Expert: Derby Stewart-Amsden - 12/23/2008

Question
Hi Derby
I am 49,in good general health. I dont smoke or drink,and try to eat healthy lots of fruit and veggies,and I get lots of exercise.
Up until a couple years ago,people always said I looked younget than my age.
Now its the opposite,people say I look more like mid fifties.
I havent changed anything,in fact I feel I have improved my efforts to be healthy. In fact,I feel better than I used to as my digestion and muscle tone is better. So to look older when I feel younger is frustrating!
For whatever reason,my face,although it hasnt wrinkled THAT much,does look older, and my thick wavy hair is now mostly gray and thinner,although I am not bald.
I realise that this is natural, but was wondering if you knew of any herbs or supplements, or food or lifestyle changes I could try? Thanks!

Answer
Hi Bud,

Well the simple answer is that you left out one factor in your healthcare regime and that is understanding that your body naturally becomes less efficient with age.

This means every year you need to do a little more on the plus side and a little less on the negative.

For instance with food, its a good idea to reduce any foods that your digestion struggles with - for most people this list will include all products that use refined white flour and sugar, meat that is not raised with care (so if you do have meat in your diet it should be organic or free range), alcohol, fast food, oil and fats (with the exception of olive oil and a few specialized ones like walnut).

With exercise you want to be having regular exercise, and it is best if you have a variety of types so that your whole body is kept supple.

And of course the BIG thing in terms of wrinkles is keeping out of the sun and using sunblock on the few occasions that you have to be out in it.

Once you do the basics, then it is certainly worth looking at herbal help.  Nettle is a valuable source of nutrients and easily digestible - use it like spinach or as herbal tea. There are loads of herbs and of course each person will find a different combination best for them, so I would suggest that you treat yourself to a book on herbal health - the person I would most recommend is Susun Weed who has written loads of books on the subject.

Again, I would remind you to go for gentle - teas and changes you can make to your daily routine, not instant fix-it regimes where you glug a whole lot of pills, because the gentle way is more supportive of your system.

Hope this helps, do feel free to ask more specific questions and I'll do my best to help.

Happy Holidays,
Derby