"I'll get old later"

Created: 05/17/2022, 10:18 am

By: Ulrike Osman

Marianne Koch, now 90 years old, during her visit to Landsberg.

©Osman

Landsberg – The ballroom in the historic town hall was occupied to the last seat when a special guest took a seat on the stage.

Marianne Koch, former film actress, successful doctor, health journalist and book author, read from her latest work "I'll get old later", answered questions from viewers and was just as you know her from radio and television - charming, professional, confident and incredibly fit for her now 90 years.

Marianne Koch is used to admiration for her looks, her drive and her positive energy - so much so that she seems to be embarrassed.

"But that's enough," she cheerfully interrupts the words of praise from City Councilor Margarita Däubler, who together with Mayor Felix Bredschneijder is representing "the really, really sad Mayoress" that evening.

Because Doris Baumgartl is ill and cannot take part in the event, which she has been working towards realizing for a long time.

The reading is part of the series of events "Strengthening strong women" initiated by Baumgartl.

That doesn't mean that strong women need further strengthening, but rather that they encourage others by their example. Marianne Koch undoubtedly does that.

And she's the best poster child for the advice in her new book. So what's the magic formula for staying young despite biological aging?

"Physical activity and the right diet are the most important ways of avoiding diseases typical of old age," says the doctor.

And: "Staying mobile, both physically and mentally, is the key."

She strongly advises avoiding industrial foods such as highly processed foods and ready meals.

"It contains far too much chemicals - too much flavor enhancers, fat, salt and sugar." Instead, local fruit and vegetables should be on the menu as much as possible.

And protein-rich foods that counteract the loss of muscle mass in old age.

Koch reveals that she has a natural yoghurt with fresh fruit for breakfast in the morning and cooks herself every day.

And that the portions shouldn't be too big.

"You shouldn't be overweight in old age." She thinks a lot about a vegetarian diet, but not much about the vegan version.

Especially in old age, the complete renunciation of animal foods can lead to a deficit of vitamin B12.

Also very important: continue to shape life, especially after retirement – ​​look for and tackle new tasks.

"Be brave," advises Koch, adding: "It's so easy to say, I know." But she also set an example – and gave up her acting career at the age of 40 ("I was so glad to have filming behind me have”) and resumed her interrupted medical studies.

The internist fell into a mental hole when the regulation came into force, according to which resident doctors were no longer allowed to treat patients over the age of 68 (a regulation that was quickly repealed).

Restricting himself to private patients was out of the question for Koch.

And so she gave up the practice, which she had only opened at the age of 55.

"I started writing medical books - it was like a new job."

Lifelong learning is a must, says Marianne Koch.

"And it's actually a lot of fun." For her weekly "Health Discussion" on Bayern 2, she regularly familiarizes herself with the latest research results on new topics.

This includes reading medical journals, researching online archives or attending an internist congress.

"Staying mentally fit means maintaining the connections between the brain cells and creating as many new ones as possible," says Koch.

And that happens when you do mental arithmetic, learn poetry, write a diary, attend a VHS course and generally deal with interesting things - even if the pace of thinking actually becomes slower with age.

Another decisive factor in healthy aging are social contacts that need to be maintained.

"Loneliness is the worst disease of old age with bad consequences for body and soul," says Koch.

“Lonely one is paralyzed.” Living with an animal helps, on the other hand – just as she herself has only shared her home with her dog since the death of her partner three years ago.

And of course going for brisk walks with him every day – which keeps both of them fit.