| Americans spent $44.6 billion on anti-aging products | | | | eliminate toxins and carcinogens. |
| and services last year, according to Norwalk, | | | | Barley can be used as a breakfast cereal in soups |
| Connecticut - based research firm Business | | | | and stews, and as a rice substitute. Barley is also high |
| Communications Company Inc. Expenditures included | | | | in fiber and helps metabolize fats, cholesterol and |
| $37.6 billion spent on drugs and supplements targeted | | | | carbohydrates. |
| at specific diseases of aging, $7.7 billion spent on | | | | Green foods like wheat and barley grasses can be |
| appearance products and services and nearly $280 | | | | bought in powder, tablet or juice form, and offer |
| million spent on anti-aging products that use advanced | | | | greater levels of nutrients than green leafy vegetables. |
| technologies such as hair regrowth. | | | | They also help control cholesterol levels, high blood |
| Growing at an average annual rate of 9.2 percent, the | | | | pressure, and immune response. |
| total market is estimated to reach nearly $72 billion by | | | | Buckwheat is loaded with protein and high in amino |
| 2009. Still, if people ate the right foods, perhaps they | | | | acids. It stabilizes blood sugar levels and reduces |
| wouldn't spend so much money on Botox, caviar | | | | hypertension. |
| crème, facelifts, and other expensive anti-aging | | | | Both bell and chili peppers contain antioxidants, have |
| regimens. | | | | twice the Vitamin C as citrus fruit and work as great |
| The benefits of eating healthy are endless. Health | | | | fat burners. |
| experts said some foods can even help you look and | | | | Numerous varieties of sprouts are great with any |
| age better. Beans and lentils, for instance, can reduce | | | | meal. They're a great source of protein and Vitamin C. |
| cholesterol and are rich sources of antioxidants, folic | | | | Try adding them to any dish to boost your immune |
| acid and potassium. Try kidney, black, navy, pinto, | | | | system. |
| chickpeas, and soybeans for starters. | | | | Yogurt and kefir contain healthful bacteria that aid |
| You can't go wrong with a handful of nuts a day. | | | | immune function, and calcium helps burn fat. Try using |
| Walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, macadamia and pistachio | | | | them as a base for a smoothie. |
| nuts contain omega 3 fatty acids which are great for | | | | So what makes certain foods such powerful |
| your heart. Raw, unsalted nuts and seeds are the best. | | | | age-defying weapons? Antioxidants, special |
| Acai berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful | | | | substances found in these foods, have the ability to |
| foods in the world. It can often be found in juice form in | | | | scavenge free radicals, compounds whose unstable |
| health food and gourmet stores. Garlic, onions, leeks, | | | | chemical nature accelerates the effect of aging on our |
| scallions, chives and shallots can all help the liver | | | | cells. |