Put bananas and money, in front of a monkey and it will choose bananas not knowing that money can buy a lot of bananas. In the same way, serve money and health to people in the same dish, people will tend to choose money without knowing that health can actually bring in more money and happiness. Once you reach your 50’s, it’s time to wake up and start investing in your health and well-being wisely.
At this point, you may already have had one or more health wake-up calls with the onset of body aches, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. By making some important lifestyle choices at this stage of your life, you can mitigate health risks and even avoid diseases.
Men’s health beyond 50 – Beginning of New Innings
Many men are skeptical and hit negativity around this period with their mid-life crisis. But when it comes to your health, it is important how you live the next half of your life. It’s never too late to make healthy lifestyle choices since research has shown that our bodies have amazing recuperative powers even as you approach a half-century in your life.
If you want to stay in the game and stay on top of it, now is the time to be conscious and cautious about your choices. Let’s slow down and understand the top health conditions that can put you at risk and the steps you can take to reduce your risk. After all, prevention is better than cure and these lifestyle changes can alter the way you live in your old age.
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Cardio-Vascular Diseases
Did you know that about one in three men has some form of heart disease? In men, the risk of heart attacks start to mount with age and if you have a family history, then you are at even more risk. With the onset of narrow blood vessels, blocks and plaque deposits in your heart, your hearts may tend to become less efficient.
How to reduce your risk?
- Eat healthy with a well-balanced diet consisting of all the essential nutrients including more of vegetables and fruits
- Include healthy fats such as omega 3 fatty acids in your diet
- Keep a tab on your inflammation levels. Get a test done to check C-reactive proteins level.
- Stay physically active with brisk walking or yoga
- Keep a healthy weight
- Stay away from smoking and excessive drinking
- Get regular checkups done with your physician to check your blood sugar levels
- Include stress bursting activities in your daily routine such as meditation, yoga nidra, gardening etc.
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Prostate Cancer
According to the national cancer society, men over 50 years of age are at an increased risk of prostate cancer. This cancer that forms in the tissues of the prostate gland in the male reproductive system can cause grave complications. The good news is that this cancer is relatively curable if diagnosed in early stages.
How to reduce your risk?
- Watch your diet and think about what you are eating after considering its long-term effects
- Consuming too much red meat and dairy products seem to increase the risk
- Consider getting a yearly PSA or Digital Rectal Exam to pick up early symptoms and talk to your doctor for routine checks
- Avoid a sedentary lifestyle and be active for effective weight management
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Colorectal Cancer
Another deadly cancer amongst men that occur due to abnormal lesions on the intestinal lining. More than 90% of colorectal cancers occur in men aged above 50 years. They start slowly as a small growth called polyps inside the rectum and progresses to become cancerous.
How to reduce your risk?
- Get screened before it’s too late. Talk to your physician about what test you should take
- Consume more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Stay away from red meats and processed meats like beef, pork or hot dogs. Instead, go for grass-fed meats
- Limit alcohol consumption and avoid smoking
- Get regular exercise and watch your weight
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Alzheimer’s Disease
A degenerative brain disorder that gets aggravated by age, this health ailment affects the quality of life. It’s not clear how this disease originates. What is known is that it affects your mental function to a great extent by harming the nerves of your brains. As the signaling capacity of the brain decreases, it affects your memory, thinking abilities and mobility on the whole.
How to reduce your risk?
- Stay physically fit with at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, walking, yoga or weight training three to four days a week
- Keep your insulin and sugar under check. Because of its association with high sugar, Alzheimer’s is also termed as Type 3 Diabetes.
- Eat a diet that includes more fresh vegetables, fruits, olive oil, nuts, legumes along with a moderate amount of eggs, fish and dairy. Use red meat sparingly
- Be socially active, meet new people and catch up with your friends
- Learn new things to cognitively stimulate your brain and keep you occupied
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Diabetes
Blood sugar or glucose is used by the cells of our body to derive energy and insulin helps to absorb glucose into the cells. When there is not enough insulin in the body, large levels of glucose accumulate in the blood and the cells are unable to absorb them. This is how diabetes develops, Type 2 diabetes is the most common form that tends to affect people over age 40.
How to reduce your risk?
- Manage your weight as obesity is the top cause of diabetes and can lead to the unavailability of insulin in your body
- Watch your diet and include healthy portion by cutting back on high sugar, salt, and transfats. Avoid overly processed foods and stick to a high-fiber diet that stabilizes your blood sugar levels.
- Control your blood pressure levels
- Get regular checkups done to monitor your blood sugar levels
- Quit smoking and limit your alcohol intake
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Stroke
The brain needs a steady supply of oxygen-rich blood in order to carry out its functions. What happens when the blood vessels that go in and out of the brain constrict and block blood supply? A brain attack or a stroke occurs and poses a significant threat to your well-being. The older you are, the more you have the risk to develop stroke.
How to reduce your risk?
- Lower blood pressure with appropriate medications, reducing salt and avoiding high-cholesterol foods
- Keep your blood sugar levels under control
- Watch your weight and have an ideal BMI number that is less than 25
- Exercise more and be active
- Drink in moderation and avoid smoking
- Recognize the symptoms of stroke such as shortness of breath, heart palpitations, slurry speech, numbness of face, mobility impairments in order to avail treatment at the right time
As seen, you can reduce your risk of serious health ailments outlined above with simple lifestyle choices. Your risk of major degenerative diseases will significantly go down once you focus more on being healthy and physically fit. In addition, also get your routine maintenance checks in order to assess your well-being. Don’t wait till you fall sick or in pain to seek medical attention. Make health your number one priority today for a healthier and wealthier life ahead!
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