Normally hair turns grey as a result of the natural aging process. The pigment in the hair shaft comes from cells at the base (root) of the hair. These cells are genetically programmed to make a certain amount of pigment (melanin) starting at a specific age. At some point in the aging process, these cells start to make less pigment until the hair has little pigment at all. A white hair has no pigment, and a grey hair has some pigment but not as much as red or brown hair. However all hairs do not respond in the same way or at the same time. So the greying process usually is gradual and one cannot prevent greying.

Physical activity can influence many aspects of one's life. Physical activity is well documented to be an effective way of reducing risk of cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes mellitus, and some cancers and improve overall quality of life and psychological health.

It is safe for most adults older than 60 years to exercise. Even patients with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis, can exercise safely. Many of these conditions are improved with exercise. If you are not sure if exercise is safe for you or if you are currently inactive, ask your doctor for advise and start right away.

Physical activity, improves cognitive function in older adults, particularly in attention and, to some degree, memory. It also helps older people carry out their everyday activities of daily living. People who exercise on a regular basis show improvements in self-esteem. Physical activity also results in reductions in anxiety and reductions in depression in older adults. It is one of the most effective behavioral interventions for reducing the risk of illness and death in adults.

To start an exercise it is important to wear loose, comfortable clothing and well-fitting, sturdy shoes that have arch support, and an elevated and cushioned heel to absorb shock. Begin slowly if you are not already active, start with exercises that you are already comfortable doing. However you can increase the intensity as you practice to get most health benefits.

Exercise is only good for you if you are feeling well. If you have a cold, flu, or other illness do not exercise until you feel better; then, start slowly again.

Walking is an excellent activity to start with. Warm up for five minutes before each exercise session. Walking slowly and stretching are good warm-up activities. The other exercises that you should try doing are swimming, bicycling or aerobics atleast for 30 minutes. You should also do resistance, or strength training two days per week. You should also cool down with more stretching for five minutes when you finish exercising. Cool down longer in warmer weather.

Do not do too much as your muscles or joints get sore the day after exercising. Call on your doctor if you find
 Pain or discomfort in your joints,
 Chest pain or pressure
 Trouble breathing or excessive shortness of breath
 Light-headedness or dizziness
 Difficulty with balance
 Nausea

Other than walking one should do the simple exercises of 2 sets for 8 to 10 times. Remember to complete all movements in a slow, controlled fashion and do not hold your breath. Stretch each muscle after your workout and stop immediately if you feel pain.

 Exercise One:
Place hands flat against the wall. Slowly lower body to the wall. Push body away from wall to return to starting position.

 Exercise Two:
Hold a Light weight in each hand with your arms at your sides. Bending your arms at the elbows, lift the weights to your shoulders and then lower them to your sides.

 Exercise Three:
Hold a weight in each hand with your arms at your side. Shrug your shoulders up toward your ears and then lower them back down.

 Exercise Four:
Begin by sitting in the chair. Lean slightly forward and stand up from the chair. Try not to favor one side or use your hands to help you.

It is advised that every one in their young age start to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist every one to two years under normal circumstances, or once a year if you have diabetes or a family history of eye diseases. This helps one to be treated of any serious eye diseases if caught in time.

If one experience at any age a sudden loss of eyesight, pain in the eye, double vision, unusual fluids seeping from the eye, or extreme redness or swelling of the eye or eyelid -- particularly if you have diabetes or a family history of eye diseases contact an ophthalmologist immediately.

Simple tips to take care of your eyes is to wear sunglasses with ultraviolet protection and a wide-brimmed hat when you venture into the sun as it can protect you from damage of eye tissue and decrease your risk of developing cataracts.

Diet also plays a vital role to eyes. Eat food that contains sufficient vitamins and minerals. Vitamin B; the antioxidants A, C, and E; and minerals such as selenium and zinc, fresh fruits and vegetables, especially yellow and yellow-orange foods such as carrots and sweet potatoes, are good sources of these nutrients that help to protect your sight.

The common eye diseases that afflict seniors are
Diabetic retinopathy.
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Macular degeneration.

