Efforts to keep healthy/living

Longevity and many health conditions are mainly down to genes, but not being obese, binge drinking smoking and healthy environment help I'm sure. Some feel that supplements help them feel better, but they won't help you live longer that's for sure. I think it's important to socialise as much as you can because belonging to a group where you are supported and valued, does apparently help you live a more fulfilling life.

Looking after yourself cannot guarantee you long life and good health, but it definitely improves your chances.

Agree with M0nica and Lazigirl, I have been lucky in getting to 70 without any health issues apart from my hypertension as mentioned in other posts, which is genetic. I have always ate healthily and walked every day because I enjoy doing so. I did have a spell of moderate drinking which eventually got out of control but I am now virtually tee total. I guess there is still an element of luck as with everything else.

I'm almost 60, quite a lot overweight (but always trying to lose weight), have normal BP, normal blood sugar, low cholesterol levels, and I'm not on any tablets for anything.

I go to Salsa lessons every week, I do 3 Zumba classes a week, and I go to aqua aerobics once a week.

If I could lose a few stone I'd look and feel better, but at the moment I'm fit and well.

I am greatful to be here, I am a recovering alcoholic and have been sober for 20 years. I know my body was abused by alcohol for a number of years and was relieved to know it is an illness. So no I didn't look after my body in the past. I now live in each day at a time and am so lucky to be able to look after my grandchildren 3 days a week which keeps me fit.

That is so brilliant MooMOO. Great that you turned your life around and great that you have shared the fact with us.

My doctor recommended Magnesium for restless leg syndrome and cramps, it works for me.
I also take MSM for arthritis pain and certainly feel the difference if I run out.

Five years ago I was due to have a knee replacement and this week received a hospital report saying I still have, 'severe osteo-arthritis in left knee' X-rays show no cartilage at all.
But I didn't have the op because when the date arrived, I had no pain in that knee.

I don't actually care if it's a placebo effect Gabriella (that's such a beautiful name) all I care about is being pain-free and MSM does that for me.

I have always had what is now called a healthy lifestyle: I'm a life-long swimmer, eat all the "right" things - although I don't subscribe to the idea that any food is intrinsically "wrong.
But for the very occasional health issue, usually minor, I have a very good, active life and only 2 medications at 72.

By contrast, my dearest friends, organic vegetable growers and very much into fitness and exercise both had stroke and cancers which killed them before they reached 70.
Luck of the draw and genes, I reckon.

Oh and btw, I certainly don't believe what I read in newspapers and magazines about vitamins as I know from my experience working as a journalist that pharmaceutical companies (and others with a vested interest) pay big money to the media to form our opinions.

8th decade for me, having been a child immersed in a thick fog of parental smoke when a child and again when attending various functions as an adult. Genetics included faults that could not repair dna and a propensity to heart troubles

Organic as much as possible through most of my adult life. A positive and happy temperament, with the attitude that the body wants to heal itself and can do if given the correct nutrients and epigenetics. I know about health byw, trained a long time

Got to my 6th decade and decided that there were no more second chances, harder for the body to heal when it gets older. Most days then it is 7-12 a day for me and too much to physically eat so I make my own veg juice in a slow juicer, freeze portions, the juice tops my veg levels

Mildly active, allotment until recently and cycling a few times a week, enough to get slightly puffed but no exercise to strain my joints. D3, a large amount every day to get to the optimal level, having done the test from the US. Taken it for 9 years, also added k2 etc.

Careful but not obsessive with my food. No veg oils for years, except olive and rapeseed, bought in small bottles. I am not on any medications

It all started decades ago, books called we are what we eat. Also fats that heal, fats that kill

About ten years ago I was struggling with knee pain so bad that I struggled to get upstairs on a bad day. At the time I worked in a school where the main building was three storeys with a two storey annex building so lots of stair climbing every day. A friend recommended aloe vera drinking gel with added glucosamine and chondroitin and I started taking it daily. In a very short time my knee pain was reduced to just the very occasional twinge. As a result I became more active which resulted in weight loss which in turn helped me become more active still. At first if I didn't take the gel for a few days while away from home I would suffer immediately so I knew it was the cause of the improvement.
I'm type 2 diabetic and on quite a bit of medication but the addition of a diuretic to reduce my blood pressure caused some weight loss from fluid from my legs which used to swell greatly in the summer. This made moving easier too.
Two years ago my kids bought me a fitbit and that has really got me moving and increased my weight loss so my weight is now about 3 stones less than at my heaviest. I'm amazed at the difference it has made. Now knee pain is a thing of the past - even if I skip the gel for a few days if away from home - and I have so much more energy. For anyone with joint problem I'd recommend trying the aloe vera gel. I registered as a distributor to make it easier to obtain but I don't sell it as a business, I just get what I need for myself. The company is 'Forever Living' who make lots of products containing aloe vera. Getting free of joint pain and becoming more active has completely changed my life although I could still do more and want to get my weight down further. I do take other supplements including cod liver oil, vitamin D, vitamin C and antioxidants. I also take co-enzyme Q10 as I am on statins and they are known to reduce your levels of that nutrient which tend to be lower as you age anyway. At 64 I feel fitter and healthier than I did 10 years ago so it can be done. Getting more active a little at a time can make a huge difference in the long term.

librarylady sorry to hear about your husband. You are absolutely right, we often talk about this with my DH and yes a healthy lifestyle might help a 5% but the rest is up to your genes and above all your own personal luck.

I've always maintained a healthy diet, ( with the occasional packet of crisps ) and exercise portion control. I also take a multi vitamin/mineral, fish oil capsule, sustained release zinc & vit c and bee propolis ( my high blood pressure was causing the white of my eye to bleed and I remember reading a few years ago that surgeons use it to stem bleeding. It also boosts your immune system ). I have been asthmatic for over 60 years, so have to check ingredients to make sure I don't have anything with rapeseed in as it makes my chest wheezy.

The blood pressure tablets I was given made my mouth feel constantly dry, no matter how much I drank. Luckily I haven't had any problems for over a year.

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Yes, I am 60 in age and I feel relatively healthy by eating a balanced and healthful diet like leafy green vegetables, walnuts, blueberries and strawberries etc.

Merlot, your turmeric recipe is much more exciting than mine.
I add yogurt(full fat or it doesn’t work), how boring am I?
I keep active, my weight is fine and am involved in a few things that keep me socialised.
However I think my genetic inheritance helps. Mum is 90, on no medication but I think she takes a multi vitamin tablet. She goes for a walk everyday and is off to bridge 4 times a week. She doesn’t eat fruit and hardly has any alcohol.
I drink, eat fruit take no vitamins so if I’m not as healthy as her in old age it’ll be the fault of the ?!!
I’ll let you know.