Healthy Aging Awareness Month
Denise Cohen, D.O., internal medicine specialist at Broward Health, shares her perspective on ways to be healthy every day of your life.
- Why is keeping up with preventive healthcare important for healthy aging?
Your primary care provider is your top ally in fighting aging. Getting a head start is key to preventing disease and detecting health conditions early on when they are more easily treated. Women should keep up with their regular scheduled cancer screenings, such as Pap tests for cervical cancer (starting at 21) and mammograms for breast cancer (starting at 40), and everyone needs colonoscopies for colon cancer (starting at 45). Vaccines to prevent conditions like flu and shingles are also recommended, along with regular blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol screenings.
- How much exercise is ideal for healthy aging?
Regular exercise benefits your mental health and may also slow the aging process in your brain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly. Walk, bike or even mow the lawn to get your heart rate up three to five times weekly. The CDC also recommends strength training at least twice a week. This helps to increase or maintain lean muscle mass, strengthening your bones and protecting your joints from injury. As you age, this will improve your quality of life and ability to do everyday activities.
- If you know you have a family history of health conditions such as heart disease, what lifestyle choices promote healthy aging?
Even though you may have a family history of conditions such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes, numerous studies have shown that people who are fitter have better outcomes if they do get sick. Additionally, if you are in better overall health, you will have a stronger immune system.
- What is the best diet or eating plan for healthy aging?
A heart-healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, is your best bet for healthy aging. Eating less red meat, sugar and saturated fats, while having more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and olive oil will protect your heart health and can help you maintain a healthy weight.
- How much or how little should people drink to support healthy aging goals?
The CDC recommends no more than one daily drink for women or two for men. A drink is defined as either 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor. I do not think a single glass of wine daily is unhealthy, if you are currently in good health and not taking medications that interact with alcohol. However, alcohol can increase your fall risk, as well as your risk of certain cancers. It can also worsen your mental health and increase the aging of your skin. In my opinion, when it comes to alcohol, less is more.
- How can you best enjoy the sunny Florida beaches and other outdoor fun like golf and tennis without sun damage or premature aging?
Getting outside and enjoying life is essential for healthy aging because it keeps you active. To limit both wrinkles and your risk of skin cancer, always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. UV-protective clothing, long sleeves and pants, hats and sunglasses are also good ways to block a lot of the sun. The other key to enjoying the Florida weather is to stay well-hydrated.
- If there was one thing you could convince your patients to do to promote healthy aging, what would it be?
I would tell them two things: Eat a healthy diet and keep up with your preventive care. You truly are what you eat, and making the switch to a healthy diet can greatly affect your longevity. But prevention is the best way you can make a difference, regardless of your genetics.
- What advice for healthy aging do you follow yourself?
They say a joyful heart is the best medicine. Laughter and a happy heart are good medicine, and a joyful mind works toward healing. Find something every day that makes you laugh.
- Why is Broward Health a great partner on your journey to healthy aging?
Here at Broward Health, we always treat people with dignity and provide exceptional care, with extraordinary compassion and everyday excellence. We want to make sure that we keep you healthy every day of your life.