| hy aging begins before the signs of aging are | | | | a lower resting metabolic rate will help fight weight |
| even apparent and the foundations on which it is | | | | gain, the lower calorie diet may result in less |
| built are nutrition and physical activity. It is | | | | nutrition. One of the biggest obstacles to healthy |
| inevitable that your resting metabolism will | | | | aging is the amount of free radical damage which |
| decrease a little each decade after you reach the | | | | your body accumulates over the years, and one |
| age of thirty and if you do not compensate for | | | | of the best ways to prevent further free radical |
| the fewer number of calories you burn while at | | | | damage is to increase your consumption of |
| rest with more exercise or smaller meals, you will | | | | antioxidants. Antioxidants are vitamins and other |
| eventually pay for it in weight gain. | | | | nutritional substances which bind to, and neutralize |
| Fighting Middle-Age Spread | | | | free radicals. For more info see on Chronic Back |
| This weight gain can be aggravated by the | | | | Pain. |
| changes in hormonal balance which the body also | | | | Any healthy aging regimen will have to include a |
| experienced over time, causing it to store more | | | | diet rich in antioxidants, including Vitamins A, C, D, |
| fat--hence the spare tire of middle age--while | | | | E, and beta carotene. Citrus fruits, |
| losing muscle. Healthy aging will require a diet | | | | berries--especially blueberries, yellow and orange |
| which limits the fat and has adequate protein to | | | | vegetables and organ meats are excellent |
| assist in muscle building, and an exercise program | | | | sources of antioxidants. |
| designed to strengthen muscles. Muscle tissue, | | | | Wild salmon and flaxseed are terrific ways to get |
| even at rest, burns energy, and will help | | | | Omega 3 fatty acids, which contribute to brain |
| compensate for that reduced metabolic rate. | | | | health and mental alertness by stimulating the |
| Healthy aging also addresses the increased bone | | | | communication among the brain’s neurons. |
| mineral loss which occurs, especially in women, | | | | Healthy aging is as much a matter of maintaining |
| with a calcium-rich diet and/or calcium supplement; | | | | your mental capacity as it is of physical vitality. |
| calcium carbonate is the most easily absorbable | | | | Staying Involved |
| form. Weight bearing exercises have been shown | | | | Healthy aging also includes social interactions; those |
| to stimulate bone growth, so a healthy aging | | | | who maintain friendships and have a focus beyond |
| exercise program should include walking or running, | | | | themselves have been shown to live longer |
| as long as it is done in moderation and does not | | | | healthier lives than those who have lost a purpose |
| overly stress the joints. | | | | for getting up each day. Even having a pet to |
| The Importance of Antioxidants | | | | take care of can make a big difference between |
| While cutting back on calories to compensate for | | | | healthy aging and simply growing old. |