As you grow old, your health starts to deteriorate. Everything, whether it is your mental health or your physical health, starts to slow down. However, with age, your mental health gets overshadowed by your physical health.

Signs You Should Note

If you note these signs in your ageing parents or grandparents, take note of it. Try to get involved with them. It is also important to ensure that they have a separate social circle apart from the family. This way, they can have friends who they can also relate to.

With age, suggests Sinha, you are more prone to be depressed, and anxious. “Mental health conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorders are not something that happens when you grow older. You may have been living with these for the last 40 years, but the management differs, she suggests.

As you grow old, your symptoms start to overlap with other mental health conditions. For the proper treatment professionals use differential diagnosis, suggests Sinha. “The lines become blurred and to differentiate the symptoms from one mental health condition to another becomes difficult,” she says.

Preventive Measures

There are also food habits like eating leafy vegetables, nuts, fish, virgin coconut and beans that help with brain functions.

Sinha suggests that keeping a social circle and continuing your hobbies can help your mind stay healthy. “Men especially face this issue, after they retire, they feel like they are at the loss of authority, and they start to lose control. It is thus important to keep doing things and learning a new skill to keep your brain active. While for women, since they continue taking care of the house, their brain stays active,” she says.

Cognitive stimulation is the key, especially to managing dementia, she notes.

“Just with weight training, you push your body and after a while, it becomes your muscle memory. Same with the brain. However, one should not get into solving too many puzzles, or trivia after being diagnosed with dementia. Because that would mean you are making your already injured brain exercise which might lead to agitation,” she recommends.

How to support?

“The most important part is for the caregiver to understand what is happening and come to terms with the conditions. Because the elderly with cognitive conditions are not able to understand, they cannot be told or instructed to do anything. Thus, the responsibility is solely on the caregiver,” points out Sinha.

So, what can be done?

Awareness

Reach out to therapists and counsellors to know the ways to create such a healthy environment.

Be Patient

She suggests adopting the same approach that you do with kids and with your pets. This is when you focus on gestures, body language and mood over language. Due to cognitive disorders, parents experience a loss of language and the only way to communicate and to understand what they are communicating is through these means.

Be Empathetic

Create a healthy environment by agreeing with them and listening to their stories. The responsibility of creating a safe environment is totally with you.

There might be times when your parents may do socially unacceptable or non-compliance behaviour. But it is important to understand the triggers and ensure that the triggers do not occur anymore.

Help Them Stay Fit

Keeping your cholesterol levels in a healthy range is one of the best things you can do for your heart. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, but the good news is that what you eat can make a significant difference. While some people may need medication, research shows that certain foods can naturally help lower LDL cholesterol and support overall cardiovascular health.

One of the easiest places to start is with oats. Oats are packed with a soluble fiber called beta-glucan, which helps reduce the amount of cholesterol absorbed into your bloodstream. A review published in Nutrients found that regularly eating oat beta-glucan can lead to meaningful reductions in LDL cholesterol, especially when combined with an overall heart-healthy diet.

Legumes such as beans, lentils, and chickpeas are another powerful addition to your plate. They're rich in fiber and plant-based protein, making them an excellent alternative to processed meats and other foods high in saturated fat. Research has consistently linked regular legume consumption with lower LDL cholesterol levels and better heart health.

Nuts also deserve a place in a cholesterol-friendly diet. Almonds, walnuts, and other tree nuts provide healthy unsaturated fats, fiber, and antioxidants. According to studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, moderate nut consumption can help improve cholesterol levels and support cardiovascular health.

Fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel are well known for their heart-protective benefits. These fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help lower triglycerides and support healthy blood vessels. The American Heart Association recommends eating fatty fish at least twice a week as part of a balanced diet.

Fruits and vegetables remain some of the most important foods for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Apples, berries, oranges, leafy greens, and broccoli provide fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and plant compounds that help protect the heart. Numerous studies have shown that diets rich in fruits and vegetables are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

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Avocados are another heart-smart choice. They contain monounsaturated fats and fiber, both of which can help improve cholesterol levels when used in place of foods high in saturated fat. A clinical study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that people who ate one avocado daily experienced greater reductions in LDL cholesterol than those following similar diets without avocado.

The bottom line is that controlling cholesterol doesn't require a drastic diet overhaul. Small, consistent changes—such as eating more whole grains, legumes, nuts, fruits, vegetables, fatty fish, and healthy fats—can have a lasting impact on heart health. Combined with regular exercise and other healthy lifestyle habits, these foods can help keep your cholesterol in check and support long-term well-being.

Sleep is one of the most important factors for overall health and well-being, influencing both physical and mental health. Yet, how much sleep a person actually needs remains a common topic of debate.

Dr Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, addressed several misconceptions and shared evidence-based insights about sleep that everyone should know.

In a detailed post on social media platform X, Dr Sudhir said that most adults need 7–9 hours of sleep per night.

While some may function well with slightly less or more sleep, he noted that "regularly sleeping less than six hours or more than 9–10 hours is associated with adverse health outcomes."

Sleep Consistency Matters Too

While sleep duration is important, sleep consistency is equally important.

"Going to bed and waking up at roughly the same time every day helps regulate your circadian rhythm," he said.

Irregular sleep schedules, on the other hand, are associated with poorer metabolic health, mood disturbances, and daytime sleepiness.

