Nix the fall
Taking a tumble may not seem like such a big deal. We’ve been falling, scraping and bruising since youth. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discovered that death rates from falls among older men and women have risen sharply over the past 10 years. People aged 75 and older who fall are 4 to 5 times more likely to be admitted to a long- term care facility. The CDC recommends the following tips for preventing falls:
- Exercise regularly — low-impact exercises like Tai Chi can help strengthen weakening muscles
- Have your pharmacist review your medicines to identify any interactions that may cause dizziness or drowsiness
- Have your eyes checked by an optometrist at least once a year
- Get adequate calcium and vitamin D
- Do weight-bearing exercises like squats or sitting squats to strengthen hips and reduce fracture risk
- Make your home safer by reducing trip hazards, adding grab bars in the bathtub and improving lighting
Mind body medicine
Making the health of the mind a priority dates back to ancient times — if the mind is healthy, the body will follow. Western ideals separated the two ideas; however, scientific research conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has discovered that this separation may not be correct.
It is documented that psychological stress is linked to increased heart disease, compromised immune system and premature aging. Practicing biofeedback, yoga and relaxation therapy, or CAM (complementary and alternative medicine), was found to have positive effects on the patients.
Diet and BPH
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urological condition caused by the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that occurs as men get older. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that a diet with fruits and vegetables rich in beta carotene and vitamin C, and increasing healthy fats like omega-3, can help protect against BPH.
Sour orange juice
Ever wonder why orange juice tastes so bitter after brushing your teeth? You’re not alone. University of Florida taste scientist Linda Bartoshuk wondered as well. She discovered that certain molecules, when combined with others, throw your taste buds for a loop. Toothpaste contains sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which causes foaming. SLS tampers with our taste buds, inhibiting our ability to taste sweet things, and adding a bitter taste to acid. Thankfully, our tongues are wired to reprogram themselves correctly once SLS is no longer detected.