Good Living Guide

HEALTH

Cities Are Building Elder Playgrounds For Boomers To Exercise And Play

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Playgrounds aren’t just for children anymore. These days, recreation areas are designed for an aging population. These elder playgrounds come with fitness equipment, free exercise classes and a chance to work out in the great outdoors.

Elder Playgrounds

Health and Happiness

Studies have found that these fitness-themed playgrounds do wonders for seniors’ health. Movement is important at all ages. Keeping fit helps seniors develop better balance and core strength while staying mentally alert.

The parks also give seniors a new option for meeting other people. Loneliness is a serious problem for the elderly, and these parks are a great way for them to socialize.

Beach Views and Balance Wheels

In one Galveston, Texas park, seniors can use a variety of fitness equipment, climbing bars and balance wheels while enjoying a gorgeous view of the beach.

Some of the playgrounds are designed to let kids and their grandparents play together. The health organization Humana has declared a mission to build these so-called intergenerational playgrounds in at least 50 cities across the U.S.

They have caught on like wildfire as seniors discover a great alternative to gyms or sitting at home alone. As one senior told a news report, “I don’t mind acting like a kid again.”

Elder Playgrounds Provide Fun For All Ages

The trend began in China and has spread to countries everywhere. In Spain, elderly people are flocking to parks where they can play with their grandchildren instead of just watching them play.

These seniors are enjoying fresh air, exercise and fun with their families. It sounds like the perfect recipe for health and happiness at any age.

 

Going Barefoot Benefits Brain Development

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You love going barefoot, especially if you happen to be walking barefoot on the beach. The next time you’re enjoying the sensation, don’t let anyone nag you into putting on some shoes.

It turns out that walking barefoot is great for brain development.

barefoot brain development

Feel the Ground and Feel Grounded

How does walking barefoot help? For one thing, it boosts something called kinesthetic awareness. In simple terms, this refers to our consciousness of where we are and how our bodies feel. When we walk directly on the earth, we know exactly where we’re walking and what it feels like.

Children who never walk barefoot don’t develop this skill, because there’s always a layer of shoes between their feet and the earth.

barefoot brain development

Train Your Brain

Walking barefoot also enhances your proprioception, which is the ability to walk correctly on any type of surface. It’s what teaches your feet to keep their balance on rocks, sand, grass and pavement.

You aren’t born knowing how to do this. Your body has to learn it through experience.

A Balancing Act

At Natural Child magazine, Kacie Flegal explains that proprioception is “the ability to perceive the motion and position of our bodies in space.”

Learning how to keep your balance on any surface engages your brain. A healthy brain keeps you mentally sharp.

Kick Off Your Shoes

Get out there and enjoy that barefoot beach stroll. Your mind, body and brain will thank you for it.

 

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Grandparents Who Babysit Are Less Likely To Develop Dementia And Alzheimer’s

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If spending time with your grandkids is your favorite activity, you’ll be happy to know that it’s also one of the best ways to prevent mental decline as you get older.

Researchers have found that spending time with your grandchildren can ward off dementia and Alzheimer’s.

grandparents alzheimer's babysit

On Your Toes

Staying on your toes to watch your grandkids keeps your brain sharp and your body moving.

The close, warm bond you share will help both of you in future years. Children who share a loving bond with their grandparents are less likely to experience depression in later years.

grandparents alzheimer's babysit

It’s Good for Both of You

Researchers say that babysitting your grandkids has many benefits.

  • You ward off loneliness. Loneliness is one of the major causes of failing mental abilities in older people.
  • You stay physically and mentally alert.
  • You and your grandchildren develop good social skills.
  • Grandparents who take care of their grandchildren live longer than those who don’t.

grandparents alzheimer's babysit

Just Don’t Overdo It

Before you run out and kidnap the little darlings, take note. Spending too much time with your grandchildren can be just as bad as not seeing them at all.

What’s too much? According to researchers, grandparents who spent five days a week with their grandchildren were too stressed out to enjoy the interaction.

You’re the best judge of what you can handle. If you’re spending so much time with the munchkins that you’re running yourself ragged, you may want to cut back on “together time.”

