Introduction
As we age, our bodies change and our dietary needs change as well. As we get older, it is important to be aware of what foods we should be eating and what foods we should avoid. Pharmacists are a great source of information when it comes to understanding what foods are best for our health. In this article, we will discuss the foods that pharmacists warn us to avoid after the age of 50, as well as the foods that they recommend we eat instead. We will also discuss the reasons why these foods should be avoided and the benefits of eating the recommended foods. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of what foods to eat and what foods to avoid after the age of 50.
Never Take This After Age 50, Warn Pharmacists — Eat This Not That
As we age, our bodies change and so do the medications we take. Pharmacists are warning that certain medications should not be taken after age 50, as they can have serious side effects. Here are some of the medications to avoid after age 50, and what to eat instead.
Medications to Avoid After Age 50
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke in older adults.
- Antidepressants: Older adults are more likely to experience side effects from antidepressants, such as confusion, dizziness, and falls.
- Sleeping pills: These drugs can cause confusion, falls, and other serious side effects in older adults.
- Benzodiazepines: These drugs, such as Xanax and Valium, can cause confusion, falls, and other serious side effects in older adults.
What to Eat Instead
Rather than taking medications, older adults should focus on eating a healthy diet. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help reduce inflammation, improve mood, and promote better sleep. Eating a diet low in processed foods, added sugars, and saturated fats can also help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
In addition to eating a healthy diet, older adults should also focus on getting regular exercise. Exercise can help reduce inflammation, improve mood, and promote better sleep. It can also help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Finally, older adults should talk to their doctor about any medications they are taking. Some medications may need to be adjusted or stopped altogether. It is important to talk to your doctor before making any changes to your medications.
Nutrition is crucial for healthy aging, but supplements are not as effective as food when it comes to getting the right amounts of vitamins and minerals—and some can actually be dangerous. “My motto is always ‘food first,’” says Rachel Berman, R.D., Director of Nutrition for Calorie Count. “Foods found in nature are always more nutritious because our bodies are used to processing vitamins and minerals that come from natural sources.” Here are five supplements you should never take 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.
A study from UC Davis showed that too much folic acid can aggravate complications related to vitamin B-12 deficiency, which could result in dangerous health conditions such as anemia and neurological damage. “There have been concerns that some people may be getting too much folic acid through a combination of sources, and we wanted to determine if there were reasons for those concerns,” says Ralph Green, UC Davis professor of pathology and laboratory medicine. “Our results show that higher levels of folic acid could set in motion a metabolic imbalance that leads to more serious B-12 deficiency… We do have to worry about folic-acid supplementation. The fact is that a lot of people are getting more of it than is good for them. If they happen to be B-12 deficient, more folic acid may actually harm them.”
Hormone therapy such as HGH (human growth hormone) can be dangerous, experts warn. “In this entire field, I’ve only encountered one board-certified endocrinologist,” says Thomas Perls, M.D., associate professor of medicine and geriatrics at Boston University School of Medicine. “It’s outrageous that people think they can prescribe these toxic hormone soups… There is no scientific proof of this. And studies show that increasing HGH levels with drugs predisposes people to heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.”
Anti-aging supplements have not been proven to work, experts warn, and most are not regulated by the FDA. “Many anti-aging doctors sell their own lines of nutraceuticals at very high prices,” says Dr. Perls. “It’s a profit margin that’s better than what cocaine dealers get.”
“We don’t know if they could help, but they could be harmful,” says Winifred K. Rossi, deputy director of the Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology at the National Institute on Aging.
Vitamin E is a common ingredient in brain health supplements, but too much can be dangerous.
“High doses of vitamin E supplements are associated with an increased risk of death,” says dietitian Maxine Smith, RDN, LD, who recommends getting vitamin E from foods such as nuts, seeds, and dark green leafy vegetables.
Over-the-counter sexual enhancement products should be avoided, experts warn. “Products promising to enhance sexual performance have been promoted for over a century, dating back to the patent medicines of the 1800s; these products were characterized by wildly exaggerated claims and sold to the public by unscrupulous manufacturers, without evidence of safety or effectiveness,” says W. Steven Pray, PhD, DPh. “Some manufacturers of impotence cures claim that their product is ‘scientifically proven’ to work. When a consumer sees the phrase ‘clinical studies prove it works,’ caution is in order, as these claims are often false. Furthermore, claims providing very high rates of success are often bogus.” And to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.
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