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This post was written by Dr. Jo Ann Holoka, Jacksonville Bioidentical Hormones Expert. Dr. Holoka is part of BodyLogicMD, a network of highly trained physicians across the country who use BHRT (bioidentical hormone therapy) integrated with nutrition and fitness planning to help those suffering from hormone imbalance.

Our diet plays a crucial role in how youthful we look and feel. If you want to maintain optimal health in your 40’s, 50’s and beyond, it’s important that your diet includes foods that have been scientifically proven to reduce the effects of aging. The trouble with aging is that too many of us think of it as being a problem that must be solved. When in reality, it’s inevitable. However, while we may not be able to turn back the hands of time, there are steps that women and men can take to improve how well we age, and it all starts with what we put into our bodies.

If you wish to follow in the footsteps of Ageless celebrities like Suzanne Somers, there’s no need to waste your money on costly supplements or “miracle” remedies. If you’re still searching for the esoteric fountain of youth, a good place to start would be at your local grocery store.

1. Lypocene – Lycopene is a nutrient found in a variety of foods, such as tomatoes, watermelon, guava, pink grapefruit, papaya and rose hips. This nutrient works as an antioxidant, helping to rid the body of harmful free radicals and oxidative stress. Studies suggest that lycopene may reduce the risk of heart disease, several types of cancer and even osteoporosis.
2. Beta-carotene – Beta-carotene can help to prevent macular degeneration, night blindness and other vision problems. Additionally, beta-carotene has been shown to boost collage levels, giving skin more elasticity and improving the overall quality and texture of skin. Foods that contain beta-carotene include carrots, apricots, lettuce, peppers and spinach.
3. Flavonoids – Flavonoids also have great antioxidant properties. They also help reduce inflammation, which is at the root of a variety of disease and medical conditions. Perhaps the most notable flavonoid is resveratrol. Resveratrol is found in most red wines and has been shown to prevent blood clots, reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and prevent damage to blood vessels, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.
4. Vitamin D – It’s estimated that nearly 90 percent of American adults are vitamin D deficient. Many experts believe that vitamin D deficiency is to blame for a higher incidence of cancer and heart disease in American women and men. Vitamin D is found naturally in foods such as milk, cheese, butter, eggs, fish and oysters. It’s important to have your vitamin D levels assessed by your doctor to see if supplementation is necessary bring you within a normal range. Recommendations vary, but a daily intake in the range of 800 to 1,000 IU is likely to benefit most adults.
5. Breakfast – We’ve all heard the stale cliché “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Still the vast majority of us are “breakfast skippers.” Eating a well-balanced breakfast is an excellent way to jumpstart the body’s metabolism. Numerous studies have shown that people who skip breakfast are more likely to deal with weight gain and other consequences of “starvation eating.” The bottom line is: skipping breakfast is setting yourself up for failure.

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