All around us countless beauty products and medical procedures to make us look younger are coming out. And a lot of us grab every chance we get to try out everything new that promises the effects of the fountain of youth. But do we really have to put our faith in costly procedures and products to make us look younger? Here are some natural ways in which we can slow down the effects of aging in our body without any undue risks in your health.

It all starts at eating the right food. Eat food that contains essential vitamins and minerals that helps fight the effects of aging. This type of food contains antioxidants that stop the body’s process of oxidation. Oxidation produces what is called free radicals that react with the body. This reaction in turn deteriorates the cells in our body and the effect is aging. Vitamins and minerals that are considered to be anti-oxidants are: Beta-Carotene, Vitamin C & E, Selenium, Zinc, and Essential Fatty Acids. Fruits, vegetables, and fish contain these anti-oxidants.

Next to food is water. Drink 8 glasses of water a day. Keeping hydrated is key to preventing dried up skin. It also helps in digestion and flushing out toxins in the body.

Protect your skin from harmful toxins in the environment and Ultraviolet radiation. If you live in a big city, it is most likely that a lot of pollution is in the air. Limit your time outside. Take showers to clean off the dirt and toxins that cling on to your skin. Put on sun protection, ideally those with SPF 15 or greater. Also avoid sunlight in between 10AM to 3PM as this is the time the sun is most harmful.

Getting regular sleep at night helps our body to regenerate damaged cells more efficiently. It also gives our muscles to rest and be ready to do work the next day.