Alcohol
is anti-ageing
We’ve known for some time about the link between
red wine and prevention of heart disease. Now comes news that moderate drinking can
protect against Alzheimer’s disease and brain alertness in later life. The findings
were reported in the British Journal of Psychiatry following observation of 400
people aged between 65 and 74.
Compared to non-drinkers, they showed slower decline in mental alertness. But
don’t get too excited – remember that word ‘moderation’. Heavy
drinkers did pretty badly in the comparisons too.
Moderate drinking means weekly intake of 14 units for women, 21 for men. One unit is a
half pint of beer, a glass of wine or small shot of spirits. Don’t drink it all at
once. The allowance should be spread over the week, preferably with one or two days
alcohol-free.
Answer to ulcers
Did you know that about 50% of the fifty-plus
population is infected with a bug that causes stomach (peptic) ulcers? It’s called
Hpylori (full name helicobacter pylori) but before you start worrying you’ll be
relieved to know that in most people it just lives quietly in the gut, giving no trouble.
Stress or drinking alcohol used to be associated with peptic ulcers, and stress can
make them worse, but no one really knows what triggers the bug into creating an ulcer.
Aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs that can irritate the stomach lining are thought
to be a major factor.
How do you know if you’ve got a peptic ulcer? That’s easy - you’ll feel
the pain. It can be a severe burning sensation between the ribs, often worse at night. It
can get better when you eat, but worse again once the food is digested. You may vomit and
you may also lose your appetite.
If these symptoms seem familiar, go to your doctor for a blood test. A dose of
antibiotics makes short work of Hpylori. And till you’re cured, avoid coffee and
alcohol, spices and meat, and any other animal protein foods including milk and yoghurt.
Get energy with gingko
T he news about gingko biloba gets
better and better. This herb, produced from one of the oldest plants on the planet, is
thought to enhance memory and mental altertness, increase energy, even help reduce
tinnitus.
A recent survey from the University of Surrey, looked at 5000 volunteers, average
age 68.9, taking gingko for four months and compared them with a control group who thought
they were taking the herb but received a placebo, a dummy dose. Result: Significant
differences reported in the two groups, with those on the real thing showing positive
changes in mood, better sleep pattern, more energy to cope with everyday activities.
The type of gingko used for the trial was Ginkyo (yes, different spelling)
Concentrated High Strength One-a-Day which can be bought at chemists and health food
stores. Price £15.99 for 30 tablets.
Look Good, Feel
Great with Diana Moran
Diana Moran demonstrates how to keep fit using a series of simple routines
More
Exercise Beats Arthritis (Video and booklet)
 Part of a series designed to demystify healthcare, this
pocket-sized guide looks at hormone replacement therapy. Each section includes questions
and answers. The main points are signposted by John Cleese.
For books on Health visit the Amazon
Family and Health Section.
Don't forget if you buy books or videos from Amazon by linking from laterlife, you
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What do they mean by obesity
They mean fat, pure and simple. And the most dangerous place to have it is round the
waist. The apple shape is not good news, and it’s not only because of what’s
seen in the mirror. Getting down to nasty details, scientists even differentiate between
‘increased health risk’ and ‘substantially increased health risk’: the
former can be measure at 94 centimetre waist in men, 80 in women, and the latter is 102 in
men, 88 in women.
Just to remind you of the risks…obese people are twice as likely to die from
heart disease as normal-weight people; obese men are 33% more likely to die of cancer;
women are 50% more likely to die of breast cancer. Depression is 37% higher in obese women.
This is tough on fatties, especially following recent findings that obesity may be
caused by a virus in some people. In other words it’s not always eating habits or
genes. But in the end, losing weight is mainly a matter of reducing calorie intake, even
if for some people this means a very restricted diet. The good news is that a 5 –10%
weight loss leads to significant health gains and increase in life expectancy.
Exercise - what's stopping you? Excuse No. 6
‘I couldn’t go to a class till I‘ve lost weight.
I’m too old and I’d look terrible in a leotard.’
No need to wear one. Leggings or track suit
bottoms with a long t shirt hide most of the bulges. Not that anyone else cares. Think
about the times when you note other people dressed oddly or not quite fitting in or living
up to your expectations. You quickly shrug your shoulders and move on to the next, more
interesting thought. Looking different doesn’t matter.
Yes, it does take guts and confidence to go into a new class where – you assume -
everyone else is fit and shapely. But nowadays, all sorts of people of all shapes, sizes
and ability go to gyms and exercise classes. Try daytime classes, when all the young and
trim are, or should be, busy working. Choose gentle stretch or yoga or pilates.
You’ll soon begin to feel great and will forget about being the fattest or oldest.
If in any doubt about any of the
information covered in healthwise articles and it's relevance for you, consult your GP.
Previous articles in the healthwise series
Edition 5
Your
chance to try Red Clover
Do you drink enough
Don't get indigestion
Tailor made for women
plus the next in the series of excuses for not exercising - excuse number 5.
Index to all previous
Healthwise editions
Living
Well : Taking Care of Your Health in the Middle and Later Years
The Relate
Guide to Loving in Later Life
This constructive guide to sex, loving and relationships for the 50-80s age group suggests
that life - and loving sex - begin at 50+.
 10
steps to energy
Tapping into high levels of energy through what you eat, think, feel, how you move and
relate to your life
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