China is known worldwide for its elderly population, estimated to have about a fifth of the world’s elderly. It is clear that people are aging more and more later when compared to times past. This demographic transition that increases people’s life expectancy requires new knowledge about healthy aging and the Chinese population is a model to be followed. About the secrets of Chinese longevity: what to learn from them? Read on now to learn more.
Longevity: Present vs. Past
Contrary to the past scenario, in which infectious diseases determined the health of the population, currently chronic non-communicable diseases of NCDs are more present in the population. In view of new treatments and scientific advances, despite the complexity in the treatment of these diseases, life expectancy has become increasingly high. We listed here, the main factors for healthy aging.
How to ensure healthy longevity?
Among the Chinese, public policies focused on education and health care are fundamental pillars to ensure the well-being of the elderly and ensure their importance in the social environment. Recognize the importance of this population in the community is one of the main points to promote longevity, because they feel more productive and important by playing significant roles in the family and social sphere.
Another secret of Chinese longevity, besides social insertion, is in physical independencebecause physically active elderly are more independent to perform their daily functions and stay longer in the labor market. Thus, physical activity is one of the secrets of the longevity of the Chinese people and should be a habit incorporated into the modern lifestyle.
Is longevity a guarantee of good health?
Living for many years is not synonymous with good health, so increasingly, people are looking for practices to achieve healthy aging. Thus, according to the WHO, maintaining the functional capacity that enables well-being in old age is the definition of healthy aging. Therefore, the eating habits are determinant in this objective.
The consumption habit of whole grains and fruits of the Chinese population is related to improvements in health, although studies reveal low protein intake, which in the long term influences the development of sarcopenia. In this sense, the offer of proteins of high biological value for the long-live population is paramount, and protein supplements are a viable strategy when consumption is inadequate.
Clinical practice
Thus, you nutritionist in your clinical practice should encourage elderly patients to practice regular and guided physical exercise mobility and to offer independence to your patient. In addition, you should also pay close care of the protein intake of these patients, and it is often feasible to offer protein supplements such as whey protein in order to avoid loss in the amount and functionality of muscle mass of this patient. Finally, encouraging consumption of fresh and whole foods is also part of nutritional care in elderly patients.
Bibliographic references
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Chinese Medicine, Dietotherapy and Food
Article
The path to healthy aging in China:
CHEN, Xinxin; GILES, John; YAO, Yao; YIP, Winnie; MENG, Qinqin; BERKMAN, Lisa; CHEN, He; CHEN, XI; FENG, Jin; FENG, Zhanlian. The path to healthy ageing in China: a peking university⠳lancet commission. The Lancet, [S .L.], v. 400, n. 10367, p. 1967-2006, Dec. 2022. Elsevier BV.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(22)01546-x
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