Believe it or not Gossiping is a healthy past time for elderly people

Recently, I read this article in a health magazine (Chinese Language) and I was rather amazed how 'gossiping' involving the older people, could extend so much assistance in enhancing their daily life. [Anyway, I am trying to translate it into simple English for the benefit of readers]. Read on ...

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They said, it is a good past-time for old people to get involved with gossiping. It was found that such activity is a blessing and will enable the older people to promote and foster a closer friendship bond among themselves. Likewise, when a person feels depressed, they often release it off through gossiping around and perhaps, half of their stress level or sickness could be gone. For e.g. when someone gets victimized at home, they often find relief when expressing them out to other listening ears.

Most elderly people when they are retired, they find themselves getting lost in their own world. This will develop into severe depression each day and eventually, sickness of all types will evolve. To name a few common problems :

a) having insomnia, or feeling restless in sleeping pattern;
b) poor appetite leading to digestive problems;
c) poor fluid consumption causing dehydration and constipation;
d) poor qi and blood circulation causing weakness and body pain;
e) breathing difficulty and discomfort of the abdominal and
hypochondrion areas;
f) frequent outburst of temper, or preference for quietness
leading to severe mental stress;
g) reserved and dislike noises, including from younger children

Thus, when they are able to gang-up with their own age group, just let them be. Such form of gathering, or getting together will promote better inner-feelings and inspiration. It will further boost their mental strength and enable them to keep abreast with what is going on around them.

In other words, for these people, gossiping is a good past-time which will indirectly assist to activate their mind, their thinking abilities, or their decision making. Of course, when these are achieved, don't you think older people will find their life more meaningful and easier to move on.

However, from the medical point of view, excessive talking can also contribute to :

1) strengthen their jaw and facial muscles;
2) pay attention and improve their hearing ability;
3) improve their breathing capability;
4) improve better vision

Once they are feel happy, their immune system will also become stronger. The later will enable the body to develop more active and healthy cells. What else do they want to achieve anymore when they can enjoy good companionship, great health and a harmonious environment (both at home, as well as among his close buddies).



When older people have osteoporosis problem, sometimes they might consume the wrong food items to counter such treatment. Often, they include the consumption of calcium supplement with milk. In fact, this is a wrong therapy and instead, he might become worst. Once calcium supplement is taken orally with milk, the later item has a certain property which will change its texture and react with the calcium supplement. Instead of resolving the problem, this combination will cause further hurt and discomfort to their stomach. Each stomach by itself, do possess its own fluid which will absorb the calcium (preferably, organic type). For young people, there are having plenty of such stomach-fluid but for older people, they are much lesser. Hence, it is imperative that calcium supplement should not be taken with an empty stomach. Carbohydrate has a good absorption effect on calcium. So, it is a better idea to accompany such intake with rice.

If there is a need to encourage older people to perform any physical exercise, it should be sufficient to ask them to stretch both hand upwards (toward the sky) and then, hold it for a few minutes. Do it several times a day. In fact, this is a good form of exercise, in view of their age. Stretching is beneficial for the young and old. It will assist everyone in resolving any spinal problem or back pain. Frequent walking around within the house compound, or some light gardening tasks should be considered from time to time too.

There is a chinese proverb .... when a person gets old, which part of his body will get older first ? The answer is his lower limbs (legs).

Saucha Oral Hygiene and Healthy Aging

by Ram

White Rose by Melina Meza

In the Sadhana Pada of the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali we are introduced to the yamas and niyamas that can be looked at as universal morality and personal observances. The five niyamas are observances/practices of self-training and deal with how we relate to ourselves inwardly. In my previous blog article santosha or true happiness, I mentioned that happy people have an advantage over unhappy ones—they are not only healthier but they may also live longer. In addition to santosha, the second of the five niyamas is saucha that literally means cleanliness/purity. In Chapter 2 of the Yoga Sutras Patanjali describes saucha as:

Sauchat Sva-Anga Jugupsa Paraih Asamsargah

Through cleanliness (saucha) and purity of entire body (Sva-anga), the mind (tends toward the divine) gets drawn away (jugupsa) and ceases contact (asamsargah) with the external, physical world (pariah). When the physical body is clean, our five senses are controlled, the mind is pure and, we develop the awareness about our true inner self. —trans. by Swami Jnaneshvara

