AGEING is the process of growing old due to physical, psychological and social changes with freedom from cognitive disabilities and diseases. It is important to understand the process of ageing, and the art of healthful good living, In fact, ageing is a natural process and everyone has to undergo this phase of life. These changes start from birth till one attains maturity. Ageing increases the risk of human diseases and no one can avoid death.
Therefore, the life should be spent according to the established rules of health which will keep us healthy, happy and prosperous till the end of life. To the young, ageing is an exciting process while the middle age exhibits the beginning of seniority with greying of hair, wrinkled skin and a fair amount of physical decline. Even the healthiest and aesthetically fit persons cannot escape these changes when slow and steady physical impairment with functional disability are noticed, resulting in increased dependency on others.
According to WHO, ageing is a course of biological reality which starts at conception and ends at death. In fact, it has its own dynamics, much beyond the human control. In most of the developed countries, the age of 60 is the beginning of old age, considered equivalent to retiring age. How we understand the details of ageing process and associated physiological changes. It all depends on our life style, especially the food intake has an important role in maintaining a healthful life. Diet with physical activity, greatly impact on our health and life span. Therefore, we must follow the golden principle of eating the right food to boost our life-long health and aging.
It entails to keep the sugar control, safety of cardio-vascular risk factors with food in high fibres (vegetable rich diet), important nutrients and anti-oxidants with plenty of fluids. Regularly eating balanced diet with leafy greens, rich in nutrients and vitamins from nuts, almonds, herbs and spices like cinnamon, ginger, cumin, turmeric and plenty of fluids. It will eliminate the toxic products from the body, boosting muscular strength especially in the limbs which prevent falls and fractures in old age. Hence, a life-cycle which continues through the productive years into an old age, is essential for the physical and emotional well-being of older persons.
Today, one of the most common problems being faced in our society is the increased consumption of processed and junk foods, high in fat and sugar, popularly known as snack foods or picky diet, lacking in fruits and vegetables, and are easily available. In fact, the body converts nitrates in the vegetables into nitric oxide which dilates the blood vessels and improves the oxygen consumption through normal blood flow in limbs. Similarly, Omega: 3 fatty acids mainly present in the food and fishes, saves vascular damage of the brain tissue and play an important role in providing normal cognitive functioning in the midlife.
In the current era, people are much indulged in frivolous activities like video games, frequent use of laptops, mobile phones and computers to pass the time, with limited or no physical activities. we must advise the elderly people to use the computer and internet judicially to avoid its harmful affect which certainly undermines the quality of mental and physical health of our seniors. According to Chinese academy of Social Sciences, observed that 94% of the older population use internet as an essential part of their life. In fact, the smart technology is addictive and less age-friendly for the older people, if not used according to the prescribed limits. Hence, public policies and programs should be devised according to the needs of impoverished people, while facing the horrible challenges of daily life in maintaining healthful life.
—Amongst authors, the former is a practising Eye Surgeon in Canada, while the latter is retired Professor & Eye Surgeon from Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi)
