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Staying Healthy Archive
Articles
An avocado a day may keep cholesterol at bay
Adding an avocado a day to a healthy diet may lower harmful LDL cholesterol levels, according to a study in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Forty-five overweight or obese volunteers followed three different cholesterol-lowering diets, each for five weeks. One diet had 24% of calories from fat; the other two were 34% fat, one of which included an avocado per day. While participants were on the avocado diet, their LDL levels dropped an average of 13.5 points—nearly twice as much as when they were on the other two diets.
Hass avocados (the type used in the study) have bumpy, greenish-black skin. The creamy flesh is rich in monounsaturated fats, which help lower LDL cholesterol when swapped for saturated fat. But other compounds in avocados, such as fiber and plant sterols, may also contribute to their healthful benefits, say the authors. Avocados can be sliced into salads, spread on sandwiches, or mashed to make guacamole. Just be sure to go easy on the high-calorie, salty corn chips often served with the latter.
Best tips to stay on your medication and stay healthy
Using gadgets, such as a seven-day pillbox or an electronic pill dispenser, can help you stick to a medication regimen and stay healthy. |
Tried-and-true methods, plus the latest electronic reminders and gadgets.
Ask the doctor: Should I retire now or keep working as long as I am able?
Q. My wife says I should slow down and retire, but I hope I can work forever. What's your take?
A. It's a question I get asked a lot, from boomers and pre-boomers, and one I've asked myself.
Feeling young at heart may help you live longer
People who feel young at heart are more likely to pursue physical activity, even it's an activity that's challenging. |
A youthful attitude may lead to better eating and exercising habits.
Want to get healthier? Get your partner involved!
Plenty of research shows that we tend to exhibit the health behaviors of people around us, and that partners can influence each other's behavior. The influence carries even more weight if an unhealthy partner is making a change for the better. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine Jan. 19, 2015, found that men and women were much more likely to make positive changes if their partners also changed their health behavior during the same period. The influence on a partner was significant: 67% of men took up physical activity if their wives did, but only 26% became active if their wives did not. The take-home message: get your partner on board if you both need to make healthy lifestyle changes.
Image: Thinkstock
Sitting may increase risk of early death
Even an hour's exercise a day won't protect you from an earlier death, if you spend most of the rest of your day sitting. That's the verdict of Canadian researchers who pored over data from 47 studies on the effects of sedentary behavior. When they combined the results of all the studies, the researchers found that regardless of their levels of physical activity otherwise, people who sat for long periods had an increased risk of developing a host of diseases. People who sat the longest had a 24% greater risk of dying, an 18% greater risk of heart disease, a 13% greater risk of cancer, and a 90% greater risk of diabetes. The results were published in the Jan. 20, 2015, issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.
The researchers recommend standing for a minute or two every half‑hour when you have a task that keeps you chair‑bound. It may help to set a timer or alarm to sound at half-hour intervals. |
A stable weight may reduce fracture risk
A study published in the Jan. 27, 2015, issue of The BMJ challenges the longstanding notion that weight gain protects against postmenopausal fractures. Data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) indicate that weight gain, as well as weight loss, is associated with increased risk of fractures in postmenopausal women. The analysis also suggested that which bones were most likely to break depended on whether women have gained or lost weight.
WHI researchers analyzed data on over 120,000 healthy postmenopausal women ages 50 to 79 at the start of the study. Each year, participants were weighed and asked to report fractures of their arms, legs, hip, pelvis, and spine.
Keep moving when knee or hip pain strikes
Mobility relies on the body's two largest joints, the hips and knees. We ask a lot of both these joints: they must bear our full weight and coordinate movement over a lifetime of standing, walking, running, dancing, and sports. Not surprisingly, hip and knee pain are common complaints, and nearly everyone who lives into old age can expect some trouble with these joints. But taking care of your hips and knees and managing any pain that arises will help you avoid losing mobility as you age.
Try these self-help measures when knee or hip pain strikes:
Ask the doctor: I'm 75. Do I need a geriatrician?
Q. My doctor, an internist, just retired, and my health plan is asking me to designate a new primary care physician. I'm 75. Would there be advantages to choosing a geriatrician as my new doctor?
A. First, a disclaimer: I am a geriatrician. So my short answer is, "Yes, of course!" But my reasoned, unbiased answer would be, "It depends." If you are a generally healthy 75-year-old woman, a family physician or internist will be able to take excellent care of you. Geriatricians are trained to care for older adults with complex illnesses and are expert in managing the care of people who are frail. Improving your ability to function, and the quality of your life, are the guiding principles of geriatric medicine. We are expert at managing complexity and uncertainty, working with families, and caring for people with serious illnesses who are approaching the end of life. A geriatrician would be a good choice if you have physical or cognitive impairment, if you take a lot of medications, or if your friends and family are involved in your medical care. For people who have several medical problems, we emphasize the role of patient and family preference in making medical decisions, with the patient's goals as our primary focus.
Neck pain: Core exercises can help
Neck aches are often the result of wear and tear, poor posture, and weak core muscles. Image: Thinkstock |
Better support for your spine is key in avoiding neck ache.
Recent Blog Articles
Helping children make friends: What parents can do
Want to stop harmful drinking? AA versus SMART Recovery
Mpox is back: What to know and do
How well do you score on brain health?
When should your teen or tween start using skin products?
How — and why — to fit more fiber and fermented food into your meals
Protect your skin during heat waves — here's how
Respiratory health harms often follow flooding: Taking these steps can help
Want to cool down? 14 ideas to try
A fresh look at risks for developing young-onset dementia
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