Which Parts Of The Body Should You Focus On To Age Smoothly?

We all know that aging brings with it many side effects, including the deterioration of muscles, bones, joints, and even the various systems of our body. Our physical health becomes more important to consider as we grow older since we are more vulnerable to this decay and diseases.

Some parts of our body are more likely to experience issues than others, depending on what kind of lifestyle we have led. More active individuals will encounter different problems than those who lived a more sedentary lifestyle.

But there are some systems and bones that are more susceptible to the process of aging, and there are ways to be proactive about increasing their longevity.

Voluntary muscles

Muscles that you use purposely such as those in your arms and legs are prone to deterioration with age. They start to decrease in size and strength, making you less mobile overall or at least experiencing more pain during movement. A great way to prolong the functionality of your voluntary muscles is to work to strengthen them.

While you should not pursue intense weight-lifting, having lighter weights or resistance bands to work on your various muscles will be crucial to keeping them healthy and preventing early deterioration. Even participating in yoga can make a huge difference in maintaining strength in these muscles. Make this a priority by continuing to use your arm, leg, and other voluntary muscles as much as you can.

Spine

This crucial part of your bone structure is also the main highway for your nervous system, as it connects the rest of your body to the brain. Back pain affects a huge percentage of individuals in the US and not just the elderly. Being vigilant about back pain is important to the well-being of your spine, and if you experience discomfort, visiting a chiropractor is a must.

Taking care of your spine means being careful about how much stress you put on it, stretching often, sleeping consistently, and maintaining lower body weight. The more duress that your spine is under, the faster it will lose functionality as you age. Since it is crucial to your nervous system and skeletal structure, be aware of the condition of your spine as much as possible.

Knee and hip joints

Joints are another area that will be drastically affected by aging. Where two or more bones come together to pivot around each other, there is a lot that can go wrong to make them lose functionality. The breakdown of cartilage could result in bone-on-bone contact that makes these joints extremely painful to use. Ligaments will also shorten and make the joint less flexible, causing stiffness and a lack of mobility.

Staying active will be key to maintaining some of your major joints’ health. Knees and hips are common complaints from those who are getting older, resulting in surgeries and replacements for them to stay mobile. The more you work out and use these joints as you age, the longer they will retain their usefulness.

Bone structure

Another side effect of aging is the breakdown of bone density, which is hugely important for a healthy body. Bones contain marrow, which produces and stores important minerals for the body, while also being important to the skeletal structure. As aging occurs, bone density decreases and weakens the strength of the skeleton, and hurts the supply of certain minerals.

Maintaining the integrity of your bones can prolong your independence and help with an active lifestyle. It is a cycle in which the more physical activity you do, the better off your bones will be, allowing you to stay on the move.

Knowing the condition of your bones should be a priority as you age, as a healthy skeletal structure will keep you independent and out of environments like nursing homes, which are not always perfect as a living environment.

Your body’s cells are crucial

Cells make up every part of your body at a molecular level. They control all the functions and are therefore a key indicator of overall health. Cells die and are replaced over and over throughout your lifetime, so keeping your body in great condition allows it to continue building and repairing cells when necessary. As aging occurs, the ingredients needed for this process are harder to come by.

When cells are dying faster than they are being created, decay occurs. Your organs, muscles, tissue, and bones will all be hurt by poor cellular production. A balanced diet and exercise can contribute to the health of your cells, so talk with your doctor or do some research to see how you can take care of these microscopic workers that are so crucial to your body’s condition.

How will you track your aging body’s health?

Knowing which parts of your body will be affected most by aging is important. Preventative care is the best way to prolong health, so protecting these systems now is a must. Find out how you can care for your muscles, bones, joints, and cells so that you have the best chance of retaining independence and enjoying a long life.