{"id":139,"date":"2016-02-05T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-02-05T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.foreo.com\/mysa\/?p=139"},"modified":"2023-11-09T14:52:05","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T13:52:05","slug":"ultimate-guide-anti-aging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foreo.com\/mysa\/ultimate-guide-anti-aging\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide to Anti-Aging"},"content":{"rendered":"

Go the way of fine wine with these tips and tricks.<\/p>\n

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The search for anti-aging strategies and solutions is as old as human civilization itself. Throughout history, us humans have chased the proverbial Fountain of Youth. We\u2019ve gone to extreme lengths to uncover the secrets to looking young, bright and beautiful forever. While science isn\u2019t likely to lead us to immortality any time soon, the progression of research and technology has brought us a long way towards a better understanding of how to live healthy, happy, long lives.<\/p>\n

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So how did our forefathers and foremothers chase the dream of eternal youth? How has modern science helped us look as young as we feel inside? And how might future breakthroughs give us more effective and optimized methods for anti-aging?<\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s start from the beginning – or as close to it as historians can get us, that is.<\/p>\n

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Ancient Egyptians Innovate<\/h2>\n

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One of the first, most successful, and longest lasting human civilizations of all time, the ancient Egyptians, were not just pioneers in written language, architecture and mummification – they also invented their own anti-aging tricks.<\/p>\n

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One common anti-aging agent was fenugreek, an herb commonly found in the Mediterranean region, as well as parts of China and India. The Egyptians processed fenugreek in a lengthy and complicated ritual involving drying, threshing, winnowing, boiling and more to produce an oil that was then applied to the skin to keep it looking soft, bright and youthful for years to come.<\/p>\n

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There may also be some modern science to back up this ancient anti-aging trick: As a powerful antioxidant<\/a>, fenugreek mitigates oxidative damage done to our tissues, thus abating the kind of inflammatory effects that can cause premature aging<\/a>. So even if you don\u2019t have time to produce fenugreek oil the way the ancient Egyptians did, you can help yourself by adding a bit of fenugreek to your next meal.<\/p>\n

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Fish oil, a potent antioxidative, may be another effective anti-inflammatory for fighting the signs of aging. Arlene Noodleman, MD, says, “Anti-inflammatories are the best anti-agers out there. From improving heart and immune functions to helping hair grow and skin look supple, they truly do wonders. I take three 500 milligram capsules of omega-3 fish oil in the morning and at night.”<\/p>\n

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Famous Egyptian queen Cleopatra went a step further than fenugreek – \u00a0she bathed daily in donkey-milk baths to maintain her famous beauty. (Some historical texts claim this feat required a regular milking of over 700 donkeys to accomplish!)<\/p>\n

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That might sound a bit over the top, but as with the fenugreek anti-aging trick, there may be some science to this solution as well: milk\u2019s alpha hydroxy acids possess anti-aging and skin-softening agents, the same natural chemical compounds found in modern day chemical peels and other anti-aging cosmetic products. Apparently Cleopatra was on to something.<\/p>\n

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The Greeks & Romans Take a Dip<\/h2>\n

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While Cleopatra may have preferred donkey milk, it\u2019s likely that her Roman lover Marc Antony preferred an even more surprising anti-aging method – crocodile dung. Public baths were filled with a mixture of earth and freshly-harvested crocodile feces. The same mixture which was also used to make anti-aging face masks.<\/p>\n

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In this case, modern science doesn\u2019t have much to say on the medical benefits of crocodile dung as an anti-aging solution. (We can\u2019t imagine there\u2019s much funding for proper testing to be conducted.) But one of its medical uses did add genuine value for ancient Greeks and Romans: birth control. A mixture including dried crocodile feces was used as a diaphragm, apparently to successful outcomes. Let\u2019s just be glad we live in an era of modern medical science.<\/p>\n

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Traditional Chinese Anti-Aging Methods<\/h2>\n

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Although Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) dates back thousands of years, today\u2019s Chinese citizens – and other devotees across the world – still swear by ancient anti-aging methods like pearl powder, facial massage and acupuncture.<\/p>\n

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Tang-dynasty ruler Wu Zetian, for example, believed in ruling firmly and fabulously. She maintained a lifelong dedication to her skincare routine. Her anti-aging solution of choice was Chinese motherwort, a common herb from the mint family. Every morning, she faithfully washed her face in cold water with a powder concocted from motherwort. Whether it was the genuine medicinal effects of the motherwort or just good genes, Wu Zetian remained a famed beauty well into her old age.<\/p>\n

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Modern anti-aging methods also make use of TCM precepts on pressure points and massage. According to Maya Kron, a New York-based acupuncturist, you can try your own Chinese-style massage at home to release tension in your face and boost your skin\u2019s elasticity.<\/p>\n