Obesity and the Aging Population: What Are the Dangers and How You Can Get Healthier
The study followed more than 4,000 men and women for 18 years and found that those who were overweight, measured by a body mass index (BMI) of 25-29, or obese, with a BMI of 30 or higher, were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
"As you age, your body changes," ABC News senior health and medical editor Dr. Richard Besser said this morning on Good Morning America. "Your metabolism slows down."
Type 2 diabetes has doubled in the U.S. in the past 15 years, and is highest among adults over age 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And diabetes is a well known risk factor in heart disease, kidney disease, stroke and other serious medical conditions.
However, keeping a diet rich with greens can prevent excess weight gain, said Besser. “If you don't cut back what you put in your body, you'll gain weight," he said. "It's that simple."
Besides eating well, even light physical activity can significantly contribute to a healthier lifestyle for many elderly adults, according to Besser.
Lower impact activities such as walking, swimming, and bicycling are generally safe for many older adults, even those who have chronic conditions such as heart disease or high blood pressure, Besser said on Good Morning America. In fact, many studies show that regular aerobic exercise can lower blood pressure, decrease the symptoms of chronic conditions, and can improve brain function. But the key is to start slowly, he said.
"Just ask your doctor how to do that," he said. Exercise is only good for you if you are feeling well, according to Besser. If you have a cold or the flu, wait to exercise until you feel better.
Warming up and cooling down by walking and stretching before and after each session is important to minimize any soreness or potential injury, he said.
*Original article: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/OnCall/elderly-obesity-older-adults-face-weight-issues/story?id=10985159
15 Tips For a Healthy 2011
Great thought! To help you along, here are 15 tips to get you healthy in 2011:
- A gradual, personalized exercise program that takes into account your anatomy and physiology is important. Your physical therapist can conduct an evaluation and assist with this.
- Make yourself accountable to someone other than yourself. Log your exercises (either at home or at the gym) in a journal and inform your physical therapist about your progress.
- Self confidence is critical. Believe in yourself and your ability to become stronger, healthier and more functional. If you think you can, then you CAN!
- Visualize yourself as being stronger, with increase energy, as if you already achieved your goals. Positive expectations of health, vitality and energy are helpful to improve your health and well being.
- Drink plenty of water. Hydration is important for your blood, kidney, and joints.
- Always seek qualified help. Expert supervision provided by a physical therapist is important, especially if you are recovering from injuries or medical conditions.
- Be aware of what you eat. Fat has twice the caloric density of carbohydrates and protein. So limit your fat intake and consume a balanced diet containing lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
- Get into the habit of reading nutrition labels at the grocery store. Not all foods are created equal. Make a conscious decision to shop for natural foods and increase the variety of foods you consume. Most individuals have the same food habits. Deviate from your 'regular diet' and experience a world of fruits, vegetables, herbs and lean protein.
- Never skip meals, especially breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day, so start your day right - with a healthy breakfast. It will get your metabolism going, and keep your appetite and blood sugar in check as the day progresses.
- Find an exercise partner to help you stay consistent with your exercise regime.
- Consistency is key - exercise at least 3-4 times a week.
- Challenge yourself each week - gradual progression the only way to improve. Stay within the limits of pain. When in doubt, ask your physical therapist.
- Make sure a 5-10 minute warm-up and a 5-10 minute cool-down are part of your home exercise routine. Don't forget to include stretching in the warm-up and cool-down to reduce the risk of injury.
- Set specific goals for yourself (consult your physical therapist) and resolve to meet them.
- Reward yourself for small victories, they are important milestones towards your 'larger goal'. Positive reinforcement is the best way to stay on track and reach your health and wellness goals.
Sweet Potatoes Vs. White Potatoes
Here are a few of the benefits:
Immunity: Being very rich in beta carotene, which is a major anti oxidant, apart from vitamin-C and B-complex, iron and phosphorus present in them, sweet potatoes are excellent immunity boosters.
Inflammation: Like the common potato, sweet potato also has anti inflammatory properties, although it does not belong to the family of common potato. This is primarily due to presence of beta-carotene, vitamin-C and magnesium. It is equally effective in curing internal and external inflammations.
Asthma: The sweet potato is effective in curing congestion of nose, bronchi and lungs, thereby giving relief in asthma. Its typical aroma helps in this.
Arthritis: Beta-carotene, magnesium, zinc and vitamin-B complex, among others, make sweet potatoes a helping hand to cure arthritis. The water in which the sweet potatoes are boiled can be applied externally on joints too to ease pain in arthritis.
Digestion: The fiber content of sweet potatoes is higher than that of common potatoes and it tastes good too. When these two factors are combined with other minerals like magnesium present in sweet potatoes, it makes an excellent facilitator for digestion. Sweet potatoes are easy to digest too, since they mainly contain starch. They are soothing for the stomach and intestines too.
Cancer: Beta-carotene, the champion anti oxidant and anti carcinogen, the pigments responsible for the color of the peel of the sweet potatoes and vitamin-C, are very beneficial for curing many types of cancer, mainly those of colon, intestines, prostate, kidneys and other internal organs.
* For original article: http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-sweet-potatoes.html