Healthy Boomers

Fit and Fat - A Myth That Kills

No doubt you've heard it — you can be fat but healthy — as long as you're fit. Personally, I would like that to be true, but a groundbreaking new study shatters the myth…

…Heart disease is the number one killer of women, especially if you're carrying around even a few extra pounds!

It’s absolutely true. If you're a woman, you are at greater risk of dying from heart disease than a man — and exercise alone isn’t enough to prevent it.

Researchers in Boston ran one of the largest studies ever on women, obesity, and fitness. They tracked the overall health profiles of 39,000 women, with an average age of 54, over a 10 year period.

Here’s how this study group looked…

• 34% exercised regularly
• 31% were overweight
• 18% were obese
• None showed signs of heart disease,
  diabetes, or cancer at the beginning

When the study completed they found that the risk of heart disease was still 54% higher for women carrying only a few extra pounds, even with regular exercise.

The women who were active but obese showed an 87% higher risk.

Now I tend to have a healthy skepticism toward the medical profession in general, but this study definitely made me think. This boomer can still be stubborn — even a little rebellious — at times about certain things, but taking unnecessary chances with my life isn’t one of them.

Okay, so now you know being 'fit and fat' isn’t a good thing and that you need to stay slim and lean to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease… what’s next?

Start by adjusting your diet — rev up your body’s natural fat-burning engine by eating lean meat, fish, fresh veggies, nuts and seeds. These healthy foods will give you energy and help you feel fuller and more satisfied.

Organic foods are a wise choice and they're widely available now, so buy them whenever possible.

A good rule of thumb is to stay away from white and beige food. Grain-based foods like bread, cereal and pasta are high in carbs, starchy and usually high in calories. Also, those carbs convert to sugar once inside your body, which tends to end up stored as that ugly fat called cellulite.

Another super way to help prevent heart disease is taking omega-3 (alpha-linoleic acid) fatty acids. These essential nutrients are found in cold-water fish, soybean, canola and flaxseed oils, and walnuts, just to name a few.

The amount you need is surprisingly low, too. Two teaspoons of healthy soybean or canola oil, a half teaspoon of flaxseed oil, or six to 10 walnut halves daily will give you the protective levels of omega-3 nutrients you need.

If you don’t enjoy eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, supplements are a good alternative.

Studies have also show that the intake of omega-6 fatty acids (linoleic acid) found in vegetables helps to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension.

Other nutrients like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus are also associated with lower blood pressure, as are dark green, leafy vegetables, and an array of macro and micronutrients.

By raising your daily intake of linoleic acid by 9 grams, it reduces systolic blood pressure (the top number) by about 1.4 points – diastolic (the bottom number) by about 1 point.

That 2% reduction may seem inconsequential, but it can reduce coronary heart disease by 4%. I think that’s significant.

Bottom line…?

Reduce your risk of heart disease and increase your chances of living to a ripe old age by simply making sure you’re getting the essential nutrients you need every day… maintaining a healthy weight… and exercising for fitness.

Also, your diet should include…

• Fresh fruits
• Veggies
• Beans
• Fewer fatty foods (junk food!)
• Lean red meat (once or twice a week)
• Oily fish
• Nuts
• Seeds

More information on essential fatty acids and healthy lifestyles…

• A guide to omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is offered by the Vegan Society
• LifeExtension.com is an excellent resource for information on antiaging and health.

Organic Foods – Supplements – Weight Loss Programs & Tools

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• The Biggest Loser Club – Daily Meal Plans, Customized Fitness Programs, Tips, Inspiration and more

SOURCES: Hannia Campos, Ph.D., senior lecturer, nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston; Jeremiah Stamler, M.D., professor emeritus, preventive medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago; July 8, 2008, Circulation, online; July 8, 2008, Hypertension, online; Al Sears, M.D., Royal Palm Beach, Florida.

Don't Mess With Mother Nature

You may wonder why I chose to post the following item on a blog about healthy living. Simple. Because good health isn't just about low cholesterol levels, good eating habits or a daily exercise routine.

No… good health encompasses your whole body, mind and spirit!

This piece reminded me of the importance of living in balance to achieve a healthy, long and energetic life — and that's really the take-away message. Everyone seems to be so busy and preoccupied that they don't take enough time for themselves or others.

That's not good…

…Living in balance makes everything right. It's the law of nature.

I know it isn't always the easiest thing to do — boomers know this especially well. Nevertheless, you want to keep trying because you run the risk of destroying your health and happiness if you don't.

You might be lucky enough to live to a ripe old age even if you never achieve balance, but who cares if you're sick and miserable!?

