I have no idea where this article originated from but I thought it was most interesting. My cousin Joan sent it to me in an e-mail. ( Thanks Joan)  It seems everyone will find something interesting in this. Enjoy, I learned a great deal.  I love fruit so this was very helpful and quite an eye-opener.

EATING FRUIT...
We  all think eating fruits means just buying  fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our  mouths. It’s not as easy as you think. It’s  important to know how and when to eat.

What  is the correct way of eating fruits?
IT  MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS! *  FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY  STOMACH.

If  you eat fruit like that, it will play a major  role to detoxify your system, supplying you with  a great deal of energy for weight loss and other  life activities.

FRUIT  IS THE MOST IMPORTANT  FOOD. A SUPER FOOD. Let’s say you eat two slices of bread and then a  slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to  go straight through the stomach into the  intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.
In  the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments  and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes  into contact with the food in the stomach and  digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins  to spoil….
So  please eat your fruits on an empty  stomach or before your meals! You have  heard people complaining – every time I eat  watermelon I burp, when I eat with my meal or after my stomach  bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like  running to the toilet etc – actually all this  will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty  stomach. The fruit mixes with the putrefying  other food and produces gas and hence you will  bloat!
Graying  hair,  balding,  nervous  outburst,  and dark  circles under the eyes, all these will NOT happen  if you take fruits on an empty stomach.
There  is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and  lemon are acidic, because all fruits become  alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert  Shelton who did research on this matter.   If you have mastered the correct way of eating  fruits, you have the Secret of beauty,  longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal  weight.  Maintaining Youth!! YES!!
When  you need to drink fruit juice – drink only  fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans.  Don’t even drink juice that has been heated up.  Don’t eat cooked fruits because you don’t get  the nutrients at all. You only get to taste.  Cooking destroys all the vitamins.
But  eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the  juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it  mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must  let it mix with your saliva before swallowing  it. You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse  your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice  throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised  when your friends tell you how radiant you look!

KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of  potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its  vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although  an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has  antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the  activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower  the risks of colon cancer, heart attack &  stroke.

STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest  total antioxidant power among major fruits &  protect the body from cancer-causing, blood  vessel-clogging free radicals.

ORANGE: Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may  help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent  & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens  the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher.. Composed of 92% water,  it is also packed with a giant dose of  glutathione, which helps boost our immune  system. They are also a key source of lycopene -  the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients  found in watermelon are vitamin C &  Potassium.

GUAVA  & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear  winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava  is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent  constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this  is good for your eyes.

Drinking  Cold water after a meal =  Cancer! Can u believe this?? For those who like to drink  cold water, this article is applicable to you.  It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a  meal. However, the cold water will solidify the  oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will  slow down the digestion. Once this ‘sludge’  reacts with the acid, it will break down and be  absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid  food. It will line the intestine. Very soon,  this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It  is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a  meal.

A  serious note about heart attacks:  HEART ATTACK  PROCEDURE Women should  know that not every heart attack symptom is  going to be the left arm hurting.. Be aware of  intense pain in the jaw line.. You may never  have the first chest pain during the course of a  heart attack . Nausea and intense sweating are  also common symptoms.. Sixty percent of people  who have a heart attack while they are asleep do  not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a  sound sleep. Let’s be careful and be aware.

The  more we know the better off we are!!

ChucknGayle

Don't fool yourself exercise works.

HATE GOING TO THE GYM? Who doesn’t? It gets old pretty quick. There are soooo many benefits that you really have to stop and think about all of the great things exercise can do for you. As we grow older we need regular exercise the most to keep our bones and joints moving and to keep our minds alert.

Check out 20 health benefits that exercise can provide for you!
Exercise can…

•    Increase your level of muscular strength and endurance

•    Improve your looks physically.

•    Improve your body’s ability to use oxygen ( fitness)

•    Maintain your resting metabolic rate in order to prevent weight gain

•    Increase your stamina.

•    Provide protection against injury

•    Improve balance and coordination

•    Help you lose fat and extra weight.

