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Age 25 |
Your youth-preserving action plan |
Build a shield against wrinkles.
UVB rays cause burns, but it's UVA rays that create the damage that leads to wrinkles, pros say. So Jennie Garth, 28, is smart to apply lotion with "full-spectrum protection" that protects against UVA and UVB rays each morning. And this year, look for a crop of new sunscreens containing the most effective UVA blocker ever invented. The key ingredient, says dermatologist Jon Blum, M.D., is Parsol, also called avobenzone. One to try: PreSun Ultra Sunscreen with Parsol.
Take the vitamin that prevents gray hair.
A daily vitamin B complex supplement that contains at least 400 mcg. of folic acid can not only stave off gray hair, but, "in some cases can even restore natural hair color," promises Ann Louise Gittleman, R.D. "A tablespoon of blackstrap molasses (a rich source of minerals including iron and potassium, which have been proven important in maintaining hair color) every day can also restore hair color," she says.
Keep your metabolism from slowing down.
Scientists know your metabolism drops by 5% every decade, but you can keep yours from weakening by eating regular meals. "Your metabolism increases by at least 2% every time you eat something," says Gittleman. No time to eat? Get on the energy bar trend—a favorite trick of ER alum Kellie Martin, 25. These 200-calorie bars provide the same mix of nutrients you get in a healthy, balanced meal ... but they do it in minutes. So they keep your metabolism stoked—and hard at work—even when you don't have time to sit down for three squares.
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Age 35 |
Your youth-preserving action plan |
Start exfoliating your skin the gentle new way.
By age 35, damaged layers of skin cells begin to build up, aggravating fine lines. While prescription exfoliating products like Renova peel away the old layers to reveal the youthful skin beneath, researchers have found women stop using them because they're too strong and can cause irritation. To the rescue: effective but gentler products—like the tempered betahydroxy acid Heather Locklear, 38, swears by. "At night, I use L'Oreal Turning Point cream. I leave it on my face, and the next morning, I get in the shower and just wash it off." Another option: Retin-A Miro, a gentle formula now available in dermatologists' offices.
Save your skin with the new "super-antioxidant."
Scientists have known for some time that most of the damage we call aging is caused by free radicals, byproducts of oxygenation that destroy healthy cells. They also know that antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E seem to have the power to "turn off" free radicals. And now there's an even more powerful antioxidant available, says dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, M.D.: alpha lipoic acid. "It's a super antioxidant that's 400 times stronger than anything else available," he explains. His studies reveal that alpha lipoic acid reverses ruddiness and enlarged pores in three months, leaving subjects with porcelain-perfect skin. And every study participant experienced a reduction in fine lines around the eyes within eight weeks! Ask your dermatologist about prescribing an alpha lipoic acid formula, or visit Dr. Perricone's website (www.nvperriconemd.com).
Begin taking the vitamin that wards off aging.
"I'm really big into vitamin E to help make fine lines lessen ... Plus I know vitamin E is good for your general health," says Courtney Cox-Arquette, 35. She can say that again! A series of studies have proven 400 IU of vitamin E a day—that's about 385 more than we get in a typical diet—can cut heart-attack fatalities by 41% and macular degeneration (the number-one cause of blindness) by 85%, possibly eliminate Alzheimer's—and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and roughness!
Get up off the couch.
Becoming more active—even if it's just walking around the block or vacuuming with gusto—can make the difference between a slim, youthful body and a midlife spread. If you remain or become sedentary during this phase of your life, studies show you'll gradually put on an extra 26 pounds of fat. That's why women like Heather stick to a regular workout routine—a habit experts say we'd all be wise to follow.
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Age 45 |
Your youth-preserving action plan |
Start on the natural wrinkle cure.
If you've already begun to see evidence of skin againg, turn to the vitamin C cure. "I'm a big believer in vitamin C," says Jane Seymour, 49. "The antioxidants really have made a difference in fine lines." This comes as no surprise to Dr. Perricone, who says studies prove applying vitamin C "will smooth fine lines and stimulate collagen production, adding plumpness to sagging skin." For maximum benefit, he recommends opting for the newest formula: vitamin C ester. "It won't irritate the skin, and it's absorbed more quickly," he explains. You'll find treatments that contain vitamin C ester at www.nvperriconemd.com (888-823-7837).
Try the cream that eliminates dark circles.
For years, doctors have been prescribing topical vitamin K to reduce bruising after surgery. Now research shows vitamin K can also eliminate dark under-eye circles—a problem that tends to worsen in our mid-40s, say experts. One eye cream formulated with vitamin K: St. Ives Vitamin K Dark Circle Diminisher.
Safeguard your sharp memory.
Early evidence suggests a new supplement derived from soy protein, Phosphatidylserine (PS), can keep your brainpower at its peak for life. A study showed subjects who took 300 mg. of PS for weeks were better able to recall names and events, says Richard Firshein, D.O. "Scientists think it supports the protective layer that surrounds nerve cells in the brain," he explains. It's available at nutrition centers.
Get plenty of beauty sleep.
Your body needs to maintain proper cellular function. But getting your full eight hours could be a problem as you hit perimenopause. "One of the most annoying effects of perimenopause can be insomnia," says Gittleman. To guarantee you get the rest you need, the pro recommends 50 mg. of vitamin B1 and 400 mg. of magnesium. Taken before bedtime, studies show they can help you drift off more easily.
Dine on the foods that make your metabolism burn fat faster.
Experts say that by the time you reach 50, your metabolism burns 350 fewer calories a day—but who wants to cut out 350 calories' worth of food to make up for it? The solution: fish! A recent study found that the omega-3 fatty acids found in cold-water fish like salmon and mackerel actually improve fat metabolism. In fact, dieters who ate fish every day lost 20% more weight! It's a secret Victoria Principal, 50, has already discovered ... and it may be the reason she's as slim as she was in her Dallas days! "I love white salmon, which is very rare, and swordfish, so a lot of times for lunch I'll have a fisk kabob," she says. "Those are my omega-3 fatty acids."
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Age 55+ |
Your youth-preserving action plan |
Use the wonder-soy to build your bones and protect against cancer.
Many studies have shown that ipriflavone, a soy derivative believed to promote the production of bone-building hormones, helps prevent osteoporosis, says Dr. Firshein. It's the key ingredient in Ostivone, a supplement 57-year-old Linda Evans swears by. "I think it's a natural, healthy way to make a big difference in your life," she says. "At this age, I'm living my life with zest and vitality." A bonus? Since ipriflavone is a synthetic soy, it won't raise your risk of breast and endometrial cancer the way estrogen replacement can.
Take the "youth hormone."
Levels of DHEA, a hormone produced by the adrenal gland, tend to decrease as we age, explains Dr. Firshein. But a recent study revealed that 85% of women who a took replacement DHEA supplement reported more energy, improved mood and increased sex drive. Ask your doctor to check your DHEA level.
Double your dairy to melt off midlife bulge.
Though most dietary guidelines call for women to get two servings of dairy a day, new research reveals that women over 40 and those struggling with weight gain should get at least three to four servings of low-fat dairy products a day. Why? In studies, weight-loss researcher Michael Zemel, Ph.D., found high-calcium, low-calorie diets helped obese mice lose "a quarter of their body weight and 60% of their body fat," double the amount lost by mice eating low-calcium fare. Zemel deduces that calcium supresses hormones that tell our bodies to "hold onto fat." Human trials are now underway.
—Melissa Klein and Bonnie Siegler