Caring Is the Key

If you don’t have any grandchildren to cuddle, don’t worry. The studies also found that sharing a close bond with anyone will give you the same benefits.

Caring and sharing will fill your days, prevent loneliness and keep you mentally strong. It’s a win-win.

 

Lavender Lemonade Recipe

New Cytophone Laser Detects and Destroys Cancer Cells In Bloodstream

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The Very Best Mosquito Repellent Plants

Coconut Lime Bread Recipe

New Cytophone Laser Detects and Destroys Cancer Cells In Bloodstream

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A new medical discovery could make it easier for doctors to contain cancer and keep it from spreading. The treatment uses a cytophone laser to kill cancer cells without surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.

Cytophone Laser

Credit: Ekaterina Galanzha / UAMS

Introducing the Cytophone Laser

Scientists at the University of Arkansas have discovered a way to stop cancer cells in their tracks using a handheld laser device. This breakthrough technique allows doctors to destroy cancer cells before they spread to other parts of the body.

The cancer-killing device is called a Cytophone. It finds cancer cells and destroys them before they can do more damage. The Cytopone:

  • Requires no surgery or incisions.
  • Is painless.
  • Is a simple, handheld device.
  • Works quickly and efficiently.

What is Metastasis, and Why Does it Matter?

One of the biggest concerns related to cancer is the fact that cancer cells metastasize. That means they grow and spread to other parts of the body.

The Cytophone laser could be an answer to this problem. It’s able to pinpoint the cancer cells while they’re in the bloodstream, hunt them down and kill them before they spread.

According to Science Translational Medicine, where the research was published, the “system accurately detected these cells in 27 out of 28 people with cancer, with a sensitivity that is about 1000 times better than current technology.”

What Does This Mean for the Future of Cancer Treatment?

The Cytophone is still in an early stage of development. Vladimir Zharov, the lead researcher on the study, found that the laser was able to destroy 96% of the cancer cells in one patient.

The device gives cancer researchers hope for a simple, noninvasive treatment to prevent cancer from getting worse. It offers a bright glimmer of hope for everyone facing this disease.

 

21 Popular Breakfast Cereals Contain Cancer-Causing Weed Killer

21 Popular Breakfast Cereals Contain Cancer-Causing Weed Killer, Tests Reveal

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A new report released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that several popular breakfast foods are contaminated with glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup weed killer. All 21 of the products tested had glyphosate levels that were “higher than what EWG scientists consider protective for children’s health.”

21 Popular Breakfast Cereals Contain Cancer-Causing Weed Killer

The three highest levels of glyphosate were found in Honey Nut Cheerios Medley Crunch at 833 parts per billion (ppb), Cheerios Toasted Whole Grain Oat Cereal at 729 ppb and Nature Valley Crunchy granola bars, Maple Brown Sugar at 566 ppb. These levels are well over the EWG children’s health benchmark of 160 ppb.

Out of the 21 items tested, glyphosate levels were highest in the following products:

  • Honey Nut Cheerios Medley Crunch (833 ppb)
  • Cheerios Toasted Whole Grain Oat Cereal (729 ppb)
  • Nature Valley Crunchy granola bars, Maple Brown Sugar (566 ppb)
  • Nature Valley Granola Cups, Almond Butter (529 ppb)
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios (400 ppb)
  • Nature Valley Baked Oat Bites (389 ppb)
  • Nature Valley Crunchy granola bars, Oats and Honey (320 ppb)
  • Nature Valley Crunchy granola bars, Peanut Butter (312 ppb)
  • Nature Valley Granola Cups, Peanut Butter Chocolate (297 ppb)
  • Cheerios Oat Crunch Cinnamon (283 ppb)

The report comes less than a month after a California jury awarded a couple more than $2 billion in damages after determining their cancer was caused from long-term exposure to Monsanto’s glyphosate-based Roundup.

Although the tested products have detectable levels of glyphosate that the EWG considers unsafe, the levels are well within the EPA’s legal limit of 30 parts per million for glyphosate on oats. It appears there is no end in sight to the ongoing debate concerning glyphosate’s alleged cancer-causing properties. What is your opinion on this subject?

