End of Year Stuff, Same Old Story

With the end of the year coming very soon it is a good time to think about the new year and what we can do for our health. While I always center my thoughts on the fitness side of our health let's not forget that everything we do has some kind of affect on our health. Also, since we are aging daily I like to think about what Dr. Andrew Weil preaches in his "Healthy Aging" philosophies. Recently I took a look through my library of nearly 500 books, on many diverse subjects, and I found some older books relative to aging. What I found is that some of the so-called new ideas on aging that we are reading about now were mentioned and written about nearly 20 years ago. For example Dr. Kenneth Cooper wrote the book on aerobic exercise in the latter 60's and it still stands true and is practiced daily when aerobic exercise comes to mind. He also wrote the book, "Antioxidant Revolution" way back in 1994. Now just about all we see is subjects on antioxidant supplements and super foods. All of this is not really new but is being presented in a new way, that makes it sound a little more trendy or believable. Dr. Cooper talks about establishing a "your antioxidant game plan" through lower intensity exercise and a specially mixed antioxidant cocktail. The lower intensity exercise program centers around the 20-30 minute, 3-4 times per week aerobic exercise plan, at 75-80% of your maximum heart rate(ever heard this before?), while the cocktail centers around the three major antioxidant vitamins--vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene(amounts determined by your age and how active you are). Again, this is not a new concept but is being presented as a new thing by the alternative doctors of the day. Dr. Cooper was way ahead of his time, generally because he thought way of the box as a medical doctor. In the case of Dr. Weil he also thinks outside of the box as a medical doctor and even includes the spiritual well-being as part of healthy aging. I recommend that these two books be on your shelf for daily reference.

Here are some checks that you need to have your doctor to consider as part of healthy aging. Now I know some doctors do not like to have their patients tell them what to do and when this happens I suggest you change doctors. After all it is your body and mind that he is treating and we know our bodies more than anyone I know. My doctor is a very experienced medical doctor who is very open to communication with his patients, he even encourages us to research our symptoms on the Internet if we want. So, don't be shy with your doctor on asking questions about anything that has to do with your health or aging. Health Schedule Checks: Test-fat & muscle, heart(twice a year), Sex steroids(men and women) twice a year.

Just noticed an article labeled, "Boomers are Looking Good"--better eating, exercising and lifestyles all have helped. It talks about the moderate exercise that I have just mentioned plus the antioxidant-packed foods, like broccoli(I just ate some raw broccoli, cucumber, carrots, and yellow squash while writing this) and blueberries. It mentions that these are super foods and should be eaten daily. Foods rich in Vitamin C and E can help prevent skin damage and provide anti aging protection. Also, I just noticed another article about stimulating the production of growth hormone by taking ghrelin mimetic and it did increase HGH and muscle mass. While I have tried similar recommendations in the past, to boost my HGH, I found that it could induce mood swings and was not the best thing for me to take. So, I would be very guarded on this type of recommendation. Again, check with your opened minded doctor and see what he has to say. As we age we do lose muscle mass, but more importantly we lose our strength. A light weight work out is always recommended to go along with the aerobics.

Okay enough of this talking, let's get out there and do some huffin and puffin, and eat that green, yellow, red, brown, vegetable and stay away from the white stuff. Let's get ready for December 16, 2008 since that will be my 70th birthday, and I have big plans for the next 20 years. Fact is I am setting goals for the next 20 years to accomplish more than I have the in the last 70!! It can be done and will be!!

Mike Greer