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Aging occurs in everybody. It is inevitable that as we grow older we age, however, this does not mean that as we get older we have to feel, look, and respond like we are older. Our bodies do not have to break down as quickly as they do. In fact, many of the outwards signs of growing old can be slowed - and life may even be prolonged - by maintaining a sensible approach to diet.

In order to slow down the aging process, take the following five steps and implement them in your daily life:

1. Consume a balanced diet

2. Drink more water and fluids

3. Eat regularly and frequently

4. Reduce intake of fats, processed foods, etc.

5. Exercise

Let's take a closer look at these five steps, and how to easily implement them into your life without making any drastic changes to your current lifestyle.

First is to have a diet that is balanced. Along with this, it is important to also include plenty of fiber in your diet. This means eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, pastas, rice, etc. You should eat plenty of these each day, and complement them with proteins. When it comes to aging, it is important to note that, while protein deficiency plays a role in the development of osteoporosis, too much protein can also promote bone loss.

It is imperative to get the correct amount of protein from the right sources. For example, the proteins found in the Moringa tree and its usable parts (leaves, pods, etc.) are going to be better for you than the proteins found in a chicken breast. The proteins in the Moringa tree are more bioavailable, and therefore more beneficial to your body. A healthy, balanced diet will help you maintain a healthy body composition and weight and provide you with the nutrients for optimal health and functioning.

Drinking plenty of water and fluids is very important, and very few people drink enough fluids each day to help their bodies ward off aging too quickly. Because our bodies consist of so much water, it makes sense that water is our life force. If it is your life force, why do so many people neglect to drink enough each day?

Dehydration causes many symptoms of poor health, including headaches, achy joints, lack of energy, lethargy, etc. All of these symptoms can be directly linked to not enough fluids in the body. Every tissue and cell as well as every organ and system in your body requires water to function properly. Degeneration associated with aging occurs more rapidly in people who are not properly hydrated.

If hydrating yourself is something you struggle with, try carrying something small and handy, such as a Zija, with you wherever you go. It is a convenient size, all natural, and provides you with hydration, as well as providing you with other essential nutrients and vitamins, all in a handy little can. Do not try and hydrate yourself with sodas or other drinks that are high in artificial ingredients and sugars.

While it may not seem like eating regularly and all day long will ward off aging too quickly, it can. By consuming five small meals and snacks throughout the day you are less prone to binge eating, and having too high of a caloric intake. If you eat regularly you gain less weight, and you increase your metabolism.

Your metabolism, the rate at which you burn calories for internal functions, can be compared to an engine, in that the more often you give it fuel, the better it works. If you starve your body for periods of time, your metabolism slows down, and a slowed metabolism makes it much more difficult to lose weight and much easier to gain weight.

However this does not mean you should snack all day on foods that are unhealthy and that do not have a high nutritional value. Snacking throughout the day on potato chips and pastries will not do your body any more good than starving it. Make sure to pack healthy snacks like an apple, banana, or an orange. These require no refrigeration etc. and are a great option for a quick pick-me-up.

Reducing fat intake is extremely crucial to anti-aging. Dietary fat is very easily converted to body fat, so controlling your fat intake means more control over the weight gain associated with aging. Obvious foods to avoid include fried foods, creams (which are very high in fat content), and processed foods such as cakes and cookies and most precooked entrees. This will probably be the biggest lifestyle change for many, but it does not have to be a difficult adjustment. When you feel the urge for something sweet, or processed, go for wholesome, fresh foods first. Eat an apple before you eat a candy bar, and you may not want the candy bar anymore.

Fresh foods, especially foods that are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, etc., should be the staples in your diet. Processed foods do not have to be eliminated; rather they should only complement a diet that is rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole wheat grains. Look for foods that are rich in nutrients, and rather than fill up on "empty" junk foods, eat foods that give your body what it needs.

Last but not least is exercise. Time is the biggest excuse for not exercising. So, if this is your excuse, incorporate forms of exercise into your existing daily routine. For example, if you live on a second or third floor, rather than take the elevator or walk the stairs, try jogging up the stairs. If you are vacuuming a room, do lunges as you push the vacuum across the floor. As you carry in groceries, use the weight of the bags as free weights and do a few curls. You do not have to go out to the gym to increase the amount of exercise your body gets daily.