•    Increase your level of muscular strength and endurance

•    Increase bone  density to prevent osteoporosis

•    Lower  heart rate and blood pressure

•    Lower Body Mass Index (BMI)

•    Reduce triglycerides,bad (LDL), raises good  (HDL)

•    Enhance sexual desire and performance

•    Reduce risk of heart disease and stroke

•    Reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer

•    Increase insulin sensitivity — prevents Type 2 diabetes

•    Reduce  anxiety and helps you manage stress

•    Improve the immune system function

•    Improve your self-esteem and  confidence

•    Help you sleep better and improve your mood. ( exercise relaxes you.)

www.ediets.com is where I found these 20 health benefits.

These are all wonderful thoughts to keep in mind when the urge to skip your routine is stronger than your will to exercise.

Chuck and I are striving for 10,000 steps a day (walking) on the days we do not go to the gym. On the days we go we walk to and from.  10,000 is about 5 miles a day.  More on walking next time I blog.

Take care and get out there and improve your health!!!

Chuckngayle

Older people are more likely to have additional health problems that are made worse by drinking alcohol. Did you know that drinking alcohol makes you more likely to develop osteoporosis? As we age the body takes longer to absorb calcium.  Alcohol interferes with this process, causing brittle bones and other calcium deficiencies. Calcium loss leads to low density bone mass and the bent, frail physique we often see in the elderly. Alcohol is dehydrating and toxic. It causes wrinkles and lines on the face and is damaging to the liver, bladder, kidneys, stomach, throat, mouth and brain. Alcohol affects virtually every organ in its path. It can cause stroke, high blood pressure, memory loss and mood disorders. For those of us who are serious about looking younger and aging well, it’s important to understand and be aware of the many ways in which alcohol accelerates the aging process.

Skin aging is a concern as we grow older even without the alcohol. Alcohol is  a major contributor to the aging effect on the skin. Alcohol causes the small blood vessels to widen, producing flushed, coarse skin, broken veins deep lines and wrinkles.  Smoking accelerates skin aging even more. Combine alcohol and smoking and the effect becomes far worse.

Alcohol is full of dead calories. We have all heard the term”beer belly”. That is where the fat is stored, in your belly. Consuming a lot of alcohol results in stored fat around the abdomen. One drink every evening adds 15 pounds of fat to your stomach in a year. YIKES!  Exercise is extremely important to keep this added fat at bay. Walking one mile will walk off the excess calories of one drink of alcohol. One can of beer, a single shot of liquor, or a small glass of wine or sherry equals one drink.

Women take much longer to process and eliminate alcohol than men. That is because alcohol is stored in fat and women have more fat than men.  The older we become, especially after the age of 40, the more fat we store. How well I have learned that fact.

Another danger is in prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal remedies. Not only  can they be dangerous but even deadly when mixed with alcohol. Always read the labels on all of your medicines. Many labels tell you, “Do not use with alcohol.” Taking aspirin and drinking alcohol can raise the chance of bleeding in your stomach.  Cold and allergy medicines when mixed with alcohol can cause drowsiness. Check your cough syrups, many already have alcohol in them. Drinking alcohol while taking some sleeping pills, pain pills, or anxiety or depression medicine can be very dangerous. Acetaminophen, found in many painkillers when mixed with alcohol can be damaging to your liver. Always check the warning labels on prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs and herbal remedies and of course always check with your doctor.

You are considered an “at risk” drinker if you drink over 7 (for a woman) to 14 (for a man)  drinks per week. This amount of alcohol can result in adverse health and social consequences.

There are some good things about drinking alcohol if you drink in moderation. The French owe their increased resistance to heart disease largely due to wine consumption . Scientists have linked the protective effects of wine to an organic compound known as ‘resveratrol’ that’s found in red wine. British researchers found in a study of over 6,000 people over the age of 50, that alcohol can protect your brain, your mental health and your thinking abilities.
So go ahead and have a glass of wine. If you drink wisely the effects of alcohol on the body can be positive or at least not SO damaging. It could be good for your heart, your brain and your well being.  Keep in mind if you drink more than you should your looks and your health will suffer. Just don’t overdo it.

CHEERS!

