But what kind of deposits should we be making today, so we have the healthiest returns tomorrow? And when should we start making them?
Many of us wait until our forties before we take a close look at our health and hopefully take some action. The steps below can help address the physical effects of aging and ensure we are in shape to enjoy our lives at any age.
5 Steps to Healthy Aging:
- Stay sharp with good fat
To keep our brains young and healthy we need to make sure we are getting enough CoQ10 and DHA from coldwater fish or fish oil supplements. Omega-3 fish oil has been shown to improve blood flow and nutrient supply to our brain.
- Learn about your family history
Find out if your family history increases your risks for diseases such as cancer or heart disease and then take the steps needed to mitigate your risk. If there is a history of colon cancer in your family, get that colonoscopy at age 40, instead of the 50.
- Build strong bones and muscle
Beginning at age 40, we lose bone density and muscle mass. By including weight-bearing exercises into our daily routine, we can build bone density and muscle mass, staying strong well into old age.
- A healthy, happy heart
The difference a healthy lifestyle has on heart health is huge. People who walk just 30 minutes a day, 5 days of the week reduced their risk of cardiovascular disease by 30% when compared with those who did not walk regularly. Plus, it’s a great mood booster!
- Consider taking a supplement
The produce we eat often falls short on nutrients as a result of pesticide use and being picked before they are ripe and shipped great distances. As well, many prescription drugs can deplete nutrients, including statin drugs, birth control pills, antacids, anti-inflammatory drugs and diuretics. Supplements can help to fill in the gaps and ensure we are getting the right vitamins and minerals for optimal health and energy.
