As time progresses, all living things age. Aging is a natural part of our lives and there is no way to reverse it. You can delay the appearance of signs and symptoms of getting older by living a healthy lifestyle. You can make healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. You can also use retinoids, intermittent fasting, and get enough vitamin C to keep your skin looking younger. Anti-aging has been a hot topic of conversation in, both, the medical and cosmetic communities all around the world.

DISCLAIMER: Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns. This article is based on peer-reviewed research as well as information gathered from medical societies, research teams, and/or governmental agencies. They are not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

How to Prevent Aging

People have been concerned for centuries about the effects of aging. People are always looking for ways to reverse aging or the “fountains of youth”. Is it possible to reverse the effects of aging? Is it possible to restore youthful function to our bodies? Let’s see what the research says:

Can You Reverse the Effects of Aging?

It is impossible to reverse the effects of biological age. You can slow down aging and prevent the onset of age-related diseases, like Alzheimer’s Disease, by making positive lifestyle changes. This includes healthy habits such as exercising, eating a healthy diet, and applying sunscreen each day (Shanbhag 2019, 2019).

These factors can slow down the aging process, give you a younger appearance, and improve your health span. Researchers suggest that healthy habits can help you look younger internally. But more importantly, they can help you to FEEL younger.

Let’s get into the details about aging and possible steps to reverse it.

What is the Definition of Aging?

Many factors can lead to aging, including both psychological and physical ones. For example, the stress of worrying about the economy for three consecutive months. However, the fundamental aging process remains the same. Humans are made up of millions of cells. These cells multiply over and over again, but each cell can only multiply a certain number of times before it dies. As more human cells are damaged, signs of aging begin to appear (Flint 2020).

Looking at the cellular level can help explain aging. Your DNA is the blueprint for your cells. Your chromosomes have special caps called telomeres at their ends. These telomeres help protect your chromosomes. Your telomeres become shorter as your cells multiply. If your telomeres become too short, they cannot protect your DNA, and eventually, the cell will die. This is similar to the normal wear and tear of cells after repeated cycles of replication and dividing (Turner 2019, 2019).

Senescent cells, also known as “zombie cells” are also an important indicator of aging. Senescent cells in the skin contribute to sagging skin, senescent cells in blood vessel walls contribute to stiffer blood vessels, senescent cells in the liver, fat, and pancreas impair metabolic function, and so on. Cellular senescence is one of the reasons why we age.

The Indicator For Signs Of Aging: Yamanaka Factors

Scientists have discovered that certain factors can reverse the signs of aging. These factors, called Yamanaka factors, were discovered by Dr. Shinya Yamanaka in 2006. Since then, a research team has been working to harness these factors and use them to treat various age-related conditions.

So what are the Yamanaka factors? The Yamanaka factors are a group of four proteins that can turn back the clock on aging cells. When these proteins are introduced into aging cells, they cause the cells to revert to their original state. This means that the cells and other tissues can start producing new collagen and elastin, and they can also start dividing again. The result is younger-looking skin that is smoother and more elastic.

Because the Yamanaka factors reverse changes made to gene regulators, some scientists see the study as further evidence that aging is driven by epigenetic changes. Other studies concluded that instead of using four Yamanaka factors, three Yamanaka factors can be used to reprogram human cells (R) and even other transcription factors can be used, like Msx1 (R). This kind of epigenetic reprogramming approach to aging is called “epigenetic rejuvenation”.  “I do think that epigenetic reprogramming is the ultimate way to reverse aging,” says David Sinclair, a Harvard University geneticist, and anti-aging researcher.

What is Epigenetic Reprogramming?

Epigenetic reprogramming is a process that reverses the signs of aging. It involves the activation of dormant genes and the silencing of harmful genes. It also helps to restore the body’s natural balance. Alexander Meissner of the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Genetics says that most cellular reprogramming comes down to rewriting epigenetic marks – chemical modifications of the genome, such as DNA methylation, which influences the genes that are active (or not) and tend to change as the cells age. This reprogramming reconfigures gene expression networks, thus reversing age-related cellular features.

