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Mar

Live Long, Live Wealthy With Small Steps

A dichotomy shift is underway. Estimates are that by the year 2030, twenty percent of Americans over the age of 65 will make up 20% of the country’s population. Not only that, they will live longer and been more financially secure. Truly a force to reckon with. Unfortunately, perhaps the security of wealth has also fueled the rise in obesity.

While older American are more educated and the benefits of exercises well known, there hasn’t been a significant rise in activity level in this age group from 1996 through 2006. We just have to get moving.

Small Steps is a good way to start. Everything adds up. The 10 minute walks scattered throughout the day help. Cutting out fried foods helps. Reducing or even eliminating processed foods in your diet helps. It’s the overall picture that counts. With two-thirds of Americans either overweight or obese, the situation has approached a crisis level.

Frankly, I think part of it is the media. According to the media, we should be happy with who we are, what we are. True, but let’s not be blinded by the fact that a BMI over 25 is OK. Not being able to take a flight a steps because the escalator is out is not OK. Not being able to take your groceries into your house is not OK. It’s a long term investment in your health and well being that begins today. And honestly, all the small steps you can take to get you there will do just that–get your there.

Photograph by Sister72

Category: exercising Tags: exercise, fitness, obesity in Americans, Small Steps One Comment

Mar

Nutritional Supplements–Part 3

Chris

My final list of nutritional supplements includes more mainstream type of products. The benefits of each are clear and well documented, and again, tailored for my own lifestyle and the areas of my life that I want to protect.

Evening primrose oil is a supplement I take just for me. The oil contains an essential fatty acid (EFA) called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) that is responsible for its therapeutic benefits. Its properties of giving you luxurious hair are known, but it also can relieve those nasty symptoms of PMS. Yes, I have those. It can also relieve eczema and rosacea. Again, me, I deal with those conditions. Its benefits do not stop there. However, you do need to take the supplement for awhile, i.e., two to six months, to see the benefits.

Omega-3 fatty acids benefits are well known. Frankly though recently I made a decision regarding fish in my diet. I don’t like salmon. I’ve cooked it several times. The recipes were good, but I was eating it only because it was good for me. I really didn’t enjoy eating it. I like other fish, but salmon, unless it’s in the form of sushi, I just don’t relish. I did want to take advantage of the benefits of fish oils in my diet which include increased metabolism and easing symptoms of eczema. Its heart benefits alone are worth a look.

Finally, as a woman, I need to be concerned about calcium intake. While I like yogurt and cheese and eat both regularly, I’m not a milk person. Never was. The idea of a snack of milk and cookies eludes me. A diet rich in calcium helps weight loss, thus part of my decision to make sure my intake was adequate. My supplement includes vitamin D, to aid in calcium digestion. When I was keeping a food journal with FitDay , I was able to track my nutrition intake. It wasn’t long before I identified the vitamin D shortage.

I believe nutritional supplements have made me a healthier person. I have received benefits that I can measure. I feel good. I don’t get sick often. Definitely in the road to wellness.

Category: exercising Tags: evening primrose oil, FitDay, nutritional supplement, PMS Comments off

Mar

Nutritional Supplements–Part 2

Chris

A few more nutritional supplements are part of my health regime. One supplement that I’ve received great benefit from is magnesium. In the past, I’ve been plagued by migraines. Flashes of light like sunshine off of a car were my trigger. At work, I sit facing the windows. When the afternoon sun would strike the cars in the parking lot, I was scrambling to lower the blinds, much to the chagrin of my co-workers. I just didn’t want to experience another migraine. That’s when I read about the connection between magnesium and migraines. Apparently, low levels of magnesium can cause migraines. What the heck? I started taking magnesium over a year ago and I haven’t had a migraine since. Magnesium has other benefits too, such as helping with symptoms of PMS, reducing severity of asthma attacks.

Another supplement that I take is green tea. I have to admit that I didn’t start taking it for its antioxidant value, but rather for claims about its aid in fat metabolism. I was pleasantly surprised to learn of its other benefits such as lowering cholesterol and reducing blood pressure. These two factors are of special concern to me, with a family history of heart disease.

Another supplement I recently started taking is grapeseed extract. There are several benefits of this supplement. It can reduce eye strain, important since I’m on the computer so much. It lessens allergy symptoms. Unfortunately, my symptoms have become worse in recent months, the bane of being allergic to pet dander and working in a vet clinic.

As with all supplements, I review them carefully on the WholeHealthMD website. I only take supplements that are considered safe and have no known interactions with other drugs or supplements.