For many, aging is a dreaded fact of life, but unavoidable nonetheless. Countless movies and stories have reflected the fantasy of the fountain of youth that grants eternal youth to those who drink of it, as well as tales of people who have sold their souls to remain young. Even science fiction has tackled the possibility of people being able to “transfer” themselves into clones or even robots just to maintain their youthful appearance and vigor. Without a doubt, aging is really a big deal for a lot of people, if not the whole human race.

But in order to understand and appreciate the aging process, you need to know first the factors that are involved in the aging process. Many scientists and researchers have likened aging to a slow debilitating disease that eventually claims you. Although unlike other sicknesses, aging is an unchangeable fact for every single living thing on the face of the earth.

Hormones and Their Role as You Age

One of the factors that greatly contribute to the aging process is hormones. Hormones refer to the fluids that are secreted by different glands in the body. These fluids, in turn, are the ones that serve as catalysts for the change and development in the human body. Hormones and the fluids and substances they excrete within and outside the body also hold several essential functions that are essential for a human’s existence. It is quite ironic that they hold both the power of life and death.

The body starts aging when the glands that produce these hormones start to weaken and therefore release lesser amounts of hormones into the body. As they are essential to keeping you alive, a lesser amount means a slow deterioration of your life – which is what defines aging as a process. The less hormones you have in your body, the harder it will be for your body to survive, which is thus the gateway to contracting sicknesses and illnesses of all types. Some you’ll live through, the others will kill you eventually. That is the process of life that everyone needs to accept eventually.

How to Combat the Aging Process

Keep in mind that while the aging process is unavoidable for everyone, there are ways to maintain youth and vigor – a slowing of the aging process. For some, the solution lies in artificial methods such as chemical aids in the form of pills and artificial/chemical supplements, as well as the physical alteration of the body or plastic surgery. The price is a bit steep for both – as both take a toll on your health, as well as on your finances.

However, there are many natural ways to maintain your youth and delay the aging process a bit – which will make you look much younger, and be stronger and healthier than your age. One simple way to accomplish this is to take note of what you eat, and consume only generally healthy foods. With the kind of food being sold today, especially in fast food joints and even in some restaurants, you need to make sure that your body is taking in the right about of nutrients – preferably a bit more – than it needs. Another natural method is exercise, which, when used in tandem with a good and healthy diet, can do you wonders.