Studies
have shown that older adults with positive attitudes, good nutrition, regular
exercise, and social activities are more effective at avoiding or dealing with
problems and crises in later life. Whatever
your fears - loss of independence, chronic illness or dementia - it is almost
never too late to make positive changes in lifestyle to help maintain good health. As
we get older we should strive to maintain a healthy weight, to stay physically
active and to keep our mental abilities intact. There
is so much conflicting advice about diet - it can be tempting to jump on the latest
bandwagon but essentially a healthy diet is based on balance. Older
adults should adopt a balanced, low-fat diet full of high-fibre foods, such as
fresh fruits, vegetables, breads, and cereals. Avoid
fads and crazes.
Physical activity is also a key ingredient for healthy
aging. Various kinds of physical activity can affect body shape, bone and muscle
strength, flexibility, agility, balance, heart and lung endurance, and circulation.
You
don't need a formal exercise plan - housework, regular walking, gardening, dancing
etc can give you all the exercise you need.
Some people report that one
of their greatest fears about aging is the loss of mental abilities, and, in particular,
the development of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. In reality, only about 10
to 15 percent of people age 65 and over have an illness that affects the ability
to think.
Although researchers have found that many people do become a
bit more forgetful (about recent events) at older ages, this process is usually
so slow and gradual that it has very little effect on functioning in everyday
life.
Memory can even be improved with training or practice - learning
new skills, crosswords, puzzles are helpful in this respect. How
you fare in old age may not be a matter of fate or genes but rather how you live
- healthy eating and physical activity will maximize the quality of your life.
| Underweight
= <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
Overweight = 25-29.9
Obesity
= BMI of 30 or greater
Red
yeast rice, which is used to colour Peking duck, can cut the risk of dying
from heart disease by a third and cancer by two thirds, researchers say. They
believe the benefits of red yeast rice can even outstrip the benefits of statins
- the most commonly used cholesterol drugs. They are now in the process of producing
therapeutic supplements.
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