Chief Justice-designate Sanjiv Khanna praises outgoing CJI DY Chandrachud’s ‘ever-youthfulness’, vegan lifestyle: ‘He likes samosas, but…’

Taking a cue from the friendly banter, let’s understand how following a disciplined lifestyle helps in one’s 60s.

Regular physical activity and a good quality nutritious diet are the keys to being healthy and fit in the 60s, stressed consultant neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, who also happens to be a fitness buff.

To understand it better, let’s decode sleep patterns which are of two types based on timings for going to bed and waking up – evening and morning chronotypes. “Morning chronotype individuals prefer to be active in the morning and sleep and wake early. Evening chronotypes prefer to be active in the evening and sleep and wake up late,” said Dr Kumar.

A person waking up at 4-4:30 am fits into the morning chronotype. “This pattern synchronises better with the natural circadian rhythm (biological clock). Early dinner reduces the risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and improves metabolic health. Waking up early provides ample time for yoga, meditation, and exercises. This time is suited for meditation and it is relatively quieter in early mornings. Mornings are the preferred time for outdoor activities such as walking and running, as temperatures are lower, there is lesser traffic on roads and air is cleaner/fresher,” said Dr Kumar.

How does diet affect your health?

According to Dr Kumar, a vegan diet is mostly plant-based diet and eliminates foods obtained from animals (such as dairy products, poultry, eggs, meat, etc).

“Eating a heart-healthy diet rich in plant-based foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, and fibre, as well as engaging in regular physical activity, can significantly lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease,” said Dr Prateek Chaudhary, senior consultant, interventional cardiology, Asian Hospital, Faridabad.

However, Dr Kumar said that a vegan diet may be “deficient in vitamin B12 and good-quality proteins”.

But Dr Chaudhary mentioned that well-planned vegan diets typically incorporate all nutrients in sound quantities. A plant-based diet can help reduce LDL cholesterol levels and help maintain a healthy heart, said Dr Chaudhary.

A plant-based diet can help with weight management and obesity prevention, both of which are important for cardiovascular health in the 60s and beyond. “A well-balanced vegan diet, which is rich in healthy grains and nuts, is good for you,” said Dr Chaudhary.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.