Never Do This After Age 60, Experts Warn

Staying healthy at any age is something that's possible to attain if certain lifestyle choices are made. Having bad habits is normal, but having them after 60 can be dangerous to our health. We all know smoking, drinking too much alcohol and not eating the right foods can contribute to a decline in health, but there's many more things that people should cut out in order to live a long happy life. Eat This, Not That! Health talked to experts who reveal eight things to stop doing after 60 now. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

Dr. Brian Wu, director of psychiatry at the behavioral healthcare team of Executive Mental Health says, "Socialization is an important part of aging and has been shown to help avoid memory loss. It's easy to blame age as a reason to stop engaging with others but can be extremely damaging to the aging process."

Dr. Wu explains, "As we age, it is important to not overwhelm yourself and continue to try to be aware of any limitations and to avoid risky behaviors, ask for help if you need it. Don't carry heavy boxes if you can't make it or don't drive long distances if you will feel tired on the drive."

"It is important to get annual screenings and to continue to see your healthcare providers as there are tests that can catch asymptomatic diseases such as cancer in the early stages," Dr. Wu states.

According to Dr. Wu, "Our metabolism and ability to process foods changes as we age and it is important to make healthy food choices as we age to provide our bodies the nutrients it needs to thrive."

"Exercise is another important component for healthy aging, even simple walks or basic routines can help improve joint mobility and keep our minds healthier," says Dr. Wu.

Nutritionist, Author, and Celebrity Chef Mareya Ibrahim explains, "You can live without food for weeks, but without water your system will shut down within a few days. We have to constantly remind ourselves how important pure, natural spring water is to our success in maintaining a healthy weight and vibrancy, and flushing out toxins that can deposit into our fatty tissue and make it harder to stay healthy. Every metabolic function your cells perform requires hydration. Keeping your cells healthy helps to prevent aging! In fact, being dehydrated can fool you into the sensation of feeling hungry. Keep your system from getting clogged up with lots of pure water and you'll have fewer cravings. The goal is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water or clear liquids daily. (eg, you weigh 150 lbs, drink 75 oz and more if it's hot or you're sweating). Drink warm tea or water with lemon with food to encourage digestion, and cold water to speed metabolism during off-eating periods. You can flavor them naturally with some sliced cucumber and mint or some lemon and lime wedges or to give your metabolism an added boost, add 1 teaspoon of unfiltered apple cider vinegar to 8 oz of water to help with joint pain, digestive distress, blood sugar management and even weight loss."

According to Ibrahim, "French fries, doughnuts and those other deep-fried delights you've been munching are not only soaking in the grease, they can lower the pH levels in your body and induce acidity and can bring on a variety of unsavory side effects like acid reflux, gastrointestinal disorders and other chronic diseases. The act of frying acidifies foods and delivers harmful trans fats to your system. Canola oil, which is often used, can be damaging to healthy cells and has had links to cancer. If the urge takes you to that perfect golden french fry, southern fried drumstick, or chocolate dipped donut, think about baking instead or an air fryer."

"One of the most important and overlooked keys to controlling your weight that I learned is managing your blood sugar," Ibrahim states." If your blood sugar levels and insulin levels are spiking and dropping, it puts an enormous strain on your metabolic system and signals to your body the 'I'm in distress mode' message to store fat and energy. Your body is pre-wired to take care of you in the event of an emergency. Stop telling your system that it needs to store fat and you can turn your body from a fat storing machine into a fat burning machine. Caloric intake will vary based on your sex, age, activity level and pre-existing health conditions. But if your goal is to get leaner, you MUST start by eating cleaner — not by going on a diet that leads to deprivation or a significant caloric deficit. Eat in regular intervals, balancing the macronutrients of fat, protein and carbohydrates, with a focus on non-starchy vegetables that will help you feel fuller longer and provide the micronutrients your body needs to feed itself." And to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.