Scientists are always looking for a new ingredient that will help keep aging at bay, as consumers are always willing to splurge at the next big thing that promises to be the fountain of youth. While previous scientific studies have found anti-aging benefits of green tea, sunscreen and more, a new study suggests that sex may be the key for looking younger.
According to a recent study by Dr. David Weeks, the former head of old age psychology at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, a healthy sex life can be extremely beneficial in looking younger. The study entailed asking male and female subjects about their sex lives and the results were that men and women, alike, reaped the benefits of having a healthy sex life. One of the more surprising findings is that men and women can look between five and seven years younger if they have a healthy sex life. Specifically, the subjects that looked younger than their age claimed to have sex 50 percent more than their peers who did not.
Wondering how sex can make you look younger? Having a healthy sex life means your body is releasing the human growth hormone (HGH), a hormone secreted from the pituitary gland, which plays a key role in making your skin more elastic -- the lack of elasticity is what causes aging in many people. In fact, HGH is such a coveted anti-aging treatment that off-label use of the hormone is a multi-billion dollar industry since the 1990 study by Dr. Rudman et al. in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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"My message is that lovemaking is good," said Dr. Week to The Telegraph. "The stereotype of an elderly person is that when they get their pension and bus pass, they stop having sex and that's not true."
In addition to secreting HGH, your body secretes a lot of endorphins -- the "feel good" chemical -- which, in turn, serves as a natural painkiller, reduces anxiety and helps in getting better sleep. Endorphins also play a role in anti-aging, as they help protect skin's collagen, and oxytocin, which lowers the stress chemical cortisol. The exercise component of a healthy sex life boosts circulation which is beneficial for heart health.
"Sexual satisfaction is a major contributor to quality of life, ranking at least as high as spiritual or religious commitment and other morale factors, so more positive attitudes towards mature sex should be vigorously promoted," reveals Dr. Weeks, who will present his findings to the British Psychological Society. "Sexuality is definitely not the prerogative of younger people and nor should it be."
While this study and its findings are preliminary, doctors have long believed that sex can help ward off aging. In fact, in a Lifescript interview, Dr. Mehmet Oz cited a Duke study where researchers found the correlation between aging and the frequency and quality of sex.
"If you have more than 200 orgasms a year, you can reduce your physiologic age by six years," said Oz.
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