Men: Eat Right for Healthy Aging After 50

BY CANDACE MATTHEWS

Eating right isn't just for women - men need help, too! Eating healthy can be manly; it isn't all about salads and salmon. Eating to prevent aging merely requires eating healthy while knowing what foods combat cell damage. 

Aging causes cell damage and inflammation; the key to aging well is eating foods that either slow this process or help reverse it. Things to keep a look out for as you age are deteriorating muscle mass, digestive problems, and problems with your vision. While the list of super foods may be a short one, I can tell you which ones you WANT to start eating. So put down the pretzels and pass the mixed nuts, we're eating to erase the years!

Blueberries are tiny wonders. Blueberries fight off free radicals that cause cell damage. Cell damage can cause anything from wrinkles to cancer. The best part is that blueberries come in many forms. Muffins, pancakes, and smoothies are some of the many options available. Aim for whole grain versions of baked goods with blueberries to help keep your colon healthy as well.

Mixed nuts have the same Omega-3 fatty acids you find in fish. These acids will help keep yourheart healthy as you age. Research shows they may also keep your mind sharp. You can eat the fish if you want to, but what man doesn't enjoy bar mix?

Spinach is particularly great for your eyesight. Remember that super strong guy that had his own cartoon many years back? Popeye never lost his strength thanks to a love of spinach. While he was a cartoon, and the effects of the leafy greens were a little exaggerated, the idea is still a good one. The best thing about spinach is that you can sneak it into other foods. Salads, homemade dips, and pastas can all benefit from a few extra leaves.

If you are taking medication it is important to look for harmful interactions, even with healthy food. A family friend was taking medication to decrease his blood pressure but loved to eat grapefruit in the morning. One day he followed up that breakfast with a lunch of onion soup and a trip to the emergency room. Grapefruit and onion are both blood thinners. The combination caused him to blackout after lunch. Ask your pharmacist what foods you should avoid.

As you age you are also naturally more prone to dehydration, bone breaks, and muscle fatigue. Pure water can help with the first problem while reduced fat milk with Vitamin D can help with the latter.

Foods you want to avoid will be high fat and/or sugar laden. If you cook with oils, use extra virgin olive oil instead of other oils. Additionally, cut down your soda drinking. I know someone who drinks one glass of water for every bottle of soda each day.

Eating to prevent aging is not only important in preserving your looks, but in preventing disease as well. Cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetes can all have connections to poor diet and aging. Get started now to eat your way to better health and fewer wrinkles!

SOURCE:  voices.yahoo