January 2nd, 2017
Its a New Year, and probably the most common resolution you hear on peoples lips is I want to eat better. But perhaps a more important promise you can make to yourself (because it will actually include healthier food) is to tell yourself you want to age better.
Your relatives, friends and neighbors – the whole world! – is living longer, so if you want to keep up with the Joneses, so to speak, here are three simple tips for adding to your own longevity:
1) Monitor what you eat and drink. A no-brainer, right? But many people only think of things like fruits, veggies and whole grains, but forget that hydration is just as important as good nutrition. Your nutritional plan should include avoiding soda and other sugary drinks, and limiting alcohol consumption to no more than five days per week (to give your liver time to recover).
2) Keep up with your preventative tests. These not only include routine checks on blood pressure and cholesterol, but also vision and hearing examinations. And remember, gum disease can be linked to diabetes, strokes, heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis, so dont forget your dental check-ups!
3) Enroll in health management programs. You can reduce your risk of falling by signing up for a program like SAIL (Stay Active and Independent for Life), and people with chronic conditions can not only stay healthier but also save money on health care costs by taking part in a disease management program.