We have become accustomed to fighting aging from the outside: we dye our hair, use anti-aging creams, and resort to cosmetic procedures.
But the aging process can be slowed down from the inside also. According to a new study by researchers from the University of Zurich (Switzerland)—and published in the journal Nature Aging—three simple habits—taking omega-3, vitamin D, and regular exercise—can slow down the biological aging of cells.
The study was based on data from the three-year DO-HEALTH experiment, which involved more than 2,000 people aged 70+. In the new work, researchers analyzed DNA samples from 777 participants and used the epigenetic clock, a method that determines a person’s biological age based on DNA methylation.
And the results were impressive. Those who regularly took omega-3s showed slower cell aging—and people with initial low levels of this substance in their blood even showed signs of reverse aging. But the greatest effect was seen in those who combined omega-3s, vitamin D, and simple home exercises. Such participants slowed down their aging process by an average of 1 percent and extended their lives by 3-4 months over just three years of the experiment.
Epigenetics is a relatively new science, but its findings confirm that external youth begins from the inside. While there is no universal recipe for longevity, adding oily fish, nuts, and seeds to your diet, as well as moderate physical activity, can be simple but effective steps for a longer and healthier life.
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