Anyone over 50 can probably remember what "old" people were 30 or 40 years ago. Usually they were people over 50! Most boomers no longer consider themselves old, which is quite possible with life expectancy going up year after year. But we need our health to assure us of a quality of life into our sixties, seventies and beyond.

Here are some really sound tips to consider in order to stay young and grow old gracefully and healthfully.

1. Keep away from smoking. The most important general tip. We have all heard the many reasons not to smoke.

2. Keep the weight down. Leanness is high on the list because fat cells have several bad effects - weight, hardening of the arteries and type 2 diabetes.

3. Take supplements. Particularly anti-oxidants (vitamins C, A, E ), these boost your immune response & energy output. Other nutrients include a good quality calcium, (not calcium carbonate) and a multi vitamin. Ask a qualified competent chiropractor what specific nutrition would be appropriate for you.

4. Skip a meal each day or fast a day each week. Eating less food appears to reduce tissue wear and tear from excess blood sugar, inflammation and free radicals. Drink plenty of water to replace the meal.

5. Get a pet. Pet owners tend to visit the doctor less, survive longer even after a heart attack, and suffer less from depression and high blood pressure.

6. Get chiropractic help for your pain. If you are in pain, don't just resort to pills. All pills have harmful side effects. Chronic pain dampens your immune system. Visit www.MetroHealthAlliance.com for more information.

7. Get walking. Through age, blood vessel walls tend to harden. Exercise keeps blood vessels pliable. Light exercise also reduces the likelihood of diabetes, cancer, depression, dementia and even aging of the skin.

8. Reduce arguments. Arguments and bickering increase the risk of clogged arteries. Rather than allow arguments to simmer, agree that it is OK to have differing points of view.

9. Live around plants. Having a garden or greenhouse to grow plants is a wonderful way to decrease stress or recuperate from illness. Just being able to see plants in a room or through windows has been proven to be beneficial to bed-ridden patients.

10. Do some weight-training. Strength training is as important as cardio exercise to the aging body. This is because from the age of 40 and on, the body can lose a quarter-pound of muscle each year which is replaced with fat. Lifting weights 3 times a week for a half-hour can easily replace the muscle lost through natural aging. Don't over do it.

11. Keep your spine in line. Nothing can keep you in better health than a proper functioning nerve system. It is advisable to visit a competent chiropractor a few times a year just to stay at your optimum health. Metro Health Alliance prescreens and qualifies chiropractors for service. http://www.metrohealthalliance.com