The Big Five-Oh: Six ways to stay healthy in your 50s

None of us want to take growing old sitting down. Literally. Despite our bodies not being the same as they were when we were finishing school, we still want to run, play tennis, garden, shoot hoops ... and enjoy a regular sex life. The good news is we really can live active lives into the decades to come — even if we can’t cheat our way to health like we could at age 21.

As we grow older, our blood vessels and arteries lose their elasticity, our blood pressure is likely going up, our bone density is dropping, our digestive system is causing us trouble, and we may find ourselves unable to hold our bladder. The risk for many types of diseases is now rising, too.

But please don’t panic! Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to stay healthy into our 50s and beyond:

Use it or lose it

Exercising will help keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in check and your bones from becoming brittle. It will also give you the strength and stamina needed to enjoy hobbies and sports, help lower stress, improve digestion and help maintain mental alertness.

Eat right, supplement smartly

A healthy diet that includes specific supplements will help you exercise with energy and less pain and help you prevent age-related problems such as bone loss and diabetes.

Steer clear as much as possible from white flour, sugar, red meats, hydrogenated fats and processed foods – all of which can increase inflammation, lead to overeating and contribute to constipation. Instead, eat more wild fish, organic fruits, beans, green leafy vegetables, nuts and olive oil.

Visit your doctor and dentist

Your risk of getting types of cancers, diabetes or heart disease increases with age. Make sure to get regular checkups and exams and frequently inspect your body for strange bumps, lumps, lesions and other changes, and pay attention to any changes in your bowel movements.

Protect your skin

We most often associate age with appearance: gray hair and wrinkly skin. But when it comes to skin, this is not only a cosmetic concern. Your skin is the largest organ of your body and it’s your first line of defense against infection, so care for it with good quality lotions, sunscreens and lip balm.

Stay regular

If you’re losing control of your bladder, you should see a doctor. The culprit could be age related or have a medical cause that needs to be corrected, such as a kidney problem, urinary tract infection or, in men, an enlarged prostate.

Don’t beat yourself up

If you’re not yet in your 50s, then start living a healthier lifestyle now by avoiding cumulative stresses to your body that will come back to haunt you. Adopt an exercise routine and good diet to prevent problems.

Perhaps most importantly, avoid a sedentary lifestyle — the last thing you want to do is take aging sitting down.

Steve Bernardi is a registered compounding pharmacist at Johnson Compounding & Wellness in Waltham (www.naturalcompounder.com). Readers with questions about natural or homeopathic medicine, compounded medications, or health in general can email steve@naturalcompounder.com or call 781-893-3870.