Our Zumba class starts with a warm-up session, then breaks into the main session and ends with a nice slow cool down. The hour just flies by. Annie, our instructor does different routines each time, so it is never boring and each class is fresh and fun. Zumba mixes it up with body sculpting movements and dance steps from cumbia, merengue, salsa, reggaeton, hip hop, mambo, rumba, flamenco and calypso. Zumba targets many areas of the body such as your legs, arms, glutes, abdominals and the heart. The routines are a mix of aerobic/fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that help to tone and sculpt the body.  Zumba is wonderful for your mind, body and attitude.

Zumba originated in Columbia, South America in the 90′s. The creator, Alberto “Beto” Perez, was a fitness instructor in Miami. One day he forgot his regular music for class. He took the Latin music tapes from his car and improvised with some dance steps for his class that day. Everyone loved it and the rest is history.  It Is and has been a great success.

I found a few You Tube videos of Zumba classes, but since Annie is our instructor and even though this is not the best video for clarity, I thought you might enjoy it.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvPOpLr9TaM[/youtube]

You can see for yourself Zumba is loaded with lots of red-hot dance steps, great Latin music that keeps you moving and grooving and even shaking the weight off. It is really bunches of fun. If you haven’t tried it I highly recommend it.  If you live in Siena the classes are Monday and Friday mornings at 8:00 AM. Yep, 8:00 AM.  It starts your day out right and you will be looking forward to the next class. Remember to bring a towel and lots of water. You will do some sweating!

Zumba Zumba Zumba

How often have you felt like you need some energy? We could all use some extra energy through out the course of our busy day, especially in those afternoon hours after we have just eaten.  No matter what your age a bit of an energy boost can keep us going through all of the demanding tasks we face each day and get rid of the tiredness we might be feeling.  Energy is needed in order to get through the daily exercise we need, like taking a walk or going to the gym. It takes energy to solve a problem or finish a task. It is the enthusiasm or boost our bodies need to tough it out and get going! Does a lack of energy prevent you from accomplishing what you want or need to do? An increased level of energy can definitely contribute to a better quality of life. How do we get the energy we need?  It is vital that you exercise regularly and consume the right diet. Getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, losing those unwanted pounds, cutting out junk food and stopping the smoking will all help in boosting your energy levels.

You may even use a drink, usually with caffeine, such as coffee or an energy drink, to stimulate your metabolism or eat a candy bar for a sugar high. Both of these provide a quick fix but often bring you crashing down or leave you with the jitters or a headache or even nauseated.  There are tons of energy drinks on the market today that can provide that boost or high we are looking for.  Many are extremely powerful. The most obvious benefit of energy drinks is, of course,  the energy or power they provide. But are they all safe? Are they good for you?

Knowing what is in them and what you should be aware of before you purchase these drinks is very important to your health and well being.  Powerful does not always mean they are good for you. The power they provide may raise your blood pressure and heart rate. Caffeine is one of the most common ingredients found in most of these drinks. The caffeine in these drinks is usually much higher than what is found in coffee or colas and other soft drinks. Caffeine can keep you awake at night, cause indigestion, anxiety, agitation and irritability.  Sugar is also an ingredient that is common and loaded in most energy drinks. Sugar, as we know, is a quick source of energy. Too much sugar can cause you to be hyper or over active and can increase the possibility of dehydration. Caffeine also acts as a diuretic and promotes dehydration. Both sugar and caffeine can alter your mood as well as your performance.

Be sure to read the ingredients carefully on the energy drinks you purchase.  Look for healthy energy drinks that have no sugar added are not artificially colored or flavored and contain no caffeine. Be sure there are antioxidants included to promote health and well being and all natural ingredients. Stay Healthy Everyone!

ChucknGayle

My wife, Betty,  of 47 years passed away March 25th, 2005 as a result of  pancreatic cancer. It is one of the most deadly aggressive cancers,sometimes called the silent disease. It spreads rapidly and most often is not diagnosed until it is in it’s advanced stage. Often there is a lack of specific symptoms until it is too advanced for surgery. Unfortunately Betty was not eligible for surgery when she was diagnosed. She was treated with chemotherapy and radiation  for over a year.  She lost a lot of weight, was nauseous and vomiting most of the time. The radiation and chemo treatment itself, I felt, was what killed her. It drained her body of all the remaining healthy cells she had. My son and daughter-in-law, both chiropractors, both understood how serious her stage of pancreatic cancer was. They advised me not to put her through this treatment. Of course Betty and I were desperate and wanted to do whatever it took to help her beat the disease. At this point we would try anything. We made three visits to an alternative medical hospital in Mexico and three more visits to a hospital in San Francisco that specializes in the pancreas and liver. The doctors had us return after the many tests were completed even though they knew Betty was terminal and they could not operate.

