50 health secrets every woman over 50 should know

Even if you can, you shouldn’t – women who go drink-for-drink with their male counterparts are at greater risk of dementia, alcohol-related cancers (like breast) and heart issues, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

The group recommends women stick to one drink per day maximum (men can have two).

If you have a history of miscarriages or you developed diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy you may be at an increased risk of heart disease later in life.

“Your cardiac risks are based on your whole life,” Dr. Steinbaum says.

Unfortunately, anxiety and anxiety disorders continue to pester women as they age – they’re among the higher risk groups, according to a study in Brain and Behaviour.

Discuss your feelings with your doctor – and make an appointment with a mental healthcare professional if necessary.

See your ob/gyn or primary care doctor on a regular basis to make sure your cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and weight are within healthy ranges; also, make sure that you are up to date on all screening tests and shots.

While there may be a genetic component to osteoarthritis, a lifetime of wear and tear on your joints can bring it on or make it worse.

Keeping your weight in the normal range and engage in regular exercise and a stretching program like yoga to keep your joints limber.

Some foods will keep you healthy, others will keep you looking good.

The list includes familiar candidates like walnuts (for your brain and heart), carrots (for your eyes and blood pressure), salmon (for your health and your appearance) and more.

It’s true that the younger you are when you quit, the lower your risk of dying from smoking-related diseases.

But you can benefit from kicking the habit at any age.

Many dread the prep for this important screening test and keep putting it off. In fact, nearly 30 percent of people who should be screened don’t make the appointment, reports the health advocacy group Fight Colorectal Cancer.

It is now recommended that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45, not 50. So if you haven’t had one yet, schedule yours today.

Women who stick to a Mediterranean diet have a 25 percent lower risk of heart disease, according to a study in JAMA Network Open.

Mediterranean-style diets are rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and lean protein, and the more closely women stick to this style of eating, the greater the heart benefits.

You know what you should be eating – healthy fats, whole grains, plenty of fruits and veggies – but do you know what to avoid?

There are foods that – if they’re a regular part of your diet – can tack years onto your appearance.

Starting with: candy bars, charred meat, booze, and processed carbohydrates (think white bread and donuts).