Super-natural anti-ageing tricks...

Know your enemies

It's no good dosing yourself up with anti-ageing remedies if you're also a glutton for foods that can age you. Fatty foods, alcohol and iron in excess can all boost the rate at which you age, according to health and nutrition guru Jean Carper (www.stopagingnow.com). Stay evergreen with these tips:

➥Avoid saturated fats. It's the polyunsaturated fats (omega 3 and 6) and monounsaturated fats such as olive oil that promote longevity.

➥Drink alcohol in moderation, preferably with meals.

➥Don't take iron supplements unless advised to by your GP. ‘Too much iron can wreck your quest for the fountain of youth,' says Jean.

Eat wisely

Every day eat some foods high in antioxidants. These counter the effects of the free radicals (or oxidants) that speed up ageing and degenerative diseases (such as heart disease, cancer and dementia). Top of the list are:

➥Apricots. These are rich in betacarotene, which protects skin and lungs from oxidation damage.

➥Blueberries. They aid everything from brain function to skin tone.

➥Brazil nuts. The best-known source of selenium, which boosts the immune system and helps protect against cancer.

➥Kiwis. Two or three a day can reduce your risk of blood clots and stroke, according to research.

➥Watercress. This is exceptionally rich in phenylethyl isothiocyanate, which studies  have found possesses anti-cancer properties.

Value your vitamins

The best for anti-ageing are:

➥Vitamin E. This has fantastic anti-ageing and disease-fighting qualities. ‘If you take no other supplements, take this,' says Jean.

➥Vitamin C. Its antioxidant action is proven to add years to your life by attacking free radicals, according to US studies.

➥Betacarotene. It slows down bodily deterioration.

➥Vitamin B12. Without it you can experience a gradual decline in mental function, according to Jean.

➥Vitamin Q (co-enzyme Q10). ‘This is crucial for correcting deficiencies that come with age - and could make you younger and friskier as you grow old,' says Jean. But be prepared to pay for a good supplement such as Solgar Nutri-Nano CoQ10 (£27.85 for 50 one-a-day capsules). For advice on finding quality supplements, call Nutricentre on 0845 602 6744.   

Mind your minerals

Three great for anti-ageing are:

➥Calcium. As well as keeping your bones young, it will help you maintain youthful blood pressure and fight cholesterol and cancer.

➥Zinc. It can rejuvenate your immune system and even help restore the thymus gland (the immune system's control centre), which shrivels with age.

➥Silica. This can reverse the gradual deterioration of your skin, hair and nails. Try Hubner's Silicea Capsules (£11.95 for 30 from health stores), which boosted nail growth and condition in a double-blind study.

Count on collagen

Essential for youthful looks, collagen is the building-block protein that gives skin its structure. As collagen breaks down, wrinkles set in. We replace some through food, but experts believe we lose up to 1.5 per cent of our collagen a year after the age of 25. Products you could try include:

➥Higher Nature's Aeterna Gold Collagen Restructuring Complex (£25.90 for 90 capsules from health stores).

➥Perfectil Platinum (£39.49 for one month's supply from Boots and Superdrug), which contains a bio-marine collagen complex. This acts as a multivitamin, too.

➥Pure-Col (£29.95 for one month's supply from www.collagen4u.co.uk).

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