Afraid of getting old? Fear no more. A recent study has shown that removal of senescent cells or old ‘zombie' cells can slow down the aging process, including a person's predisposition to age-related diseases.

The study also discussed the possibility that drugs may be developed that would kill these senescent cells or improve the body's immune system ability to dispose of them.

According to researchers at the Mayo Clinic, cells in the body reach a state known as cellular senescense wherein they no longer divide but in fact release substances that damage adjacent cells. While the immune system normally disposes these cells, a person loses this ability as he ages.

"By attacking these cells and what they produce, one day we may be able to break the link between aging mechanisms and predisposition to diseases like heart disease, stroke, cancers and dementia," said Dr. James Kirkland, a co-author of the study.

Other health problems that may be solved by this process include cataracts and loss of muscle tissues.

Meanwhile, the website Fit and Health listed anti-aging tips for those who want to stay younger and healthier longer. These include:

Eating Well
Consume 5 fruits and vegetables and 3 servings of whole grains daily for vitamins and minerals and the other healthful micronutrients in plants. Drink five to eight 8-oz. glasses of water. Get no more than about 30-35 percent of daily calories from fat, with about 20 percent of that from unsaturated fat (e.g., 1 percent milk, olive and canola oil); 15 percent from protein; and the remaining calories from carbohydrates, with an emphasis on complex carbohydrates like oatmeal, whole wheat bread and wild rice.

Exercise
Regular aerobic exercise is a "must-do" for anyone committed to slowing the aging process, agree experts. Hundreds of studies show that exercise combats the loss of stamina, muscle strength, balance, and bone density that increases with age.

Maximize Intake of Antioxidants
Everyone should take a combination of antioxidants through diet and supplementation. According to Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg of Tufts University, free radicals contribute to the onset of age-related diseases and antioxidants neutralize free radicals. He advises eating dark-colored vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, squash, and spinach for carotenoids and blue and purple berries for flavonoids.

Exploring skin treatments
There is a wide spectrum of options that fall short of surgery to restore youthful appearance, such as exfoliation, dermabrasion or laser resurfacing.

Hormone replacement
A more aggressive anti-aging procedure is the hormone replacement therapy since production of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone in women and testosterone in men decreases rapidly as a person gets older.