What are your views on aging? Is fatigue and joint discomfort the inevitable result of growing older? If so, do you believe that the elderly should take it easy when they are tired and suffering from mild aches?

The fact is that many age-associated declines occur not because of the aging process itself, but as a result of our lifestyle habits, including exercise. In our sedentary society, many muscle and joint problems are the result of weakness and inflexibility. By increasing your strength and flexibility, you can prevent injury and slow the age-associated loss of muscle function. This means that some of those old cliches turn out to be true..."use it or lose it" and "you're as old as you feel".

Inactive people become more frail than active people and are more likely to sustain a serious fall that could lead to hospitalization, permanent disability, dependence and even death. According to the federal government., Americans live a average of 73.7 years, but spend their last 11.7 years in "dysfunctional life", which is marked by disease and impairment. Reducing the number of years lost to restricted physical activity has become a national priority.

Exercise can hepl slow many components of the aging process. Proper exercise can rejuvenate you and take years off your chronological age. In other words, exercise can add years to your life and life to your years. The U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, claims that a 50 yr. old today can expect to live, on average, to over 79. By the year 2000, it is estimated that 50% of the population will be over fifty. This is a lot of time spent in the "golden years". Instead of believing that over 50 means "over the hill and declining", you should view it as "over the hill and picking up speed!"

It was once thought that aerobic capacity and muscular strength decreased dramatically as one grew older: Studies revealed that a sedentary 65 yr. old has only 60% of the aerobic capacity as a young sedentary adult, and that after the age of 30, people not engaged in strength training lose muscle mass amounting to about six to seven pound of muscle each decade. Remember that these declines apply to sedentary adults. A 25 year study on runners performed at Ball State University found that many of the runners who continued to train had aerobic capacities similar to what they had 20 years ago.

A ten year study from the Center for Exercise Science at the University of Florida found that runners who took up resistance (strength) training were able to maintain their muscle over the ten years. Those who did not, continued to loss muscle mass. The results of these studies apply to everyone, not just athletes.

Each person over the age of 55 who I have trained and who continues to exercise consistently, has found that they have marked increases in their muscle tone, strength and aerobic capacity: they have become more fit and vigorous then ever before. One of the things that happens when you begin strength training is that connective tissue, such as ligaments and tendons, gets stronger along with your muscles. This helps to protect your joints from injury and makes everyday tasks easier, such as walking up stairs, carrying groceries and keeping up with grandchildren. The Simple Fitness Solutions Strength-Training Kit is a safe, simple, and effective way for older adults to gain the benefits of strength training.

There are community programs available to help older adults stay active. Many wellness programs include low-impact aerobics and strength training. Bowling, and croquet leagues are also a fun way to stay in shape. Whatever form of exercises you choose to do, you should include ones that employ a mixture of endurance, strength, balance and flexibility exercises.

Before starting, check with your doctor to see if there are any medical concerns. Appropriate exercise can reduce frailty in old age thus helping to make a person's last few years be filled with active participation instead of the bedridden existence that too many elderly people now experience.

We were designed to be active..don't rust out before you wear out because you aren't putting your body to proper use. If you want to stay strong and mobile, look and feel well, and continue to live independently instead of ending up in the care of others, then you better START MOVING!
Source: http://www.spineuniverse.com Reutrn to Top

Top 10 Dirtiest Foods

Food poisoning can do more than just make you sick, it can be deadly. Last year, food poisoning killed 5,000 people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim every person in the United States will get sick from something eaten this year. And even if you think you know how to prevent food poisoning, you may be surprised to learn where some food germs could be lurking.

1. Chicken (raw)
2. Ground beef (raw)
3. Ground turkey (raw)
4. Raw oysters: Experts advise you should cook oyster and claims unless you want to risk swallowing salmonella or E. coli.
5. Eggs: Experts advise you should cook them unless you want to risk swallowing salmonella or E. coli.
6. Melons: Many do not think to wash the outside of the melon because you never eat that part. “Your knife will go over the outside and if there is bacteria, it will take it into the inside,” said nutritionist Lisa Lachenmayer. You should wash every kind of melon with soapy water before you slice it.
7. Peaches: A lot of pesticides are put on the peaches to get them to the store blemish-free.
8. Pre-packaged lettuce: E.coli on lettuce has made dozens of people on the West Coast sick over the past two years.
9. Cold cuts can actually carry a bacteria called listeria that pregnant women are recommended to avoid because it can cause complications in pregnancies,” said Lachenmayer.
10. Scallions: There have been deadly hepatitis outbreaks at restaurants from scallions so you’re advised to clean and cook them at home and be wary of them in restaurants.
    Source: Men’s Health Magazine