"SCIENTIFIC SECRETS TO HEALTHY AGING"

 

The second half of your life can bring some of your most rewarding decades. You may be more confident than your younger self. You gain wisdom and patience. Sure, your hair sprouts more grays and your face sports more lines. But you can grow older with your body and mind as healthy as they can possibly be.

Here are science-backed secrets to do just that.

TAKE STOCK:

Staying on top of your health is much more than getting care when you don’t feel good. See your doctor for regular checkups. (And don’t forget about your dentist and eye doctor.) These visits can help find problems early or even before they start. The tests you need depend on things like your age, gender, family history and whether you smoke or exercise.

Your doctor may want to check for these things, among others:

• Cholesterol levels
• High blood pressure
• Cervical cancer
• Colon cancer
• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Osteoporosis

EAT WHOLE FOODS:

It’s more a way of eating than a formal diet. You load up on veggies, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and low-fat dairy. You eat less fatty meats, butter, sugar, salt, and packaged foods. Many studies have found that this diet can help you live longer and protects against heart disease, cancer, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers believe one way it works is by physically changing parts of your chromosomes linked to age-related diseases.

WALK:

Aim for 30 minutes every day. If that’s too much, break it up into shorter strolls. Regular exercise -- especially if you do it briskly enough to feel a little breathless -- delivers huge health benefits. It helps keep brain cells healthy by delivering more blood and oxygen. In fact, research suggests aerobic exercise may delay or improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

IT ALSO HELPS TO:

• Control your weight
• Boost your mood
• Keep bones and muscles strong
• Helps you sleep better
• Makes you less likely to get heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol

STAY CONNECTED:

Loneliness is harmful to your health. If you feel lonely -- whether you live alone or with someone, have lots of friends or none -- you are more likely to get dementia or depression. Seniors who report feeling left out and isolated have more trouble with everyday tasks like bathing and climbing stairs. They also die earlier than less lonely folks do. Researchers found that lonely people have higher levels of stress hormones that cause inflammation, or swelling, linked to arthritis and diabetes. Another study found more antibodies to certain herpes viruses in lonely people, a sign of stress in their immune system. So stay connected or make new friends. Do volunteer work or simply help someone in need. Just connect.

ADD FIBER:

It’s an easy way to eat your way to better health with every meal and snack. Swap out your white bread for whole grain. Add kidney beans to your soup or apple slices to your salad. Fiber fills you up and for longer. It cuts your cholesterol levels and lowers your chance of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and colon cancer. It also helps you avoid constipation, which is more common in older adults. After age 50, men should aim for 30 grams of fiber a day and women should get 21 grams a day.

CURB BAB HABITS:

Tobacco kills. It harms almost every organ in your body. Cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and other products with nicotine cause heart disease, cancer, lung and gum disease, and many other health problems. It’s never too late to quit. Your body begins to heal within 20 minutes of your last cigarette. Your chance of a heart attack goes down right away. In a year, your odds of heart disease drop by half. You’ll also live longer. Ask your doctor for help. Too much alcohol can harm your liver and cause some kinds of cancer. Men shouldn’t have more than two drinks a day; women should have no more than one. If you drink more than that, talk to your doctor about cutting back.

TRY TAI CHI:

This gentle Chinese exercise combines slow movements and deep breathing. It’s like meditating while you move. Tai chi may help older people avoid falls, a top cause of injury among seniors. It also can:

• Ease stress
• Improve balance
• Strengthen muscles
• Increase flexibility
• Lessen arthritis pain

SELECT SUPPLEMENTS:

It’s often better to get your nutrients from food, not a pill. And you usually don’t need special supplements aimed at seniors. After age 50, your body does need more of some vitamins and minerals from foods or supplements than before. They include:

• Calcium (to keep bones strong)
• Vitamin D (Most people get it from sunlight, but some seniors may not get out enough.)
• Vitamin B12 (Older people have trouble absorbing it from foods, so you may need fortified cereals or a supplement.)
• Vitamin B6 (It keeps your red blood cells strong to carry oxygen throughout your body.)