 

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Housework Keeps Brain Young, Research Suggests

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Who would think that doing housework is a way to keep our brains young? Now every time you tackle vacuuming, mopping the floors, changing the beds, and doing laundry, think of them as exercises that are good for your brain! All those chores that we think of as being dull, boring, tiring, and far from pleasant can be included in light activity that reduces brain aging.

Housework Keeps Brain Young

What does Physical Activity do?

New research by the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) indicates that even light activity creates larger brain volume and therefore healthy brain aging. Active individuals who engage in regular physical activity have lower vascular and metabolic risk factors.

Guidelines

The 2018 Physical Activity-Guidelines for Americans recommends that greater than 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous (MV) physical activity (PA) each week has substantial health benefits. Even modest levels of physical activity strongly improve one’s health. There is quite a difference between a person being sedentary and being modestly active.

Housework Keeps Brain Young

Impact of the Activity

This Framingham Heart Study had 2,354 participants, 1,276 of which were women, had a mean age of 53 years, and 1,099 met the PA guidelines. It found that each added hour of light-intensity activity was equal to approximately 1.1 years less brain aging. That is an achievable level of volume and intensity according to Nicole Spartano, PhD, research assistant professor of medicine at BUSM.

In individuals that do not meet the PA guidelines, every hour of light-intensity PA and doing at least 7,500 steps each day also meant higher total brain volume, which equals 1.4 to 2.2 years less aging of the brain. Active people also have lower odds for health problems that include diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.

Additional Exploration

Spartano emphasized that there is a need to explore what impact physical inactivity has on brain aging in different ethnic, race, and socio-economic groups, and she is leading an investigative team. She is grateful to acknowledge the important funding for this research from the American Heart Association, the National Institute on Aging, and the Alzheimer’s Association.

 

Smelling Rosemary Improves Memory

Scientists Develop Arthritis Vaccine That Blocks Pain

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Scientists Develop Arthritis Vaccine That Blocks Pain

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Arthritis causes severe joint pain, and this pain is often managed with prescription medications. While painkillers may be effective in the short-term, their long-term use can be detrimental to your health. Luckily, scientists have discovered a new arthritis vaccine that could potentially eliminate the need for pain medications and dependence on them for arthritis patients.

Arthritis Vaccine

Arthritis is one of the most common joint disorders, and it becomes increasingly common with age. This condition can be a result of chronic wear and tear, autoimmune inflammatory diseases, or infection. There are two main types of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis Vaccine

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when the cartilage on the ends of the long bones wears down. This cartilage degeneration leads to joint stiffness, pain with movement, and bone deformities. It is most common in the knees, hips, hands, back, and neck.

Pain medications are often prescribed to control this pain, but long-term use can lead to increased sensitivity to pain, addiction, higher risk of depression, and more. In addition, painkillers can decrease immune function and increase the risk of infection and developing other diseases.

Arthritis Vaccine

The main cause of osteoarthritic pain has been found to be nerve growth factor (NGF), which is produced by the immune system. Scientists have discovered an arthritis vaccine that can cause the body to produce antibodies against this growth factor, causing NGF to become neutralized and eliminating pain entirely.

There is still more research that needs to be done to prove the effectiveness of this vaccine in humans before it is widely released and available to the public. However, it shows a lot of potential for alleviating the pain associated with arthritis. Along with preventing pain, this vaccine can also eliminate pain medication dependence and serve as a much more cost-effective solution for this problem.

The Very Best Mosquito Repellent Plants

The Very Best Mosquito Repellent Plants

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When Spring arrives so do those pesky mosquitoes. Instead of using harsh chemicals on the annoying blood-suckers, consider a more natural approach using these fragrant mosquito repellent plants.

Mosquito Repellent Plants

MARIGOLDS (Tagetes sp.)

Marigold plants provide showy garden colors. They contain a compound called pyrethrin that is very effective in keeping mosquitoes away. In fact, this substance works so well that it is used in many natural insecticides. In addition to mosquitoes, marigolds are also useful in repelling other insects such as aphids, tomato worms and squash bugs.

