The Anti-Aging Diet - Pt.4

Can what you eat help you age gracefully?
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What Else Can You Do?

Micronutrients from food and beverages offer a wealth of health benefits. But when it comes to preserving the skin, some work better as topical applications such as creams.

"Drinking 6-10 small cups of green tea daily adds health-promoting catechins … but no matter how much green tea you drink, your blood level will never be high enough to retard or reverse skin changes," says researcher Stephen Hsu, PhD. His research found antiaging benefits when green tea polyphenols were applied directly to skin, and "protected the skin by absorbing ultraviolet light and eliminating free radicals."

A healthy diet and lifestyle may improve your health and keep you feeling young but don't expect wrinkles to disappear. The impact of diet on reversing signs of skin aging is overrated, says Atlanta-based dermatologist, Kenneth Ellner, MD.

"Skin aging is related primarily to genetics and exposure to the sun," he says. "If you want to age gracefully, stay out of the sun, use sunscreen, don't smoke, eat a healthy diet, and drink plenty of water."

To do your best to ward off aging, experts agree that a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, wearing sunscreen, avoiding tobacco, regular sleep, and a nutritious diet is the answer.

"If you are already engaging in healthy habits, take it a step further and try to fine-tune your diet to achieve added health benefits by adding new foods to your diet," advises Elisa Zied, RD, author of So What Can I Eat.
Antiaging Recipes

WebMD Weight Loss Clinic "Recipe Doctor" Elaine Magee has devised these recipes using foods with antiaging properties.

Salmon Pecan Patties
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic members: Journal as 1 serving "fatty fish with 1 tsp oil" + 1 serving "low-fat crackers" or 1 slice of "bread."

14.75-ounce can salmon (or 1 1/2 cups cooked salmon pieces, firmly packed)
1 teaspoon olive or canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2/3 cup cracker crumbs (to make these, add whatever crackers you like -- maybe wheat crackers, or even rosemary garlic crackers -- to a small food processor and pulse until fine crumbs form)
1 large egg (higher omega-3 variety if available), beaten
2 tablespoons egg substitute
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 1/2 tablespoon parsley flakes)
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 cup toasted pecan pieces (toast by heating in nonstick frying pan over medium heat until lightly brown -- about 2 minutes)
2 teaspoons olive or canola oil

* Drain salmon, picking out any pieces of bones or skin, and flake what is left. Add the salmon flakes to a large mixing bowl.
* Add 1 teaspoon oil to a small nonstick frying pan and heat over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, turning often, until golden and tender.
* Add onions to the salmon in mixing bowl, along with half of the cracker crumbs (1/3 cup), beaten egg, egg substitute, parsley, and mustard and beat on low speed to blend. Add pecan pieces and briefly beat on low speed until mixed in.
* Shape the mixture into 6 patties (about 1/2-inch thick). Press both sides of each patty into the remaining cracker crumbs to lightly coat.
* Begin to heat a large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 2 teaspoons of oil and spread evenly in the pan. Cook the patties until nicely browned on both sides.

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