The secret to healthy ageing

One of the ways to live a healthy, active and fulfilling life in your senior years is to embrace the concept of active ageing. IMCD embraces this holistic approach that helps a person to optimise their physical, mental and social health, to be actively engaged in society and to lead a good quality of life.

Population ageing is affecting almost every country in the world and has become a global issue. This demographic shift creates huge challenges and opportunities in societies where the population of older adults is large and growing. Already, there are more than one billion people aged 60 years or older.

By 2030, one in five people will be 65 and older. 

As the body ages, the number of cells in all tissues decrease markedly, therefore it follows that many bodily functions could under-perform as we increase in age. 

The secret to longevity is active ageing

One of the ways to live a healthy, active and fulfilling life as we advance in age, is to embrace the philosophy of active ageing. This is a holistic approach encompassing all aspects of physical, mental, and social health, along with being actively engaged in society. In the ageing population, being active has been shown to prevent disease, lower the risk of falls, improve mental health and well-being, strengthen social ties and improve cognitive function. We have seen a shift in consumer focus, moving away from individual health category attention, towards a holistic approach.  Consumers prefer their solutions to be both convenient, fast-acting with tangible benefits, embracing several potential issues simultaneously. Active aging fits perfectly with this trend: it’s a concept of its own with diverse facets. Let’s discover them!

Embrace the changes and keep moving

Regular exercise slows the loss of muscle mass, strengthens bones, and reduces joint and muscle pain, all of which increase in importance as we age. People who exercise regularly have a lower risk of many age-related diseases including cardiovascular conditions, dementia, depression, and arthritis. Muscle health and mobility are even more important to adults over 50, ranking second only to cardiovascular health. Research shows that 37% of boomers are likely to choose supplements that support joint mobility. The science is clear: activity is vital for good health.

Train your brain, not just your body

People in their 30s prioritise stress management, weight management and sexual health. Over time, this focus develops into heart health, digestion, sleep support and eventually degenerative health conditions. Research demonstrates that healthy eating, staying active, and learning new skills may help keep older adults cognitively healthy. Research has seen a 56% increase in consumers across all age groups seeking nutritional support for brain and mental health.

Taking care of your mental health

Older adults are at particular risk of stress and stress-related problems. Managing social isolation, loneliness, stress, depression, and mood through medical and self-care is fundamental in healthy ageing.

The importance of sleep and the quality of sleep is well documented. Poor quality and interrupted sleep affects mood, and is thought to worsen depression symptoms in older adults. Conversely, getting a good sleep is associated with lower rates of obesity, insulin resistance, and heart disease, and an overall feeling of wellness.

IMCD market-ready concepts

IMCD has developed a number of market-ready concepts using scientifically proven nutraceutical ingredients to support all aspects of active ageing, including physical and mental support. If you want to know more about what IMCD can offer to support active ageing, please click here. 

References:

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