Saucha is purification on all levels (body, mind and our environment). It includes keeping our body clean, eating healthy food and harboring pure thoughts. A purified body brings clarity and purity to the mind. A clear and pure mind draws only harmonious impressions that allow the individual to walk on the path of truth. Thus, saucha not only lays the foundation for good health of body and mind, it also serves as an essential portal to understand our true nature. Therefore, it becomes essential to find time each day to practice the observance of saucha. The saucha recommended after a good night sleep is oral hygiene: brushing our teeth, cleaning the gums and scraping the tongue. According to the Ayurvedic system of medicine, clean teeth, strong gums and a clear tongue serve as strong indicators of a harmonious body and mind devoid of any toxins and negativity respectively.

Now research studies from several independent groups not only confirm the importance of oral hygiene but also suggest that diseases that affect the tongue, gums or teeth can negatively affect several aspects of our health and impact the aging process as well (see Periodontal infections: a risk factor for various systemic diseases and Toothbrushing, inflammation, and risk of cardiovascular disease).  Some of the conclusions from these studies include:

1. Oral disease increases the risk of many other diseases and is devastating to the immune system.
2. Oral diseases will reduce the length of your life. People with gingivitis and periodontitis have a 20-50 percent higher chance of dying than those who are free of this disease.
3. Men under age 50 who have advanced periodontal disease are three times more likely to die prematurely and three times more likely to die from heart disease than those who have healthy teeth and gums (after controlling for other pertinent factors, such as smoking, alcohol, and overeating).
4. Poor oral hygiene together with any associated diseases served as strong indicator of premature death. Young people who had a maximum oral hygiene index of 6 had a three to four times higher risk of dying sooner than those who had a hygiene index of 0 (0 indicating ideal oral hygiene and 6 poor oral hygiene).
5. Dental diseases and tooth loss not only make you look older, they actually make you older. Gum diseases not only increase the risk of many serious diseases but it can actually shorten our life expectancy These diseases can make our chronological age more than 3.4 years older. Furthermore, the absence of periodontal diseases makes you 6.4 years younger than the median person.

Thus, the evidence supporting the role of dental disease in general health problems are not only strong and conclusive, in addition the studies also suggest that by eliminating gum disease you can expect to live longer. Therefore, instead of choosing to have gold in the teeth, silver in the hair or metal plates inside the body, why not just opt for a regular oral hygiene and cleanliness. Remember, saucha leads to santosha so let’s begin the day with clean teeth and a harmonious smile!

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Healthy Individuals Discover How A Laguna Hills Chiropractor Helps Locals Achieve Total Wellness

By Angeleah Mae Zerna

Wellness care starts with an examination. If no problems exist, a new client will be encouraged to use exercise, nutrition and possibly posture improvement to maintain that good state of health well into his or her senior years. A Laguna Hills Chiropractor can instruct anyone in the ways to keep the spine and nervous system in excellent condition.

Over the years regular check-ups will reveal the early stages of any possible anomalies. For example, if a spinal vertebra is slightly out of place, the problem can be attended to easily in that early stage. If ignored, a herniated disc can develop and cause significant pain.

It is not only when there is no pain that optimal health is achieved. The wellness approach requires incorporating good habits into the daily routine. Mental, spiritual and social health are a part of the overall health picture.

The main concern of the chiropractor is the spine and the nerves that begin there. Keeping that system in optimal condition will contribute to overall good health. The human body is complex and the nervous system transmits signals to activate all its functions.

No one should wait till they have a back ache to make an appointment. It is true that subluxations are the primary focus of this professional. However, once the misaligned spinal vertebrae are positioned correctly, the client can find additional value in chiropractic wellness care.

He or she is the source of good nutritional advice, for one thing. A flexible spine is a healthy spine and ways to improve that flexibility in the spine and the extremities will be explored. An exercise routine is designed to suit the needs of each individual client.

Intermittent check-ups are usually scheduled to facilitate preventative care. Posture is evaluated and ways to improve it are taught. Even worry over developing a condition like carpal tunnel syndrome because of excessive time spent on the computer can be alleviated. Good sitting posture can do much good in preventing that painful and debilitating condition.

