It is most likely because I am part of their target audience, but I feel like anti-aging advertising is everywhere. Skin care creams, serums and tinctures. Vitamins and supplements in pills, powders and beverages. There are so many choices and so many voices. But do these things really make a difference? Are they the secret to more energy, more fulfillment and fewer wrinkles?
It reminds me of when my educational focus for extension was agriculture. There was always a new agronomic product to enhance the availability of nutrients and reduce disease pressure. Sometimes they made a slight difference. But often when there was a difference in yield, it was not necessarily significant to the bottom line.
When it comes down to it, raising crops, whether in a field or a garden, has key essentials. Water makes plants grow. Plain and simple. And when soil pH is at an optimal level for bioavailability of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other key micronutrients; this helps plants thrive as well. Summers like the summer of 2024 are a good reminder that moisture (especially at critical development times), sunlight, and essential macronutrients are the most important factors in raising a crop. Sure, those other products might offer some positive results, but the foundation must be there first.
I think it is the same for these anti-aging products. I have no doubts that their testing methods did reveal tiny differences in wrinkle appearance or in the perceived energy that people experienced when taking the product. But in the whole scheme of things, they are just the icing on the cake.
Research shows that the foundation for longevity includes staying active, prioritizing close relationships and maintaining proper hydration. That’s right. Just like our plants need water to thrive, so do we humans. After all, our bodies are 60% water. In a recent article, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Christina Manian shared there is a close link between hydration and longevity
The human body is amazing. Think about everything we ask our bodies to do day after day, year after year. Water in the body is important for all kinds of functions like cell communication, joint lubrication, detoxification and cell waste removal. Dehydration has some immediate signs like fatigue, confusion and muscle cramps. But there are other effects that we might not realize are happening within us.
Dehydration may contribute to inflammation, cellular aging and oxidative stress. When we are well hydrated, this supports healthy blood pressure, kidney function and heart health. Hydration is imperative for healthy blood flow, which helps all our organs work at optimal capacity.
A recent study found middle-aged persons with higher sodium-to-water levels in their blood biologically age faster. Drinking water lowers the ratio of sodium to water. A 2023 study showed about one-quarter of older adults are dehydrated. The best way to stay hydrated is to keep water with you throughout the day and remember to drink it. It depends on your body type and activity level, but a good rule of thumb is to aim for 8 to 12 glasses of water (64 to 96 ounces) each day. I try to drink a glass of water when I get up each morning. I do still love my morning coffee, but my rule is no coffee before water.
If water is not your favorite, you can also drink unsweetened, decaffeinated fluids like herbal teas and fruit infused water. Water-rich foods like cucumbers, oranges, melons and soups can also support your fluid intake. Here’s to adding another glass of water to our day.
Today, I’ll leave you with this quote from Madeleine L’Engle: “The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.”
Emily Marrison is an OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Educator and may be reached at 740-622-2265.