Dr. Oz talks about ways to increase protein intake and the importance of testing

Q: My doctor says that now that I’m 62, it’s important to increase my protein intake, but how can I do that without eating veal, lamb and veal? — Gena R., Salt Lake City

A: It’s good advice for everyone over 60 because research now shows that older people need more protein than recommended. The current standard says that everyone 19 and older needs the same amount (about 60 grams for a 150-pound person), but that doesn’t take into account weight loss. of the muscles that aging can cause. Dr. Mike believes you need about a gram of protein per pound of your ideal weight if you’re lean — or about 120 grams a day for a 10-pound person. 150.

Making sure you get enough protein can prevent age-related muscle loss and help maintain bones, and if it’s healthy protein – not high-fat red meat – can help control your hunger and weight.

So, here are some ways to increase your protein intake that can help you stay strong and healthy.

• Eat lots of beans and lentils. They provide 6 to 15 grams of protein per half cup and you get gut-friendly fiber, vitamin C, folate and magnesium.
• Add a collagen supplement to your black coffee, tea or smoothie! It provides about 18 grams of protein in 3/4 of an ounce.
• Choose ready-to-eat, protein-rich foods like canned salmon, cooked chicken breast, sardines or tuna that you can turn into a lunch salad with arugula and EVOO-balsamic dressing.
• Add sugar-free protein powder to smoothies (see recipes in Dr. Mike’s “What to Cook When Cookbook”). You can also add it to non-dairy yogurts, oatmeal made with iron, and in soups and sauces. Don’t overdo your protein — too much can damage your kidneys.

For more information on protein and protein powders, see “Different Types of Protein Powders, from Whey to Plant” and “Should You be Supplementing with Protein?” at iHerb.com/blog.

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Q: Do I really have to go through so many checkups — colonoscopy, skin exam, annual physical, and prostate exam? I feel like it’s too much. What are your thoughts?

— Ted H., Akron, Ohio

A: Many people are reluctant to take diagnostic tests. In fact, a recent Aflac study found that nearly a third of people avoid the tests you mention, including blood tests, mammograms and STD tests. But here are a few examples of how important screening is: One study found that there is a 67% reduction in cancer deaths in people who receive a colonoscopy. And screening mammograms have been found to reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer by 66%.

Screening for skin cancer every year? They are important if you have been diagnosed before, otherwise, you and your doctor should know how often.

For prostate cancer screening, the recommendation is for men aged 55 to 69 to self-diagnose it and for men over 70 to skip it altogether. We don’t agree. If you do activities that make it more likely that you will live a long time without disability, this is one disease to take steps to avoid or catch early. For more information, read “Should I Be Screened for Prostate Cancer?” at CDC.gov.

Annual physicals are highly recommended, but usually based on your health and family history. If you have diabetes or are at high risk for heart disease, you may need to be checked every year – or more often. For the general population, the Cleveland Clinic says every two years in your 20s and every year after that. That gives you the opportunity to ask questions about your health, check medications and find out about your LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, fast blood sugar, inflammation level, heart rate and breathing. Now, you have a chance to decide what to do to be healthier — and happier.

For more information, see Dr. Mike “The Great Age Reboot” and “4 Nutrients Anti-Aging Nutrients for Health and Longevity” iHerb.com/blog.

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Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is a global consultant at www.iHerb.com, a leading online health retailer. Roizen and Oz are the Cleveland Clinic’s chief medical officer and a professor at Columbia University, respectively.

(c)2024 Michael Roizen, MD

Presented by King Features Syndicate, Inc.