Certain choices can negatively impact your health after age 50.

People are affected by the choices they make.

When people lie to friends or family, trust sufferers.

Failing to show up to work means you will lose your paycheck or possibly your job.

According to a recent Money Talks News article titled “7 Fatal Health Mistakes People Make After Age 50,” what people do can also affect the physical health of their bodies.

Weight training improves bone health.

What common actions negatively impact health?

Failing to stay social.

Relationships are important beyond sharing fun experiences.

Those who lack social connection have a higher risk of cognitive decline, obesity, depression, and poor immunity.

Studies have also demonstrated people double their risk of death from cardiovascular disease if they are isolated.

Those age 50 or older should make extra efforts to connect with family and friends.

Eating high-sodium foods.

Salt comprises about 90 percent of sodium consumed.

Records also indicate about 90 percent of Americans have too much sodium in their diets.

The simple step of reducing sodium intake can decrease blood pressure in a matter of weeks.

Having lower blood pressure also reduces the risk of deadly strokes or heart disease.

Postponing colorectal cancer screening.

Colonoscopies are unpleasant.

If you are between ages 50 and 75, you should have colorectal cancer screenings.

Why?

Screenings can identify precancerous polyps.

These polyps are the primary source of colorectal cancer.

Screenings can also identify the presence of the cancer in its early and most treatable stages.

Not taking a daily aspirin.

Simply being age 50 or older does not mean you need to take a daily aspirin.

Rather it is recommended for those who have possibly life-threatening health conditions.

According the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, those ages 50 to 59 who have a 10 percent or greater increased risk of heart attack or stroke within the next decade and who do not have an increased risk of bleeding should take daily aspirin.

If you are age 60 or older, recommendations say there is little to no benefit to beginning an aspirin regimen.

I find that interesting - there is such a seemingly narrow "window of opportunity" for a daily aspirin to provide health benefits.

Avoiding the weight room.

Weight training improves bone health.

While everyone has an increased risk of osteoporosis as they age, women have a greater risk.

About one in two women will break a bone from the effects of osteoporosis.

In fact, the risk is greater for women than breast cancer, heart attack, or stroke combined.

Weight training and giving the body enough vitamin D and calcium are preventative measures against osteoporosis.

Avoiding water intake.

Dehydration is not healthy for anyone, but it poses the greatest dangers for seniors and children.

Generally, seniors can carry lower volumes of water and are more likely to become dehydrated from medications.

Because older adults do not feel thirst as acutely, they may forget to drink water.

It is important to monitor your liquid intake to ensure you are getting proper hydration.

Smoking cigarettes.

Smoking cessation can drop blood pressure and improve heart rate within 20 minutes of quitting.

Levels of carbon monoxide in the blood can drop a mere few days after quitting.

Your health will benefit as lung function and circulation improve.

Oh, by the way, have you seen the price of smokes these days?

Yikes!

If you needed any encouragement to "quit the habit," then the spend alone would do it for me.

Although avoiding these mistakes can generally promote more healthy aging, it is important to discuss changes with your doctor to ensure it is a good idea for your personal health.

Reference: Money Talks News (May 19, 2022) “7 Fatal Health Mistakes People Make After Age 50”