Posted by Dr. Scott Wilson | 06-07-2016
Being healthy as you age lets you stay physically active while preventing the diseases and injuries that many people face in their later years. Establishing healthy habits lays the foundation for a fit and healthy future. A healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent issues like osteoporosis and heart disease. Using exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications, you can stay fit as you age and establish some new habits that will stay with you for life. Eating Right for Aging Nutrition is the foundation for good health. Avoiding processed foods that are full of sugar and preservatives is a simple way to quickly improve your health. Your diet should have an adequate amount of fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods that provide the nutrients and phytochemicals that are shown to protect against many diseases related to aging. Combined with high-quality sources of protein, plant-based foods create a more balanced nutritional profile to support your long-term health. Getting Your Calcium Osteoporosis is a common condition associated with aging. As bones lose their density, they become more susceptible to fractures in aging adults. Calcium is essential to bone health, and getting enough of it from sources like kale, broccoli, and dairy products will help you stay fit as you age. For some, obtaining adequate levels of calcium through their diet can be difficult. Your doctor may recommend the use of a calcium supplement to make up for any dietary deficiencies. Vitamin D Like calcium, Vitamin D is important to maintaining strong and healthy bones. Vitamin D can be obtained through eating foods such as fish, milk, and eggs. It’s also produced by the body in response to sunlight. But the aging process reduces your ability to synthesize Vitamin D, which means that you should make sure that you are eating plenty of Vitamin D-rich foods or taking a high-quality supplement when recommended by your doctor. Managing Your Weight A healthy diet supports the management of your weight as you age. Individuals tend to lose muscle mass and have a slower metabolism during the aging process. Choosing nutrient-dense foods that provide a high amount of nutrition relative to its caloric content is a great way to stay fit as you age. Foods that contain added sugars and fat can add unnecessary calories to your diet and lead to an increase in body fat. Excess weight has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Managing your weight through diet and exercise is a cornerstone of a healthy aging process. These are some of the best healthy diet tips to stay fit as you age. Adequate amounts of nutrient-rich plant-based foods and quality proteins provide a balanced diet to support your health over time. If you’re looking for more information on a healthy diet and keeping fit, please contact us today. Remember, at Physiomed...Healthier Starts Here.