8 Nutritious Foods that Slow Aging

Though the proverbial Fountain of Youth has never been discovered, there are several ways to slow down the aging process, including eating certain foods. Encourage your senior loved one to include these age-defying foods in his or her diet to keep looking and feeling young. 

2. Papaya

Your loved one can fight wrinkles with papaya. This tropical fruit is high in vitamins A, C, and E. Vitamin A breaks down proteins in the body, increasing the elasticity of the skin and boosting collagen levels. Collagen promotes healthy skin, nail, and hair growth. Papaya also includes papain, an enzyme that decreases inflammation. 

3. Spinach

Having some spinach in a salad for lunch or dinner can help the eyes stay healthy. Spinach contains lutein, which aids in preventing age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. 

Professional caregivers can be a wonderful source of support for seniors who need help getting proper nutrition. Maintaining a high quality of life can be challenging for some seniors, but professional caregivers can help them attain this goal. Families can trust Las Vegas senior home care experts to help their elderly loved ones focus on lifestyle choices that increase the chances of living longer and healthier lives.

3. Blueberries

Free radicals damage cells and can cause a variety of diseases, from cancer to heart disease. Antioxidants can prevent this damage. Blueberries are high in an antioxidant known as anthocyanin, which aids in slowing the aging process. Anthocyanin is especially helpful in preventing damage from sun, stress, and pollutants that can affect the skin. 

4. Walnuts

Sprinkle some walnuts on oatmeal or a salad, or serve them alone as a snack to keep your loved one’s skin and heart healthy. Walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been found to reduce inflammation, strengthen the membranes of skin cells, and help the skin retain moisture. 

5. Pomegranates

Sweet, tangy pomegranate seeds are known as a superfood for a variety of reasons, including their anti-aging properties. Pomegranates contain urolithin A, a biomolecule that can prevent age-related muscle loss. 

Family caregivers also need to pay attention to their own health, and that involves self-care and taking time to nurture their own wellbeing. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Las Vegas, NV, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. Our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.

6. Avocados

Avocados are high in healthy fats, potassium, and vitamins K, A, and C. Vitamin K can prevent varicose veins from forming, and it also aids in promoting skin elasticity. Avocados also have a high carotenoid content. Carotenoids help the skin shed dead cells and block toxins that can age skin. Many seniors find their skin dries out as they age. The healthy fats found in avocados can help skin retain its moisture. 

7. Green Tea

Over time, oxygen causes aging through oxidative stress. Help your loved one reduce oxidative stress by serving green tea. The natural compounds in green tea have been found to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and the drink is also high in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). A potent antioxidant, EGCG has been found to counteract the negative effects of aging. Encourage your loved one to enjoy a cup of green tea in the afternoon for a healthy boost of energy. 

8. Sweet Potatoes

Seniors can eat sweet potatoes year-round—not just at Thanksgiving—to reduce signs of aging. Sweet potatoes are naturally high in beta carotene, which is converted into vitamin A once digested. 

A trained professional caregiver can be an ideal resource when you’re trying to help your loved one lead a healthier lifestyle. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care. Las Vegas families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care Las Vegas to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at 702-919-0231 to learn about the high quality of our Las Vegas in-home care.