Ian K. Smith, a writer and former talk show host who had associations with Barack Obama, offers insights into extending life quality. Preventing feelings of isolation is crucial.

If Dr. Ian K. Smith isn’t busy authoring books on wellness or crafting novels, he could be spotted strolling through his beloved city of Paris.

He adores the French capital due to its numerous attractions, noting that it’s one of the simplest locations globally for achieving your daily step count goal.

”
Walking
Living this lifestyle is common in Paris,” Smith states. “However, regardless of whether you reside in a countryside region with vast distances between places requiring driving, intentionally setting out for a stroll or a trek at your nearby park remains crucial.

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His new book,
Eat Your Age
offers a toolbox for combating the impacts of aging through straightforward methods
fitness
, dietary modifications, and lifestyle adjustments every ten years.

The main idea of the book is quite straightforward: engage in physical activity and prioritize mental well-being.
purpose in life
as important as proper nutrition. He offers a detailed dietary plan for maintaining health in your thirties, forties, fifties, and beyond with the aim of enhancing lifespan and preventing diseases.

He states that one of the key ways to remain youthful is by getting involved in various activities.
resistance training, like weightlifting
.

“As one ages, strength training becomes just as crucial as cardiovascular exercise, yet insufficient individuals engage in it,” he remarks.

A significant research carried out in Australia revealed that
High-intensity exercises that include sprints may help prevent dementia.
.

When it comes to dining, Smith’s strategy is straightforward:
vegan or vegetarian diets
work well for some individuals; however, for the majority, adopting a diet with 70 percent plant-based foods and 30 percent anything else they desire proves both feasible and advantageous for most people.

Doctors and dietitians say
reducing meat and dairy
Incorporating changes into one’s diet, even incrementally, can yield numerous health advantages and assist in losing weight as well as maintaining the loss.

Smith served two terms on the United States President’s Council for Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition – an advisory committee aiming to promote healthy eating and physical activity among people – under former president
Barack Obama
.

He has written 15 books and is a former co-host of the Emmy award-winning syndicated daytime talk show
The Doctors
, and is the former medical correspondent for American news network NBC.

Excess consumption of high-sodium foods can lead to several health problems, including
high blood pressure
,
heart disease
and
stroke
, Smith notes. Too much salt can also erode a person’s youthful appearance, he says, because sodium causes the body to retain water and cause puffiness under the eyes.

Researchers say excess consumption of sugary, salty, and other processed foods can lead to vascular damage in the brain. And that, in turn, can cause strokes and dementia.

Smith urges patients to
consider food as inherent medication
, instead of merely serving as fuel. With this objective in mind, his book offers multiple 30-day meal plans tailored to individuals with different culinary preferences.

The pinnacle of his list of health-enhancing suggestions is to maintain an active social life.

Smith states, “Ageing often turns out to be an isolating journey due to various factors. As one grows older, they may not function as they once did, which poses challenges. Rather than expanding their social networks, individuals tend to see them shrink. This sense of isolation can contribute to numerous mental health issues and a decline in cognitive abilities.”

Loneliness
is linked to potential damage to human well-being: heightened chance of stroke, loss of memory, and heart conditions.

A research claims that the effect of solitude on health is similar to
smoking
15 cigarettes a day.

Adopt Smith’s advice for maintaining youthfulness and attractiveness

• Find purpose

• Consume more vegetables, lesser meat.

• Stress less

• Find your community

• Increase vitamin C intake

• Gorge on antioxidants

• Fill up on
  fermented foods

• Stay hydrated

• Cut back on salt

• Protect your skin

• Exercise your heart

• Limit
  alcohol

• Sleep
  long and deeply

• Visit your dentist

• Exercise your brain

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The article was initially published on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), which is known for its comprehensive coverage of news from China and throughout Asia.

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