Do you feel as good now as you did at age 40? How about at age 50?
I’m 63 – I sometimes have to shake myself and wonder how quicky I came to be this age! It reminds me of Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra singing ‘Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think’. My husband, Kevin and I often quote this to each other and laugh. I also often quote Jenny Joseph’s poem ‘Warning’. It makes me smile – I hope it has the same effect on you, too.
I suppose I’m lucky in some ways. I was born with good genes, with no particular family health issues of a genetic nature and no birth congenital defects. I’ve always enjoyed good health, but then I ensure that I do. I don’t leave it to chance.
It’s no secret that growing older brings natural change, affecting nearly every part of your body, including your hair, skin, heart, muscles, brain, and much more. But it is still possible to feel as good as you used to with new, healthy habits. You might even feel better! Healthy ageing can help you live longer, which means more time for your family and friends to spend with you, not to mention that it can also help reduce the risk of many types of diseases and illnesses. I find it interesting how many cultures around the world revere older women for their wisdom. They are seen as the wise women of the family/community, whereas here in the UK, generally speaking, older women are barely seen, they are hidden away, surplus to requirements in many cases. I find elderly people fascinating. Some of my friends are quite a bit older than I am and I love spending time with them and learning from them.
I am sure many of you in your 60s, 70s and beyond have been told by a medical professional that certain symptoms are ‘just your age’; this is something that I find insulting and condescending. Yes, age can be a contributory factor, but not in all cases, and much can be done to help older women live their last one, two or even three decades, healthy in mind, body and spirit.
By reducing levels of inflammation and oxidative stress in the body and following my supplement protocols targeted to anyone over the age of 60, you can go a long way towards protecting and maintaining the health of the immune system, brain, the heart, joints, skin, as well as digestive, gut, and bladder/vaginal health. You can read more about this in my blog post here. There are also ways women can reduce the risk of getting recurrent UTIs, a common symptom in those over 60.
As we age, it’s imperative that we look after the brain, and there are key supplements that support this – Live Bacteria, Digestive Enzymes, Omega 3s and Fibre. For maintaining good urinary and vaginal health beyond the age of 60, I recommend my For Women probiotic capsules.
As we age, the foods we eat can greatly affect our fitness, appearance, quality of life, and disease risk. Our bodies rely on various nutrients to support the natural ageing process. Some nutrients may help slow signs of ageing, such as by promoting healthy skin.
It’s important to note that eating specific foods isn’t going to make you look noticeably younger, and that nutrition is only one aspect of ageing well, but it plays a key role. So, adding nutrient-dense foods to your diet can help you look and feel your best as you get older. In general, try to eat:
- healthy sources of protein – oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines; lentils, beans, and chickpeas are also great sources
- healthy fats – walnuts, flaxseeds and chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fats; olive oil and avocado are rich in monounsaturated fats; nuts and seeds are rich in omega-6 fats
- foods that are rich in antioxidants – berries, broccoli, spinach, avocados, kale, red cabbage, goji berries, cocoa, nuts, sweet potatoes
Just remember: It’s one thing to age ‘long’ and another to age ‘well.’ Most people who desire to live a long life actually want to live a long and healthy, vital, active life, rather than hitting a certain year-mark. I think these are good words to live by, don’t you?
