Health Tips

To protect yourself from mosquito bites and ticks, remember to use insect repellent and wear sleeved shirts and pants when possible. Before heading outdoors, apply sunscreen to your exposed skin first, and insect repellent second. Once back indoors, thoroughly check your clothing, body, and pets for any ticks. And don’t forget to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or sooner after swimming or sweating to maintain adequate sun protection. Stay safe and enjoy your time outdoors!

Older people who have suffered a fall are 40 percent more likely to be involved in a car accident than those who have not fallen. A fall can be traumatic and often causes physical injury, limits mobility, and triggers mental decline. The message is simple. You know to be cautious when driving. In the same way, be guarded against falling when getting around on foot. Importantly, be aware that sedatives and alcohol significantly increase risk.

It’s been said that “Alcohol is for the elderly what milk is for the young.” If you are a moderate drinker, a glass of red wine before dinner decreases the formation of endothelium-1, a chemical that makes coronary arteries less likely to narrow, decreasing blood flow. Additionally, it makes platelets (part of the blood-clotting process) more slippery and less likely to form a blood clot and coronary attack. It also increases good cholesterol. And let’s not forget the relaxation it affords when the evening news is full of disasters.

The average person is suggested to drink 8 glasses of water per day. But this can sometimes feel like a feat. Drinking herbal tea throughout the day will make getting your daily intake a little more flavourful. You’ll also reap the benefits of the tea variety. Peppermint aids in digestion, ginger settles the stomach, echinacea supports immunity etc. As we approach the summer months, try steeping large batches of tea and storing pitchers in the fridge for a ready-to-go iced option.

Cashews are rich in unsaturated fats and plant sterols. Studies have found that eating 1-2 ounces of cashews daily improve HDL (good cholesterol) and reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) and total cholesterol. Cashews also contain high levels of copper, magnesium and manganese, and are low in sugar. The result is a healthy snack that supports brain and bone health, energy levels, and immunity.

Allergy season is upon us. But whether you suffer from allergies or not, scratchy eyes eventually affect 30 percent of people 50 years or older. There are many over-the-counter eye drops available that should help. But be patient as it may take a few weeks. Eye drops are safe to use as long as they are needed. Cleaning your eyelids by placing a warm washcloth over your eyes for a few minutes may also provide relief. If discomfort persists, see your doctor.

The likelihood of accidents, such as falling or car crashes, is three times higher in individuals with hearing loss. This can be attributed to various factors. Damaged inner ear tissue affects hearing but also balance and proprioception since the auditory system plays a critical role in spatial awareness. Additionally, impaired hearing decreases situational awareness, making accidents more likely. Get your hearing checked regularly for good communications and for safety and well-being.

A Western-style diet involves high amounts of red meat, fried food, refined grains and full-fat dairy. Studies have found sustaining this diet over a prolonged period can result in a greater than three-fold increase of developing age-related macular degeneration. This disease blurs central vision. On the contrary, a Mediterranean-style diet is rich in foods that prevent retinal degeneration. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds are some examples.

Avoid smoking, maintain a normal weight, and engaged in moderate to vigorous activity for a least 30 minutes daily. Have no more than two cups of coffee, tea or soda daily, and keep up a diet rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans fish and poultry.

One in five users of contact lenses reportedly flush them down the toilet, adding over 20 metric tons of microplastic pollution to waterways annually in the US alone. Cities spend millions dealing with enormous masses of wet wipes, hair, condoms, tampons, cotton balls, bandages, and dental floss that clog septic systems and reduce water quality. Cigarette butts leak toxic chemicals into water too. Narcotic drugs should never be put down the toilet. Only human waste and toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet. Nothing else.

A report from the University of California says one in five North Americans are afflicted with slow acidic destruction of teeth. The answer? Limit acidic soda, sports drinks, and energy drinks. After eating oranges, lemons, and other citruses, rinse with water.  Eat more dairy products and foods high in calcium which helps the remineralization of teeth. Chew sugarless gum to stimulates the flow of saliva. And watch your weight as excess fat can cause acid reflux.

