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Healthy Aging – Eight Ways to Keep Your Mind Sharp As You Age

April 18th, 2012

At 63, I am constantly looking for ways for keeping my mind sharp. It is a vital topic to me since I spend a lot of time teaching and writing. Here are eight tips that have served me well.

1. Keep on learning
My main role model for keeping intellectually fit is my friend Sigy, 88 years young. Whenever I speak to him, he tells me about the latest online course he has downloaded. Sigy is constantly challenging himself with something new.

2. Take a multivitamin supplement
Health experts recommend that older people take a multivitamin daily to promote optimal health and a strong immune system. It helps maintain and boost good health and wellness. On the other hand, Live Science.com reports that so-called “brain pills,” such as ginkgo biloba and melatonin, offer no beneficial effect. In fact, they might have negative side effects such as high blood pressure and digestion problems.

3. Live a “balanced” lifestyle
Research shows that leading a balanced life – however you define it – can reduce stress and retard memory impairment. David Corbett takes a long-term view of a balanced life in his book Portfolio Life. He recommends the following:
- having a satisfying vocation a profession,
- being a lifelong learner,
- making time for personal pursuits and recreation,
- enjoying family and friends, and
- getting back to society.

4. Watch what you eat
- Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid that is critical to brain function. It can reduce the risk of macular degeneration, protect against Alzheimer’s disease, and fight arthritis. What are good foods to eat? Try salmon, trout, mackerel, herring and sardines.

- Recent studies have shown that two to four cups of coffee a day may increase your cognitive capacity and help you fight Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists are not sure whether it is due to the caffeine or the antioxidants found in coffee and tea.

- Do not want to overeat or under eat. Either one can have harmful consequences for brain functioning. The Food and Nutrition information Center at the National Agricultural Library of the US Department of Agriculture has some great resources on healthy eating.

Check out the Tufts University Food Guide Pyramid for Older Adults aged 54 for tips on a healthful diet. Here are two suggestions that you can easily remember: eat, bright colored vegetables (carrots and spinach for example) and deep colored fruit (berries and sliced melon are two).

5. Get enough sleep
If you do not sleep enough, you are likely to pay the price in having attention and memory problems. You also run the risk of making it harder for yourself to learn new things and think. And what does sleeping enough mean? According to the US National Institute of Health, older adults need as much sleep as younger adults: 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Check the NIH website for some helpful tips on sleeping well.

6. Exercise your memory
Here are some tips for improving your memory:
- pay attention to what you need to learn.
- process information according to your learning style.
- use as many of your senses as possible.
- connect information to knowledge you have already learned.
- organize information through words or mind maps.

7. Have the right amount of energy
I am an advocate of the rising-energy model of aging. I do not believe that it is inevitable that your energy will decline as you age.

Harvard produced a special health report called Boosting your Energy that proposed a seven-step plan for increasing your natural energy. Here are the first three steps from Julie K. Silver, M.D. of the Harvard Medical School:
- set goals and write them down; it is a great way to motivate yourself.
- keep your stress in check by discussing it with others using relaxation techniques and writing your feelings down on paper.
- do not overwork yourself; use smart techniques that allow you to work better by working less.

8. Get enough exercise
According to Live Science, “scientists are starting to think that regular exercise may be the single most important thing you can do for the long-term health of your brain.” The American College of Sports Medicine urges older adults to work out strenuously at least 15 to 60 minutes three to five days per week. That means getting your heart rate up to 60% to 90% of your maximal heart rate (220 minus current age).

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Diabetics Are Using Alternative Medications

April 16th, 2012

Conventional medications are available and can be used to regulate the production of insulin in the body. Sometimes insulin injections are required in more severe cases. Living with diabetes can be difficult but it is manageable. In order to make like more comfortable, though, many diabetics are turning to alternative medications to find relief.

There is some proof that the combination of conventional and alternative medications and treatments, used in conjunction, can provide relief for patients.