What Can You Do To Prevent Signs of Aging?

Your skin is a great visual indicator of the progression of aging. Your body can repair damaged skin cells when you’re young. As you age, your skin’s ability to repair damaged cells becomes less efficient. Your skin loses collagen and starts to show fine lines and wrinkles. There are many ways to reprogram cells and slow aging in your body as well.

Reverse aging involves more than physical appearance. Fine lines and wrinkles are not the only signs that a person is maturing. Therefore, it’s important to address all aspects of the problem. Other cosmetic signs of skin aging are hyperpigmentation and uneven texture. These can make you appear older, so it is essential to address these aging issues.

These are nine ways to reverse aging:

1. Eat a Healthy Diet

Healthy eating can increase your chances of living longer. Many studies have shown that eating more fruits and vegetables can reduce your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, or other health conditions (Capurson 2019, 2019). While on the other hand, red meat and processed sugar have been shown to have a negative effect.

Research shows that a Mediterranean diet can help to prevent frailty as well as aging-related diseases such as dementia. People who follow a Mediterranean diet live longer than those who eat a western diet. The “western” diet consists of eating more processed, fried, high-sugar, and carbohydrate foods and a greater intake of saturated fats. The western diet may increase the risk of developing heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes (Capurso 2019, 2019).

Mediterranean food emphasizes lean proteins, plenty of fruits and veggies, whole grains, healthy fats like olive oil, fatty fish, and lots of vegetables. These healthy fats are often rich in omega-3-fatty acids, which can have a positive impact on your health, longevity, and age reversal. Although animal studies have shown that omega-3-fatty acids supplements can slow down aging and increase longevity, there is no evidence from human trials (Capurso 2019, 2019).

The Mediterranean diet can also protect against muscle loss that is typically associated with getting older (Capurso 2019, 2019). It can also prevent age-related cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. You can get a lot of antioxidants from vegetables and fruits. These foods can reverse aging and protect your brain from inflammation that could lead to memory loss.

Recent literature reviews suggest that whole-food, plant-based diets may help with anti-aging by increasing your intake of antioxidants (Solway 2020).

2. Limit Calorie Intake

Calorie restriction can also have an impact on aging, along with eating a healthy diet. Intermittent fasting is one way to do this. This is a strategy that allows you to limit the number of calories you eat by alternately eating and fasting.

Research shows that intermittent fasting can improve overall health. This is especially true for medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and neurologic conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Some animals with intermittent fasting have shown a higher life expectancy, but this is not yet proven in humans (de Cabo 2019, 2019).

Scientists believe that fasting activates pathways in your cells that increase your body’s resistance to oxidative stress and metabolic stress. Also, it removes or repairs damaged molecules.

3. Stop Smoking

The harmful chemicals in cigarettes can cause skin problems and damage to your body. These chemicals can cause skin cell damage, damage lung tissues, and accelerate the signs of skin aging. Smoking can cause wrinkles and fine lines to appear on your face, particularly around your eyes and mouth. Smoking can also cause skin discoloration and uneven skin tone. Some of these issues can be reversed by quitting smoking (Krutmann 2017, 2017). Reverse aging is encouraged by both removing toxins from your body and introducing a healthier lifestyle.

4. Exercise Regularly

Exercise, like a healthy diet and exercise, has proven to be beneficial for your health. It may even slow down the cognitive decline that is often associated with aging. Studies suggest that exercise that incorporates resistance and aerobic training can improve cognitive function in older adults. Additionally, it can help regulate high blood pressure in adults. De la Rosa 2020, Exercise may help prevent the development of Alzheimer’s and dementia. More aging research is required.

5. Sunscreen Should Be Applied Daily

When you are out in the sun, your skin is exposed to both ultraviolet A (UVA), and ultraviolet B (UVB). Sun damage can be caused by both UVA and UVB rays. This is also known as sun damage. Experts believe that as much as 80% of skin aging is due to UV exposure, and not simply getting older.