Betty managed to stay with us longer than most pancreatic cancer patients. From the time she was diagnosed until she passed it was one and a half years. The last six months of her life was hideous. Her courage was awe inspiring and her suffering heart wrenching. During her illness and after,  my family and I have learned a great deal about this disease and just how horrible it is. We learned and know how important it is to pay attention to our health and maintain our bodies healthy immune system.  The body must be able to fight a disease as lethal as pancreatic cancer. Eating the right foods, getting plenty of exercise, and not smoking can really make a difference in your life. About 31,800 people in the United States alone are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year and about 31,200 of these people die from it. In spite of the challenges this deadly and aggressive disease poses, there are now many new advances in diagnosis and treatment. Betty met those horrific challenges with courage and determination. She was 67 years old. Betty will remain in my heart and thoughts forever.

Live long and stay healthy everyone!

Chuck

5 Ways to Keep Pancreatic Cancer at Bay
If you’ve ever seen a loved one suffer from cancer, you’d know that it is one disease you hope you never fall prey to. Cancer can eat you away, literally. However, because of the vagaries of nature, none of us are immune to this disease, and the wisest course of action is to try and prevent it the as best as we can. Pancreatic cancer is the fifth-largest cause of cancer related deaths in the USA. It’s an aggressive form of this disease that is asymptomatic until it’s too late – by the time you start feeling the symptoms, it is often too late for treatment and you’re given only five or six months to live. If you want to keep pancreatic cancer at bay, you need to:
•    Stop smoking: Smokers are more prone to this disease, so if you need another reason to quit, this is it. The longer you smoke, the more susceptible you are to both lung and pancreatic cancer. The best way to quit is cold turkey, where you don’t look back at all. It may be hard at first, but think of all that you stand to gain and all that you stand to lose if you don’t do so.
•    Lead a healthy lifestyle: The more you exercise, the more you eat healthy food, the more vegetables and fruits you include in your diet, the more your chances are of not contracting pancreatic cancer. In short, the healthier you are and the more normal your weight is, the better your chances of keeping this disease at bay.
•    Supplement your diet with aspirin: A study conducted by the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health found that women who had their diets supplemented with aspirin or products that contained aspirin were less likely to develop pancreatic cancer than those who did not take the drug. The anti-inflammatory properties of aspirin were thought to help in preventing the onset of this form of cancer.
•    Keep your gums healthy: A study conducted by researchers at the Harvard University and those from the University of Puerto Rico reports that keeping your gums healthy and preventing periodontal disease may help in reducing your risk of pancreatic cancer. This is because gum disease could cause inflammation related disease in your pancreas and increase the risk of cancer.
As with any kind of cancer, the earlier it is detected, the better your prognosis and chance of survival. So if your family has a history of cancer or if your lifestyle makes you prone to this disease, it’s best to get yourself checked periodically.
By-line:
This article is written by Kat Sanders, who regularly blogs on the topic of pharmacy tech certificate at her blog The Pharm Tech Blog. She welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: katsanders25@gmail.com.

People get cholesterol in two ways. The body produces cholesterol, mainly in the liver, and many of the foods we eat contain cholesterol.  Foods that come from animals contain it. Foods from plants do not contain it. The body makes all the cholesterol we need. We do not need to consume it. If your cholesterol level is high you may need to reduce the amount of certain foods in your diet especially those with saturated fats and trans fat. These fats raise the level of cholesterol in our blood and increase the risk of heart disease.

Natural plant sterols may be the answer to cholesterol reduction.  Over 140 clinical studies have proven that they do lower LDL cholesterol. It is recommended that people with high cholesterol get 2 grams of plant sterols a day. That means you would need to eat about 100 pounds of  whole fruits, vegetables or nuts to get the 2 grams of natural plant sterols needed each day. That is a very taxing goal for anyone to achieve. To overcome this many of our foods are fortified with sterols and stanols by food manufacturers. Some of the breads, cereals, margarine spreads, salad dressings, vegetable oils, mayonnaise, orange juice, milk, yogurt and granola or snack bars that you consume already have been fortified with plant sterols.