I hope you'll think about the importance of balanced, healthy living. And while you're at it, be kind to yourself… give someone you love a hug… or call a friend just to say hi.

--

This piece has been widely circulated and attributed to the Hippy-Dippy Weatherman a.k.a. comedian George Carlin, but in fact, the real credit goes to Dr. Bob Moorehead, minister, author and former pastor of Overlake Christian Church in Redmond, Washington.

He wrote this essay in 1990 and later included it in his book Words Aptly Spoken.

At the end of this post you'll find a list of Dr. Moorehead's books.

 

The Paradox of Our Time …

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember… spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

» END «

If you liked Dr. Moorehead's thoughts, here's a list of other book titles you might be interested in. They can ordered online directly from Amazon.com.

Whole Foods Diet Keeps You Hummin'

Now that the weather is finally turning warmer, you might be thinking about lightening up and cutting back on calories. One of the easiest — and healthiest — ways to do that is to substitute one of your daily meals with a yummy smoothie made from fresh whole foods. It's quick and easy to make, satisfying, healthy and delicious!

A whole foods diet—fruits, vegetables and whole grains—provides you with the richest source of nutrients essential to feel young and healthy until you are 100 or more.

And this is the season when all sorts of yummy fruits and veggies are readily available. Fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries can be found in abundance in supermarkets, independent grocers and local farmers markets. Fresh berries are packed with healthful antioxidants… and their sweet, juicy goodness is hard to resist!

Bananas are another excellent whole food. They add a wonderfully silky texture and sweetness to any drink. Exotic fruits like fresh papaya, mango and kiwi add unique flavors and contain a variety of healthful nutrients, including the protective antioxidants.

Other whole food fruits you might consider …

• pineapple
• coconut
• cherries
• pears
• oranges
• tangerines
• tangelos
• apples
• grapes
• peaches
• plums
• nectarines
• apricots
• pluots

Browse through the produce section of your grocery store the next time you're there. Chances are you'll discover all sorts of delectable delights you can enjoy in your smoothies.

Fruits aren't the only ingredients to make a yummy smoothie. Veggies like carrots, beets and cucumbers add interesting flavors and nutritional value. You might even consider fresh herbs like parsley. Even if you don't especially like vegetables, most fruit flavors will disguise any veggie taste altogether.

Yogurt is wonderful in a smoothie, and like banana, it thickens and adds a smooth texture. Yogurt also contains beneficial live cultures that are really good for your gut. My preference is unflavored, non-fat organic yogurt, but any flavor or type you like works well.

For extra nutritional value, try adding fresh mangosteen juice. Be sure it's one that contains the whole fruit because the whole fruit contains the important nutrients you want. Xanthones from the mangosteen pack a powerful nutritional punch… and its taste is extra good!

Besides fruits and vegetables, I like to add protein powder and a little soy milk to my morning smoothie. And because vitamin tablets or capsules tend to upset my stomach, I buy my vitamins in powdered form and throw it into the mix. These added ingredients really round out the flavor and value of my smoothies, and ensure I'm getting everything I need to satisfy and keep me eating healthfully.

Another benefit to eating fresh whole foods is getting plenty of disease-fighting phytonutrients. They help to bolster your body's arsenal against those nasty little free radicals that cause all sorts of problems for you. Whole foods also give you plenty of daily fiber... something you need to keep your metabolism revved up and help control your appetite.

Do you know that USDA Dietary Guidelines recommend a minimum of nine servings of fresh fruits and veggies a day? Yep, and you should also get three or more servings of whole grains everyday, too. Their latest findings also say that a whole foods diet is essential to a long and healthy life.

Hey, the sky is the limit, so go a little crazy and experiment with whatever whole foods appeal to you. You just might discover some fabulously delicious concoction that tastes great… helps you feel better… and is super good for you!

Viva 100!

IBC Inflammatory Breast Cancer - The Shocking Truth

Have you ever heard of an aggressive form of breast cancer known as IBC or Inflammatory Breast Cancer? Apparently, as you'll see in the video posted below, most women haven't.

That's shocking considering the level of breast cancer education available today.

Not only is IBC the most aggressive form of breast cancer, it usually can't be detected through a mammogram or ultrasound.

Do yourself and those who love you a huge favor. Take a few moments right now to view the video. It won't take long and it will help you understand why it's so important that you know about it.

Click here to learn more about IBC at the Susan G. Koman Foundation website.

Also, when you're done, please forward this blog post to everyone you know. It might save a life.

