(BlackDoctor.org) -- Being middle aged just ain’t what it used to be. Health care knowledge and technology have come a long way, and we’re not talking facelifts and Botox. Preventive medicine and a greater understanding of the impact of diet and exercise can help you extend the prime years of your life.
Studies show that less than 20 percent of your lifespan is determined by genes and the rest is up to you, so take advantage of the information we have today that was told to your parents and grandparents a little differently.
A Healthy Heart Then It was all about cholesterol. If cholesterol levels were normal there was nothing to worry about. If it was a bit high then a low-fat diet would do the trick.
Now Even people with normal cholesterol levels can have heart disease. A CT coronary artery scan can detect and measure calcium accumulation in the arteries even when all other tests appear normal.
An active lifestyle combined with a diet low in sodium, trans fats and high in omega-3’s, fruits and vegetables can help keep heart disease at bay.
Good Vision
Then Doctors believed age-related macular degeneration could not be prevented. Only time would tell.
Now Vitamins including C, E, zinc and beta carotene can decrease vision loss by about 25 percent for those with early signs of degeneration.
Belly Laughs
Then Experts believed sense of humor was a genetic trait. Some people are just more prone to laugh than others.
Now Laughing is a great way to relieve stress, which can increase risk of many diseases. Penciling in time to laugh can help improve immune-enhancing hormones, and has some similar benefits to physical activity.
Stable Blood Sugar
Then A diet high in complex carbs such as whole grains, nuts and vegetables was essential to prevent diabetes.
Now The focus has shifted to total calories. If you’re overweight, losing weight is one of the most important things you can do to prevent type-2 diabetes. We also now know that being African American and a lack of physical activity increase the risk for diabetes.
Sharp Hearing
Then The only way to protect hearing, many thought, was to avoid constant loud noises and loud music.
Now The antioxidants found in vegetables and fruits may help protect the ear’s tiny hair cells from long and short term damage.
