Is there a link to looks and longevity?
Anti-aging treatments, cosmetic procedures, makeup, skin care, and regimens—who hasn’t tried anything that can help them look and feel younger? We all know looking younger helps boost our confidence and self-esteem, but did you know that it is linked to longevity too?
Some of us can’t tell twins apart, but for other pairs, there’s a difference. Sometimes, it could be that one looks older than the other, but why is that so? And also, does it matter? A study led by epidemiologist and biostatistician Kaare Christensen from the University of Southern Denmark as published in the British Medical Journal in 2009 looked at Danish twins aged 70 years and above and let three groups with different professions and ages rate them on how old they thought they were. The twins’ health were monitored for seven years, beginning in 1995, and by the end of the study, it was concluded that perceived age is linked to one’s survival even after taking into account other factors such as sex, age, and environment. Moreover, they also linked this to telomere length. Telomeres are found at the ends of the DNA’s chromosomes and are an indicator of aging. They shorten when cells divide and when telomeres fail to perform their function, the cells die. Telomeres naturally shorten as we age chronologically, but some individuals have shorter telomeres at a certain age than others. Shorter telomeres are also linked to inflammation and disease. In the study, it was also found that those who looked younger had longer telomeres.
So what does this tell us? This means that while enhancements can help you look good in the outside, it is also important to feel healthy on the inside. There are a lot of tips to help you look younger, feel healthier, and live longer, but here are simple ones that you can easily remember.
Telomeres naturally shorten as we age chronologically, but some individuals have shorter telomeres at a certain age than others. Shorter telomeres are also linked to inflammation and disease. In the study, it was also found that those who looked younger had longer telomeres.
Stay out of the sun. This cannot be stressed enough. The sun can contribute to premature aging and wrinkles, and the sooner you learn about skin care and sun protection, the better off you’ll be in looking younger (and avoiding sun-related skin damage and cancers).
Sleep well. This doesn’t mean getting eight hours of sleep after a movie binge in the wee hours of the morning. This means getting quality, restful sleep and sleeping on time.
Stay active. Need doctors say more? Exercise is an effective way to manage stress, improve your mood, help with weight, and improve strength and overall health. Best of all, it’s free!
Say sayonara to stress. Or at least, learn to manage them by practicing meditation and mindfulness. It has great benefits not only to your physical health, but also for your mental health.
Supplementation. Examples are vitamins C, D, and Omega-3s that help reduce oxidative stress, and, along with a healthy diet, can help with overall health as well.
Looking younger is linked to longevity, but so is our lifestyle. No amount of cosmetic surgery can make you live longer, but healthy habits certainly can! And when you start feeling and getting healthier, looking younger becomes a plus!