“People sacrifice their health for wealth but in their old age, they will sell that wealth to regain their health.” That was Dr. Paul Kasenene’s message as he addressed a webinar discussing health in retirement. The webinar was organized by URBRA, as part of its series focusing on non-financial aspects of retirement. Dr. Kasenene, famous for his unequivocal messages about the dangers of unhealthy diets, told participants that good health in retirement depends on the choices people make in their younger years. He noted that the results of one’s eating habits and lifestyle choices can only become manifest twenty years later. Just as people diligently save for retirement over the years, the same principle applies for achieving health in retirement. “It is important to treat health with the same reverence with which we hold money. Work on your health with the same discipline that enables you to accumulate massive savings and wealth,” Dr Kasenene advised. “Good health is not something we can buy. However, it can be an extremely valuable savings account.” To attain and maintain good health in retirement, Dr Kasenene urged participants to adopt some key principles including:

• Remain hydrated. Drink at least two liters a day; that is the amount of water you need per day.
• Eat a healthy diet. Keep in mind that you are what you eat. Every single part of our body is directly related to the food that we eat.
• To keep immunity strong and boost your health, – 50% of the food you eat should come from vegetables and fruit. Only 10% of our food should come from animal products
• Weight management is very important for optimum health and boosting immunity
• Practice gratitude and forgiveness
• Sleep and rest enough. The body requires a minimum of 7 hours of sleep each night. Aim to get 15 to 30 minutes each day for silence and quiet meditation

He further acknowledged that it may be hard to find the time and energy to exercise regularly or prepare healthy meals. “However, if you keep in mind that your efforts will pay off in many ways, and for the rest of your life, it makes it easier. “A healthy youth equals a healthy older person,” he quipped. “Unlike in finance, with health you only have one shot at getting it right, one shot over one life. There are no second chances and no spare parts for the body no matter how much money you have saved for retirement,” Dr.Kasenene said.