Written By Alan Good
The population is growing—older. Recent statistics show that seniors will soon account for over 21% of the population. In general, health care and other senior needs are, and will be, growing. As we age, we require knee, hip and other surgery. Yet some elders remain well and have few, if any, health needs.
Studies have shown people who remain active—in mind and in body—need few health resources and live long lives. On the other hand, seniors who have stopped moving appear to have more issues medically and die younger. Even those who were inactive in their youth to mid-life years but began a regimen of exercise, diet and learning showed remarkable improvement overall.
“Continued mental engagement in stimulating and new activities has been shown to be important to slow the effects of aging on the mind and may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” so state a few studies.
Telomeres, the structures that protect DNA and control cell division, can shorten and die over time as we age. We can lengthen these by maintaining healthy eating and weight control, as well as regular exercise, sleeping well and smoking less. Stress is a major factor in destroying telomeres so de-stressing is a must.
Eating a telomere-protective diet full of foods high in vitamin C, polyphenols, and anthocyanins also aid in building telomeres. Red peppers, kale, dark chocolate, and blueberries help with a positive balance that protects DNA from stress.
Polyphenols help manage blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation. They may also help lower LDL cholesterol and increase HD cholesterol, plus help lower the risk of cancer by blocking tumor growth and killing cancer cells. Polyphenols can be found in fruits like blueberries, strawberries and purple plums, green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, dark chocolate, tea, coffee, and red wine.
Anthocyanins are said to have benefits such as preventing neuronal diseases, cardiovascular illnesses, cancer, diabetes, and inflammation. They may improve cognitive, memory, and motor performance and protect your eyes. Anthocyanins are found in purple foods, such as purple carrots and blackberries. As anthocyanins are said to be unstable, encapsulation can help protect anthocyanins from adverse conditions like light, humidity, and oxygen.
When it comes to the rubber meeting the road, exercise and diet will put you in better form. Meditation is a method used by many—and this writer—as a way of lowering stress. Mindfulness, or being present in daily activities also will improve your mood, body and brain power. Mindfulness is living with attention to what you are doing or living intentionally.
Most of the population miss half their lives because their minds wonder continually. Next edition, we will discuss living with intention.