Mosquito Repellent Plants

ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Not only will Rosemary make your food taste delicious and your garden look amazing, but its woody aroma is wonderful at keeping small mosquito infestations away. The live plant, cuttings from the plant and its essential oil are all effective at repelling mosquitoes. It thrives in containers but can also be pruned into many shapes and sizes to make creative borders and decorations in a garden bed. In addition to Rosemary’s ability to get rid of the skeeters, a unique lesser-known trait of this medicinal herb is its ability to help improve memory.

Mosquito Repellent Plants

LEMONGRASS (Cymbopogon citrates)

Lemongrass contains citronella, which has long been used in natural insect repellents. Since it makes a good container plant, it is often planted in pots around porches or near home entrances to keep mosquitoes away. In addition to pest control, Lemongrass has a myriad of useful benefits that include calming nerves, promoting restful sleep, and maintaining digestive health.

Mosquito Repellent Plants

CATNIP (Nepeta cataria)

A research group from Iowa State University studied the essential oil in catnip, which is called nepetalactone. They found it to be ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET.  Catnip plants can grow very tall, so be sure to plant them in an area where it won’t block any desired views.

Mosquito Repellent Plants

LEMON THYME (Thymus vulgaris)

This hardy herb repels mosquitoes when its essential oil is released by crushing or bruising its fragrant foliage. The oil must then be rubbed onto exposed areas of bare skin to be effective. Lemon thyme is an excellent plant with a pleasant lemony fragrance and a creeping habit that make it perfect for hanging baskets. It can also be planted along a path or patio to form a ground cover.

Mosquito Repellent Plants

BASIL (Ocimum americanum)

Basil’s strong fragrance makes it one of the most effective mosquito repellent plants. Mosquitoes detest all basil varieties. However, lemon basil, Peruvian basil and cinnamon basil seem to work best because they have the strongest aromas. A 2009 study concluded that an essential oil from basil is toxic to mosquito larvae. Therefore, it may be a good idea to plant it near water sources to control the amount of eggs being laid.

Mosquito Repellent Plants

LAVENDER (Lavandula angustifolia)

Not only are the purple flowers beautiful to look at, but the smell is known to repel mosquitoes and other pests. The lavender plant’s strong aroma comes from the essential oil in its leaves. Experts speculate that the potent scent masks the mosquito’s sense of smell, preventing it from detecting the carbon dioxide that humans emit.

Another benefit of growing this wonderful plant is being able to make Lavender Lemonade. It’s delicious, refreshing AND good for you!

Mosquito Repellent Plants

LEMON BALM (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon balm contains high levels of a compound called citronellal. This compound has similar properties to citronella, including the ability to repel mosquitoes. It has a lemony scent and flavor that are undesirable to mosquitoes and other pests. It it best grown in containers since it can be a very invasive plant.

Mosquito Repellent Plants

GARLIC (Allium sativum)

Garlic has more uses than scaring off vampires and adding flavor to Italian dishes. It can also keep mosquitoes from hanging around your house. Just add some garlic to your flower bed or vegetable garden to increase the likelihood that they’ll find a home elsewhere and leave yours alone.

Mosquito Repellent Plants

We wish you much success in using these mosquito repellent plants for a fun-filled and bite-free summer!

50+ Amazing Outdoor Living Ideas

Do You Suffer from Chronic Dehydration?

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Dehydration occurs when your body loses so much fluid it cannot function normally. Common in older adults and children, it usually results from excessive sweating, diarrhea or vomiting. Resting and drinking water resolve the problem in most cases. Chronic dehydration, however, is a long-term condition.

Ongoing dehydration affects your ability to think, feel and perform physical and cognitive tasks. A 2012 study done by the University of Connecticut’s Human Performance Laboratory found that even mild dehydration affected participants’ energy level, mood and thought process. Results were the same if the person sat for 40 minutes or walked on a treadmill for the same length of time.

What is chronic dehydration?

It is a condition that forces your body to function without enough water on an ongoing basis. Often seen in older adults because they have a lower water volume in their bodies, it can also result from chronic illnesses and medications. If not managed, it can lead to issues like coronary problems and kidney stones.

