Robust health at 60

It is clear, in light of the data currently available, that it is never too late to start looking after ourselves by exercising both our body and mind. Some years ago, who would have thought that the over-60s would be willing to perform exercises that not only strengthened their bones, but also those that reinforced elasticity and mobility, while protecting the heart and brain, aiding their mental agility and memory? Who would have thought about changing ingrained food habits to favour a better quality of life?

on today's menu

In the face of the incipient age-related ailments, new knowledge about food makes it possible to tackle ailments differently, and enjoy this golden age, the 60s.

BUT WHAT DO WE NEED?

Antioxidants are essential to combat free radicals, active participants in several of the major diseases. These are residual products of the cells, which are formed when we eat, breathe, move, etc. Some are eliminated systematically as carbon dioxide, through breathing, but others require the help of antioxidants. We can find them in:

• Minerals: selenium and zinc, the former is present in fish, seafood and nuts, and the latter in meats, fish and pumpkin seeds.

• Vitamins, especially vitamin A, which is abundant in eggs and cheese; Vitamin C which is present in fruit and vegetables; and E which is to be found in dried fruits or nuts and vegetable oils.

• Carotenoids, which are personified in orange and red foods like carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes or in some green vegetables like spinach or broccoli.

• Polyphenols, especially abundant in red fruits such as cherries, blackberries, pomegranates, gooseberries and blueberries and are also in dark chocolate.