Well, who wouldn't want that: healthy aging. Yet reality shows something different. Cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, depression and cancer are still in the top 5 of disease burden in the Netherlands. According to the VUmc, 50% of that disease burden is due to lifestyle . And that offers hope: we can influence this ourselves.

But before we dive into practical tips, it's good to first consider what we actually mean by 'health'.

What is health anyway?

The classic definition of the World Health Organization (WHO) is:

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

In Dutch: Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease.

In practice, however, this description appears to be somewhat too static and of little help for people who already suffer from complaints or chronic conditions.

Positive Health

That is why physician Machteld Huber introduced an innovative view:

Health is the ability to adapt and self-manage in the face of physical, emotional, and social challenges of life.

This vision – known as Positive Health – does not only look at illness, but also at resilience and self-control.

Anti-aging vs. healthy aging

The term anti-aging literally means: against growing older. But why would we be 'against' that? Growing older is a privilege. It should be about growing old healthily and vitally - with as few complaints as possible and with zest for life.

Yes, old age often comes with ailments. But what if we could alleviate or postpone these ailments as much as possible? For example, with nutrition, exercise, relaxation and good supplements.

Omega 3: Essential for Healthy Aging

If you want to grow old healthily, nutrition is an important key. Especially in preventing age-related diseases such as:

• Cardiovascular diseases

• Chronic inflammatory diseases

• Cognitive decline

Omega 3 fatty acids play a major role in this. They are:

• Anti-inflammatory

• Good for the heart and blood vessels

• Important for your brain

How do you get enough?

• Eat fatty fish (such as herring, mackerel or salmon) 1 to 2 times a week

• If that doesn't work, you can supplement with: Fish oil , Krill oil or Algae oil supplements

• Or use our budget-friendly alternative:
  🐟 Canned cod liver – rich in Omega 3 and vitamins A & D.
  Also add the oil from the can to your food for the full effect.

Small steps, big difference

Combine good nutrition with these habits for more vitality:

• Exercise for at least 20 minutes every day

• Get enough sleep and actively recover from stress

• Search for meaning and stay socially involved

• Take control of your health, no matter how small

Positive Health helps you to look at what is possible from a position of strength.

Conclusion: growing old is allowed, growing old healthily is a choice

Healthy aging doesn’t have to be an abstract goal. By making conscious choices today – in nutrition, lifestyle and mindset – you lay the foundation for a vital future. And remember: it’s never too late to start.

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