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Monophasic vs Biphasic Sleep

Dr Sudhir said that most modern adults follow a monophasic pattern, with one main sleep period at night.

However, "a biphasic pattern (night sleep plus a short afternoon nap) can also be healthy if total sleep duration is adequate and the nap does not interfere with nighttime sleep."

Does Everyone Need an Afternoon Nap?

Not necessarily, said Dr Sudhir, popularly known as Hyderabaddoc on X, adding that many healthy adults do perfectly well without naps.

However, naps may be particularly useful for:

• Shift workers

• People with sleep debt

• Older adults with increased daytime sleepiness

• Those performing safety-critical tasks requiring sustained alertness

Further, he said that a 10–30-minute nap, also known as a power nap, is usually best, and may help:

• Improve alertness

• Improve concentration

• Reduce fatigue

• Enhance performance

However, naps lasting more than an hour may cause "sleep inertia" (grogginess) and disrupt nighttime sleep in some individuals.

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Night Shift Work And Health Impacts

"Night shift work is not biologically normal," Dr Sudhir said.

Humans are programmed to be awake during the day and asleep at night. Long-term night shift work has been associated with increased risks of:

• Obesity

• Type 2 diabetes

• Cardiovascular disease

• Mood disorders

• Workplace accidents

Sleep During Weekends

Dr Sudhir also addressed the common belief that people can make up for lost sleep during weekends.

While "partial recovery is possible," he said weekend catch-up sleep does not fully reverse the effects of chronic sleep deprivation.

Large shifts in sleep timing during weekends, often referred to as "social jet lag," can disrupt circadian rhythms.

He advised keeping wake-up and bedtime within about one to two hours of the weekday schedule.

He also warned against relying on multiple alarms every morning, which according to him "suggests insufficient sleep, poor sleep quality, and circadian misalignment."

How Inadequate Sleep Can Affect You

Dr Sudhir said regularly sleeping more than 9–10 hours may be associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease, depression, frailty, and mortality.

At the same time, the neurologist noted that "even one night of inadequate sleep can impair performance".

Short-term sleep deprivation can lead to:

• Reduced attention

• Slower reaction time

• Poor decision-making

• Mood changes

• Increased accident risk

Chronic insufficient sleep is associated with:

• Hypertension

• Type 2 diabetes

• Obesity

• Cardiovascular disease

• Depression and anxiety

• Cognitive decline

• Reduced quality of life

"Sleep is a fundamental biological requirement, just like nutrition and exercise," Dr Sudhir said.

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), including semaglutide widely used to improve diabetes control and promote weight loss, may also reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, according to a new study.

The study found that the effect was particularly notable among people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as well as those with both IBD and type 2 diabetes. Both conditions are associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer due to chronic inflammation and metabolic changes that may promote tumor development.

"GLP-1 RA use was associated with a significantly reduced incidence of colorectal cancer in all patients with IBD, as well as the subpopulation with both IBD and type 2 diabetes," said lead author Sarina Ailawadi of Case Western Reserve University, US.

"Given the elevated colorectal cancer risk in IBD, these findings suggest a potential protective effect of GLP-1 RA use in this high-risk population. Prospective studies will be important to further analyze and confirm this potential benefit," she added.

The findings will be presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Breakthrough meeting, scheduled for June 25–27 in Singapore.

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How Was The Study Conducted?

This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 69,221 people in the US, including GLP-1 RA users and non-users.

Researchers also identified 209,649 people with both IBD and type 2 diabetes, including 38,567 who had taken a GLP-1 RA.

After matching users and non-users for various characteristics, data from 37,740 patients were analyzed. The GLP-1 RA group included people taking semaglutide, dulaglutide, tirzepatide, exenatide, liraglutide, or lixisenatide.

The researchers compared the five-year incidence of colorectal cancer between GLP-1 RA users and non-users.

Among people with IBD, the five-year incidence of colorectal cancer was 0.2% in GLP-1 RA users compared with 0.42% in non-users. The odds ratio was 0.49, indicating a 51% lower likelihood of developing colorectal cancer among GLP-1 RA users.

Among patients with both IBD and type 2 diabetes, the five-year incidence of colorectal cancer was 0.31% in GLP-1 RA users and 0.57% in non-users. The odds ratio was 0.54, suggesting a 46% lower likelihood of developing colorectal cancer.

The researchers noted that prospective studies are needed to confirm the potential protective effect of GLP-1 RAs on colorectal cancer risk.

Do IBD and Type 2 Diabetes Increase Colorectal Cancer Risk?

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Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer, likely because of chronic inflammation in the intestines. People with IBD are estimated to be six times more likely to develop colorectal cancer than those without the condition.

Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, also increases colorectal cancer risk and is becoming more common among people with IBD. Scientists believe that individuals with both conditions may face an especially high risk because of the combined effects of chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.

What Are GLP-1 Receptor Agonists?

GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of drugs that help lower blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, many are now widely used for weight management.

These medications mimic the action of the GLP-1 hormone by stimulating insulin release, slowing digestion, and increasing feelings of fullness.

Beyond blood sugar control and weight loss, GLP-1 RAs have been linked to several health benefits, including lower blood pressure and reduced cardiovascular risk. Previous studies have also suggested that they may lower the risk of colorectal cancer and other obesity-related cancers.

However, their specific impact on colorectal cancer risk among people with IBD has remained unclear until now.