Awareness of aging process helps with healthy lifestyle

Having an understanding of the human body and what happens to it as it ages can go a long way toward maintaining a healthy lifestyle well into one’s golden years.

Dietary changes are necessary as one gets older for a variety of reasons.

· Shifting energy levels: Because the body’s energy levels decrease over time, fewer calories are needed to function on a daily basis. If caloric intake is not reduced, weight gain and other negative physical consequences can result.

· Weakening bones: As one gets older, bones begin to lose mineral content, making them more susceptible to breaks and other injuries. The body also becomes more susceptible to osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become brittle and fragile. Calcium can help prevent injuries to bones and osteoporosis, making it an important part of a daily diet.

· Shift in production: As a body ages it begins producing more body fat and less muscle. This means reducing the amount of fat in one’s diet as and exercising more to combat the reduction in muscle tissue production. It’s best to consult a physician for any specific dietary changes, but in general reducing fat intake while eating more protein is a good start.

Another thing to expect, as one ages, is changes to the cardiovascular system. The blood vessels lose some of their elasticity, making it harder for blood to be pumped. Now changes must be made to reduce stress on the heart. One is reducing fat intake. Someone who has a diet high in fat runs the very dangerous risk of having fatty deposits form on their artery walls, stiffening those walls while increasing blood pressure.

Being underweight can be just as damaging as being overweight. Perhaps the biggest risk one runs when being underweight is having a cold or other short-term illness turn into a much bigger problem. Keeping a healthy weight helps ensure that one’s body is resilient, fully capable of handling some ailments that can afflict anyone, regardless of age.

Being underweight lessens energy reserves, meaning one won’t be able to bounce back as quickly should he get the flu or a cold. Sometimes, one might not be able to bounce back at all, leading to permanent disability or, in some cases, death.

Those who are underweight should eat three meals a day. Since they can find that finishing a meal is tough, they should make sure they eat the highest calorie foods on the plate first.