health

5 Essential Nutrients For Over 50’s

Here’s a solid article about five nutrients we Over 50’s need to be sure we’re consuming. It not only tells you what you need, but includes information on why you need it, and ways you can get it.

The writer, Debra Witt, adds a really interesting point at the very end:  We are so inundated with reports about new dietary discoveries that it’s important to check them out with your doctor or a registered dietitian before making any changes. She says that many insurance plans will cover a dietitian visit just because you’re Over 50; the likelihood increases if you’re being treated for a chronic condition like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol (and how many of us are not being treated for something like that?).  So check with your provider — it could be a great opportunity to improve your health on your insurance company’s dime.

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Nutrition Tips For Women Over 50

Mehmet Oz, who is a real doctor and who plays one on TV, has attracted a fair amount of criticism lately, including being hauled before a Senate subcommittee. Oz has been accused of conflicts of interest, making recommendations that are either unproven or contradicted by the evidence, and endorsing supplements and weight loss fixes that don’t actually work.

All that being said, there’s still plenty of valuable information on his website, including this piece containing five nutrition tips for women over 50.  Kristin Kirkpatrick, the dietitian who wrote the piece, notes that women Over 50 need to adjust their diet to compensate for the hormonal, cardiovascular, and muscle changes that are taking place.  Check out her simple suggestions, which she says will help women Over 50 maintain their strength and their weight, and keep their hearts healthy.

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Can “Thinking Young” Keep You Young?

The New York Times Magazine ran a long and detailed article last Fall focusing on the work of Harvard Professor of Psychology, Ellen Langer.  Dr. Langer believes that people can heal, or rejuvenate, themselves through the use of a psychological “prime” that triggers the body take curative measures all by itself.

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