mackerel
Grapefruit
Salmon
Avocados
Hazelnut
Spinach
Beans
Honeydew melon
Squash
Bell peppers, green and red
Legumes
Strawberries
Broccoli
Lettuce
Sunflower seeds
Brussels sprouts
Mango
Sweet potatoes
Cantaloupe
Milk, low-fat, fortified
Swordfish
Carrots, raw
Oranges and orange juice
Tomatoes
Corn flakes
Papayas
Tuna
Corn oil
Peanut butter
Vegetable oil
Eggs
Pears
Watermelon


Winter squash