Age Isn’t Just A Number

   By: Dr. Salihu Lukman

I reversed my type 2 diabetes – an age-related medical condition - 8 years ago. My HbA1c test conducted last month was 5.5 %. This is the best result since 2016. I was determined to confront any medical condition that would come my way and subdue it. Then came presbyopia 2 years ago.  

Presbyopia is a common age-related vision condition, that typically affects people over 40 – of course I am in my 40s - making it harder to focus on close objects, especially small ones. This occurs as the lens of the eye gradually loses elasticity, a natural but irreversible part of aging. Tasks like reading small print or working on a computer or phone may become challenging, often requiring reading glasses because close objects, videos/photos, and characters would appear blurry. Now, I rely on my reading glasses 100 % to read, write, and watch close photos and videos. Unfortunately, the condition is irreversible, hence, I can only manage it.

This condition underscores the fact that age isn't just a number because it highlights the physical realities of aging. While presbyopia itself is not debilitating, it serves as a reminder of the body's natural decline, fueling the sentiment that aging marks "the beginning of the end" for certain physical abilities. However, rather than signaling defeat, such changes can encourage proactive health management and the embracing of new ways to adapt and thrive in later years.

Important Routine Checkups

Regular health checkups and lifestyle adjustments in your 40s are vital to prevent chronic diseases and maintain quality of life in your 60s and beyond. Here's why each is essential:

1. Periodic Checkups

• HbA1c: Monitors average blood sugar levels over the past three months to detect prediabetes or diabetes early.

• Cholesterol: Identifies risk for heart disease and stroke by measuring LDL (bad), HDL (good), and triglycerides. If you have Erectile Dysfunction (ED), this can signal underlying health issues like cardiovascular disease or diabetes, making early detection crucial. A study indicates that about 14 % of those with ED get heart attacks 7 years later. Hence, it is a biomarker that signals a more sinister chronic condition. Do not just resort to using Viagra or Kayan Maza to gain a reprieve, consult a doctor and check your cholesterol, HbA1c, etc.

• BP (Blood Pressure): High blood pressure is a silent killer, increasing risks of heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage.

2. Cancer Screenings

• Colorectal (Men and Women): Detects precancerous polyps or early colon cancer; screening begins at 45.

• Prostate (Men): Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing helps detect prostate cancer early, especially for those at higher risk.

• Breast (Women): Mammograms catch early-stage breast cancer, significantly improving survival rates.

• Cervical (Women): Pap smears and HPV tests detect cervical cancer or precancerous changes for timely treatment.

These checkups enumerated under 1 and 2, also depend on personal and family history. Discuss with your doctor.

Supplementing Deficiencies

• Vitamin D: Supports bone health, immunity, and mood; deficiency increases the risk of osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, depression, autoimmune diseases, etc. If there is one supplement that you shouldn’t miss, it is vitamin D3, that is, if you cannot get enough sunlight exposure for about 15 – 20 minutes daily depending on the sun’s intensity and skin area exposed. Remember, the more bare skin exposed to the sunlight, the better the absorption of the ultraviolet light necessary for the production of vitamin D in your body. Check your vitamin D level first. 

• Magnesium: Supports muscle function, and regulates hormone production, including estrogen and progesterone, which are essential for libido and sexual function in women. It also alleviates PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome) symptoms, improves sleep, and combats stress, depression, and anxiety. It regulates blood sugar, maintains genes, and boosts exercise performance. For enhanced absorption, use magnesium citrate.

• Zinc: Supports testosterone production, prostate health, sperm production, DNA synthesis, inflammation reduction, and immune function.

• B Vitamins: Vital for energy metabolism, brain function, and red blood cell production. For increased bioavailability, use methylfolate instead of folic acid.

• Omega-3: This is an essential fatty acid - meaning that your body can’t produce or store it - that reduces inflammation, supports heart health, and enhances brain function. 

Consult a healthcare provider before adding any supplements. The golden rule is that you should supplement only when there is a deficiency. Unfortunately, our diet may not be nutritious enough to provide us with all the essential minerals and vitamins that our body needs.

Lifestyle Changes

• Diet: Focus on nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats to fuel your body.

• Exercise: Regular physical activity improves heart health, bone strength, and mental well-being.

• Sleep: Prioritize 7–9 hours of quality sleep for recovery and overall health. 

• Stress Management: Chronic stress damages your body; practice relaxation techniques like meditation. 

A Fool At 40 Is A Fool Forever 

Your 40s are the foundation years for healthy aging. Neglecting these checkups and lifestyle habits now can lead to regret and irreversible health challenges in your 60s. Start today to ensure vitality and longevity! 

Life Begins At 40

The adage "Life begins at 40" highlights a fresh opportunity to embrace growth by learning, unlearning, and relearning. At this stage, we have the wisdom to identify outdated beliefs and norms, discard habits that no longer serve us, and adopt new perspectives that align with our evolving goals. It’s a time to reinvent ourselves, explore untapped potential, and approach life with renewed curiosity, emotional maturity, and purpose, proving that true growth begins when we adapt and evolve.

It counters the notion that aging is a decline, emphasizing instead that this stage of life can be a new beginning filled with opportunities for personal growth, achievement, and happiness. The Qur'an and Hadith highlight the age of 40 as a significant milestone when individuals reach the peak of their intellectual and spiritual maturity. Almost all prophets were granted prophethood at or after the age of 40 except prophets Isa (Jesus) (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and Yahya (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Should our imams, mallams, and alfas wait until they reach 40 before they start preaching and delivering sermons to the Muslim Ummah to avoid having half-baked clerics whose teachings exhibit immaturity and lack of deep understanding of the religion but are full of sectarianism, attention-seeking, and division? The problems perpetrated by some of the under-40 clerics are on a cosmic scale. Recall Boko Haram founder, Muhammad Yusuf and his new pseudo-vice-gerent Muhammad bin Muhammad from Niger. Even if those under 40 are not banned from directing the Muslim Ummah, they should be carefully monitored and scrutinized. The famous Young Sheikh, M.S. Ali, from Zaria, who started preaching at around 8 years old, should rather enjoy his childhood now than assume the mantle of an erudite Islamic scholar.