What diet can do wonders for an ageing body? Here's the secret

Many people will start losing sleep, literally and otherwise, when their bodies show signs of ageing. The fitness, once they bragged about, is waning to their horror. Scores of elderly people are finding it difficult to come to terms with the fact that their bodies are slowly but surely slowing down. The hormonal changes coupled with sluggishness will trigger fat deposits resulting in marked dip in fitness. As people age, the bone density will naturally decrease, and the risk of falls and fractures are much higher.

But this precarious situation can be reversed to a large extent and fitness can be regained with a certain degree of awareness and commitment, say experts. Besides rejigging the diet, the senior citizens should indulge in exercises that can increase bone density and overall health. A healthy regime for the elderly includes low-calorie Mediterranean diet, daily walking and a three-year resistance training. The doctors opine that a person should exercise regularly and migrate to a low-calorie diet, Mediterranean diet after middle age. 

What is a Mediterranean diet? 
Mediterranean diet puts more focus on fruits, vegetables and healthy fat. Vegetables, fruits, beans, pulses, extra virgin oil and omega 3 fatty acid are mainly included in the diet plan. It may be noted that chicken and fish are only included moderately in the Mediterranean diet. Various studies have found that the Mediterranean diet prevents heart disease, ensures proper digestion, streamlines brain functions, lowers the risk of cancer and increases life span. The diet can fight against memory loss, depression, diabetes and high cholesterol. 

Fit as a fiddle @75 
It’s ideal to switch to a Mediterranean diet after 55 the age of. A study was conducted on 924 people aged between 55 and 75, who had any of the three health issues such as hypertension, high triglycerides, low levels of high-density lipoprotein, high fasting glucose level and obesity. The subjects were monitored and data collected through 23 medical centers in Spain. Half of the participants were served a Mediterranean diet with no food restriction and no need to exercise. The other half was directed to walk for 45 minutes six days a week and do strength, flexibility and balance exercises three days a week. And their food had 30 per cent fewer calories compared to their regular diet. The women in the group lost body weight and increased bone density in one year. The doctors pointed out that Mediterranean diet drastically lowered the risk of breast cancer, dementia, depression and diabetes.