Eating For Your Age - Page 2 - AskMen
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      Eating For Your Age


      Page 2 of 2

      Your Forties

      As you enter your forties, your metabolism can start to slow down, and you may find that you can’t quite keep the weight off like you used to. In combination with a poor diet and the cumulative effects of long-term stress, a “spare tire” of fat around the middle can start to accumulate, increasing risk of impaired glucose tolerance, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Regular cardiovascular exercise and strength training burns calories while preserving muscle mass, and this is critical for maintaining a healthy metabolic rate. Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in supporting the metabolism and helping the body to burn fat. These can be found in oily fish (sardines, mackerel, salmon), walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds and grass-fed beef.

      If your digestion is starting to feel a bit sluggish, a good intake of dietary fiber will help to regulate the appetite, support your liver and keep things moving down the digestive tract. Eat lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and pulses, and keep your hydration levels up. For additional digestive support, take a multi-strain probiotic supplement, and include plenty of gut-healthy fermented foods (such as sauerkraut, kefir and miso) and prebiotic foods (such as onions, garlic, Jerusalem artichoke, leeks and bananas) into your diet.
      Your Fifties & Up

      Prostate cancer is very rare in men younger than 40, but the chance of developing prostate cancer rises rapidly after age 50. Studies have shown that the antioxidant lycopene, found in tomatoes, apricots, papaya and watermelon, can help to reduce the risk. Tomatoes are a particularly great source, and lycopene is more bioavailable (easier for the body to use) in processed tomato products like tomato paste and tinned tomatoes. Lycopene is also most readily absorbed when consumed alongside fat (eg drizzling your tomatoes with olive oil).

      You may be starting to experience a few aches and pains around the joints. Your body produces glucosamine to repair cartilage and other tissues, but as you age, production slows, and this can lead to a gradual deterioration of the joints in some individuals. There is some evidence to suggest a glucosamine-based supplement may help, but you can also boost your intake of the antioxidants vitamin A, C, E and selenium through food. Certain spices, like turmeric and ginger, have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, and may help to relieve joint pain.

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