Eating Smart to Grow Old Gracefully

Aging inevitably involves a lot of processes and a lot of changes. Lifestyle, genetics, and age itself, are all part of the equation, along with other factors. Slowing, or perhaps even reversing, the aging process is not going to be accomplished by some magic potion or single step.

Indeed, over time, research has uncovered a manageable "bucket list" of things that can be done as part of an anti-aging plan.

One of the most important things, of course, is to get regular physical activity. Regular moderate exercise is one of the most important steps in any attempt to hold the aging process at bay.

However, eating a sensible diet comprised of properly selected foods can also be of great importance in any attempt to grow old gracefully.

Anyone's diet, at any age, needs to contain certain nutrients in order to promote health.

One of the most effective ways to make sure you are getting these nutrients is to take a daily multivitamin supplement. While healthcare officials state, quite correctly, that anyone eating the proper diet should be getting all the nutrients they need, it is also a fact that most people do not eat the optimum diet, do not get the exercise necessary to burn off the calories they would be taking in, and individual needs vary due to a wide range of factors, including age, sex, health, medications, lifestyle, and more.

The daily multivitamin helps to "fill in the blanks", if you will. Making sure that it, and the food you eat, contains a good dose of antioxidants can help fight off the aging affects of "free radicals" which have been linked to a broad range of problems and illnesses associated with aging.

Unfortunately, even the best daily multivitamin lacks certain nutrients, such as phytonutrients, fiber, protein, and carbohydrates (necessary for energy), and this is where eating the right foods come in.

As I stated, while there is no food that is a "magic bullet" effective in reversing the aging process, a wide range of foods are available which, when regularly included in the diet, can produce some very beneficial effects. In fact, some foods have considered to be superfoods which should be eaten regularly for good health.

Fish - Salmon, for example is a great source of Omega-3 and should be consumed a couple of times a week.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables - Five servings a day is a great target. By the way, one easy tip is to choose a wide variety of colors. The colors are clues to several different nutrients contained in various fruits and vegetables.

Whole Grains - Three servings a day help provide soluble fiber and offer many of the antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables.

Legumes - Peas and beans, essentially, a three or four times a week will help supplement the fruits and vegetables, including the antioxidants and fiber.

Yogurt - Forms with active cultures are good for digestion in addition to providing dairy nutrients, such as protein.

Nuts - Once considered "fatty" these nutrient rich, snackable foods are great for heart, brain, and skin.

Water - Among all the other benefits that go along with proper hydration, recent research has shown that drinking at least five glasses of water a day can help cut the risk of heart attack by nearly half.