HEALTHY AGEING through the years

YOUR 40S

The perimenopause starts now. ‘This transitioning hormone shift happens alongside a natural decline in metabolism, so it can become harder to stay in shape,’ says nutritionist Sarah Schenker (sarahschenker.co.uk). Poor immunity can also be a problem as your body adapts to the shift and you juggle the demands of the sandwich generation – caring increasingly for parents and children.

Eat more:

✣ Iron-rich foods (green leafy veg, dried fruit, broccoli) can help boost energy if menstrual blood loss increases as hormone patterns change.