As we get older, our bodies start to break down in more ways than one. Systems begin to malfunction, and on the whole, the body gets slower at doing the things we used to be able to perform at ease.
For example, the immune system gets gradually less effective, as white blood cells become harder to manufacture. Hair begins to change colour, as the hair roots are unable to source the nutrients they once had a massive abundance of. In general, everything is affected.
Aging is simply unavoidable, however there are a number of things you can do to prevent illness in older age - and possibly the most important of these things is to ensure that you maintain a healthy weight.
As we have already explained, as we get older, the body has to work harder to keep things functioning as they once did. Energy and resources is redirected to bodily systems to keep them functioning optimally for as long as possible. If, however, you are overweight during this period - the body will be unable to redirect the resources, because it will be faced with a dilemma:
Unfortunately for us (or perhaps it is fortunate in some cases), the body chooses the latter option, and dedicates itself to burning the excess fat by keeping the metabolism as fast as possible, and by keeping the heart pumping at a higher than necessary rate.
If, on the other hand, you do not have any excess weight (or at least you are within the recommended weight band), the body will be free to focus on important tasks, such as keeping the blood pressure stable and keeping the immune system strong.
Many people who reach their 50's and 60's (or even their retirement age) seem to decide that losing weight in the older ages of life is completely unnecessary. Their logic is that nothing has happened to them thus far, so the chances are that nothing is going to happen to them in the future.
This way of thinking is completely wrong, and could lead to the biggest error in judgement in your life. So - get out there are lose some weight! Your body will be thankful in the long term.