It’s Not Too Early: How Middle Age Habits Shape Your Life After 60
Apr 30, 2025
If you or someone you know is middle age, (they more than likely are not on fb) in their mid to late 40s - 50s (my children’s ages perhaps) the best thing you can do for them is to point them to new research that has identified 17 overlapping factors that affect your risk of stroke, dementia and late-life depression. The stuff that they see older relatives and other older people suffer from.
Bottom line is that if they start now, while in their Middle Ages, by making a number of simple lifestyle changes could simultaneously lower the risk of these later life and age related health issues. Young folks must understand that they are “certainly” going to get old (like me) but the question is what shape will you be in? All they need do is look around and there’s lots of examples of what I’m talking about.
Its about lowering the risk of dementia, stroke and other late in life brain diseases.
Six factors that lower your risk of brain diseases:
* Low to moderate alcohol intake
* Cognitive activity, meaning regular engagement in mentally stimulating tasks like reading or doing puzzles
* A diet high in vegetables, fruit, dairy, fish and nuts
* Moderate or high levels of physical activity
* A sense of purpose in life
* A large social network
The factors that increase your risk
* High blood pressure
* High body mass index
* High blood sugar
* High total cholesterol
* Depressive symptoms
* A diet high in red meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, sweets and sodium
* Hearing loss
* Kidney disease
* Pain, particularly forms that interfere with activity
* Sleep disturbances (for example, insomnia or poor sleep quality) or sleep periods longer than eight hours
* Smoking history (any form of smoke)
* Loneliness or isolation
* General stress or stressful life events
* Not paying attention to your health
The research and information on this subject was not around when I was middle age, and there’s a 50/50 chance that I would have paid attention if it were, but knowing what I know now, and seeing what I see now I’m sure I would have given it serious thought back then (for my older contemporaries, it’s never too late to start), based on this new research and especially for our middle age loved ones and their friends, “The life you save may be your own!”
Commentary by Ron Washington, native Chicagoan living in Las Vegas, disabled Marine Corps combat veteran, business owner (Premiers Secours), and proud NU grad. Son of Bernadine C. Washington, former WVON GM, who inspired his love for writing.
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