In 2000 the FDA gave many food products the status of a “health claim”.  This means that it allows manufacturers to advertise the heart-healthy benefits of their product on their labels.

To help reduce the risk of heart disease and reduce cholesterol, we should be eating 0.8 grams of plant sterols a day as part of a diet low in  saturated fat and cholesterol.  Eat foods containing at least 0.4 grams of  plant sterols twice a day with meals.  The plant sterols help remove cholesterol from the body by blocking cholesterol absorption in the digestive tract. They are very similar to cholesterol physically and compete with cholesterol in the intestine, thus allowing less cholesterol to be absorbed in the body and returned to the liver. Instead of clogging up your arteries the cholesterol is eliminated with the waste.  This helps to lower the LDL cholesterol levels in your body.  Corn, soy, nuts, seeds, legumes and wheat products are good sources of natural plant sterols in very small quantities.

Reducing the cholesterol in your body is as simple as paying attention to what you eat and reading the labels on the foods you purchase.

• Use olive oil, canola oil and plant based oils for cooking and baking
• Stay away from fried foods and baked goods.
• Switch from butter to a tub margarine.  Be sure to read the label to get one with zero grams of trans fat.
• Choose the leanest of meats and low fat dairy products.
• Eat more fish and nuts for those good omega-3 fats. At least one good source daily is a good rule of thumb.
• Always follow your doctor’s advice and go in for a screening regularly.

Stay Healthy Everyone,

ChucknGayle

Many older people develop macular degeneration as part of the body’s aging process. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease associated with aging that affects the macula, a part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail.  Age-related macular degeneration destroys sharp central vision. Central vision is what you see directly in front of you. It is the vision you need for everyday tasks such as reading, watching TV and driving. AMD affects as many as 15 million Americans with about 200.00 new cases every year. It never causes complete blindness, but can affect your daily lifestyle in many ways. In many cases the impact of macular degeneration on vision is minimal. Even people with more advanced cases continue to have some useful vision and are able to take care of themselves.

Studies indicate that people over the age of 60 are at greater risk for age-related macular degeneration than other age groups. it is the leading cause of vision loss and legal blindness in people 55  years of age or older.  Because our life expectancy continues to increase, AMD has become one of the major public-health concerns.

Age is not the only risk factor. Smoking, obesity, family history, race and gender can also play a role in age-related macular degeneration. Whites are more prone to AMD than African Americans and women are more at risk than men. If someone in your family had AMD the odds of you developing the disease is higher. Exposure to cigarette smoke and smoking doubles your risk. People with light colored eyes are also at greater risk of developing the disease. Cardiovascular disease contribute to the risk, such as  high blood pressure,heart attack,coronary artery disease and stroke. Low levels of nutrients, minerals, zinc, antioxidants and vitamins A,C and E play a role in developing AMD. Antioxidants may well protect the cells from oxidation, which is responsible for the effects of aging and the development of disease. Although the exact causes of AMD are not fully understood, researchers may be getting closer to an effective way of preventing it. They believe that vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid may have a significant effect in slowing the progression of this disease. More studies need to be done  on the actual prevention of age-related macular degeneration.

Eating the right foods is essential to healthy eyes and will help you avoid or slow the progress down of  age-related macular degeneration.  Eat foods containing antioxidants.  The antioxidants and minerals found in green leafy vegetables and fish can help keep your eyes healthy and help prevent many diseases such as cancer and those affecting the heart and  immune system. Antioxidants include Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin E . These antioxidants can help prevent macular degeneration, cataracts, and other eye diseases. Good sources of antioxidants are found in highly pigmented fruits and vegetables.  When choosing fruits and vegetables choose the ones with more color to them.  Fish is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and can also reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

It is also important to note that vitamin supplements are not a cure nor will they restore any of the vision you may have lost due to AMD.  The antioxidants  and vitamin supplements can reduce the impact by slowing down the progression of AMD.