Tell your doctor about any supplements you take so you can avoid bad interactions with any medications or treatments.

STAY OPTIMISTIC:

Life tests us in many ways. Loved ones die, layoffs happen, and health problems can mount. But positive thinking can be a powerful ally. When you choose to be optimistic and grateful, your mind and body respond in kind. People with a rosier outlook live longer and have fewer heart attacks and depression than more negative people. One study found that thinking positively about getting older can extend lifespan by 7.5 years. And that’s after accounting for things such as gender, wealth, and overall health. A rosy outlook may help you exercise more and eat better. And that in turn helps you stay hopeful and happy because you feel better. You may hear that called a “virtuous circle.” If you see the glass half full, it could play an even bigger role in living better and longer than things such as low blood pressure and cholesterol, which have each been shown to increase life span by about 4 years. You can learn to be optimistic. It just takes time and practice. Things you can do include:

• Smile, even fake smile. It can help lower stress.
• Reframe. Spin your thoughts to the good things instead of dwelling on the bad.
• Keep a gratitude journal.
• Do good things for others.
• Surround yourself with people who boost your spirits.
• Accept things you can’t change.

STICK TO SLEEP:

Insomnia is common in older adults. It’s when you have a harder time falling and staying asleep. It helps to wake and sleep on schedule every day. That can help keep your body clock in sync so you get the sleep you need.

Also try and:

• Keep your bedroom dark. Turn off your TV, cell phone, and laptop.
• Avoid caffeine or alcohol in the evening.
• Don’t nap longer than 20 minutes during the day.
• Ask your doctor if any of your meds might be keeping you awake.

CHALLENGE YOUR MIND:

Things like crossword puzzles, Sudoku, chess, or reading are all good for your brain. Keep learning and trying new things to boost your brainpower. It may help lower your chances of Alzheimer’s disease.

WRITTEN BY: Teresa Dumain, WebMD

REVIEWED BY: Jennifer Robinson, MD on August 15, 2022

SOURCES:

Mayo Clinic: “Aging: What to Expect,” “Mediterranean Diet: A Heart-Healthy Eating Plan,” “Exercise: 7 Benefits Of Regular Physical Activity,” “Tai Chi: A Gentle Way to Fight Stress,” “Positive Thinking: Stop Negative Self-Talk to Reduce Stress.”

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: “Health Tips For Older Adults,” “Walking: A Step in the Right Direction.”

American Academy of Family Physicians: “Healthy Habits at Age 60 And Beyond,” “Mediterranean Diet,” “Fiber: How to Increase the Amount in Your Diet,” “Sleep Changes in Older Adults.”

BMJ: “Mediterranean Diet and Telomere Length in Nurses’ Health Study: Population Based Cohort Study.”

Annals of Internal Medicine: “The Association Between Dietary Patterns at Midlife and Health in Aging: An Observational Study.”

Journal of American Geriatrics Society: “Adherence to Mediterranean Diet Reduces Incident Frailty Risk: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis,” “Can Exercise Improve Cognitive Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease?” “Tai Chi for Risk of Falls. A Meta-Analysis.”

Arthritis Foundation: “Osteoarthritis Prevention: What You Can Do,” “Tai Chi for Arthritis.”

National Institute on Aging: “Osteoarthritis,” “Participating in Activities You Enjoy,” “Vitamins and Minerals,” “Dietary Supplements.”

Alzheimer’s Association: “Prevention and Risk of Alzheimer's and Dementia.”

National Cancer Institute: “Harms of Cigarette Smoking and Health Benefits of Quitting.”

Smokefree.gov: “Reasons to Quit,” “Benefits of Quitting.”

National Council on Aging: “Falls Prevention.”

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology: “Critical Evaluation of Causality Assessment of Herb-Drug Interactions in Patients.”

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology: “Longevity Increased By Positive Self-Perceptions of Aging.”

National Sleep Foundation: “Healthy Sleep Tips.”

