50 is the new 40. With a few diet and lifestyle tweaks, you can feel more energised, vitalised…and younger. The following are basic tips and ideas:
Research shows that saturated fats can be harmful to your heart. Trans fats as well as saturated fats can also harm your concentration and memory. With this in mind, it is important to cut down on the red meat, cut down on the butter (a few tablespoons per day is fine). Instead, add the good fats to your diet such as olive oil, nuts and seeds (1-2 handfuls per day), fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna. These foods are potentially heart and brain healthy.
Exercise is important for strengthening bones. It also releases endorphins which are known as the happy hormones and leave you feeling in a much better mood than when you started! Choose low impact exercises such as walking, swimming or biking.
Vitamin D as well as calcium are both important for bone health. It is important to have these two vital minerals checked through a blood test. There are many great quality Vitamin D and calcium supplements that could be used if levels are low and need to be supported. Sunlight will give you Vitamin D. Try and get out in the sun in the morning or late afternoon rather than in the middle of the day when the sun is at its strongest.
Blood pressure tends to go up as you get older. It is important therefore to cut down on the sodium intake. Sodium can potentially drive up you blood pressure. The highest sodium foods tend to be packaged and processed foods.
Keep learning and being active. New brain pathways will be built with new experiences and new learning. They will also allow you to make new friends and expand your opportunities for finding new challenges and happiness.
Originally published on Nov 26, 2014
