If you have been noticing unusual fatigue, dull skin, or cognitive decline, it might be time to take a closer look.
To better understand the early signs of premature ageing, we spoke to Dr Saurish Hegde, MD in Community Medicine, public health specialist, author, and founder of the Food Chain Campaign. He shared valuable insights into what fast-tracked ageing looks like and how to slow it down.
Signs Of Premature Ageing
Ageing is a natural biological process where the body gradually slows down as cells begin to die and regenerate at a reduced rate. Each type of cell in our body has a unique life span. For example, red blood cells live for about 100 to 120 days, while liver cells (hepatocytes) survive for roughly 200-300 days. However, sometimes this process accelerates beyond the expected timeline due to various external and internal factors.

According to Dr Saurish Hegde, "Factors such as prolonged exposure to toxins, major physical trauma, and metabolic conditions like cancer or organ failure can cause the body to age prematurely."
Common Signs You Are Ageing Too Fast
1. Persistent Fatigue and Low Energy
You may find yourself tiring easily or unable to perform daily tasks with the same efficiency. This is often due to a decline in cellular energy and overall vitality.

2. Skin Wrinkles, Hair Loss, and Reduced Elasticity
The body's ability to produce essential proteins like collagen and keratin declines with age. This results in sagging skin, hair thinning, and visible signs of ageing on the surface.
3. Cognitive Decline
Struggling with memory, focus, or planning? These could be early signs of reduced brain function. As the grey matter in the brain starts to shrink, tasks involving mental effort become more difficult.
4. Chronic Health Conditions like Diabetes and Hypertension
Non-communicable diseases such as these are often linked to ageing. Dr. Hegde explains that these conditions can arise from decreased insulin production and increased blood viscosity, both signs that your body's systems are slowing down.
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How to Slow Down the Ageing Process?
Fortunately, premature ageing can be delayed with mindful lifestyle choices. Dr. Hegde emphasises the importance of:

• Maintaining a physically active routine


• Eating antioxidant-rich foods like fresh fruits and vegetables


• Ensuring quality sleep


• Undergoing regular health screenings to catch early warning signs

While ageing is inevitable, certain habits and environmental exposures can significantly accelerate the ageing process, both inside and out. Here are some of the most common culprits:
Factors Leading To Ageing
Excessive Smoking
Nicotine creates oxidative stress in the body, damaging collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for youthful skin. This leads to dryness, wrinkles, and a dull complexion over time.
Prolonged Sun Exposure
Too much time in the sun without protection allows harmful UV rays to penetrate deep into the skin, damaging DNA and speeding up the formation of fine lines, pigmentation, and skin ageing.
Poor Sleep Quality
Sleep is when your body repairs itself. Inadequate or disturbed sleep can compromise skin barrier function, slow down cell renewal, and make you look visibly older.
Unhealthy Diet
A diet high in refined carbs, sugars, and processed foods not only increases the risk of obesity but also promotes inflammation and damages the skin's collagen, leading to faster ageing.
Excessive Alcohol And Caffeine
Both alcohol and caffeine are dehydrating, and chronic dehydration reduces skin elasticity, leading to sagging and dullness.