Four Health Tips For Men Who Just Crossed 50

Last Updated on February 19, 2024 by Joshua Isibor

Aging is a natural and beautiful part of life. As much as you want to stay in your youth forever, getting older also has perks and privileges. For one thing, you can finally enjoy embracing retirement and no longer worry about keeping up with the exhausting work culture. Likewise, you can also start focusing on hobbies that were neglected for far too long and relish turning fifty. However, there is one downside to your age. 

As you grow older, your body will begin slowing down, making you prone to numerous health concerns. You also don’t have a fast metabolism anymore, so you must watch what you eat and can no longer indulge in your unhealthy habits. While it may sound exhausting, it will no longer feel like a chore once you develop a consistent routine to look after yourself. You may even have a much more flexible physique than most younger people, putting you in an advantageous position. So to ensure you’re able to look after yourself better. Here’s what you need to do:

1.Get Mandatory Health Screenings

You need to know what is happening inside your body as you grow older. Men are more susceptible to conditions like prostate cancer once they cross middle age. This threat increases tenfold if you have a family history riddled with this illness. You may also learn about hidden conditions like peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that develops from excessive asbestos exposure. This microfiber was a popular raw material in construction and the industrial sector from the 1940s to the 1970s. So whether you worked in construction, enlisted in the army, or may have served as a firefighter, you may have ingested asbestos. 

This will gradually accumulate in your body, and once you cross fifty, you may start feeling the symptoms of this raw material. Hence, it helps to get your body screened and prevent any dangerous disease from escalating, worsening your health. Other test includes getting your cholesterol checked since between the ages of 40 to 75, you may need medication to control the level of fatty deposition in your blood. 

You may also be sporting high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart attacks. Once your doctor successfully examines your body, they will call you for monthly routine checkups. Make sure you don’t skip them. If you need to get wheeled into emergency treatment, don’t hesitate to cooperate with your healthcare provider.

2.Establish An Exercise Regime

Your muscle mass, stamina, and energy levels may decline as you hit 50. This can make you tired much faster and make it difficult for you to stay on your feet. The more you neglect your health, the harder it can be to bounce back into shape. For this reason, take inspiration from celebrities like Matthew McConaughey, Hugh Jackman, and Will Smith and develop an exercise regime for yourself. You can try your hand at various routines, including high-intensity cardio, swimming, and biking. If you want to build your strength, get into the habit of lifting weights like dumbbells to work on your triceps. 

Gradually increase the load to further enhance your endurance without injuring yourself. It is also a good idea to consult your doctor before you start. A doctor can give valuable suggestions to ensure the regime matches your lifestyle. According to the CDC, you should do about 150 minutes of moderate aerobics, which includes brisk walking at least twice a week. Don’t forget to take breaks between exercises, which allows your muscles to relax and rest between intense sessions.

3.Get Plenty of Sleep

According to a study on sleeping habits, older adults are at a greater risk of developing sleeping orders. There is a high chance you may become an insomniac as you pass the age of fifty. You can also have trouble falling asleep and get less than five hours of rest each night which can gradually take a toll on you. Hence, if you are going through a disrupted sleeping routine, you need to get help. You can ask your doctor to monitor your brain and heart activity when you are asleep to pinpoint when the cycle breaks and offer an effective remedy to solve this issue.

Exercising and avoiding stimulants like coffee or tea can help you sleep better. You can also set up a night routine, such as taking a warm bath, investing in a comfortable mattress, and putting down your technological devices at least an hour before bed. If you are on other pills and supplements, you shouldn’t take medication to fall asleep. The chemicals may react, causing unpleasant side effects, which may not improve your condition.

4.Work On Your Diet

While you are free to dabble in any cuisine of your liking, make sure the food you eat is salt-free and has more fiber. Table salt is the primary cause of high blood pressure; even a tiny amount is enough to make you unwell. You can try seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, and citrus to add flavor to your meals. You can also use sodium substitutes to enhance the taste of your food without compromising your health. 

On the other hand, fiber is excellent in slowing down the release of blood sugar in your bloodstream. As a result, this stabilizes your blood glucose level, aids digestion, and helps you maintain healthy body weight. According to the 2015-2020 dietary guidelines for American males aged 50 and older, the ideal amount of dietary fiber is about 28 grams. So make sure you adhere to this level.

If you worry your current diet does not provide all the nutrients you need, consider taking dietary supplements. This industry started gaining popularity in the 70s and as the population’s consciousness of maintaining good health and well-being increases, so does the industry’s success. The initial findings of the recent survey of the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) reveal that 75% of Americans use dietary supplements.

A wide assortment of dietary supplements is available in the market today and they come in various forms such as capsules, tablets, gummies, powders, and drinks. For some groups of people, taking supplements is necessary. These include pregnant or breastfeeding women, the elderly, and those who have restricted diets, to name a few. If you do not eat meat, a plant-based supplement might be a good source of additional protein your body needs, while an organ-complex supplement (freeze-dried animal organs, mainly cows, desiccated and encapsulated) is a great source of iron.

Be wary of false claims though. Always do thorough research before deciding on what kind of supplements to take, and most importantly, consult your doctor first. While dietary supplements are usually recommended to people of advanced age, taking them without sound advice from health professionals is extremely risky.

Final Thoughts

Growing older is a natural part of life, but you need to start paying attention to your health as you grow older. After the age of fifty, your body may begin slowing down, making you susceptible to many diseases. Therefore, your only remedy to prevent yourself from falling sick lies in your daily routine. You should try visiting a doctor frequently and get the necessary checkups to get a better insight into your health. 

A steady exercise regime can also help you manage your physical health better, which allows you to tone your body and build up your endurance. Furthermore, make sure you sleep plenty at night and consult a doctor if you cannot find a pattern for yourself. Lastly, decrease the amount of salt in your meals and increase the dietary fiber you eat, which can regulate your digestion and give you the energy you need to get through the day.

Originally posted 2022-10-04 07:05:06.