Aging is inevitable. But we can make better choices along the way to slow the body’s aging process. There are easy changes you can make to lower your risk for many diseases associated with aging, and it’s never too late to begin.
Eat more berries
Berries are disease-fighting power foods that can reduce the risk of several age-related conditions—packed with potassium, magnesium, vitamins C, K, and fiber. On top of that, they are low calorie and low in natural sugars. Blueberries can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and are heart-healthy. Strawberries and raspberries are great for the brain and memory. These colorful fruits can delay cognitive aging and help keep your mind sharp. So, next time you whip up a smoothie, bake muffins or make a fruit salad, keep these tasty fruits in mind — for your mind.
Eliminate added sugars
Sugar turns on the aging programs in your body. The more sugar you eat, the faster you age. Eating high amounts of added sugar increases the risk for diabetes, cancer, stroke, and Alzheimer’s. It also doubles the risk of heart disease.
Added sugars are not the same as the natural sugars found in foods such as fruit. When you eat a strawberry, you are eating fructose in its natural state. It also enters your body with micronutrients and fiber that slows absorption and the rate it enters your bloodstream. Basically, your body can handle sugar in its natural state.
Although eliminating added sugar can be a challenge, you can start at the grocery store. Skip the packaged and processed foods with high amounts of added sugar. Don’t let the writing on the package fool you with promises of “low calorie, or no fat.” Check nutrition labels to see how much-added sugar is in each serving. Follow this rule of thumb when looking at the ingredients – the fewer ingredients, the better. And watch out for other names for sugar. See our Hidden Sugar Blog.
Avoid Processed Meats
We all enjoy ballpark hot dogs, foot-long sandwiches, and fast food burgers. They may have even become staples in our diet. But, eating these processed meats is associated with a risk of many chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and heart disease. They contain harmful chemical compounds not found in fresh meat that can increase the risk of the aforementioned conditions. Eating these tasty treats is okay, on occasion. Just don’t eat them every day.
Even as time goes by, we can still keep ourselves in a young state of mind by following these suggestions. Omnibus Home Health Care provides our clients with the best in-home health care available for everyone of any age! We accept many insurance plans including traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid HMO, and private insurances plans. We will check benefit coverage on all insurance. This is not a guarantee of acceptance of coverage for our services. Acceptance is based on eligibility, medical necessity, and the requirements of our company guidelines. For more information on insurance coverage call 409.724.7000 and visit our Facebook page for the latest information from our staff.