If you’re in your 60s, 70s, or older, you may think the days of productive iron intake are over.
I said that’s not true Dr. Adil Ahmed, Joseph Barnhart Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston;
Building and maintaining muscle is a great way to stay healthy overall, he said.
“The protective effects of muscle and muscle mass are well-studied in everything from the musculoskeletal system to orthopedics and even brain health,” Ahmed said in a Baylor news release. “It is well established that building muscle in the body can slow the effects of dementia and dementia and preserve cognitive function.”
Don’t forget about bone health. According to Ahmed, the only thing proven to help maintain density and strength in aging bones is preserving muscle.
“This is a very good process for long-term protection,” he said.
However, if you’re thinking about starting a weightlifting regimen later in life, be sure to consult a professional first – a personal trainer or a trusted friend who already understands the process.
Ahmed recommends starting with controlled resistance training and then moving to free weights, with an emphasis on building proper (and safe) technique.
“In my opinion, free weights are great for building muscle because they allow you to apply force to your muscles,” he said. “It also contains balance ingredients that stabilize your muscles and strengthen your core.”
Always consult your doctor before starting weight training during your senior years. But with proper guidance, weight training can also be healthy for people battling chronic aging symptoms, such as: heart failureAhmed said it was because his heart was pounding.
“When you lift weights, your heart has to pump hard to get blood flow to your muscles. That’s the only way nutrients can get to your muscles and keep them active and before they fatigue. “It’s the only way we can leverage our power,” he explained. “It has a protective effect on the heart in the sense that it forces the heart to pump harder.”
According to Ahmed, the bottom line is: Seniors don’t have to fear the weight room.
“It’s very good for your overall health,” he said.
Source: Baylor College of Medicine, News Release, March 20, 2024