Alternative medications may include supplements. These supplements have been used by diabetics for years with mostly positive results. There are no known severe issues arising from their use if done according to recommended doses. Chromium, magnesium and vanadium are among the supplements that are touted as possible positive alternative medications for diabetics though there are no recommendations to substitute these entirely to replace traditional medications.

Garlic, ginger, ginseng, hawthorn and nettle have been reported to have positive results in diabetics and many diabetics use these plant extracts and herbs as alternative diabetes medication. Often this is because of high priced advertising campaigns selling their curative properties to the public. It is the modern equivalent to tonic salesmen. However, studies have shown no positive effects with their use. Instead, use high fiber plant foods such as brewer’s yeast, buckwheat, broccoli, greens, okra, peas, Fenugreek seeds and sage. Unlike the other herbs, these have shown promise when studies have been conducted.

Although it is understandable that diabetics want to explore the use of herbal, holistic, natural and alternative medications, it is important to research them fully before taking them. This is especially true for those who are also on conventional medications. Take the time to research various studies and independent reviews for the effectiveness of particular herbs before taking them. Also, if you are already under the care of a physician, make sure the doctor is aware of what you are taking.

Diabetics are looking for alternative medications and finding the ones that are effective can be highly beneficial. Most conventional doctors agree that a combination of herbal remedies, lifestyle changes and traditional medication is the best way to help combat the effects of diabetes. If done correctly diabetics will be able to lead normal, healthy lives and can manage their diabetes more easily. However, it is important to ensure you safety so make sure you consult your doctor. There is no reason why you can not try alternative medication if you are a diabetic. However, be sure it will not react adversely to your other medication and only use the recommended dosing.

In addition to the herbal medications and supplements commonly taken by diabetics as alternative medication, there are also other treatments available that can be attempted. Diet is very important to diabetics and weight should be carefully monitored. Yoga, meditation and hypnosis have been found to help the mind and body become balanced for better coping. Acupuncture, massage and imagery are also ways to help calm the body. A combination of many techniques can help alleviate the symptoms of diabetes.

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Natural Weight Loss and Healthy Weight Loss Will Keep the Weight Off

April 16th, 2012

Natural weight loss and the slow progression of dropping the excess pounds is the preferred way to stay healthy and lose weight at the same time.

For most persons who are battling excess weight and who would like to lose weight fast or even Lose weight naturally, the task of doing so can be a daunting and frustrating one. The frustration stems from having to go through the process several time due to the their inability to keep the weight off.

Apart from just being heavy, there are a number of health related risk associated with being obese. To name a few, diabetes, depression , acid reflux , high blood pressure are all associated and can be complicated by obesity.

Very often a obese person hails from the premise that they have tried it all. They have tried all the lose weight diet fads, they have tried to lose weight naturally, they have tried various exercise regimes, to no avail, they have tried it all.

Those who are really heavy , say 100lb over their optimum weight , surgery may appear to be the only viable option left to them. There are many long-term and short-term risk associated with weight loss surgery , and one should consider all the risk before undergoing surgery. First you should know that weight loss surgery is not a cosmetic surgery. It is surgery, which have the same complications as normal high risk medical surgery. In fact one has to go through the same mental and physical preparation to undergo weight loss surgery.

Some of the side effect and risk of Weight loss surgery involve , bleeding, anesthesia reaction, infections, ulcers. I am sure if one would do an Internet search on the side effects of this surgery, the information would be overwhelming. Those who are over 100lb their optimum weight for their age, and who have been battling this for year, has to consider all their options before going through the surgery. There are also natural alternatives to weight loss surgery, in the form of natural weight loss supplements, with none of the side effects associated with the surgery.

I know several persons who have considered natural weight loss supplements over weight loss surgeries or other fad diets and they have reported being able to keep the weight off. Once again, one should consider all options, but a natural weight loss methods in the form of healthy natural weight loss supplements is always best, as 99% of the time there are no side effects.

Both, Surgery and Healthy Natural weight loss will produce results, but it is always better when persons pursue a natural path for healthy weight loss , eat well or change eating habits and commit to a lifestyle of exercise and total body management.

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