Introduction
As we age, our bodies go through many changes. As we reach our 50s, it is important to be aware of the potential health issues that can arise. Doctors warn that certain dietary habits can increase the risk of developing certain health conditions. Eating the right foods can help to reduce the risk of developing these conditions. In this article, we will discuss the issues that doctors warn of if you are over 50 and provide some tips on what to eat and what to avoid.
Doctors Warn of These Issues if You’re Over 50 — Eat This Not That
As you age, your body changes and your dietary needs change as well. Doctors warn that if you’re over 50, you should pay special attention to your diet and make sure you’re getting the right nutrients. Here are some of the issues you should be aware of and what you should eat to stay healthy.
Bone Health
As you age, your bones become more fragile and you’re at a higher risk for osteoporosis. To keep your bones strong, make sure you’re getting enough calcium and vitamin D. Good sources of calcium include dairy products, dark leafy greens, and fortified foods like orange juice. Vitamin D can be found in fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified foods. You should also make sure you’re getting enough magnesium, which can be found in nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
Heart Health
Your risk of heart disease increases as you age, so it’s important to make sure you’re eating foods that are good for your heart. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are high in fiber and antioxidants. Choose lean proteins like fish, chicken, and beans. Limit your intake of saturated fats, which can be found in red meat and full-fat dairy products. Also, make sure you’re getting enough omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in fatty fish like salmon and tuna.
Brain Health
As you age, your brain can become less sharp. To keep your brain healthy, make sure you’re getting enough B vitamins, which can be found in whole grains, nuts, and legumes. You should also eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are high in antioxidants. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for brain health, so make sure you’re getting enough of them in your diet.
Overall Health
In addition to the specific nutrients mentioned above, there are some general dietary guidelines you should follow if you’re over 50. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are high in fiber and antioxidants. Choose lean proteins like fish, chicken, and beans. Limit your intake of saturated fats, which can be found in red meat and full-fat dairy products. And make sure you’re getting enough calcium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Your 50s can be a golden age in terms of friends, family, career, and happiness, but it’s also when many age-related health conditions start to crop up. “It’s a time that many people step back and say, ‘Oh, my health is not a given. I actually need to do things to at least make it stable and make it better.’ I would say the peak time window that I see patients is between 50 and 70,” says Susan Friedman, MD., professor in the division of geriatrics and aging at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Here are five health issues doctors want you to be aware of after 50. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) is a common health condition from age 40 onwards. “Screening for hearing loss is recommended in adults older than 50 to 60 years,” say Anne. D Walling, MB, ChB, and Gretchen M. Dickson, MD, MBA. “Hearing loss impacts communication and functional ability, and is strongly associated with decreased quality of life, cognitive decline, and depression. Despite its prevalence and morbidity, hearing loss is underrecognized and undertreated. It may be under-recognized because it is a slowly developing problem or because of the belief that hearing loss is a normal part of aging. Undertreatment may result from poor appreciation of options for hearing enhancement, or patient resistance or inability to use hearing aids and assistive listening devices. Cost and social stigma are major factors in the diagnosis and management of hearing loss.”
Age-related low bone density is commonly seen as a female problem, but doctors warn men can be affected too. “Men who have experienced a fracture over the age of 50 need to be proactive,” says Deborah Kado, MD, associate professor and bone health specialist at UC San Diego Health. “Instead of just chalking it up to being a freak event, that fracture should be a wakeup call to see a doctor and get a bone density scan. At that point, men might want to also think about becoming more physically active and improving their balance.”
Studies show that between 2011 to 2016, heart disease death rates increased 1.5% among the 45 to 60 age group. “That adds up to 129,400 more deaths per year in adults under 65 – people in the prime of their working and family lives,” says Amit Khera, M.D. “Historically, heart disease care has been more focused on reacting to coronary problems than preventing them. Vast improvements have been made in post-heart attack treatment, including stenting and medications such as statins, but we aren’t doing enough to help patients avoid artery blockages, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and promote a heart-healthy lifestyle.”
Even people who don’t develop high blood pressure by age 55-65 have a 90% lifetime risk for developing it, says Cleveland Clinic. “But doctors no longer consider hypertension inevitable or untreatable with age,” says Samuel Durso, M.D., director of the Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology at Johns Hopkins. “Your doctor will choose the medications that are right for you. Often, doctors prescribe more than one medication to control blood pressure. You may need medications that work on several different mechanisms to bring your blood pressure down. Or your doctor may be able to give you lower medication doses, and reduce the chances for side effects, by combining two or three medications.”
“Many people begin to notice changes in memory by around age 50,” says Harvard Health. “A typical sign of this mild forgetful-ness is difficulty recalling a word or name that once came easily to you. As your body ages, so does your brain, and as the structure of the brain ages, so does its ability to process information quickly. Memory can falter as a result of stress, anxiety, fatigue, distractions, or being overloaded. Memory difficulties may also be caused by medications, poor vision or hearing, sleep disturbances, depression, or chronic pain—all things you can take steps to correct.”
Ferozan Mast