We all want to look our best and slow down that inevitable aging process. We're forever looking for that latest “magic bullet” that will turn back the clock even when it includes dangerous drugs or even surgical procedures. It's possible, however, that our greatest weapon in our fight against the aging clock may be found in our refrigerators and pantries. Foods rich in antioxidants such as vegetables, fruits, green tea and many other healthy foods have been shown to deter the ravages of age.

The Perricone Diet

Dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, MD, has gained considerable attention recently with his anti-aging dietary prescription. His nutritional recommendations promise to help you live longer and look younger by eating anti-inflammatory foods rich in antioxidants. Dr. Perricone's theory is that inflammation and resulting swelling is the cause of wrinkles and acne as well as other skin and health conditions.

Dr. Perricone recommends a diet high in protein, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids such as wild Alaskan salmon and other fish, turkey, eggs, yogurt, vegetables (though no root vegetables such as potatoes and carrots), fruits and berries, avocados, olives, whole grains and beans. He also recommends green tea and 8 to 10 glasses of spring water daily.

Most of the recommendations are sound science in fighting aging. Inflammation has been shown to contribute to such diseases as heart disease and arthritis. It is well known that the free radicals in our bodies that are neutralized by antioxidants contribute to numerous diseases as well as skin damage. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to assist our skin's ability to stay supple and flexible as well as assist the functioning of major organs.

Raw Diet

Rawism, or raw foodism is a lifestyle choice that promotes the consumption of un-cooked and un-processed foods. The process of cooking, or heating, foods changes its makeup and destroys beneficial enzymes. The body has to work harder and longer to digest cooked foods to benefit from the nutrition contained in it. It is estimated that cooked food loses up to 85% its value nutritionally.

Cooked foods also can contain harmful toxins that result from being heated. Oils and fats can produce harmful trans fats. The heating of sugars along with proteins and fats can produce glycotoxins that have been shown to damage collagen and elastin in the skin, resulting in wrinkles and sagging.

Raw fruits and vegetables are antioxidant rich and thus help to slow the signs of aging. By fighting free radicals known to advance aging and disease on our bodies, these antioxidants used both internally through foods and externally in creams have been shown to repair free radical damage and help prevent further damage.

Low GI Diet

t was once believed that only simple sugars were quickly digested ,causing blood sugars to rapidly rise. The development of glycemic indexing in 1981 has resulted in some surprising data. It has since been shown that some complex carbohydrates, like potatoes, actually have a glycemic index, or GI, higher than that of sugar.

All carbohydrates are not created equal. In fact, different carbohydrates act quite differently with our body's metabolism. Low GI carbohydrates produce only small fluctuations in the glucose, or sugar, levels in our bloodstreams and do not produce the spikes in insulin levels that high GI carbohydrates do. By consuming low GI foods, you reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes and it is also important in sustainable weight loss.

Reducing your consumption of high GI foods will reduce the incidence of the process called glycation in which sugars combine with body proteins resulting in damage to tissues such as collagen and elastin in the skin. This results in visible signs of aging, sagging skin and wrinkles.

In short, using recommendations from all of these dietary prescriptions as they fit into your lifestyle will help you fight the aging process. They all advise consuming antioxidant rich whole foods such as fruits, vegetable and whole grains along with reducing the consumption of processed, high GI, foods. It all adds up to a longer, healthier life while maintaining a more youthful appearance.