Neuropsychiatry: “Feelings of loneliness, but not social isolation, predict dementia onset: results from the Amsterdam Study of the Elderly (AMSTEL).”

JAMA Internal Medicine: “Loneliness in Older Persons: A Predictor of Functional Decline and Death.”

Annual Reviews: “The Neuroendocrinology of Social Isolation.”

Ohio State University: “Loneliness, Like Chronic Stress, Taxes the Immune System.”

American Dental Association: “Oral Health Topics: Smoking and Tobacco Cessation.”

Harvard Health Publishing: “The health benefits of tai chi.”

Johns Hopkins Medicine: “The Power of Positive Thinking.”

University of San Francisco: “Randomized Controlled Trial of a Positive Affect Intervention to Reduce Stress in People Newly Diagnosed with HIV; Protocol and Design for the IRISS Study.”

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
 
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.  

“Best/Worst Workouts, According to Science”

GO FOR IT: PILATES - It's a low-impact workout that focuses on your core -- your hips, back, and abs. It uses your own body as resistance and taps into the mind-body connection. Pilates builds strength, makes you more flexible, and helps your joints move the way they should. 

USE CAUTION: CROSSFIT - This exercise program can be an effective calorie burner -- when done right. But take on this intense workout with care, or you could get injured. Moves are meant to push you out of your comfort zone to your limit. It can be great for some, but CrossFit definitely isn’t for everyone.

GO FOR IT: TAI CHI - Studies have shown meditation is a big booster of mood and health. Tai chi takes meditation to the next level by putting it into motion. Its series of slow movements helps with balance and stress relief. It's good for all ages, too.

USE CAUTION: CRUNCHES - They aren’t all bad, but crunches aren't great if you’ve got a bad back. They put pressure on your lower spine. They can tighten the muscles you use to sit, too. That can pull at your spine even further. If it’s a six-pack you're after, ask a fitness expert for other moves you can use that won’t wreck your back.

GO FOR IT: WALKING - This oldie but goodie is top-notch for both your body and your brain. You can do it just about anywhere. It’s easy on your joints, boosts your mood, and helps you stay heart healthy.

USE CAUTION: SPOT REDUCTION - If you want to target tummy fat, you should hit the mat for some sit-ups, right? Wrong. You can’t zero in on any one area of fat when you work out. That’s a myth. A better approach, experts say, is training your whole body. It’s overall fitness, not focusing on specific areas, that burns fat best.

GO FOR IT: YOGA - When it comes to your muscles, if you don’t use them, you lose them. Yoga’s gentle stretches keep you limber so you can enjoy an active life. It can also relieve stress, improve your breathing, tone your muscles, and give you more energy.

GO FOR IT: SWIMMING - When it comes to workouts, swimming checks all the boxes: It’s kind to your joints, boosts heart health, improves your mood, and burns calories. It’s especially good if you’re dealing with an injury. The water takes the weight off your frame so you can get your heart pumping without pain.

GO FOR IT: RUNNING - If it’s calories you’re looking to burn, running will give you the most bang for your buck. An hour of it burns twice as many calories as biking or walking for the same amount of time.

GO FOR IT: WEIGHT TRAINING - Also called strength training or resistance training, exercises with weights build your muscles, burn calories, and strengthen your bones. Weight training can also help your brain as you age.

USE CAUTION: WEIGHT TRAINING - However, good technique is crucial when you pump iron. Bad form can hurt you in a hurry. Especially risky moves include:

• Loading up with weights that are too heavy
• Bad posture
• Skipping a warmup
• Lifting without a spotter

GO FOR IT: ELLIPTICAL - Not only can you get all the great benefits of walking with an elliptical machine, you can do it with less joint jarring. The moving handles it has add in arm exercises, too. You can also use it in reverse. That helps strengthen leg muscles beyond what a forward workout can do.

