Act your age!

As the flush of youth passes, it takes away many things. It also takes its toll on the body. The metabolism slows down. There are many age-related health complications. As age advances, we need the right kind of foods, supplements and as well as hormone balancing.

Dietary advice: As age advances we are not able to process dairy and gluten as well as we could when we were younger, so stay away from heavy-calorie dairy.

Gluten is also hard to digest, go for easy digesting grains like jowar, quinoa, and ragi as these also don’t spike insulin like rice and wheat. Sugar is hard to metabolise as we age, so say no to sugar, instead try consuming natural sugars like dates, figs etc.

Balance hormones: It is important to balance body’s hormones by eating nutritious nuts, seeds, fruit, vegetables, protein, etc whether its plant based of animal based. 

Exercise: Long term sustenance plan is needed. Muscles and muscle strength decreases we age, hence it’s important to train and work muscles with some weights, you can hire a trainer to see what works for you and always consult your doctor before you do that.

Good company: Seek company of good friends. As with age, involvement with children decreases so you need peers to support yourself mentally. Activities which challenge and stimulate grey cells are extremely important as Alzheimer’s disease is a reality. Get on with Sudoku or puzzles or any brain games.

Supplements: Get the right supplements for your age, having calcium and vitamin D, fish oil in right proportions is important. Don’t ignore magnesium supplements as well.

Regular health checks: Make sure you visit your doctor and get the appropriate cancer screenings like pap smears, mammogram, prostrate. Get your blood pressure checked at the doctor's office. Take prescribed medications diligently. 

— Inputs from Dr Anjali Hooda Sangwan, Chief Medical Director, LiveNutriFit, New Delhi