COMING OF AGE

Ageing is a part of living, yet no one wants to age before time. Fortunately, ayurveda has detailed many procedures, nutrition plans and herbs to delay the signs of ageing and keep the body healthy and youthful. These rejuvenation plans consist of nutrition therapy, herbal therapy, ayurvedic treatments and practices.

NUTRITION 
Foods can be of many types, depending upon the effect they have on the body. Some can have an inflammatory effect which causes the body to age and also develop disorders.
The second type of foods gives energy and some degree of regeneration. But the regeneration is not very effective, and hence ageing continues according to the natural DNA coding.
The special third kind of foods (coupled with therapies) slows down the ageing process. Foods that cause accelerated ageing: Sugar, refined foods like maida, cornflour, sooji, all other refined carbohydrates, alcohol, too much salt, dairy products with oxytocin, all non-vegetarian foods, fried foods, hydrogenat ed fats and packaged foods. Certain lifestyle traits also result in accelerated ageing, such as sleep deprivation, too much stress and erratic time schedules.

NUTRITION FOR REJUVENATION 
The foods that aid in slowing down ageing work by improving the rejuvenation and replacement of cells by better cells. Such foods include all foods that are highly alkaline in nature after digestion and do not increase the acid load of the body. Some examples of such foods are: Herbal plants: Aloe vera juice, amla juice, seabuckthorn, rhododendron, barley grass juice, spirulina, wheat grass juice, harar, behar (together with amla they make triphala).
Spices and condiments: Ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, saunf, elachi and cumin seeds. Seeds and nuts: Flaxseed, sunflower seeds, almonds, walnuts, pinenuts and other nuts.
General foods: Mung sprouts, sprouted wheat, fruits, vegetable juices.
Foods that are free of preservatives and chemicals, those that are organically grown, and non-refined foods are the ideal foods for consumption for enabling rejuvenation.
Meal times: Fixed meal times should be followed to allow for good digestion and absorption. The time is between 7 am and 6 pm. Before 7 am the body is sluggish and the same goes for post 6 pm.
Seasonal foods: One should also try to eat seasonal foods and try to avoid non-seasonal foods.
Food combinations: Certain food combinations produce toxins and should be avoided, such as dairy and fruits, fruits and cereals, melons and citrus fruits and non-vegetarian food and fruits.