StemCell Therapy

While I am all for having a good time, attention needs to be paid to alcohol consumption - alcohol contains 7kcal per gram, which is even more than in carbohydrates, and almost as much as in fat, weight-for-weight! Excessive alcohol is a huge contributory factor to obesity and being overweight, it is almost like drinking liquid fat! Alcohol also dissolves your resolution, leaving you more likely to overeat and gain even more weight.

Nutrition plays a major role in determining the switching on or off of certain genetic expressions, determining both our own future health and the health of generations ahead. It's not just excess weight that causes problems, excess alcohol, smoking, and a diet heavy in processed foods and sweets, all contribute to a lack of nutrients, altering hormone production, cell regeneration and cellular genetics. A diet rich in colourful vegetables benefits the body in more ways than you know!

The fountain of youth is not as far away as perhaps you once thought; it's in your hands every day of your life. We all have the ability to shape our futures and encourage longevity, so why not use the new year and the start of the next decade to reconnect and strengthen?

A most happy and healthy New Year to you all.

OUR 30s

Hopefully when we reach our 30s, we are not in a situation where we are trying to reinvent our health after damage created during our earlier years.

Most people are thinking about starting a family in these years, so it is especially important for parents and prospective parents to be in good health to give their children the best opportunity for a long and healthy life. Nutrition is of utmost importance for both men and women. Folate, Vitamins B12, B6 and B2 are of particular importance at this time for correct DNA methylation, allowing for a host of functions, including neurotransmitter production in the unborn.

Women of childbearing age should choose plenty of fresh, green, leafy vegetables, and supplement, if needed, with a methyl folate, a more natural form (of folate) that is more readily absorbed by the body.

Sleep is a cornerstone of good health, but recent studies have shown that 80pc of the Irish population is sleep-deprived. It is all too easy to become run down, make poor food choices and become injured when you are sleep-deprived.

Our bodies recover and rebuild tissue while we are asleep. Our brain and organs need rest in order to function properly. No matter how well your children sleep, it is not an easy task to maintain balance between family life, work, social occasions and personal development, but simply prioritising good health rather than sitting and watching TV when the kids have gone to bed will have far-reaching effects.

We are more productive when we have adequate sleep - our mental health is better, our diet is healthier and our cognitive capabilities score higher - so go to bed!

OUR 40s

During our 40s, most of us are still juggling a busy lifestyle, and this is also the time when we feel the need to make our mark on the world, to leave that legacy. The demands of a busy lifestyle can take over, but you must remember the cornerstones of good health. Nutrition, sleep, activity and ensuring good mental health are crucial to a long, happy and healthy life.

It is also worth remembering that age is not an excuse for weight gain - visceral fat and the inflammation it produces are the driving forces behind all major illnesses in the world today.

People in their 40s are now presenting with illnesses previously diagnosed in the 60-plus age group. Don't let the 'middle-aged spread' take hold!

Monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugars. Don't forget there is only one you; take time out, come back to base and reset whenever and as often as it is needed!

OUR 50s

Many physiological changes occur during our 50s, for both men and women. A once active sex life may dwindle in these years, but a healthy sex life actually improves the quality of life both physically and emotionally. It is important for us all to have a strong bond in our relationship, and sex is proven to create and uphold this.

For men, erectile dysfunction may be an issue at this time of life, most likely caused by obesity and side effects of prescribed drugs. Please do not feel embarrassed by this. Seek advice from your GP and get the issue resolved!

For women, the menopause causes lower oestrogen levels, resulting in a barrage of 'side effects'. Personally, I am against taking medication unnecessarily, but I think all women over the age of 50 should take a hormone replacement, as the pros far outweigh the cons.

The loss of oestrogen associated with menopause has been linked to a number of illnesses such as osteoporosis, heart disease and an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Vaginal dryness can be a major hindrance to your sex life, but there are new, effective therapies available, so, again, please speak with your GP or gynaecologist to resolve any issues.

OUR 60s (and beyond)

In later years, we take time to reflect on times past and on what we have achieved. Although the physical body may slow down a bit and we may be in a position to slow down our working life, we always need good physical and cognitive health.

Companionship has been shown to be one of the greatest assets in maintaining good mental and cognitive health. We need stimulation, not isolation!

Now is the time to take on new challenges, meet new people, and spend time with those we love. The brain thrives on activity, and is learning throughout our whole life.

At this time of life, it is crucial to actively improve one's balance. Falls at this stage of life are the leading cause of injury and mortality. Simple exercises repeated on a regular basis will have a lasting, positive effect, as well as actively keeping a good level of fitness.

Sleep is also vital, as the body's need for rejuvenation and repair is high, so ensure you are getting your eight hours.

As we age, our sensitivity to thirst lessens, and dehydration can occur rather rapidly. Just a 2pc dehydration rate reduces our cognitive function, reduces immune function and thickens blood flow. If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated! Sip on water regularly to avoid this. Tea and coffee can dehydrate, so try not to over-consume these. Nutritionally speaking, vitamin D becomes more difficult to absorb, so a good supplement would be worthwhile. B vitamins aid energy production and cognitive function - in fact, a link has been shown between a deficiency in B vitamins and dementia-related illnesses.

A diet rich in a wide variety of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, as well as quality protein sources, is the best way forward - at every age.

BY DR EVA ORSMOND

Sunday Indo Life Magazine

See the rest here:
Good health through the decades - Independent.ie

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