The secret to healthy ageing

As we age, there are many aesthetic changes that we have to accept – fine lines, wrinkles, grey hair. However, there are many things you can do to slow down the ageing process — especially if they’re happening before you’re ready to embrace them.

Starts at 60 spoke to Dr Nady Braidy from the University of New South Wales to find out more about premature ageing and what you can do to ensure you age healthily.

He says some of the most common factors that can lead to premature ageing include high alcohol consumption, smoking, too much sun exposure and minimal physical exercise.

“There are also genetic factors that can be attributed to premature ageing, which are unfortunately unavoidable,” Braidy explains.

However, there are ways to slow down the ageing process. We all know we need to eat right and exercise, but according to Braidy, the key to healthy ageing is maintaining nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) levels.

NAD is a powerful coenzyme found in every cell in the body. It’s important for many processes in your body, including energy production, metabolic regulation and cell viability (AKA, ageing). NAD can also support bone and muscle health, lower your risk of heart disease, prevent liver damage and boost brainpower.

But as you age, NAD levels decline and your ability to absorb NAD from food also decreases.

“NAD depletion can lead to a decline in metabolic function and poor cell viability, leading to structural degeneration, functional decline, cognitive deficits and age-related diseases,” Braidy explains.

The good news is a new supplement used to safely boost NAD levels has been added to the list of possible anti-ageing drugs. The TGA-approved product, a form of vitamin B3 called nicotinamide riboside (NR), is one of the latest developments in healthy ageing, according to Braidy.

“By introducing supplements that contain NR and making healthy lifestyle changes, the benefits will be made at a cellular level,” he explains.

However, if you aren’t interested in supplements, there are other ways you can increase NAD production.

“Boosting NAD levels can be achieved through day-to-day lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, intermittent fasting, [and by following] the ketogenic diet,” he says.

Including foods in your diet that are rich in vitamin B3, like salmon, tuna and avocado, can also help increase NAD levels.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.