Take a look at this you tube video for keeping your eyes healthy.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NnEdcw6GhE[/youtube]

Stay healthy everyone,

ChucknGayle

Exercise can help you take charge of your health and maintain the level of fitness necessary for an active, independent lifestyle. Regular exercise and physical activity are very important to the health of older people. Not exercising is risky business. In fact, once you pass the ripe old age of 25, your total body strength decreases by about 4% every ten years. By 30 bone mass has peaked and you begin to lose it at the rate of 1-2% a year after that. At age 40 muscles begin to shrink. In order to combat the loss of muscle strength and bring back endurance and flexibility it is important to engage in regular physical exercise. It is indeed one of the best anti- aging secrets for both men and women by far.
An intriguing study on physical activity and anti-aging, conducted by the University of Nevada Las Vegas adult exercise program, found that there was a dramatic decrease in factors associated with aging compared to the normal population that does not exercise. Many of the studies show, bones get denser, muscles get stronger, and joints become more flexible.

We know for a fact that getting started is the hardest part of keeping fit and planning an exercise program. However, studies show that even moderate daily exercise will help slow down the aging process and reduce the risk of heart attacks and disease up to 50%. That knowledge in itself should get you up off the couch and moving. It is never too late to start looking and feeling better with an exercise program designed specifically for you. It is also never too late to start an exercise program. You will reap the benefits no matter what your age. The goal for all of us should be, “Active For Life”.

Exercise does not have to be a chore or boring. If you think of exercise that way, challenge yourself to think differently, make it an enjoyable pastime. You are more likely to make a lifelong commitment to fitness if you shift your thinking and begin your program with something you enjoy. Walking, biking, jogging, swimming, dancing of any kind, kayaking and skiing, just to mention a few, are all great fun and terrific aerobic exercises.  Tai chi, pilates and stability ball techniques improve balance, strength, flexibility and range of motion. Recognize the fact that regular physical activity can provide more than just physical benefits. It is a way to keep you actively engaged in the world doing things you love to do. Feeling involved in this way, connecting with others and being passionate about things will help you live a longer and healthier life!  People who wake up in the morning with a motivating purpose (something fun to do or a reason to live) age better than those who don’t.
Senior citizens and baby boomers are well aware of the importance of exercise, yet 85% do not exercise on a regular basis. Fact is, the more fit you are in your 30s and 40s, the easier it will be to maintain your fitness in your 60s and 70s. Regular activity will actually keep you young, in every cell of your body, perhaps even a decade younger than your sedentary peers. Anyone who exercises daily sidesteps heart disease (in most cases) and will live nearly 4 years longer than inactive people. Exercise truly is a fountain of youth and a way to extend your life.

Carol Bollinger pointed out in her article, “The Fitness Formula “for Prevention Magazine in October 2007 the many ways regular exercise benefits your health. “Count the ways: In study after study, regular workouts have been proven to insulate you from heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, stroke and diabetes. Exercise lowers blood pressure, reduces body fat, raises “good “ cholesterol, lowers “bad” cholesterol, improves blood flow, keeps intestines and the colon healthy, and regulates key hormones.” Four important cornerstones of age prevention should be part of your ultimate anti-aging exercise plan.  In order to reap the benefits for your health and add years to your life you should include; consistent cardio, intense intervals, weight training and Yoga.

Your body is meant for movement, and just like an automobile, it needs to be used to keep working properly and functioning at its best and healthiest.  Treat your body right, have fun doing it, and you will unlock the key to anti-aging.  You cannot stop getting older but you can keep yourself from prematurely aging. Take care of your body,
keep it functioning correctly despite your age.  Any activity is better than none, some are much better than others.  Get up, get moving and never stop trying. Exercise keeps you young in many ways; it boosts your mood, helps you fall asleep, burns up calories and helps control your appetite, it firms up sagging muscles and boosts your libido to energize your sex life.

[youtube]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JvomWcK4lRU[/youtube]

The time to start is NOW, you will be surprised at what
your body can do!
Happy Anti-Aging Everyone!

ChucknGayle

When it comes to staying young, a mind-lift beats a face-lift anyday.  ~Marty Bucella

Mental and emotional health is extremely important to healthy aging and maintaining your youth. Depression, stress and anxiety can affect your ability to recover from illness.  Spiritual, mental and physical aspects of life all influence longevity.  Living a healthy lifestyle and learning new things can keep your brain functioning optimally. A healthy mind is part of a healthy body. If you are in a good state of mind you are better able to make the best decisions for yourself about your lifestyle and your health. Longevity depends on a healthy brain and attitude. One of the most important things you can do as you age is to maintain a healthy sharp brain.