It’s been said it’s better to be lucky than good. And while some may be more fortuitous than others, even the stray dog has lucky days. When luck comes your way, don’t squander it. In health, if you’ve been graced with the luck of longevity, you’ve won the lottery. Be observant of where in your life you’ve been dealt an ace. Luck doesn’t last in one place forever, so take all you can from each charmed opportunity.

 We have often told readers it’s not all the modern electronic devices today that keeps people healthy. It’s the bathroom scale, which if stepped on daily to fight the epidemic of obesity, would save more lives than any other medical instrument.

People who believe they can keep track of their weight by how their clothes feel rarely win the battle of obesity. Those who know a bathroom scale never lies about weight live longer and healthier.

The ancient Shoshin concept of beginner’s mind encourages openness to novelty, learning, and practice. Author Shunryu Suzuki famously wrote “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.” Keep a beginner’s mind in regards to your health and lifestyle. Open yourself to learning and approach each of life’s twists and turns with curiosity. Doing so will reduce stress, prejudice, and judgement towards yourself and others.

Parents always take great care to protect young children from injury. But there is one hazard that’s rarely crosses parents’ minds. Few realize that every year young children are injured by falling TV screens. Older models are often placed on the top of unsteady furniture. The majority of accidents occur when the TV topples over on children climbing for the remote. Accidents like these can result in neck and head injuries. With flat screens there is another hazard. Screens are not adequately mounted to the wall and fall on a young child. These are preventable accidents. The solution is to take care where TV screens are located and ensure they are firmly in place.

​A past Swedish study shows what we already know. Dogs provide unconditional love. But this study reveals that dog owners saw their risk of dying early decrease by 33 percent, versus 11 percent for those who lived with other humans.

​Researchers believe owning a dog resulted in more exercise. Dogs also ease loneliness and produce a feeling of well-being. What breed do you choose? The researchers reported that hounds, retrievers and terriers appeared to reap greater benefits for owners than other breeds.

Lao Tzu, the Chinese philosopher, wrote, “He who knows that enough is enough, will always have enough”.

However, many elderly people lack in calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K2 resulting in brittle bones. This is when a forceful hug or fall can break a bone. Vitamin D increases the absorption of calcium, and K2 (about 100 micrograms daily) directs calcium into bones. Also be sure to add dairy products, leafy greens, canned salmon, and fruits. Daily exercise is equally important to keep mobility and strength maintained. 

‘Legs Up The Wall’ is a common restorative yoga pose with health benefits such as aiding circulation and reducing swelling. It entails lying on one’s back with the back of their legs resting up a wall to create an ‘L’ shape. Any rendition of this pose is beneficial. If getting to the floor or lifting your legs into the air proves challenging, try lying on the couch or a bed and propping your shins on stacked pillows. As long as your feet are higher than your head, you’ll reap the benefits. Certain conditions warrant the avoidance of inversions. Check with a trusted health practitioner before practicing.

Vision and hearing often deteriorates slowly as one ages. It can be difficult to notice changes from one day to the next. Ask your ophthalmologist and ENT specialist how often you should be getting check-ups. And if you notice blurry edges or muffled sounds, it’s best to book an appointment.

A little friendly competition is healthy. We often hear statements of this sort. However a competitive perspective can become hostile. Turn competition inwards, and focus on surpassing your own goals and abilities rather than those of others. You’ll likely accomplish more and feel less of a need to compare yourself to those around you.

Feeling uninspired in the kitchen? Ask a friend to borrow their favourite cookbook, or make a task out of picking a new one. Cooking your way through the book is not only a fun project, but a wonderful opportunity to discover new recipes and get inspired. For added fun, get your loved ones in the kitchen too!

Bad habits can be hard to shake. Try the 21 day method. Set a small goal that will get you closer to breaking a habit and hold to it for 21 days. By the time you get to the last day, this small adjustment will be habitual. Set a new goal for the next 21 days. Small incremental changes will be more effective than cutting off a bad habit cold-turkey, and you can celebrate victories along the way.