How Does Age Affect Health?

I was talking to a colleague the other day about how our health changes as we age. It seems the older we get, the more careful we need to be about what we put in our bodies and how we treat them. As we age, our metabolism slows, our digestion can become more finicky and our hormone levels shift, creating problems like hair loss, weight gain and lack of energy. I might only be in my 30s, but I have begun to notice these changes too.

So what do you do to help your body maintain the health of your youth?

First of all, nutrition is paramount. As you age, those days of eating whatever you want typically do not last. Fresh, living foods, like raw fruits and vegetables and spring water impart a vitality into your body. Our body’s supply of enzymes (which digest our food into its usable parts) depletes by 20-30% as we age, and raw foods naturally contain these enzymes. It’s logical really – the more living, vital food you consume, the more living, vital energy you have to expend!

Second, if your digestion is not working properly, it does not matter what you eat. You need to make sure you are absorbing nutrients. The “transit time” of your food can’t be too fast (i.e. diarrhea) or too slow (constipation) or you will have problems utilizing your food properly. Want to check your digestion? Try eating beets. You should see red in 18-24 hours if you are moving optimally (and it should completely pass in this time).

Lastly, as we age, our hormones fluctuate more. Reflexology is a fantastic (and enjoyable!) way to keep your hormones balanced. And, of course, a big part of aging gracefully is mental and emotional, so make sure you maintain an appreciation for the amazing world, as kids do! An optimal program to maintain a healthy body while aging would include:

• a nutrition program that includes as many living, enzyme-rich foods as possible;

• regular cleansing to keep digestion healthy;

• moving your body regularly;

• attention to hormone balance, using supplements, reflexology, or acupuncture;

• meditation, prayer, or quiet time to yourself;

• a life filled with joy and happiness!