Sun damage can cause premature aging signs such as fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots (or age spots), and uneven skin tone. Sun damage can be prevented by applying sunscreen every day (SPF 30 and higher).

Breaking news: Sun damage can also lead to skin cancer, so SPF is more important than its cosmetic use.

6. Use Retinoids

Because they can improve the appearance of your skin, retinoids (retinol and tretinoin) are compounds made from vitamin A. This skin rejuvenation is achieved by tretinoin and retinol increasing skin cell turnover. This refers to how fast your body sheds dead skin cells and creates new skin layers. They can also increase your collagen production. Retinoids can help to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and can even out skin tone. This can all make your skin appear younger (Yoham 2020).

7. Make Sure You Get Enough Vitamin C

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a natural antioxidant. It is also one of the most popular supplements for reversing aging. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights free radicals. Free radicals can cause many types of damage to our bodies, including skin aging. Vitamin C can help reduce wrinkles and fine lines by protecting the skin from oxidative damage, according to studies. Vitamin C may improve the skin’s elasticity and firmness, by increasing collagen production in your body (Zasada 2019, Ahmed 2020).

8. Cosmetic products

To reverse or slow down aging, some people resort to cosmetic procedures and products. Anti-aging skincare products can reduce wrinkles and fine lines. All products that contain retinol and hyaluronic acids, as well as vitamin C, are great ingredients that can help your skin look younger and healthier.

Your skin may experience a few changes as you age: sun damage can cause the skin to turn dark, wrinkles can form, and skin volume can decrease due to a lack of collagen. These products address these concerns. For example, Hyaluronic acid helps skin cells retain more water. This results in a plump and dewy complexion that appears younger. Vitamin C can lighten dark spots and retinol has been known to soften wrinkles and fine lines. These are all preventative measures that you can take at home and start early.

9. Cosmetic procedures

Your dermatologist may be able to perform more severe procedures to address skin problems at the cellular level. These procedures can help you prevent future skin issues and manage existing ones. These procedures can include anything from giving growth hormone, radiofrequency, lasers, and fillers. Examples include:

Thermage: This radiofrequency treatment heats the skin’s inner layers safely. Thermage promotes new collagen growth and tightens skin. The heat tightens existing collagen and promotes body collagen production. This means you can get firm results immediately, as well as lasting results long after you leave the office.

Fraxel: Fraxel can be used to treat hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage or wrinkles. The laser causes tiny wounds that trigger your skin’s healing response. This stimulates the growth and repair of skin cells that have been damaged by sun exposure or aging (Bertossi 2019, 2019).

The use of dermal fillers to correct the sunken, sallow appearance that can sometimes occur as we age. Our collagen, which is responsible for forming parts of our body, such as our cheeks, and lips, begins to break down with age. There are many types of injectable fillers available (e.g. Restylane and Sculptra, Juvederm etc.). These areas can be plumped again, giving them a more youthful appearance (Walker, 2021).

There are many neuromodulators, including Botox and Dysport. These injections give you a more youthful appearance by smoothing wrinkles and lines around your mouth, forehead, frown lines, horizontal forehead wrinkles, and wrinkles around your mouth. These treatments can prevent future lines from forming because they stop facial muscle movement (Satriyasa 2019, 2019).

How to Reverse Aging?

Avoiding unhealthy habits can help you prevent the aging process. Reevaluate your eating habits. Are you getting enough antioxidants? This could lead to skin damage and premature aging.

Smoking and drinking are also things to avoid. They can hurt your appearance and health. Smoking can lead to fine lines and wrinkles in your skin, which will make you appear older. Although, it has been shown that red wine, specifically, has compounds like resveratrol in it that help with epigenetic deterioration.

Avoid the sun and use sunscreen. Excessive sun exposure can cause sunburns that result in skin damage such as wrinkles, sunspots, and poor skin texture.

For more information on reversing the aging process at a cellular level, Combilytics Corp has the answers. Get in touch by email at info@combilytics.com.