Thankfully, your future health isn’t pre-determined in your genes. Your daily habits can have a tremendous impact on whether or not you develop an age-related disease in the future. In this article, we’ll explore simple ways you can protect yourself from having to deal with age-related ailments in your Golden Years.

Diet Changes That Can Prevent Cancer

Believe it or not, doctors say that at least half of all cancer cases could’ve been prevented with simple lifestyle changes. The most obvious ways you can cut your risk of developing this deadly disease are to stop smoking, avoid overly refined & processed foods, and limit your alcohol consumption. Of course, it’s also important to eat a mostly plant-based diet with tons of fresh fruits and vegetables to get the nutrients you need.

Interestingly, one of the best foods to incorporate into your diet is beef liver. Numerous studies show that beef liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on earth with high levels of essential minerals and vitamins. If you can’t stand the taste of beef liver, give chicken liver a try.

Simple Strategies for Alzheimer’s Prevention

While forgetfulness is often associated with aging, it’s not impossible to have robust mental health well past 60. One interesting and effective way to cut your risk of developing Alzheimer’s is to take on a new skill. Learning something new (e.g. A new language or instrument) has been shown to prevent the onset of dementia. If you don’t feel like learning something new, at least start practicing meditation for 15 minutes every day.

In addition to working out your mind, be sure to regularly exercise your body for a serious boost in the brain department. Walking for about 15 to 30 minutes every day can have a huge impact on your cognitive health.

In terms of Alzheimer’s disease treatment services, there are now a wide range of drugs such as AChE inhibitors as well as psychological counseling to help dementia patients deal with their symptoms. As with all the other diseases on this list, it’s important for dementia patients to eliminate smoking, cut back on drinking, and eat a healthful diet full of omega-3s like the Mediterranean Diet.

Defying Diabetes

Besides giving up smoking and reducing alcohol, the top tip to avoid getting diabetes is to keep your weight in a healthy range for your height. Regular exercise and a diet full of healthy fruits and veggies are the best ways to reach your optimal weight. For the best results, work with a doctor, personal trainer, or a certified nutritionist.

In addition to exercise and good food, all diabetics and pre-diabetics should stock up on cinnamon. Numerous reports have shown that supplementing with this ancient spice can keep blood glucose levels in check.

Seeing Clearly: Preventing Age-Related Macular Degeneration

As of today, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the world’s leading cause of blindness for people over the age of 60. Unfortunately, AMD usually doesn’t present visual symptoms until it has progressed a great deal. This is why the first step to tackling AMD is to get an eye screening at least once per year. The earlier an optometrist can diagnose AMD, the better chance you have of staving off blinding symptoms.

To prevent yourself from getting AMD further, look into eating more antioxidant and vitamin A-rich foods. Some foods that are especially good for eye health include carrots, bilberries, kale, and squash.

In addition to avoiding alcohol and smoking, it’s important for people with eye issues to reduce the amount of caffeine and refined sugar in their diets. Both caffeine and sugar are pro-inflammatory and can increase your eyes’ intraocular pressure.

Three Key Tips to Avoid All Age-Related Diseases

As you could see, there’s a great deal of crossover on how to prevent yourself from these diseases. If all you take away from this list is to eat more fruits & veggies, give up smoking, and limit alcohol consumption, you’ll dramatically reduce your risk for a plethora of age-related diseases. Of course, it’s always a good idea to speak with your doctor before implementing any drastic changes into your diet & lifestyle.