GO FOR IT: JUMPING ROPE - It’s not just for playgrounds. It's a powerhouse workout you can do almost anywhere, and you only need a rope to do it. It can build lower leg muscles, improve your coordination, and create more pathways in your brain. That helps you stay sharp as you get older.

USE CAUTION: PLYOMETRICS - Speaking of jumping, plyometrics is a form of exercise (also called jump training), that works on your muscle power and explosiveness with a series of jumps. When done right, it makes for strong leg muscles. But it’s easy to do it wrong, especially if you’re going it alone. Landing badly can cause injuries, including problems in your joints. Before you start, talk to a trainer to see if it’s the right choice for you.

GO FOR IT: DANCING - Your heart is happiest when it gets exercise that moves both your legs and your arms. The rhythm and constant movement of dance can do that. And it’s fun, which will have you coming back for more.

REVIEWED BY: Tyler Wheeler, MD, WebMD on February 01, 2020

SOURCES:

American Council on Exercise: “Pilates Primer,” “CrossFit -- Is the Gain Worth the Pain? ACE Experts Weigh In,” “CrossFit -- New Research Puts Popular Workout to the Test,” “Do We Really Need to Crunch? 5 Core Exercises That Don’t Require Crunching,” “Exercise Myths vs. Realities,” “Myths and Misconceptions: Spot Reduction and Feeling the Burn,” “7 Benefits of Jumping Rope,” “Plyometrics: Controlled Impact/Maximum Power

Harvard Health: “5 of the best exercises you can ever do.”

National Institute on Aging: “4 Types of Exercise.”

American Osteopathic Association: “The Benefits of Yoga.”

Mayo Clinic: “How Much Am I Burning?” “Are elliptical machines better than treadmills for basic aerobic workouts?”

American College of Sports Medicine: “Resistance Training for Health and Fitness,” “Selecting and Effectively Using Free Weights,” “The Basics of Starting and Progressing a Strength-Training Program.”

American Heart Association: “What Type of Physical Activity Is Best?”

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
 
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites i

“Scientific Tips to Keep Your Produce Fresher Longer”

TOMATO + CUCUMBER = FASTER SPOILAGE: The reason is ethylene, a gas from some fruits and vegetables that speeds ripening. It’s a big reason for food waste. So, store ethylene-emitting foods away from those that are sensitive to it.

Ethylene producers: Apple Cantaloupe Avocado Pear Tomato Pepper Banana

Ethylene sensitive: Mango Asparagus Peach Onion Eggplant Grape Cucumber

WASH YOUR GREENS: Leafy green vegetables such as spinach and bibb, romaine, red leaf, and other types of lettuce will stay fresher longer if you rinse them in cool water before refrigerating. Toss out any wilted or discolored leaves. Dry the greens in a salad spinner or shake off the water and wrap them loosely in paper towels. Seal them in a plastic bag or container.

LEAVE THE WAX ON: Many fruits and vegetables, especially those grown in warm climates, have a natural waxy outer layer to prevent shrinking. Some crops get a coating of artificial wax. Wash it off only just before you’re ready to eat. That helps prevent bruising and premature rotting. Coated produce includes apples, lemons, nectarines, oranges, cucumbers, bell peppers, potatoes, and eggplants.

TRIM CARROTS: Those green tops may be pretty. But they wick nutrients and freshness from the rest of the carrot. Slice off the green tops before storing. Refrigerate trimmed carrots loosely in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer. They should keep for several weeks. Pro tip: Save the greens to make pesto, chimichurri, or salad topping.

KEEP BANANAS COOL: Your sunny kitchen may be one of the worst places to keep these tropical fruits. Humid, warm air will speed up the browning. Keep them away from other produce. Once they’ve ripened to your liking, refrigerate bananas to extend their shelf life by a couple of days. The skin may turn mottled, but the inside should stay tasty.

FREEZE GINGER: Love the pungent flavor of fresh ginger but never use it quickly enough before it turns gnarly or moldy? Ginger, also called ginger root, can last in your fridge for a few weeks. To keep it longer, toss it in your freezer. Chop, grate, or slice the ginger (no need to peel it). Wrap tightly with foil or a freezer bag to keep out air. It’ll keep fresh for at least 3 months.