Diabetic retinopathy:
Diabetes is a cause for vision loss as it damages the blood vessels that feed the retina, and put people at high risk for blindness. Retinal damage is particularly common in people who have had diabetes for at least 10 years. Diabetic retinopathy causes blurred or fluctuating vision, which worsens rapidly. If one had diabetes for several years or it is in the family; it is essential to go for annual checkups with an ophthalmologist. This helps in treating the disease with laser surgery or other operations. Carefully controlling both your blood sugar and your blood pressure will also go a long way toward preventing vision loss. Exercise, brisk walking and reducing weight are very important to control diabetes. Keep yourself cool and do not get under stress, depression or anxiety as they increase the sugar levels.

Cataracts:
A cataract is a gradual clouding of your eye's lens, marked by blurred vision, impaired night vision, and halos around lights. This is common in people over the age 60. If these problems start interfering with your life, your ophthalmologist may suggest a cataract surgery. Cataracts need to be treated as they can cause blindness if left untreated in few cases. Nowadays few people suffer permanent damage even after the removal of cataracts. The risk is more in people who suffer with diabetes, take corticosteroids, diuretics, and heavy tranquilizers. Excess exposure to sun and smoking can also harm the eyes.

Glaucoma:
This occurs when fluids that normally flow in and out of the eye drain improperly, increasing the pressure inside the eye and eventually damaging the optic nerve. People suffering with diabetes and above the age 60 can be affected. The symptoms for glaucoma are noticed only after the permanent damage is done, so before it is too late a regular check up with your ophthalmologist is necessary from the age of 40. This can be treated in early stage with eye drops, medication, or surgery.

Macular degeneration:
It results when the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp vision, begins to deteriorate and is the leading cause of blindness in people over 65. Macular degeneration comes in two forms, dry and wet

The dry form, where the retina has simply worn thin with age, is untreatable, but it is usually slow to progress and rarely causes severe vision loss. Vitamins and minerals may slow its development to some extent.

The wet form of the disease occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina. It poses a much more serious threat to your eyesight, and the symptoms of your vision are blurry, fuzzy, straight lines look wavy, if blank or dark spots show up in the center of your vision. Seek the advise of your ophthalmologist who can suggest a laser surgery to avoid further vision loss if treated early.

 Other eye conditions:
There is little other condition that can create some disturbance in your vision but not seriously impair your vision like:

Presbyopia:
This is a condition when a person is unable to read small print or focus on anything held close to the eyes. People begin to notice the onset of presbyopia in their early to mid-forties when the lens of the eye begins to lose flexibility. If you get tired of holding books at arm's length, you can fix the problem with a pair of reading glasses.

Floaters:
These are small spots that drift across our field of vision. There is no cause for alarm but see your doctor if floaters become common, or accompanied by flashes of light. Some people are born with floaters, but they can also result when the fluid in your eye deteriorates through age, injury, or disease.

Dry eyes:
If the tear glands dry up, eyes can burn and itch and may even cause loss to vision in some. A humidifier in your house or special eye drops can help restore the moisture, although the most severe cases will require surgery.

Tearing:
Eyes that are highly sensitive to sunlight, wind, or temperature changes often fill up with tears. In some cases, tearing can signal an eye infection or a blocked tear duct. Normally this can be prevented with sunglasses or anything else that shields the eyes from the elements. See an ophthalmologist if the problem persists

If your vision has declined slightly, simply add more light to your house to bring life back to normal. For activities like reading and sewing, add lamps that are brighter than overall room lighting. Shades, blinds, and drapes can reduce indoor glare, and an anti-reflective coating on your eyeglass lenses can be helpful, too.

Even with more severe vision loss, you may be able to continue reading and performing other tasks with the aid of special telescopic glasses, magnifying glasses, and electronic reading devices. Talk to your eye doctor about the devices that are best for you.

Certain medications can also affect your vision and have side effects such as blurred vision, dry eyes, and light sensitivity. Most effects are temporary and will stop when you quit taking the medicine, but it's important to keep your eye doctor up to date on all the drugs and supplements that you're using.