Big Brother Wants Your Bod

The FDA (Federal Drug Administration) is up to their old tricks again. They want to make compounding medicine and bio-identical hormones (BHRT) illegal. They have already taken aggressive action against compounding pharmacies around the country.

What does this mean and why should you care?

It means that federal regulators will be making some of the most important decisions affecting your health. NOT you!

If the FDA gets its way, you’ll have no choice but to use the more dangerous and expensive  drugs… and health care practitioners who supply you with those natural alternatives will be breaking the law.

I don’t know about you, but this latest FDA power-grab scares the life out of me! The idea that the feds could take away my freedom to choose what I put into my body is completely unacceptable.

What about you? How do you feel about the government making these kinds of decisions for you? What can you do to protect your freedom?

Plenty! But you must act! Please go to…

www.HealthFreedom.net

Another organization that aggressively and successfully fights legislative issues like this is Life Extension Foundation. Visit their website at…

www.lef.org

Please take action now… BEFORE you're stripped of your rights forever!

BTW… if you think your support won’t make a difference, think again. Last year, the Health Freedom Foundation successfully beat back the efforts of a few powerful drug company-backed U.S. Senators who tried to get the “Safe Drug Compounding Act of 2007″ Bill into Congress. That law would have outlawed compounding BHRT. The support of people like you got that law stopped. Unfortunately, it’s baaack!

Don’t let the FDA gain any more power! Sound off! You have the power!

Hope for a Healthier World

I came across this proverb today that has been tucked away in a "keep me" file, so I decided to share it with you. I hope you like it…

"If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person.
If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house.
If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world."

–Chinese Proverb

Turbocharge Your Sex Life Naturally

L-Arginine is a vital amino acid present in the proteins of all life forms. It has become known as a safe and effective prosexual nutrient for men and women.

Why?

L-Aginine triggers your body’s ability to manufacture nitric oxide (NO). Scientists discovered that not only is NO an essential compound that helps blood circulation, it is also important to normal sexual function in both men and women.

How L-Arginine Works

Insufficient blood flow is a major cause of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. L-Arginine has been shown to improve blood flow to the genital area by dilating blood vessels and helping the penis enlarge to its full capacity, thus increasing the size, hardness, and frequency of erections.

In addition, L-Arginine helps boost levels of natural testosterone — the hormone of desire. With this one-two punch, you can quickly and naturally turbocharge your sex drive!

Women Experience Similar Results with L-Arginine

With increased blood flow, clitoral and vaginal tissues become more sensitive and responsive to sexual stimulation thus increasing the possibility of reaching orgasm. The effects of L-Arginine on women haven't been studied as extensively as in men. Still, a study involving 77 women of all ages found that after four weeks of taking a supplement including L-Arginine, 73.5% of the women experienced greater sexual satisfaction, including heightened desire and clitoral sensation, frequency of intercourse and orgasm, and less vaginal dryness.

Stronger Libido and Endurance

Both men and women report that L-Arginine seems to increase their libido or desire for sex, and some also report that L-Arginine gives them greater endurance.

L-Arginine Validated By Clinical Studies

Besides its benefits to your sexual health, L-Arginine has been shown to offer a variety of other benefits for good health. It helps build muscle mass, enhance your immune function, improve blood pressure, increase memory, and speed wound healing. In addition, Nitric oxide derived from L-Arginine plays a supporting role in the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems and has been validated by hundreds of studies.

Other Benefits and Functions of L-Arginine include...

• Precursor of nitric oxide (NO)
• Promotes circulation resulting in improved blood flow
• Stimulates the release of growth hormone
• Improves immune function
• Reduces healing time of injuries
• Plays a role in the formation of bone and tendons
• Increases muscle mass, while reducing body fat
• Supports male fertility, improving sperm production and motility
• Reduces risk of blood clots and stroke
• Supports normal blood pressure
• Improves vascular function for patients with angina
• Helps recovery after heart attack
• Helps prevent and treat cardiovascular disease
• Helps reduce growth of cancerous tumors

Physicians, Researchers and Scientists Embrace the Effectiveness of L-Arginine

L-Arginine is an excellent supplement for anyone wanting to increase his or her sexual and overall health. This natural supplement is safe, has no side effects, and it's been proven to work in numerous double-blind studies.

L-Arginine costs considerably less than Viagra, too!

Ready to turbocharge your sex life? Reach for a safer alternative... L-Arginine.

Say "Thank You" to Our Troops

 There's nothing like that first cup of coffee in the morning. Mmmmm!

