As The Body Slows Down With Age: Knowing What we Are Up Against

Taking care of ourselves is something many of us don't think about when we're in our teens and twenties. But as we pass 30, then 40 and beyond, our health and the ability of our internal organs to keep working properly often becomes a priority. This might be due to the fact that we feel differently as we get older - and we also start to look different. Bodily functions peak after 30. This means that we may develop a slow metabolism. Changes in digestive tract also occur. The rate at which food moves through large intestine slows down and levels of good bacteria in gut drops. This can lead to gut disease risk, food intolerance, poor digestion, and weight gain. Changes in food tolerance can also make constipation more likely or it might lead to diarrhea. Avoiding these issues is possible, however, by making healthy changes.

Certain chemicals and hormones within our bodies also decrease as we age. One example is lactase. A lactase decrease means the body does not digest dairy products very well. The result is often uncomfortable bloating and gas. Testosterone levels decrease as well. As a result, our muscles shrink. Another area that we may notices changes in is our alcohol intake. We may realize that our tolerance for alcohol is decreasing - resulting in more hangovers. And hangover bounce back time is increasingly higher. This means it takes us longer to recover after ingesting adult beverages. Mental decline in 40's might be yet another side effect of the aging process.

Food allergies, gray hairs, and wrinkles may not appeal to us. However, getting older is a fact of life. And one of the ways to ensure good health is through prevention. This means avoiding the foods that are no longer needed by our bodies. It means getting plenty of exercise and fresh air. It means eating well - ditch the foods that are high in preservatives, sodium, and other ingredients that aren't good for us in high doses. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Focus on eating lean meats, complex carbohydrates, and protein. Those foods have the nutrients our bodies need to function at a high level and keep our energy levels where they need to be.