Eat well, age gracefully

Many people wrongly assume that we start ageing only when
grey hair sprouts here and there on our heads, or when
wrinkles start to appear on certain parts of the body,
especially on the foreheads, corners of the eyes, or around
the mouth.
Scientists say this is not necessarily the case, as some parts
of the body actually wear out long before we look old
physically.
For some – and, depending on lifestyle – physical effects
of ageing are not immediately pronounced on their
physique, especially the face. They are still able to flaunt
their ‘ageless’ looks well after their 40th birthday; but even
at that, it is an undeniable fact that after age 35, many
parts of the body start declaring independence and they
embark on southward movement, even if gradually, but
definitely su rely.
The genitals
For women, age 35 is as tricky as it is decisive. Experts say
by mid-30s, women’s breasts start losing tissue and fat,
reducing in size and fullness. They contend that sagging
starts properly at 40 and the areola (the area surrounding
the nipple) can shrink considerably.
For men, researchers say, the penis undergoes significant
changes as a man moves from his sexual prime – around
age 30 – into middle age and on to older age. The Journal
of Sexual Medicine reports that blood flow to the head of
the penis reduces at this age, and there is a slow loss of
pubic hair.
“As testosterone wanes, the penis gradually reverts to its
pre-pubertal, mostly hairless, state,” the journal claims.
In terms of size, scientists say, the penis tends to undergo
an actual (and irreversible) reduction in size, length and
thickness. “If a man’s erect penis is six inches long when he
is in his 30s, it might be five or five-and-a-half inches
when he reaches his 60s or 70s,” says the director of sexual
medicine at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego, Dr. Irwin
Goldstein.
Lungs
Experts also say the lung capacity slowly starts to decrease
from the age of 20, and by the age of 40, some people can
start experiencing breathlessness, partly because the
muscles and the rib cage that control breathing stiffen up.
It’s then harder to work the lungs and also means some air
remains in the lungs after breathing out, causing
breathlessness.
The heart
The heart, too, starts ageing at 40, as it pumps blood less
effectively around the body as we get older. Scientists say
this is because blood vessels become less elastic, while
arteries can harden or become blocked because of fatty
deposits forming on the coronary arteries due to eating too
much saturated fat. When this happens, the blood supply
to the heart is reduced, resulting in painful a ngi na.
The bones
Again, the bones start ageing at 35, according to Roberts
Moots, a professor of rheumatology at Aintree University
Hospital in Liverpool. He notes that though children’s bone
growth is rapid, as the skeleton takes just two years to
renew itself completely; in adults, the same process can
take 10 years.
“Until the mid-20s, bone density is still increasing; but at
35, bone loss begins as part of the natural ageing process,”
Moots says.
Skin, muscles, hair…
The skin, muscles, hair growth and fertility level all take a
bashing after age 35. Any wonder that researchers say as
we hit 35, stress level is likely to increase, what with the
threats of stress-related conditions like obesity, Type-2
diabetes, brain atrophy, heart disease, high blood pressure
and more. Ditto the belly fat, wrinkles and decreased
libido. And that is why you need certain survival kits to
keep you going, look and feel better till the ultimate end.
The eyes
Ophthalmologist, Dr. Steve Odiase, notes that the eye
happens to be one of the organs of the body that readily
subscribe to ageing. He says, “As you age, you must
endeavour to keep your eyes sharp by eating lutein-rich
foods. This is because lutein is a powerful antioxidant that
helps prevent cataracts and macular degeneration, the
leading cause of blindness in individuals over the age of
60.”
Emotions
As the years roll by, researchers say the ageing person
undergoes emotional changes in mood, as evidenced by
crankiness, stress, and, sometimes, depression. They
recommend fortified cereals, especially those fortified
with vitamin B6; and bananas, believed to reduce
crankiness, irritability and mood swings.
War against wrinkles
Generally, fighting wrinkles become a preoccupation for
both men and women as the chronological age progresses,
though women tend to engage in this more than men do.
Okudo says avoiding exposure to the sun, quitting smoking,
treating the skin gently by resisting the temptation to use
every highly-promoted skin product that hits the market,
are some healthy ways of delaying the onset of wrinkles.
Scientists also say people over 35 need some vitamins that
are essential to the prevention of cancer, strengthening the
bones, keeping the heart healthy, and generally make you
look younger.
Healthy diet is it
One easy way to beat stress, which, experts say heightens
the ageing process, is through healthy diet, by avoiding
salty and fatty foods. Dietician and weight loss expert, Dr.
Angela Okudo, explains that as we age, hormonal changes
make a flat belly almost unachievable even if you watch
your diet.
She says, “After 35, your sex hormones fluctuate, making
your body retain more water and your gastrointestinal
tract not as efficient, resulting in bloating.”
She advises regular intake of pineapple juice – an excellent
source of potassium, manganese and vitamins C and B6.
Pineapple juice is also described as a natural diuretic and
helps to flush out any excess toxins in the kidneys and liver.
It is also described as an all-natural belly flattener, as it
contains digestive enzymes – bromelain – that help break
down the food in the gut that could otherwise cause bloating
and gas.
Okudo says, ideally, the majority of the ageing person’s
nutrients should come from a diet rich in fruits and
vegetables, while taking multivitamin supplements also help
in a lot of ways when prescribed by a competent physician.