I wonder how many of our military forces are lucky enough to enjoy a good cup of java? Probably not many of them, especially those who are deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

You can do something about that. Order Boca Java's fantastically fresh, delicious coffee for yourself -- and they will send the troops 2 bags of coffee in your name -- at no additional cost to you!

6 Simple Steps to Better Bone Health

Age-related physical changes can wreak havoc with your body. Osteoporosis is one of them, especially in women. In fact, the National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that as many as 44 million Americans have lost bone density.

Recently a new class of drugs have been introduced that claim to help osteoporosis sufferers. You know the ones I’m talking about – you can’t watch television without being bombarded by commercials for Fosimax, Boniva and others.

My opinion is — and there’s plenty of evidence to support it — that these drugs can actually cause you more harm. They can kill you!

Fortunately, many of the problems you may be experiencing are easily reversible. Here’s a simple six step process that can help reverse the effects of osteoporosis.

Step 1 – Exercise

Resistance training, calisthenics and other body weight exercises work best to increase bone density and reduce fractures. Do these exercises two or three times a week. Lower your risk of fracture 30 percent by walking 30-minutes a day.

Why does this type of exercise work?

Exercise causes your muscles to put pressure on your bones. Your body responds to that pressure by increasing bone density. Strong bones will keep you strong, and help you stay mobile and independent.

Step 2 – Get calcium from your diet and skip calcium supplements

You need about 400 mg of calcium per day. Foods such a fish, dark, leafy green veggies, nuts including walnuts, almonds and cashews, and dairy products like low-fat milk, cheese and yogurt are excellent sources of calcium, and they should be part of your daily diet.

Step 3 – Take a vitamin D supplement

Nutritionists and doctors recommend 400 IU of vitamin D daily. It helps your body absorb calcium and maintain bone density. Without vitamin D, calcium supplements are worthless! The best source of vitamin D is the sun — 10 to 15 minutes of exposure a day should be enough. During the winter, take cod liver oil. It’s by far the best supplemental source of vitamin D.

Step 4 – You need vitamin K

Greens are the best source of vitamin K, which regulates calcium while stabilizing bones. Vitamin K also regulates blood clotting. Green veggies like spinach, swiss chard, collard and mustard greens, kale, broccoli and brussel sprouts should be part of your daily diet. Eating one large serving of greens every day could reduce your risk of broken bones by about 30 percent according to one study.

Step 5 – Eat foods rich in B-complex vitamins

Your body uses a variety of B vitamins for building strong bones. The best sources are fish, lean meats, eggs, raw nuts, asparagus, broccoli and bananas.

Step 6 – Get a blood test

A simple blood test will tell you where your hormone levels are. This is the best way to determine the health of your bones and if you're risk for fracture. If you’re a women, you may need to take natural progesterone. For both men and women testosterone is the most powerful controller of your bone density. To arrange for your own blood test, talk to your doctor. Or contact Life Extension National Diagnostics, Inc. For ordering information, call 1-800-208-3444 anytime or visit them online at www.lef.org.

Snooze Power

Most mornings, once I'm fully awake, I usually have lots of energy and itching to jump into my day. But regardless of how high my energy level starts out in the morning, by mid-afternoon I'm usually longing for a quick nap. Napping always feels kind of weird though, because they're equated with laziness, babies and oldsters, at least in our culture.

So when I saw a teaser on the Sunday morning news about naps being good for you, I listened with great interest.

Wow! Turns out naps reduce our risk of heart disease by 30 percent!

In the largest study to date on the health effects of napping, led by Dimitrios Trichopoulos of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston and published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, Trichopoulos reports the study revealed you are 30 percent less likely to die of heart disease if you nap for 30 minutes three times a week.

This means that you could potentially add an extra 10 years over the next 30 by napping this way. That's pretty impressive, especially considering the fact that heart disease is the leading killer in the U.S. If you need an excuse to grab a nap in the middle of the day, this is it!

Oh, by the way, most participants of this 6-year study were in their 50s.

After I heard this, it got me wondering What other health benefits come from napping?

• Napping may enhance information processing and learning.
• Taking a nap after learning a difficult task might help you perform better.
• Naps can improve alertness, productivity, and mood.
• Napping may help deal with the stress of daily living.

Daytime napping has long been part of other cultures, especially those in warmer climates. Mediterranean-style diets that include fruits, vegetables, beans and olive oil have long been credited with contributing to relatively low rates of heart disease in those countries, but Trichoupoulos wanted to see if napping also plays a role.

The research team that conducted this study say further study is needed, but my feeling is that if you feel like napping and you have the opportunity, go for it. What could it possibily hurt?