Not only do women (and some men) want to get rid of unwanted weight, but they also want to look great too! Fine lines and wrinkles, droopy skin, and saggy arms do not have to be a part of your aging experience if you include the best superfoods in your diet for beauty and weight management. In fact, if you want to be one of those people that often receive the compliment: “You look good for your age”, superfoods are a must. Today let’s look at the top 6 superfoods you should start consuming so you can look like you’re in your 20’s.
1) Goji Berries
Goji berries, Hollywood’s hottest new food, are one of the most nutritionally dense foods on earth and house a staggering concentration of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, phytochemicals, and essential fatty acids. With such an awesome constitution it is not surprising they are reputed anti-aging marvels. Originating in Tibet and greatly favored in traditional medicine these dried berries have many noted health benefits including boosting immunity, lowering cholesterol, enhancing vision, fighting cancer cells, relieving depression, and aiding weight loss.
Goji berries contain 500 times more vitamin C than oranges by weight and more beta-carotene than carrots making them a superb source of vitamin A. Together with vitamin E and essential fatty acids, these berries are ideal for any anti-aging and beauty regime. They also contain polysaccharides, which have been found to stimulate the secretion of the rejuvenating human growth hormone by the pituitary gland, as well as B vitamins, 21 minerals, and 18 amino acids.
The most well-documented case of longevity is that of Li Qing Yuen, who lived to the age of 252. Born in 1678, he is said to have married 14 times with 11 generations of posterity before his death in 1930. Li Qing Yuen reportedly consumed goji berries daily, adding them to his diet through smoothies and other dishes.
A study cited in Dr. Mindell’s book ‘Goji: The Himalayan Health Secret’, observed that 67 percent of elderly people who were given a daily dose of berries for 3 weeks experienced dramatic immune system enhancement and a significant improvement in spirit and optimism.
2) Aloe Vera
Forget botox, Aloe vera increases collagen production 100% naturally for a youthful, wrinkle-free complexion and plump, beautiful skin. The ultimate Botox alternative! The inner gel of the aloe vera leaf contains around 200 active compounds with over 75 nutrients. These include 20 minerals, 18 amino acids, and 12 vitamins (even vitamin B12 – one of the very few plant sources of this vitamin).
Aloe vera also has anti-microbial properties fighting fungi and bacteria and houses anti-inflammatory plant steroids and enzymes. Aloe vera is known to aid digestion and elimination, boost the immune system, and be highly effective at healing, moisturizing, and rejuvenating the skin, naturally stimulating the production of collagen.
Aloe vera is best eaten fresh when possible (you can order large aloe vera leaves which last a few weeks refrigerated). Scrape out the inside gel, avoiding the outside of the leaf which is a strong laxative, and blend with fruit for the ultimate beautifying smoothie.
Aloe vera has a mild flavour though a slightly bitter edge hence is best combined with fruit.
3) Avocados
Avocados are smoothing and softening for the skin and are easily absorbed; compared with almond, corn, olive, and soybean oils, avocado oil has the highest skin penetration rate.
Avocado also contains vitamin E (excellent for the skin), antioxidant carotenoids, and the master antioxidant glutathione which is exceptionally powerful and has anti-carcinogenic potential. High levels of glutathione are found in the liver where the elimination of toxic materials takes place.
Glutathione is effective against pollutants such as cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes as well as ultraviolet radiation. Research is currently exploring the potential benefits of glutathione for numerous conditions including cancer, heart disease, memory loss, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, eczema, liver disorders, heavy metal poisoning, and AIDS.
Additionally, avocados are high in monounsaturated fats, making them a superfood for age-defying beauty.
4) Chlorella
The nucleic acids RNA and DNA in Chlorella (one of the highest known sources of such) direct cellular growth and repair and enable our bodies to utilize nutrients more effectively, eliminate toxins, and avoid disease.
The production of nucleic acids in the body declines progressively as we age, which is no doubt why their intake is recommended by Dr. Benjamin Frank in ‘The No-Aging Diet’. Paul Pitchford in ‘Healing With Whole Foods’ writes that ‘insufficient nucleic acid causes premature aging as well as weakened immunity’, Research at the Medical College of Kanazawa in Japan found that mice that were fed chlorella had a 30 percent increase in life span. Replenishing RNA and DNA can be key to overall health, immunity, and longevity.
In addition to nucleic acids, chlorella is jam-packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, and amino acids, making it an incredibly rejuvenating and health-promoting superfood.
Try incorporating chlorella into your diet by adding it to soups, casseroles, and pasta dishes. Spirulina is a virtuous equivalent.
5) Bee pollen
When it comes to young and beautiful skin, bee pollen has outstanding gifts. Swedish dermatologist Dr. Lars-Erik Essen uses bee pollen to successfully treat acne and other skin conditions and observes its beautifying and anti-aging effects.
He reports that bee pollen ‘seems to prevent premature aging of the cells and stimulates the growth of new skin tissue. It offers effective protection against dehydration and injects new life into dry cells. It smoothes away wrinkles and stimulates a life-giving blood supply to all skin cells.’ He believes its skin rejuvenation properties are due to its high concentration of nucleic acids RNA and DNA, as well as its natural antibiotic action.
Bee pollen has a host of other health-promoting benefits that include fighting infections, lowering cholesterol, strengthening the blood, boosting the immune system, increasing physical strength and stamina, aiding longevity, and enhancing libido!
It has been called a ‘perfect food’ because it is so nutritionally complete.
6) Coconut oil
Coconut oil speeds up your metabolism and can actually help you lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. It is also incredibly beautifying and moisturizing for the skin and has antioxidant properties that protect against free-radical damage, keeping the skin youthful and healthy.
Taken internally or externally coconut oil is a great ally for any beauty skincare regime. It also contains lauric acid, an anti-microbial fatty acid that reduces inflammation and kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Conclusion
For anti-ageing and an abundance of health include these 6 superfoods in your diet on a regular basis. In addition to superfoods, I also recommend using light therapy to increase collagen production, boost stem cell activity and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. If you want to know what specific light therapy I personally use to naturally stop and even reverse the ageing process click here to learn more.
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