There are many things you can do to keep your mind healthy and sharp and in peak condition.  Did you know many of these things are also key to maintaining a healthy body as well?

• Reduce the stress in your life. Stress can damage the brain.
Relax, meditate and treat yourself once in a while. Managing
the stress in your life improves your memory, makes you less
sensitive to pain and more able to cope.

•  Practice the art of positive thinking. Develop a positive attitude
about yourself and the world around you. To ensure longevity
in the brain keep a positive sense of purpose and a healthy
optimism.

“Cheerfulness and contentment are great beautifiers and are
famous preservers of youthful looks.”
Charles Dickens

• Take time to do the things you enjoy. Pursue leisure activities.
Read books and magazines, take a walk, play golf, knit with a
friend, enjoy a movie together. Leisure activities can reduce the
risk or delay the onset of dementia.

• Stay in touch with family and friends. Staying connected and being active helps us to live longer and retain mental sharpness. Build strong social networks to help the brain tolerate told age. Lonely individuals are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Volunteer and donate your time to something worthy. It allows you to use your brain and try new things.  It is intellectually stimulating and you meet new people.
Several studies have found that people who volunteer live longer than those who do not.

• Get enough sleep.  Getting enough sleep increases your
concentration and is critical for memory and information
processing.  Sleep is when your brain sharpens new skills and
solves problems.

• If you feel depressed or anxious get help from a professional.
Depression is one of the most common conditions seniors
face.

• Free your mind and body of harmful drugs and alcohol. Stop
smoking and cut down on alcohol consumption.

• Use your mental muscles, working out your brain strengthens
neuronal pathways and builds new ones. Train your brain to
improve memory skills, reasoning and visualization efficiency.
Active learning through out your life will keep your brain
healthy later in years.

• Get regular exercise it is the best way to improve brain health,
improve memory, concentration and abstract thinking. Exercise
increases blood flow to the brain, which nourishes the brain
cells and allows them to function more efficiently. Certain areas
of the brain shrink as we age. Walking can reverse this affect. A
University of Illinois study of adults ages 60-80 revealed that
walker’s brains looked 2-3 years younger than others their
age. Walk everyday!

• Eat nutritiously to decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s and age-
related cognitive decline. Remember what you eat can affect how you think.

A man is not old as long as he is seeking something.  ~Jean
Rostand

Some of the myths about aging and the brain are just not true. We can all acquire new knowledge, sharpen our skills and learn new tricks no matter what our age. Learning new things can help maintain mental functions and sharpen your mind. Researchers have learned that our older brains are quite capable of learning new things. We continue to learn as we age and we gain wisdom. Older people learn things just as well as younger people.  It may take a bit more time or effort but, yes, you can teach “an old dog new tricks”.

Do a crossword puzzle, Play a game, take on a new hobby, study a language, take a college course about a passion of yours, learn a new sport, learn how to play an instrument, take dancing lessons or cozy up with a good book. Reading keeps your mind sharp for life and provides an intellectual boost, especially when reading great literature. Research believes that people who read develop a brainpower reservoir that may lessen the risk of dementia.

All of these new experiences help stimulate the area of the brain that produces dopamine.  Dopamine is a chemical involved in memory and learning.  Learning and doing new things builds brain mass and increases your mental agility. Don’t be afraid of challenging and expanding your horizons with fresh and new
activities. You do not have to excel in your new pursuits to reap the many benefits.

I still have a full deck; I just shuffle slower now.  ~Author
Unknown

Contrary to popular belief the brain does not lose brain cells everyday, rather it grows new brain cells and reshapes itself through the experiences you encounter and the learning you do. As you challenge your brain, new brain cells sprout and the brain carves a new neural pathway keeping the brain vital and sharp.  When stimulated by new activities the brain is capable of regeneration.

One of the major keys to defying your age is staying mentally active and sharpening your brain. Get out there and train your brain for longevity. You will be glad you did and smarter for it!

First you are young; then you are middle-aged; then you are old; then you are wonderful.     Norman Vincent Peale

Be Wonderful Everyone!  Happy Anti-aging!

Chuck and Gayle