Solutions are often surprisingly simple.
If you want to lower your risk of traffic accidents, don't run red lights. Fasten your seatbelt. Avoid tailgating. Stick to the speed limits. Don't use your mobile phone while you drive, unless you have a hands-free setup. By adhering to these extremely rational rules that are really just a product of common sense you can drastically improve your chances of returning home in one piece from a car journey on a country road, the freeway or through the city.
We love to read about pills, treatments, injections and other ways of slamming the brakes on the aging process. Nonetheless, regular exercise may just turn out to be the most effective anti-aging remedy of all.
One of the people who genuinely believes in the value of physical activity is Professor Wayne Derman, an exercise expert from The International Institute for Anti-Aging. He says that studies show how different types of exercise in the right amounts (in terms of duration, frequency, and intensity) may slow down, and in some cases even reverse, the aging of the body. It seems to be particularly relevant for chronic diseases that are typically seen in older people.
Make sure to exercise regularly - it is by far the best habit for staying healthy in old age, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Exercise is probably the single most important activity for those of you who want to age gracefully. The list of benefits is endless and includes such things as weight control, improved circulation, more muscle mass, improved mood, and better balance.
"If you want to maintain your body functions as you grow older, exercise is extremely important," says Paul Takahashi, M.D., a specialist in geriatrics at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. "It is never too late to begin," Takahashi adds.
Research shows that exercise is an important tool that helps older people to improved balance so they can avoid the age-associated risk of falls.
The study demonstrated improved balance in several test groups of people who participated in various types of training including walking, strength and balance training, dancing, and tai chi. Some of the balance exercises included daily movements such as getting up from a chair and standing on one leg.
Everyone knows that exercise and sports activities are good for you, but overtraining and high-performance sport may increase your risk of oxidative stress, which is associated with acute injuries, inflammation and later risk of neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). It is therefore a good idea to take antioxidant supplements, as this may help prevent both acute and chronic injuries. A comprehensive article published in the science journal Nutrients looks closer at the relation between free radicals and antioxidants, which have different functions in connection with various types of physical activity. This is especially the case with vitamins A, C, and E plus selenium and zinc. It is also important to make sure to get enough vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids for counteracting inflammation and oxidative stress.