Why is it that we experience weight gain, fatigue, aches and pains, illnesses, and memory loss as we get older? And, more importantly, do we have to?

These ailments do become more common in our 30s and 40s, but they are by no means inevitable. In fact, we are perfectly capable of remaining slim and vigorous, and our brains can absolutely stay clear and sharp—if we give them what they need. The problem is that most of us don’t do that. We don’t realize what our bodies need, so we eat the wrong foods, skimp on sleep, and deprive our bodies of the movement they crave.