About the Author:

If you are interested in the best total wellness programs, your Laguna Hills chiropractor can help. Come see what Dr. Clayton Thomas Noel can do for you when you visit us on the Web today at http://www.claytonthomasnoel.com.

The Trans Fat Foods To Avoid For A Healthy Life

By Leslie Ball

Trans fat is a type of fat that most medical practitioners consider bad for your health. They are naturally occurring trans fats like in meat, but most that exist in our foods, are formed via an industrial method that increases the level of hydrogen in vegetable oil that solidifies at room temperature. The fat increases your bad cholesterol levels and at the some lowers your good cholesterol putting you at the risk of contracting heart disease. In addition, the hydrogenated oils have a long life span and so many restaurants use them to deep fry foods since they don't require constant changing like other oils. Below are some trans fat foods to avoid at all cost:

Fried chicken and chips are high content cholesterol foodstuff that are loved by many. The fat in them is obtained from the oil that chefs use in deep frying them. Professional dietitians advocate use pan frying as a replacement for of deep frying. Uses of liquid oils like olive oil are advised because their contents have the correct amount of cholesterol.

Pies and pie crusts also contain the notorious hydrogenated oil. They are baked foods that have high cholesterol content. And most people love eating pies; they are therefore at high risk of getting diseases that are related to the high content of fat in the body.

Snacks such as microwave popcorn also have this trans fat. Even though popcorn are always considered to be healthy, they can at times contain the dangerous substance. They are made with lots of salt and oils that have solidified. And since many people are warming up to the microwave popcorn, heart diseases are significantly increasing. The toppings that come with the packaged popcorn can also contain the harmful substance.

Doughnuts are sweet delicacies that are appealing but contain high cholesterol. Doughnuts should just be totally avoided since they are only made by deep frying. You can opt for whole grain toasts, bran muffin and English muffins that give you a healthy heart.

Frozen foodstuff are also delicacies that most people go for since they can last longer. In the real sense, they are not completely dangerous but you have to choose them carefully, and choose the one with nutritious value. Always check the labels to determine if the ingredients listed are natural. Another important issue about frozen foods is in how you cook it so that it can provide the needed nutrients.

Dessert mixes such as cakes and pancakes may always be convenient to us, but they may have high contents of bad cholesterol. Some of the ingredients that manufacturers utilize in making these mixes usually contain trans fats that lead to heart diseases. So as to avoid contracting heart illnesses, you can consider the old approach of making cakes; mixing the right ingredients from scratch by yourself. Moreover, keep in mind that you have to use healthy vegetable oils and in place of frosting, you can opt for powdered sugar.

Finally, always ensure that you check the labels of foods you purchase to have low cholesterol levels. It will make you keep your heart in check.

About the Author:

Read more about The Trans Fat Foods To Avoid For A Healthy Life.

The Best Way To Live a Healthy Way Of Life

Living a healthy way of life is crucial to live a good long healthy life. Along with the busy world as well as the countless hours at work many fall straight into poor eating habits in addition to lack the right quantity of physical exercise each day. It is for this reason that there tend to be so many health problems and there tend to be so many problems with weight problems.

To try to live a healthier way of life you are initially going to need to study exactly how to live a healthy lifestyle. Generally you may learn that you have to make changes in lifestyle to make living more healthy much more of a routine. If you're accustomed to choosing the more healthy choices and you are used to working out it is much better to continue making the healthier choice.

Most people are very busy during the day and find it difficult to come home and find the motivation to make a healthy meal. This leads to purchasing quick dinners like fast food or pizza. These foods are obviously not a great way of living or how to live a healthy lifestyle. To help you with choosing the right foods and cooking dinners that are healthier for you, you should consider making slow cooker dinners that you can prepare the night before and continue to cook while you are at work. There are a lot people that work all day, which has caused an increase in the number of recipes created and distributed for the slow cooker. Another tip on how to eat healthier is to create snacks that are easy to carry and are easy to grab. This could mean putting celery sticks in a jar of peanut butter, juicing, or maybe even meal replacements.

Office jobs are jobs that do not allow for plenty of physical exercise and whenever you go back home from the office you happen to be significantly less than inspired to stop at the health club. In the event that you're a person in this kind of situation you can still learn to live a healthier lifestyle using a couple of helpful tips. Try standing up to complete your projects.