It is even possible to have extended dehydration on days when you take in adequate fluid. Unlike typical dehydration, drinking more water won’t necessarily solve the problem. You may also need to restore the electrolytes your body has lost to recover.

What causes it?

Simple dehydration occurs when you lose too much water or don’t drink enough. However, other issues may contribute to the problem. Medical News Today published an article in 2017 that listed the following causes:

• The most common cause of dehydration is diarrhea. To function properly, your intestines must absorb fluid from the foods you eat. Diarrhea keeps this from taking place and causes you to lose too much water.

• Vomiting causes the loss of fluid and makes it hard to replace.

• Sweating from strenuous exercise, hot weather or fever reduces fluid levels.

• Stress lowers your body’s ability to replenish itself.

• The high blood sugar levels in diabetes lead to an increase in urination and fluid loss.

• Alcohol and medications, such as antihistamines, diuretics, high blood pressure medications and antipsychotics, cause frequent urination, resulting in loss of fluid.

• Burns that damage blood vessels cause fluid to leak into the adjacent tissues.

What are the symptoms?

With typical dehydration, you may have symptoms of intense thirst, dizziness, dark urine, and tired muscles. However, ongoing dehydration may affect you differently. According to Healthline.com, you may or may not experience the symptoms listed above because your body gets less sensitive as it tried to adapt to a chronic lack of water. You may, however, experience these ongoing signs: dry skin, weak muscles, fatigue, constipation and headaches.

Medical signs used to detect dehydration include abnormal electrolyte levels, concentrated blood volume, and a gradual decline in kidney function. You can find more information in this video by an emergency room physician.

Chronic Dehydration

What is the treatment for chronic dehydration?

Usually, the first step to restoring your body’s fluid balance is drinking water or beverages with electrolytes. You can also eat foods like cucumbers, watermelon, and salty broths or soup, but avoid drinks like coffee, soda, tea and alcohol. They remove water from your body.

If you are severely dehydrated, you may need to see a doctor or go to a hospital for an IV to restore the mineral salts in your body. WebMD recommends seeing a doctor if you haven’t urinated in eight hours or can’t keep fluids down because you are vomiting. Other signs that call for medical attention are a rapid or weak pulse, dizziness, confusion and seizures.

If you think you are chronically dehydrated because of your age, health, medications or lifestyle, talk your doctor about ways to change your daily routine to make dehydration less likely.

 

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Smelling Rosemary Improves Memory

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A team of researchers at Northumbria University found that smelling rosemary improves memory after conducting a study on a group of healthy people aged 65 and older. The participants were split into separate rooms: one of them scented with rosemary and the other with no scent at all. Those in the rosemary room showed substantially enhanced prospective memory. Their test scores were 15% higher than those who were in the room with no scent.

Prospective Memory Explained

Prospective memory can be thought of as “remembering to remember”.  Unlike restrospective memory, which is about remembering past occurrences, prospective memory is about future memory.  Some examples of prospective memory would include daily tasks such as remembering to return a phone call, remembering doctor’s appointments or taking medication.

Smelling Rosemary Improves Memory

Research On How Smelling Rosemary Improves Memory

Dr Mark Moss, Head of the Department of Psychology at Northumbria University, said:

“Rosemary meanwhile has a reputation about being associated with memory – even Shakespeare said ‘rosemary is for remembrance’ – and it’s also associated with being invigorating. We have found that people are more alert after being in a room that has rosemary aroma in it. We tested prospective memory – our ability to remember to remember to do something – on people over 65 years of age, to see if we could improve their ability and we found that rosemary could do that. This is potentially very important because prospective memory, for example, enables you to remember to take your medication at certain times of the day.

“It is interesting to see the contrasting effects that different herbs can have on both mood and memory, and our research suggests that that they could have beneficial effects, particularly in older age groups. If you were otherwise healthy then this research suggests that there is an opportunity to have an improved memory.”

Now that you have an understanding of how smelling rosemary improves memory, we strongly encourage you to explore all of the many other benefits that rosemary has to offer!

You may also enjoy the following recipe for Lavender Lemonade, which includes references on how the scent of lavender has been shown to reduce anxiety:

Lavender Lemonade Recipe