Eat well….Age well

Hey there once again! Thanks a lot for all the love and support! I hope I haven’t kept you waiting for too long. And now let’s switch to today’s topic of discussion. Yeah…you got me there! eat well age wellblog

Aging is inevitable, so we all know! But there’s more to it. While aging is inevitable, many of the degenerative disorders that pop their ugly heads up past middle age , are not! But only if, preventive measures are taken. Medical researches confirm that such degenerative conditions can be prevented, or at least slowed down, with the help of good nutrition and a balanced lifestyle. These conditions come disguised in the form of osteoporosis, diabetes, heart problems, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, to name a few.

Any age-well strategy cannot be complete without including proper nutrition in it. Yet, sadly, senior citizens are the most under nourished group of all . There are many reasons for this- diminished sense of taste and smell during old age, which makes food less appealing, difficulty in chewing, swallowing, heartburn, constipation and other digestive problems, declined absorption of nutrients, emotional stress due to loss of a partner, difficulty in shopping or preparing meals and not to forget financial factors.

Change in needs

Our body composition changes with age. As a result, nutritional and calorie needs also change. Also, other medical conditions like osteoporosis may change the nutritional needs of our body. Hence, an older person is more likely to need extra quantities of some of the essential nutrients, like-

Calcium to maintain healthy bones
Vit D ,which the body needs in order to absorb calcium
Vit B 12, needed to build red blood cells and maintain healthy nerves
Potassium, especially if having high BP
Fiber, to prevent constipation
Zinc, to provide immunity

Some seniors may need a multivitamin and mineral supplement so that they are ensured of getting the adequate quantities of the nutrients. But of course, your physician is the best person to guide you through this, since supplement imbalance can be equally hazardous.

Make sure you have enough fluids throughout the day. Seniors experience decreased thirst and eventually may end up drinking lesser fluids than required.

That said, although nutrition is an important part of aging-well strategy, it is not only about nutrients. One must try to make the most of mealtimes. Try sharing a meal with family and friends, go for pot-lucks , shop together with others in a similar situation. These simple steps may improve your mood along with your nutrition. eat well 2

Ayurveda and Yoga

The science of rejuvenation , or rasayana , is ancient. Ayurveda has been reputed to increase the body’s resistance to diseases and slow down the aging process. In fact, rasayana is one of the eight main branches of Ayurveda!

According to Ayurveda, rasayana, brings about the proper nourishment, growth and function of all seven body tissues (dhatus). There are many rasayana herbs and foods. Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Amalaki, Brahmi, Pippali and Triphala are a few worth mentioning.

If taken in right form and doses, these herbs can do wonders to your body and slow down your aging process . And what better way than to pair these up with some yoga asanas and meditation? Researches show that yoga, if done in a proper way, can immensely boost up your vitality and keep you mentally and physically healthy.

In the end its all about keeping a proper balance between your way of living and the supportive therapies needed for a healthy life. A balanced, healthy and nutritious regular diet, Ayurveda, yoga and modern science together can do wonders when it comes to restoring your vitality. So folks, there it goes – Eat well…Age well !

Hope you found this interesting. In our next post, we shall see how these Ayurveda wonder drugs( and many more), along with other positive lifestyle changes, can restore the vitality and increase the body’s resistance to fight against diseases. Hoping to see you guys soon, here’s Dr Apoorva, signing out for today!