Culinary researcher Dr. Lee Jong-im (73) introduced her own health management methods.
Recently, Dr. Lee Jong-im appeared on a variety show. Despite being in her 70s, she appeared vibrant and shared her health management secrets. Dr. Lee stated that she practices squats every morning and drinks carrot juice for her health. Let's learn more about her management methods.
The Importance of Muscle Mass as You Age
Squats are an exercise where you stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, sit down as low as possible, and then rise slowly. It is effective for building lower body muscles such as the glutes, thighs, and calves. When the large muscle groups in the lower body develop, overall muscle mass increases, which raises the basal metabolic rate. This enhances physical strength and immunity, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight.
As you age, lower body muscles become particularly important. Muscle mass begins to decline gradually from the 30s, and by the time you reach your 60s, it can easily become insufficient. Without proper strength training, the rate of muscle synthesis cannot keep up with the rate of muscle loss stored in the body.
A lack of muscle can lead to decreased bone density, making bones weaker and negatively affecting joint health. It can also adversely affect blood sugar and blood pressure regulation. Sugar is stored in the muscles in the form of glycogen, which helps regulate blood sugar levels more easily.
The Importance of Proper Posture
However, it is important to perform squats with the correct posture. You need to check in the mirror whether the angle of your knees exceeds 90 degrees and whether your knees extend beyond your toes. Exercising with incorrect posture for a long time can significantly increase the risk of knee damage.
If your knees extend beyond your toes or bend inward during the squatting process, it puts a lot of strain on your knees. Setting an overly ambitious number of repetitions can also lead to injury. Since each person has different muscle mass and fatigue levels, it is important to find the appropriate number of repetitions for each individual.
Carrot Juice Effective for Antioxidation
What health benefits can be gained from drinking carrot juice daily along with exercise? The main component of carrots is beta-carotene. According to the National Standard Food Composition Table, 100g of boiled carrots contains 3582㎍ of beta-carotene. This is relatively high compared to other green and yellow vegetables.
When beta-carotene enters the body, it converts to vitamin A, which protects the eyes. It is effective in slowing down aging through its antioxidant properties and also inhibits the action of carcinogens in the body. It prevents damage to cells and DNA, reduces inflammation in the body, and strengthens immunity.
To drink carrot juice more healthily, it is better to consume it cooked. The absorption rate of beta-carotene is about 10% when eaten raw, but it increases to over 60% when cooked. Since beta-carotene is fat-soluble rather than water-soluble, it releases more nutrients when combined with oils like olive oil. However, excessive consumption of carrots can lead to carotenemia, which causes the skin to turn yellow. Be cautious of side effects such as abdominal bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
