Healthy Aging: Over 50?

Add an extra layer of heat to a dish -- and a dash of color. Red pepper flakes pair well with grilled vegetables like asparagus and are super with chicken, guacamole, and soups. They add a kick to sour cream dip and pizza. But they may be a bit overpowering for fish. Red pepper flavor gets stronger during cooking, so add it slowly.

The key -- for both your heart and your palate -- is to use just a pinch of salt, not a teaspoon. You've got lots of choices: Go gourmet with sea salt for an extra crunch on steaks. Kosher salt works on fries. Don’t forget that flavored salts can pack a punch in a pinch! You can find everything from lime to Sriracha to mushroom flavors.

Earthy thyme is perfect as a rub for meats and fish or as a seasoning on beans and roasted veggies. It teams up well with oregano, sage, and rosemary to add richness to soups and stews. Sprinkle it on egg and potato dishes. Or try it on fresh heirloom tomatoes topped by a little buffalo mozzarella.

Good for nearly all savory cooking, onion powder is ideal when you don't have onions or don't want onion bits in your food. It's easy and tasty in fish, chicken, red meat, pork, soup, and dips. Again, make sure you use onion powder and not onion salt. One tablespoon of onion powder equals one medium fresh onion.

Keep dried spices someplace cool and dry and away from direct light. Check expiration dates for the best flavor. Generally, powdered spices last about a year, while whole or leafy dried herbs can last 1-3 years. To check for freshness, put a little bit in your palm and rub with your finger. You should smell a full aroma. If not, it's probably lost some of its spicy power.

Maybe nothing says "You're getting older" more than having to ask, "What did you say?" About 2% of Americans ages 45 to 54 have hearing loss that is "disabling." That goes up to 8.5% for those ages 55 to 64. Loud noise, disease, and your genes all play a part. Some medications can cause hearing problems, too. See your doctor if you’re not able to hear as well as you used to.

Osteoporosis causes your bones to become weak and could lead to fractures. It affects about 54 million Americans age 50 or over. A couple of things that can help: a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D (you need both for strong bones) and regular weight-bearing exercise, like dancing, jogging, or climbing stairs.

If you weigh a lot more than is healthy for your height, you could be considered obese -- it's not having just a few extra pounds. It's linked to at least 20 chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, and arthritis. Nearly 45% of Americans ages 40 to 59 are obese.

About one in 10 Americans have diabetes. Your chances of getting the disease go up as you get older. Diabetes can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, and other problems. Talk with your doctor about having your blood sugar checked.

More than nine in 10 older adults have some type of chronic disease, and almost eight in 10 have more than one. So chances are, you'll have one sooner or later. But there are things you can do to live a healthier life.