Dr Charles Knowles, a leading bowel surgeon and professor at Queen Mary University of London, has revealed five key lifestyle factors to avoid for slower ageing. The surgeon, who is also chief academic officer at the Cleveland Clinic in London, draws on his personal experience as a recovering alcoholic to highlight the importance of avoiding alcohol, smoking, processed foods, chronic stress, and poor sleep.
Knowles, author of 'Why We Drink', emphasises that alcohol accelerates ageing by damaging cells and increasing inflammation. He warns that even moderate drinking can have detrimental effects on skin health and overall longevity. Smoking, he notes, is another major contributor to premature ageing due to its impact on collagen and blood flow.
The surgeon also advises against a diet high in processed foods, which can lead to oxidative stress and inflammation. Chronic stress, he adds, raises cortisol levels, which can break down collagen and accelerate skin ageing. Finally, poor sleep disrupts the body's repair processes, leading to visible signs of ageing.
Knowles' recommendations come from his clinical experience and research, though he acknowledges that individual factors vary. He urges people to adopt a holistic approach to health to slow the ageing process naturally.
