Category: Aging

1 in 10 Age Gracefully: Dietary Habits Matter

August 6, 2024

“Harvard research highlights link between midlife dietary habits and successful aging.

We all aspire to age gracefully, but a recent study reveals that fewer than 1 in 10 people can live free of disease while maintaining good physical, cognitive, and mental health past the age of 70. The study indicates that adhering to a healthy diet during midlife may boost your chances of achieving healthy aging.

In terms of particular foods, the researchers found that higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, unsaturated fats, nuts, legumes, and low-fat dairy were associated with greater odds of healthy aging, while higher intakes of trans fat, sodium, total meats, red and processed meats were associated with a lower odds of healthy aging.”

Read the full August 5, 2024 article at SciTechDaily.com

Strength Training for Older Adults: NIA Research Findings

August 6, 2024

“NIA (National Institutes On Aging) -supported researchers have been studying the effects of strength training for more than 40 years and have identified multiple ways it can benefit older adults, including maintaining muscle mass, improving mobility, and increasing the healthy years of life.”

“A big culprit for losing our physical abilities as we grow older is the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, which is called sarcopenia. “

Read the full article from NIA.NIH.Gov

Jeanne Calment 1875-1997: The Oldest Person Who Ever Lived

August 5, 2024

Jeanne Calment Was A French Supercentenarian

Jeanne Calment was born and died in Arles, France. She was 122 years old when she passed away. She is known for having the oldest documented human lifespan. Calment outlived her husband, her only child, and grandchild.

Jeanne smoked cigarettes from the time she was 21 up until 117. She stopped smoking when her eyesight failed and she could no longer light a cigarette. She claimed to have met Vincent Van Gogh, who, she said was “ugly as sin, had a vile temper, and smelled of booze”.

Genetics may have played a part in her longevity, as some of her close family members also had long lifespans: her brother lived to 97, her father to 93, and her mother to 86.

Read more about Jeanne Calment in GuinessWorldRecords.com

Longevity Advice for Older Adults From A Geriatric Specialist

August 2, 2024

Keys To Longevity for Older Adults: How To Age Well is an article appearing in UCHealth.org that discusses important medical advice not only useful for people over 50, but every adult who wants to attain healthy longevity.

Dr. Thomas Johnson, a specialist in geriatric medicine at the University of Colorado Seniors Clinic, encourages his patients to focus on the greatest quality of life during the years they have left.

Many of his patients want to live to one hundred. Dr. Johnson advises them to think of aging in a healthy and active way. He recommends exercise, fitness and the Mediterranean diet.

The article covers topics such as Blue Zones, the use of alcohol, nutritional supplements, and longevity drugs.

Read the entire August 1, 2024, article from UC Health.org.

Age-Defying Fitness: Insights from 93-Year-Old Indoor Rowing Champion

August 1, 2024

Active older adults can teach us how to understand aging. Richard Morgan 93 holds a four-time world champion in indoor rowing. Morgan started exercising at 73.

In 2023 the physiology lab at the University of Limerick in Ireland, tested his heart, metabolism, lungs and bodyfat composition. Owing to his fitness routine, he is in remarkable physical condition, with the aerobic capacity of a healthy 30 or 40-year-old.

Read the entire January 2024 article from HealthTodayMagazine.com.

3 Ways That Negative Stereotypes About Aging Become Reality

July 29, 2024

In an important article from Psychology Today , the author discusses negative self-perception among older adults as being unhealthy, in decline, and useless.

A study revealed that stereotyping and discrimination may lead to physiological stress such as an increase in blood pressure. Holding negative beliefs about aging may also lead to chronic stress which can lead to damaging effects on health.

“Stereotypes that portray older adults as unhealthy may reduce motivation to engage in health-promoting behavior”.

Read about negative aging stereotypes in September 2021 Psychology Today .