Ageing and Ayurveda

Ageing is a natural process. Yeah- but many of us don’t like it- right? It’s an irony that when we are young, we wish to grow older and when we hit 40, we wish to go back to 20s!

Much research is being done to find a magic cure, bio-hacks to stop or delay ageing, but there is no strong evidence at the moment that supplements or medications work.

Most commonly ageing is associated to looks, skin tone and such external appearance. But Ayurveda views ageing more holistically. Having a good brain, heart and gut health can delay ageing- i.e. have significant positing impact on longevity, awareness, memory function, physical movements and overall sense of wellness.

According to the World Health Organisation, genetics play 20-25% role in how we age, but the rest comes down to lifestyle and socioeconomic factors. Body with a strong immune system, a healthy brain, good education, and good socioeconomic standing can age well compared to contrary.

More than a third (38 per cent) of the burden of disease in older Australians was preventable, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report, 2018. Smoking, poor diet, being overweight or obese and high blood pressure were key contributors.

That’s where Ayurveda plays a major role.

It gives you a diet, a lifestyle regime (‘rhythm’ is correct word here) that helps you achieve good immunity and keep away other factors which contribute to faster ageing.

Ayurveda is not necessarily purely vegetarian or vegan, but it suggests a large component of veg+fruit diet daily as it helps in maintaining a healthy skin tone. Ayurveda diet also helps to maintain a healthy gut microbes, changes in which are related to various ageing-related disorders. Antioxidant-rich, plant-based snacks are a useful nutrition support to benefit healthy ageing via the elevation of antioxidant ability and alteration of gut microbiota, according to new research.

Another study findings suggest that greater consumption of legumes and nuts may be important to slow cognitive decline with age.

One famous program to reverse heart disease mentioned on pg 161 in Dr Andrew Newberg’s book uses combination of exercise, breath-work, meditation, relaxation and low-fat vegetarian diet- exactly what Ayurveda has been saying since last 5000+ years.

Isn’t it easier and worthwhile to implement anti-ageing strategies by following a simple Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle?

And, sooner we start, better it’s for us. Why wait till 60 or even 40 to delay ageing?

Interested in staying young and healthy for longer? Follow Ayurveda lifestyle.

No one can escape the process of ageing.

As the some countries in world fight the challenges of ageing population, Ayurveda also tells you how to embrace ageing and, age gracefully and actively.

Here is link to a times article about 8 hacks to stay fit after 40.