Here’s why you may be aging faster than your friends

By Emilyn Gil

Have you ever been mistaken as looking older or younger than your actual age? Or maybe you have friends who were born in the same year as you, but you look years apart? It’s not uncommon!

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Researchers decided to take this concept one step further and see if there was anything behind it. Their results were astonishing!

The Aging Study

The study was led by Daniel Belsky, an assistant professor of medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine. It involved 954 young participants between the ages of 20 and 40 who were evaluated using 18 different measures to determine how quickly they were aging.

The first shocking discovery was that according to their findings a person’s physiological age seemed to match their physical age. What this means is that the participants who showed to have aged mentally and functionally, also had aged at the same pace physically. So those who looked older were, in reality, aging faster than others in their same age group!

The second shocking discovery was that about 80% of the factors that Belsky and his team found to be possible influences on age, are completely within a person’s control. In other words, your lifestyle and behaviors seem to affect your age even more than your actual genetics.

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This research opens many doors for future studies and treatments. Now that researchers are able to measure a person’s aging pace, they are better able to track whether certain anti-aging treatments are effective or not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQohxCqWs-g

However, further research is required to pinpoint exactly what behaviors and lifestyle choices directly relate to slowing down or speeding up aging. Belsky will continue to re-evaluate the participants and make good use of this tremendous opportunity.

What Can I Do To Stay Young?

Although we still have a lot to learn about what behaviors affect aging, and are waiting in suspense for further results, there are some things that we already do know. And we won’t be surprised if this is what new research will confirm.

Lack of sunlight can cause premature aging and cancer

Daily Exercise- Exercise has long been on the list of beneficial activities when it comes to maintaining a youthful lifestyle. Daily exercise has been proven to improve not only the muscles that are directly involved in the specific activity, but also the cardiovascular system, immune system, hormones, and mood. (2)

You’ve heard it a million times, but that’s only because it’s true! Exercise can literally improve your cellular functions and keep you young and healthy.

A Healthy Diet- Dieting is also extremely important when it comes to healthy aging. The food you eat has a huge impact on your health and well being. Sticking to a balanced diet can reduce the risk of disease, improve physical performance, and positively affect your mood.

The best kind of diet includes:

Emphasis on vegetables and fruits
Whole grains, beans, and nuts
Fat-free or low-fat dairy products
Lean meats, poultry, fish, and eggs,
Limited processed foods (saturated fats, trans fats, and high levels of salt and sugar)
Controlled portion sizes

Perhaps the best way to halt aging – despite these stunning studies

Conclusion

Everyone gets older; it’s just a part of life. But the good news is that there ARE behaviors and habits that you can develop to slow down the process, keep your body physically and psychologically youthful, and give you the healthy, happy life you deserve!

Jenna Barrington is a writer, entrepreneur and the CEO of The Hired Pen. She has been working as a freelance writer and blog manager for many years. Jenna has a degree in Nutritional Health Counseling and extensive training as a copywriter and in search engine optimization. She has always had a passion for writing and loves to create space for people to express their passions, inner thoughts and voices through the written word. Jenna is dedicated to providing audiences around the world with high-quality content that is research-based, well thought out and designed to create positive impact. When she is not writing, Jenna loves spending time with her daughter and their golden retriever exploring the outdoors, eating at Asian restaurants, doing martial arts, or drinking milkshakes while watching comedies. If you want to reach Jenna personally you can email her at jenna.barrington27@gmail.com.

*Article originally appeared at Healthy Holistic Living.