Contrary to popular belief, there’s a lot to like about getting older! People in their 50s, 60s, and beyond are no longer willing to confine themselves to dated ideas about retirement and senior citizenship. Still, it’s normal to feel anxiety about aging. If you have big plans for your golden years, you’ll need plenty of energy to achieve them. It’s never too late, or too early, to think about protecting yourself from the effect of age. Ahead, learn the answers to five top questions about anti-aging.

What Causes Biological Aging?

If you’ve ever heard an expression like “He’s 70, but he has the heart of a 30-year-old!” you’ll instinctively grasp the difference between biological and chronological age. Years pass at the same rate for everyone, but they don’t always have the same effect on the body. Broadly, genetics, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors control how fast your body ages. These aging factors appear as damage to telomeres, tiny structures attached to the ends of human chromosomes. Aging degrades telomeres, which results in accelerated cell death and biological aging that outpaces your chronological age. Fortunately, you can improve your telomerase production with certain supplements designed to stimulate the production of telomerase, the enzyme that produces telomeres. Supplements can be an excellent adjunct to a healthy lifestyle as you manage the effects of aging.

Can You Reverse Aging?

You can’t turn back the clock on chronological age, but new studies suggest that changing your behavior and consuming certain vitamins and antioxidants could rebuild telomeres and measurably decrease your biological age. While there’s no reverse-aging wonder drug available, lifestyle factors play an outsize role in your experience of getting older. For instance, a recent Yale study discovered that people with a rosier outlook on aging outlived their more negative peers by a full seven years! Consistent aerobic exercise also has impressive effects; active adults’ telomere lengths indicate that they are biologically nine years younger than adults who were the same age in years, but less active.

What’s the Best Diet for Anti-Aging?

If you’re trying to lose weight, it feels like there are thousands of different diets to try on, and many of them may work. Researchers still say that the Mediterranean diet, with its high levels of vitamins and antioxidants, is best. Various studies have proven its capacity to control cardiovascular issues, support a healthy brain, and lower your risk for some types of cancer. The Mediterranean diet minimizes consumption of red meat and sugar and includes plenty of legumes, olive oil, produce, and whole grains much like our own Sleek Nutrition Programs

Does Stress Really Age You?

Emotional tension is so ubiquitous in the modern world that you might wonder if it’s even worth trying to follow up on your doctor’s advice to relax, but those calming breaths are well worth the effort. Stress interferes with almost every body function, and the inflammation caused by long-term, systemic stress has been linked to negative outcomes as diverse as losing skin elasticity, gaining weight, and experiencing brain fog. Cut down on your stress by making sure to get enough sleep, exercising in a way that’s fun for you and absorbs your concentration for that period like dancing!

*Watch how Alex and others are dancing their way fit with Sleek HERE*

How Can You Stay Mentally Sharp?

Many people are concerned about losing mental acuity as they age. While a little forgetfulness in your older years is normal, bigger changes in your memory are not, so keep your doctor apprised of any differences. An active mind is the best defense against cognitive decline, which is one reason so many retirement-age workers are staying in their careers longer, where they can challenge themselves professionally and keep in touch with coworkers of all ages. These interactions could be as important as recommendations to eat healthily and exercise; people with strong social connections have better memory and mental abilities than people who spend most of their time alone.

Aging is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to mean a sharp decline in your goals or capabilities. With a healthy, active lifestyle and your doctor’s support, you can enjoy your golden years with vigor, stamina and clarity.