May is Arthritis Awareness Month. We often hear the word “arthritis” but what is it and how can we prevent it, or treat it? While many types of arthritis exist, it is possible to improve quality of life through a variety of means. To find out, read on.
The early bird gets the worm. Make hay while the sun shines. Idle hands are the devil’s workshop. If you want something done, give it to a busy person. The Puritan work ethic that was instilled in the founding of our country has certainly not diminished over the 200-plus years since the U.S. was founded. But it’s morphed into something super-charged in recent decades, and this change has made us less-healthy. Busyness, and the addiction to it, drive us to do more, and push us to focus less on who we are.
It’s not a surprise. We know it’s happening…certain antibiotics are no longer effective against antimicrobials. In humans, antibiotics have been over-prescribed and taken incorrectly or prescriptions are left unfinished. In livestock, the drugs are often added to feed to decrease the chance of illness as well as increase weight. These factors have led to Dr. Cyril Gray, the senior national program leader at the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service to conclude: “The loss of antibiotics due to antimicrobial resistance is potentially one of the most important challenges the medical and animal-health communities will face in the 21st century.”
February is National Nutrition Month, and in honor of that, let’s take a look at a diet theory that gained popularity in 1997 and see if it is nutritionally sound. The Blood-Type Diet Theory hit the diet scene promising wonderful results. The idea of eating a diet based on your blood-type was first published in Eat Right for Your Type, written by naturopath Peter D’Adamo. Read more about the Blood Type Diet here. Read more
In our November article we focused on aging in place, or remaining in your home as long as possible. This month we will focus on other shared housing options.
The Census Bureau’s 2012 American Community Survey, 3.8 percent of women 65 and older chose not to live alone. This is up from 2.96 percent in 2005. For men 65 and older, the percentage during the same period remained the same at 9.1 percent. A small, but growing number of women are looking to find methods of shared housing as they age. Read more
By the year 2020 in the US, 45% of all homeowners will be over 55. The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) has noticed this trend, and “estimates that over 70% of homeowners doing a remodel project are planning for the future needs of themselves or their parents.” This led the NAHB to establish a specialist designation called Certified Aging in Place (CAPS). This designation is for builders or remodelers who specialize in this type of design. As Baby Boomers age, they are becoming the most active senior population ever, and are employing service industries and technology to help them stay in their homes longer. Read more
Whether you are caring for an elderly parent, or looking ahead to your own aging process, it is necessary to plan where and how you will live. This critical topic is essential to address and one that people often avoid. Our next few blogs will discuss aging-related issues in an effort to address the underlying issues of aging. The MacArthur Foundation Research Network on an Aging Society defines successful aging by three criteria: 1. avoidance of disease and disability; 2. maintenance of high cognitive and physical function; and 3.engagement with life. Read more to find out about the physical and cognitive functions in aging. Read more
Allergy v. Intolerance
The words “allergy” and intolerance” are commonly used, but not always accurately used. Knowing the difference can help you understand your body and how it reacts to certain foods. This reaction is often, but certainly not always, an intolerance to food, rather than a true allergy. The easiest way to think about the difference between an allergy and an intolerance, is whether or not the immune system is affected. In a true case of an allergic reaction, the immune system reacts, causing changes in many organs in the body—sometimes in a life-threatening way. Food intolerance is typically less serious, and many times only involves digestive problems. Read more
Loneliness affects not only feelings, but health.
In the United States, a 2012 study found that “between 20 and 43 percent of American adults over age 60 experienced “frequent or intense” loneliness.” That’s about 9 million people. Brigham Young University psychology and neuroscience professor, Julianne Holt-Lunstad explains that loneliness is typically defined as: “the perceived discrepancy between one’s desired level of social connection and their actual level of social connection.” This addresses the fact that some people who are not socially involved with other people do not feel lonely, while others who are surrounded by many people suffer increased feelings of alienation. Read more
Human Evolution
“Paleo” is short for “Paleolithic” and refers to a diet similar to one our cavemen-ancestors would have eaten. A Paleo diet eliminates processed foods, sugars, dairy and grains and is reputed to help shed unwanted pounds, reduce inflammation and give you steady energy all day long. Find out how to live a Paleo life by reading more. Read more
