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QC02182016

28 THE QUEENS COURIER • FEBRUARY 18, 2016 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com HEALTHY AGING by JONATHAN ECKSTEIN, D.O. Whether you’re concerned about weight gain, chronic diseases or sex drive, the key to healthy aging is a healthy lifestyle. Eating a variety of healthy foods, practicing portion control and including physical activity into your daily routine all go a long way to promote healthy aging. And it’s never too late to make healthier lifestyle choices. There are no quick fixes for healthier aging, so be cautious with supplements or expensive treatments. As you get older, good nutrition plays an important role in how well you age. A low-salt, low-fat diet with fruits and vegetables can reduce age-related risks for disease. Protein is necessary to maintain and rebuild muscles. Try to integrate a variety of lean protein sources such as poultry, fish, and eggs or egg substitutes. We utilize carbohydrates as our body’s preferred source of energy; however, you should avoid simple sugars and concentrated sweets, especially drinks and foods with added sugar. Fat also provides energy, but you should limit the saturated fats from meats, butter and cheese. Poly- and mono-unsaturated fats from corn oil, olive oil, avocados and nuts are a preferred alternate to keep cholesterol levels lower. By following some basic dietary changes, overall improved health can be achieved. Keep in mind that these changes should be looked at as lifestyle modifications that will benefit you moving forward. A common mistake is dieting to lose weight and then reverting back to an unhealthy lifestyle. A gym is not a necessity to create a healthy lifestyle. Adding just 30-50 minutes per week of exercise can help to make these changes more visual as we tend to look at our bodies. Some simple changes such as parking at the furthest spot available and walking this distance to the mall, the library or the grocery store can add up to 15-30 minutes per week. A muscle reconditioning program or regimen can help you stay at a healthy weight as muscle cells are the major calorie burners in our body. Take the stairs for 1 or 2 flights before waiting for the elevator. Or consider a reconditioning program at the local community center. And chair exercise classes are a great way to start off exercising if you haven’t been moving regularly. Just make sure to drink plenty of water to replace water lost through activity. The key to healthy aging is to make the lifestyle changes. No quick fixes. No magical pills. Better eating and a basic exercise regimen. ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL HOSPITAL EPISCOPAL HEALTH SERVICES INC. (718) 869- 7000 | WWW. EHS.ORG


QC02182016
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