NUTRITION
Basing our food intake on a carbohydrate source (e.g., rice, pasta, noodles and grains), adding fresh fruit and vegetables, and small amounts of protein foods (meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, etc.,) and fats (select healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, raw nuts and seeds) seems to be ideal. It provides good nutrition, assists in the control of blood sugar and cholesterol, and does not cause weight gain.

It is very important to consume as wide a variety of fresh food as possible. Brightly coloured fruits and vegetables contain lots vitamins and the antioxidants that are needed to neutralise the free radicals that can damage our cells and DNA.

Dealing with overweight and obesity is a complicated matter, but a well-balanced diet is a good place to start. Low-kilojoule (kJ), low-fat diets have been shown to be associated with longevity in a number of trials, due in part to decreased incidence of strokes, heart attacks and cancers.

The recently fashionable high-fat, high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets have a number of possible bad outcomes, including cognitive deficits as shown in a recent trial, and none of us need our brain power compromised.

Recently we have become aware that iodine deficiency in Australia is more common than previously thought. While we should try to minimise salt intake, any salt used should be iodised. Iodine will be added to Australian bread from September 2009.

ALCOHOL
We shouldn’t need to drink alcohol to have a good time, but there is something delightful and relaxing about sitting outside at dusk sipping a wine and chatting with new friends when travelling in our RVs.

In the face of a plethora of conflicting information about safe alcohol intake and the benefits of moderate drinking, it can be difficult to decide the best approach. Based on “standard drinks” (e.g., 100mL of wine), there is a considerable body of research that suggests that people who drink moderately (i.e., one to 14 drinks per week, but not all in the one night!) have less coronary heart disease than abstainers and heavy drinkers. Alcohol raises the level of good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood, may decrease blood clotting and often contains antioxidants, but no-one is sure of how it lowers the risk of heart disease.

A sensible approach would seem to be to do as the French do: have a little wine with your food, not eat a little food with your alcohol!

EXERCISE
There is no doubt now that people who exercise as they age have better health outcomes. As little as half-an-hour three times a week is enough to show an improvement. The type of exercise is less important than the regularity, so choose an activity that you enjoy or mix it up a bit. As well as making us less stiff in the joints, improving balance and helping to keep our weight in the normal range, mood-elevating chemicals called endorphins are released during exercise.

Weight-bearing exercise (e.g., walking) reduces bone loss, but supported exercise (e.g., in a pool) can be very beneficial for people with advanced arthritis in their weight-bearing joints, and can improve muscle strength and balance – very important in avoiding those fracture-causing falls. Resistance work with weights in a gym improves wellbeing and stamina in older folk, but needs to be adequately supervised to avoid injuries.

THE BRAIN: USE IT OR LOSE IT
We all tend to become a little more forgetful and process information more slowly as we age, but ongoing reduction in brain function should not be a part of normal aging. Regularly challenging the brain with new tasks seems to be a good way of retaining cognitive function and may even lay down new pathways in the brain. Doing crosswords is good, but make it more challenging by writing the answers with your non-dominant hand. Try lots of different types of puzzles regularly, and learn to play games like bridge and mah-jong.

HEALTH CHECKS
Preventive servicing and maintenance works for our vehicles and for us as well. Finding problems before they become severe results in better treatment outcomes, and regular monitoring of treatment programs (e.g., in hypertension) reduces the risk of complications.
Discuss a suitable timetable of screening tests and check-ups with your GP before departure on a trip, and carry a summary of relevant details with you.

And one more thing: don’t forget that happy, optimistic people live longer, healthier lives.
Be sure to see your GP for individual advice.