LET ONIONS BREATHE: Good air circulation is key to keeping decay at bay. Store onions without plastic wrap in a cool, dry spot. If they’re sold in a mesh bag, you can hang in on a hook in your pantry. Or make your own ventilated storage with an old, clean pair of pantyhose. Drop an onion in one leg and push it down to the toe. Then tie a knot above it, and drop another onion.  Cut onions will keep for several days in the refrigerator.

CHILL BERRIES: Strawberries are among the sweetest harvests of summer. But these tender fruits actually are cold hardy. In fact, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries should be refrigerated below 40 F, or even as cold as 32 F. That lengthens their shelf life. Moisture will turn them mushy or moldy quicker, so wash berries only at the last minute.

WRAP CELERY IN FOIL: Like most vegetables, celery is almost all water. It’s also sensitive to ethylene, the ripening gas. Help keep your celery from going limp by tightly covering it in foil and storing it in the crisper drawer. Or you can wrap it in a dry paper towel and put it into a plastic sleeve. The celery should last several weeks.

BAG YOUR LEMONS: A bright yellow pile of citrus can brighten up any kitchen counter. That’s also an ideal place to dry out your lemons and limes into hard orbs. But you can keep them juicy for up to a month. Seal the lemons tightly in a plastic storage bag with all the air out and put them in the fridge.

KEEP YOUR HERBS VERTICAL: Treat cilantro, parsley, and mint like cut flowers. Place them in jars with water and then refrigerate. Bouquets of other soft-stemmed herbs like basil may prefer the warmer temperature on your counter. Or try this: Place fresh dry herbs in a plastic produce bag and blow into it like a balloon. The carbon monoxide from your breath is a known food preservative and can help keep the greens perky.

VENT YOUR MUSHROOMS: They’re not a fruit or vegetable, but fungi. Mushrooms like to be kept cool and well-ventilated. A porous paper bag is a good choice. Free the mushrooms from their plastic-wrapped grocery container, which can trap moisture. They may keep in the fridge for up to a week. Run them under cool water just before you cook with them.

DEEP-CLEAN YOUR FRIDGE: Several things affect how quickly your food spoils. They include light, air, temperature, and time. One you can control is microorganisms like bacteria, mold, and yeast. So, wipe down the insides of your refrigerator regularly. White vinegar or soapy water work. Avoid packing too much food on the shelves and drawers so that air can circulate.

REVIEWED BY: Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD, on June 27, 2020, WebMD

REFERENCES:

Public Health Nutritionists of Saskatchewan: "Storing Fresh Vegetables."

Royal Horticultural Society: "Root vegetables: Storing."

Sweetwater Organic Community Farm: "Carrots."

National Onion Association: "Some Tips To Make Your Onion Experience Easier," “Storage and Handling.”

Baloian Farms: "Storing Onions."

PennState Extension: "Freezing Herbs."

Glad: "How to Store Lemons."

Fresh Direct Fruit Storage Guide: "Peaches & Plums."

American Heart Association: "Keep Fruits & Vegetables Fresher Longer."

Carolina Farm Stewardship Association: "7 Hacks To Keep Your Fruits And Vegetables Fresh For Longer."

Agriculture (Switzerland): “Challenges of Reducing Fresh Produce Waste in Europe -- From Farm to Fork.”

UC San Diego School of Medicine: “Ethylene in Fruits and Vegetables.”

Canadian Public Health Association: “Home Storage Guide for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables.”

Center for Food Safety (Hong Kong): “Food Safety Focus: The Coat on Fruits -- Wax?”

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: “How to Store Fresh Ginger.”

PennState: “Your Produce May Be Getting Gassed In The Refrigerator.”

Foods: "Carbon Monoxide in Meat and Fish Packaging: Advantages and Limits."

The Mushroom Council: “How-To: Select, Store and Clean Mushrooms.”

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.