There have been studies that show standing at work will burn more calories. You might also purchase a pedometer to count your steps. There are a number of different programs that explain 10,000 steps a day will allow you to lose the calories you eat and help you to live a healthier lifestyle. If you are not one for walking and would prefer the gym you could try and get up earlier and go to the gym in the morning. This will give you more energy at work.

About the Author:  Marcus Camby

View more information about how to live a healthy lifestyle and the errors others make during their new venture to living a clean life. Click here where I tell my adventure on how I was introduced to juicing.

Top 8 Tips to Stay Healthy during Ramadan!

A Guide to Healthy Fasting during Ramadan

{For health queries, mail to- contact@drshreya.com} 

Ramadan is a holy month observed by millions of followers of Islam throughout the world. One of the principle parts of Ramadan is following a fast that might be tedious for some. But the fasting during Ramadan is prevalent since long and most of the people love the spiritual concept behind the fasting. No wonder despite suffering from several hurdles along the way, many people fast during the holy month.

However, if we follow certain rules during our fast, we will not only remain healthy but also can enjoy the fasting while performing our religious pursuits and actually the purpose of physical and spiritual cleansing will be served.

Here are some expert tips to have healthy Ramadan-

(1)    Instead of having two heavy meals after sunset and before sunrise, opt for three portioned meals- one after sunset, second 5 hours later before you sleep, and third before sunrise. This spaces your intake well so that the sugar levels are maintained even in diabetics.

(2)    Stay away from habits like smoking at least during this month of fasting, because tobacco with just two heavy meals often plays havoc for the health of the smoker.

(3)    Water intake is one of the most vital things to keep tracking during this month. As the fasting person doesn’t take water in between, often he suffers from problems like acidity, constipation and/or urine infections etc. To avoid this, as soon as the sun sets, first attempt should be made to have plenty of water, lemon water, or coconut water.

(4)    Suhoor meal (early morning meal before sunrise) should never be missed. It is this meal that keeps your metabolism chucking well throughout the day. Only one meal after sunset makes your digestive system extremely weak and also you may suffer from liver imbalances, thus unbalancing your lipid profile.

(5)    It is good to have food with low glycemic index- some cereal, yoghurt, or a fruit etc. This type of eating slowly releases energy and also helps the person keep the hunger pangs at bay. One can also go for other complex carbohydrates like barley, wheat, oats, lentils, whole meal flour, semolina, beans, etc.

(6)    Deep fried food like samosas, pakodas, etc should be avoided as far as possible. Heavily processed fast burning foods like refined sugars, white flour, chocolates, biscuits, cakes, and other sweetmeats should be avoided too.

(7)    Excess tea and coffee usually makes people suffer from dehydration during the month. Tea and coffee are considered as diuretics. When you indulge in them, you tend to lose more water through frequent urination.

(8)    It is good if the person doesn’t sway a lot from the day to day food that he or she is used to otherwise, during this blessed month too. All major food groups should be taken into consideration while preparing the delicacies during the month.

Thus, if we take some precautions during this blessed month of Ramadan, we certainly can enjoy the whole month with health and spirituality exemplified. Rather only if we remain healthy throughout, we can concentrate on our spiritual pursuits and at the end of Ramadan can boast of having cleansed body, mind, and spirit! 

Yoga for Healthy Aging Certified Teachers!

by Nina

Baxter and I are pleased to announce a new feature on the blog: a list of yoga teachers who have been certified by the two us as Yoga for Healthy Aging teachers. You can find the list of these teachers (which we expect to grow—we’re still waiting for some of the written tests to come in) on our Certified Teachers page.

These yoga teachers all attended our Yoga for Healthy Aging intensive, passed a written test, and did a teaching demonstration that we approved:

• Susan Bronson
• Nora Berklich
• Barbara Haxo-Phillips
• Joan G. Manuel 
• Carol Mermey
• Liz Moss
• Nina Rook
• Susan Urquhart-Brown

For those of you who are interested in receiving certification yourself and could not attend our 2015 intensive, we will be having another intensive at Namaste Berkeley in 2016. We will be announcing the date in the near future.

Honorary Mention goes to Bayle Emlein who, while not a yoga teacher, passed her written test and the teaching demo just for her own edification.

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