I recently read an article by Professor Tim Spector that really made me stop and think.
According to recent health data, Britons are now spending fewer years in good health than many of our European neighbours – ranking just above the US among wealthier nations when it comes to healthy life expectancy. More concerning still, the average age at which we can expect to stop being ‘healthy’ in the UK is now around 60.7 years. That means many of us may spend the final two decades of our lives managing illness, reduced mobility or ongoing health concerns rather than truly thriving.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to just live, just survive; I want to thrive, and thrive well. I want to be around as long as I can, and work for as long as I can doing a job – running Just For Tummies – that I love doing and am passionate about. I also have two gorgeous young grandchildren, and I feel that with all that’s going on in the world now, I want to be around for as long as I possibly can to protect them. I’m sure that those of you who have children and grandchildren will feel the same as I do.
Now, before we spiral into despair over this rather sobering statistic, I think there’s something important to take from it – not fear, but awareness. If there is one thing these numbers seem to be telling us, it’s this:
We cannot afford to be passive passengers in our own health.
For many years, perhaps we assumed the system would catch us if something went wrong. But today, the reality is that the NHS is under enormous pressure. GP appointments are harder to access, waiting lists remain long, and consultations are often understandably short.
This isn’t criticism of healthcare professionals – far from it. The NHS does extraordinary work under impossible conditions. But an overstretched system means we may all need to become better advocates for our own wellbeing. That means asking questions, looking beyond quick fixes, and getting curious about what our body is trying to tell us.
While medication manages symptoms brilliantly, there are times it may not address the root cause of why we feel unwell in the first place. Finding the root cause of disease, certainly when it comes to digestive, bladder, and hormones, is something that drives me on – because more often than not, once you find the root cause, it’s so much easier to find a solution that works.
Modern life isn’t exactly helping us either. Many of us are moving less than previous generations. Sedentary lifestyles have quietly become normal. Convenience foods line the supermarket shelves, and many products marketed as ‘healthy’ are packed with additives, sugar, emulsifiers and ingredients our grandparents wouldn’t recognise, and our bodies certainly don’t recognise.
We’re busier, more stressed, sleeping less and often nourishing ourselves poorly while expecting our bodies to simply cope. No wonder so many people feel tired, inflamed, foggy-headed or simply ‘not quite themselves’.
What can we do?
Even small actions, taken consistently, can make a difference. Professor Tim Spector recommends several health checks worth considering annually – particularly as we move through midlife and beyond. These aren’t about becoming obsessive or fearful, but informed.
Things like:
- Blood sugar testing – to spot early signs of Type 2 diabetes or blood sugar imbalance.
- Cholesterol checks – not simply to look at one number but to understand wider cardiovascular (CV) risk. Ensure you get your lipoprotein results when you have a cholesterol test as this is the main marker for CV disease.
- Bone health monitoring – particularly for women after menopause. A DEXA scan can assess bone strength and help identify osteoporosis risk early.
- Inflammation markers, such as hsCRP (high sensitivity C-reactive protein) – this is a marker linked with inflammation in the body, and elevated levels may be associated with increased risk of chronic disease. It’s not commonly discussed in routine conversations, but it’s something some people can choose to explore with their doctor.
- Brain health checks – Professor Spector highlighted the online cognitive assessment available via Food for the Brain, which many people find useful as a way to monitor memory and cognitive wellbeing over time.
- Checking your blood pressure regularly – this one is so simple. High blood pressure is often called the ‘silent’ issue because many people have no symptoms at all. A home blood pressure monitor can make it easy to keep an eye on things between appointments.
But perhaps the biggest takeaway here isn’t about any specific test. It’s that healthy ageing doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens through the choices we make:
- How we eat.
- How we move.
- How we sleep.
- How we manage stress.
The UK’s health statistics may make uncomfortable reading, but perhaps they’re also a gentle wake-up call to advocate for ourselves.
Whilst genetics matter, daily habits matter too – often more than we realise.
Living longer is one thing. But living well for longer is surely the goal. If you would like to know more about a tailored supplement protocol for your digestive, gut and overall longevity, please get in touch.
