6 Tips to Help You Age Well
Total Health Breakthroughs
October 15, 2007
By Dr. Tim Reynolds
I love birthdays. People call you and you realize how blessed you are. At the same time, you start to think about your own mortality and your health.
I don't get nearly as concerned about how long I am going to live as I do about my quality of life until I die. As I talk to patients, I get the sense that I am not alone in this. It seems most of us just want to be as healthy as possible while we are alive.
Let me share with you some things we can all do to keep ourselves healthy as we age.
1. Decrease the amount of calories that you eat. Increase the amount of lean protein and decrease or eliminate the simple carbohydrates.
2. Increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables. You need at least four servings per day of fresh fruits and vegetables, more if possible.
3. Get the appropriate exercise. You don't have to become a gym rat, but you do need at least four days a week of resistance training and four days a week of cardio training. The exercise should be interval type training. And don't forget flexibility exercises.
4. Take a multivitamin supplement once a day.
5. Get some occasional sun. Most Americans are vitamin D-deficient. The best source of vitamin D is the sun. This is not to say you should ever get a sunburn. But healthy amounts of sun have multiple benefits to your health and psychological well-being.
6. Consider hormone replacement. As we age our hormonal balance often changes. It is wise to have your hormone levels checked at least once a year and make changes accordingly.
Put an anti-aging plan in place. If you need help with one, find a good anti-aging physician to guide you.
I love birthdays. People call you and you realize how blessed you are. At the same time, you start to think about your own mortality and your health.
I don't get nearly as concerned about how long I am going to live as I do about my quality of life until I die. As I talk to patients, I get the sense that I am not alone in this. It seems most of us just want to be as healthy as possible while we are alive.
Let me share with you some things we can all do to keep ourselves healthy as we age.
1. Decrease the amount of calories that you eat. Increase the amount of lean protein and decrease or eliminate the simple carbohydrates.
2. Increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables. You need at least four servings per day of fresh fruits and vegetables, more if possible.
3. Get the appropriate exercise. You don't have to become a gym rat, but you do need at least four days a week of resistance training and four days a week of cardio training. The exercise should be interval type training. And don't forget flexibility exercises.
4. Take a multivitamin supplement once a day.
5. Get some occasional sun. Most Americans are vitamin D-deficient. The best source of vitamin D is the sun. This is not to say you should ever get a sunburn. But healthy amounts of sun have multiple benefits to your health and psychological well-being.
6. Consider hormone replacement. As we age our hormonal balance often changes. It is wise to have your hormone levels checked at least once a year and make changes accordingly.
Put an anti-aging plan in place. If you need help with one, find a good anti-aging physician to guide you.
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