As you age expect increasing amounts of fat tissue toward the
center of the body. Fat will increase and lean body mass will
decrease. The liver, kidney and other organs may lose some of
their cells. Bones lose some of their minerals and become less
dense. Water in your body is decreased by tissue loss. You may
even become shorter. This loss of height is related to aging
changes in the bones, muscles and joints. Height loss is
greater after 70 years old. All total you may lose 1 to 3 inches
in height as you age.
Ways to reduce height loss:
• Physical activity
• Proper diet
• Treating osteoporosis
The change in total body water may make older people more likely
to get dehydrated.
Loss of muscle mass in the legs and changes in body shape can
affect balance which contributes to falls.
Most age-related changes cannot be prevented. Steps you can take
to help slow or reduce these changes include:
• Exercise
• Avoid smoking
• Eat healthy
• Excessive alcohol use and illicit drug use can accelerate
age-related changes
Your lifestyle will play the largest role in how fast these
age-related changes take place. Do not accept the picture of a
hunched over, frail man or woman with a big belly, skinny arms
and legs as something that happens to everyone in old age. You
don’t have to look like that.
Probably the most obvious sign of aging is hair color change. As
you age the hair follicles produce less pigment (melanin), which
causes the graying process. Gray hair often starts to appear in
the 30s, although this varies. You may start to notice graying
at the temples. The hair becomes progressively lighter and most
usually eventually turns white.
Hair coloring is probably the easier and painless way to conceal
a person’s true age. The quality of hair coloring has improved
so much over the years that most people would never guess it was
not your own natural color. Hair coloring is usually best done
about every 6 weeks. In fact, hair color products can actually
improve the texture of the hair and provide more body, even more
shine. An important note here might be: Choose a knowledgeable
and skilled hair stylist or specialist for your hair coloring. I
live in a very small town, and I could not be more pleased with
the expertise of the hair stylist who colors my hair. Good
hairdressers and hair products do not belong only to the rich
and famous!
Graying is a lot genetically determined. Caucasians gray sooner.
Asians are late to get gray hair. Nutritional supplements,
vitamins and other products will not stop or decrease the rate
of graying. However, I have two sisters who both started graying
much sooner than I did. Of the three of us, I am the most health
conscious! I believe healthy lifestyle also plays a part in when
our hair starts to gray.
Almost everyone will experience some hair loss as the result of
aging. The quantity of hair you have on your body and head is
determined by your genes. Even if you had thick, coarse hair as
a young adult, it will eventually become thinner, fine and
light-colored. Men may begin to show signs of baldness at age
30. By age 60, about two-thirds of men have significant
baldness. With new technology and products even “baldness” is
correctable to a degree for some individuals.
Source: National Institute of Health
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food
and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not
intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All
health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care
professional.
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