Aging and Nutrition

Ah…to be young again.

I'm not nearly as active now, physically active now, as I was then…and…but I continue to eat as I ate as a 20-year-old, so all those things were just adding up and causing my health problems.

Like many budding seniors, Loyd and wife Alyce have found it a bit of a challenge to stay in shape as they get older…to complicate matters Loyd developed type-2 diabetes about 10 years ago…

My numbers just kept going up and up…

Meanwhile, Alyce had developed some bad dieting habits of her own that were affecting her health…

Many times I would skip breakfast…or I would go out to eat for breakfast…and I…I would skip meals…

Many of the diet choices we take for granted when we're younger, can lead to health problems later in life. Our bodies eventually become less forgiving. Blood vessels, for example, can start to lose their elasticity once we start getting a little long in tooth.

That increases blood pressure. They also experience an increase in body fat and a decrease in bone mass and lean body mass, which of course decreases their metabolism, which is the body's ability to burn calories.

So as we age we burn fewer calories from our routine daily activities…not to mention we tend to be less active…

And when you couple decrease in physical activity with a decrease in metabolism there's no surprise that weight gain usually accompanies aging.

But there are things you can do to fight back. The first is to prepare more of your meals at home so you can control what goes into your body.

Sit down write out a shopping list with your basics…with your whole grains, oatmeal, whole grain breads, your fresh fruits and vegetables… Stick to those products so that you're not distracted by the other designer foods that are in the supermarket...

Next, make sure you stay active…

Physical activity helps promote healthy aging, it burns up excess calories, it decreases your risk for chronic conditions.

For Loyd and Alyce, getting guidance from a clinical nutritionist was the kick-start they needed to meet their health goals.

The outcome of the intervention is for Mrs. Kern is that she lost about 13 pounds in two months.

I can tell that my energy level is up…my doctor said that he would be taking me off of some of my blood pressure medicine.

And Loyd's doctor tells him his vitals are starting to look a lot more positive

He also did really excellent. He lost, actually lost 24 pounds in a two-month period and almost about 10 percent of his body weight. And in terms of his diabetes control, now his range is 88 to 98…

Loyd and Alyce's may have only just started their new diet program, but they know they're in it for the long haul…

A diet's temporary. A diet is to help you lose weight. This is a life-style change so we continue to call it a nutrition plan and so we stick to the plan.

For WebMD, I'm Damon Meharg.