Healthy Aging--Power Foods, Active Lifestyle

All you have to do is order one thing on the internet and then you are bombarded with “new stuff” by the every loving minute. However, I am constantly looking for that new thing that might make my body ache less or make me run faster, or ride the bike like Lance or swim like Phelps. So you could say I am that ultimate sucker. Fact is there is a multi-level guy here in town that has always had me on his what I call the SS list (super sucker) and when he sent me new info on his latest scam I was always the first to buy it. I would automatically order from him and over the years he made a killing off of me. Finally I had enough and I ask him to take me off his lists now and forever. The bad thing is that some really good things do come over the internet and I have tried to eliminate those that I feel are bad and use those that are good. Another source of new products is through expo’s that usually take place at major running or triathlon events. This is a way to find new products and even try them with free samples. Recently I received some very good stuff on protecting your brain and preserving your senses, meaning the ability to see, hear, taste, feel and think your way independently in the world. Steven Pratt, M.D. has authored a new book “Super Health” and it has some great information in it concerning six foods that can preserve your health and fight brain aging, and in turn, protect your senses. Plus, he covers unhealthy lifestyle habits to kick and beneficial mental and physical exercises to adopt to avoid overall aging-related brain and body decline. My personal disclaimer here: Please understand as I have stated in previous posts, there is no such thing as anti-aging since that just happens with time, but there truly is “healthy aging.” We should also take responsibility on ourselves to experience healthy aging. Do not depend on some health care government program to do this, it is your responsibility and don’t forget it. We have more information about the human body, nutrition, exercise, etc., than we have ever had so there is no excuse for not taking on this responsibility. After all, we are the ones who benefit the most from a healthy lifestyle.

Now some foods and practices for good health towards preserving the senses (Note there are none of the current trendy foods (acai berry) listed, but basically old reliables):

Pomegranates-this fruit is known as a photochemical powerhouse since they have two or three times the antioxidant power of green tea or red wine. They also possess anti-inflammatory chemical. This fruit packs a punch when it comes to stellar health and preventing hearing loss (where were you when I needed you?), keeping blood pressure in check and in turn preventing eye disease. Since the actual fruit itself is hard to find(haven’t found it in any of the stores that we shop) it is recommend that we drink one half to one cup of 100 percent pomegranate juice five to seven days per week.

Blueberries-these berries are good brain food and helps protect the brain against oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which play important roles in brain aging. This may lower the risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. To get the full benefits eat one to two cups of blueberries on a daily basis.

Walnuts-because of the link between walnuts and eye health it is recommended that snacking on one handful of these powerhouse nuts five times each week is a real good thing. Get them shelled and grab a handful, plus add them to fruit salads.

Spinach-Popeye was a real bright guy and would be proud if we ate one cup steamed spinach or two cups raw five to seven days each week. It is rich in anti-inflammatories, preserves our muscles, protects our brain, strengthens the immune system and prevents cardiovascular disease. Wow, we could almost live exclusively on this stuff. I also like it in cheese enchiladas, but these are real hard to find.

Almonds-It’s is very important to consume foods that are rich in vitamin E, which is excellent for brain, eye and hearing health. Eat one layer of these nuts from the palm of your hand five to seven days per week. We have a bag of mixed nuts, including almonds and walnuts laying close by for an instant snack of stuff that is good for you.

Oranges-This old standby offers a valuable source of Vitamin C. Plus it is rich in folate or folic acid, which is a B vitamin. One medium sized orange or half a cup of orange juice daily should do you a great job.

Here are some life practices that help to provide healthy living and compliment the healthy foods you are consuming. It is a team effort that will equal healthy living and aging. Of course some of this is old hand but never hurts to be repeated, i.e. exercise!

Exercise-any time healthy living is mentioned exercise always comes to mind. To repeat myself for about the 1,000th time I will say again, the most important muscle to exercise is the heart. So, do aerobic (continuous exercise for 20-30 minutes raising your heart rate to 75% of maximum, computed by taking your age from 220 then multiplying by .75). This needs to be done 3-4 times per week and can be increased in duration whenever you feel like it. The type of exercise to achieve this is immaterial, i.e. running, fast walking, power walking, race walking, bicycle, cross country skiing, etc. While it is not absolutely necessary some light repetitious weight lifting (depending on age no more than 20 pound dumbbells should be used for curls) is also good for maintaining strength, but should not be done over 2 days per week.

Mental Gymnastics-this is an absolute must and can come in a variety of ways. Crosswords puzzles, checkers, cards, learning a musical instrument, creating a blog site about a favorite subject. One of my favorite mental exercises is to not change my watch when I go into another time zone. That way I can figure out what the local time is by taking away or adding the number hour’s difference there is between home and where I am. My father started aging real fast after he sold his businesses, thinking that he had to retire at 65 because that is when everyone starts retiring. He also quit playing cards and dominos with his old golfing buddies and after a while he just couldn’t function as well mentally. If he had stayed mentally active I am sure he would still be here and a ripe ole age of 94.

Lifestyle Habits-it has been found that people who socially isolate themselves age much faster than those who do not. Healthy living is equated to continued ties to friends, family and the community. One disclaimer here: you should chose wisely among those people you want to spend time with. A couple of negative thinkers can age you right quick. Being positive and staying positive is a must for healthy aging, so it make require you to eliminate some negative vibes if they exist. Attending culture events, dancing, singing, reciting poetry, and just reading a good book are great lifestyle habits.
Preserving the eyesight and hearing can be done by eating the recommended foods and watching those bad lifestyle habits, i.e. smoking, or being around second hand smoke, since this really can affect your hearing. The eyesight can be protected by guarding it against the bright sun with dark sunglasses and wearing a hat while outside. On the hearing side you should wear noise protection, especially when you are around real loud noises such as motorcycle riding, guns, or even loud music, and manufacturing plants.

Bottom line here is that I feel healthier already and I am doing about 90% of this already. Just got to find the fresh pomegranates or the juice. Let’s have fun while we age!! Now is the time to consider this, not after we have aged and then have to fix everything.

Mike Greer