It is very obvious that our bodies change as we age. Some changes are quite obvious, while others are more subtle. Some people age comfortably and remain active, alert and vibrant throughout their lives. While, others may experience the painful effects of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, which can gradually reduce their abilities to participate fully in activities. Their physiologic age is quite younger than their chronological age.

The aging effects and ways to handle them should be known well and taking steps to counterbalance the effects of aging can help one to maintain a young spirit and an independent life. The basics to a healthy aged life includes healthy diet, regular exercise regime and positive attitude which can help delay the onset and slow the progression of several age-related problems.

The Effects of Aging

• Aging Muscles: As muscles age, they begin to reduce in size and lose mass. This is an expected process, but an inactive lifestyle can hasten it. The number and size of muscle fibers also reduce. Thus, it takes muscles longer time to respond in our 50s than they did in our teenage.
• The water content of tendons, the cord-like tissues that attach the muscles to the bones, decreases as we grow older. This makes the tissues stiff and thus they cannot tolerate stress. Handgrip strength reduces, making it more difficult to carry out routine activities such as opening jars or turning a key.
• The heart muscles become much active to thrust large quantities of blood quickly to the body. They tire more quickly and take longer to recover. The body's metabolic rate determines how quickly the body converts food into energy, and with age it slows down. This can lead to obesity and an increase in higher cholesterol levels.
• Aging Bones - Throughout life, bones continuously change through a process of absorption and formation. As we grow older, the balance between bone absorption and bone formation alters thus resulting in a loss of bone tissue. The mineral content of bones decreases, so that bones become less impenetrable and more brittle. Ligaments, connective tissues between bones, become less elastic, reducing flexibility.

Remedies

• Participate in regular exercise.
• Stretching is an excellent way to maintain joint flexibility.
• Weight training increases muscle mass and strength, thus helping people to continue their daily routine activities.
• Long-term regular exercises slow down the rate of muscle mass reduction and prevent age-associated increases in body fat. Walking, square dancing, swimming, and bicycling are all recommended activities.