Health
is so vital to aging well. The good news is that we have a lot of say in how we
age. We can choose to make decisions that affect us positively or negatively.
Many things are within our power to change. Other things simply require making
good decisions to keep us healthy. It’s wonderful to know that at any age we
can decide to live healthier, and it still has a positive impact on our future
health.
Looking
Inward (and Outward) – My Present Health
·
My Health Habits
As I look at my
own health, I know there are many habits I can change for the better. An
amateur nutritionist for many years, I have held a passionate interest in the
food we eat and keeping fit and healthy. I’ve been known to experiment with
diet fads, like Slim Fast, the South Beach Diet and the Atkins’ Diet.
(Interestingly, a Naturopathic Doctor recently told me that the Atkins’ diet is
the single best diet because of the low carbohydrates and high protein
regiment.) However, even trying
Atkins’ Diet alone didn’t make me feel healthier or fitter. I actually felt
better when I combined elements of several diet types such as low
carbohydrates, low fat, smaller portions and high fruit and vegetables. What I
have learned is that there are general guidelines to eating well and the rest
is somewhat variable and tailored to each individual. There is no one size fits
all. A diet needs to become a lifestyle one can maintain.
My
fitness over the last 5 years has changed a great deal. Life events, major
relocations, college, family deaths and life stress have definitely affected my
ability and drive to exercise and eat well. In 2007 I weighed 117 lbs. I was
eating well, exercising regularly, and felt great. Now in 2012 I am 25 lbs.
heavier, nothing fits, I no longer feel good about myself, and I am generally
uncomfortable more often than not. Hence, I am determined to t get back to an
exercise plan, because I want to feel good again. People often tell me “Oh you
look fine, you don’t need to lose weight” and for me it isn’t about outside
opinions. It’s about feeling good.
When you eat poor and stop exercising, your digestion is also affected. I now
feel sick more often than I feel well.
I’m also beginning to have migraine headaches again. Truly, the things
that are good for you like, watching your weight, exercising, and eating
healthy foods are not only healthier for you, but they make you feel better in
so many ways. I am glad to know that what’s healthier for you also leads to
better health as you progress through the life course. As you age, healthy
habits go a long way.
·
Healthcare
I presently am
without health insurance, and purchasing private coverage is not cheap. I have access to some health coverage. Firstly, I
have two friends that are Naturopathic Doctors who have been able to prescribe
medicines when I need them, provide me supplements at wholesale, consult me on
various health issues and provide nutritional advice. For allopathic medical care, there is a wonderful community
clinic called, Wallace Medical Group that runs off donations. All the doctors
there are volunteers that work days somewhere and donate time in the evenings
at the community clinic. They also
connected me with a Rosewood Family Health clinic, which operates at a discount
based on each patient’s annual income. For families eligible, they offer a
maximum discount of 75% off services. As a student, this has been a
lifesaver.
·
Prescriptions
Walgreen’s offers
a $20 annual membership to get discounted prescriptions. Fred Meyer has a special list of the
most frequently ordered medicines that they offer for $4 a refill. The State of
Oregon offers a free prescription discount card just for signing up online through
their website. The cost to the patient is merely the time it takes to fill out
the card. The discounts are as much as 40% off retail. I personally have used
both Walgreen’s and Fred Meyer’s pharmacies and have been very relieved with
the savings.
·
Family Health History
My family history
has some longevity on my mother’s side. My grandmother died 2 months ago at age
87 and my grandfather died last week at age 90. My father’s parents both died
at 78. The diseases in the family
include cataracts, Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, colon cancer,
skin cancer, cardiovascular issues and likely more I’m not aware of.
Looking
Forward – Change Ahead
Based
on my family disease history, I know I have a risk of type 2 diabetes, high
cholesterol, stroke and even cancer. I know that these three are highly
diet-based diseases. (Perhaps this has fueled my interest in dietary habits.)
We also know that caloric restriction also helps contribute to longevity. “The
only intervention proven to extend life expectancy, prevent and reduce many
age-related diseases, and maintain physiological function in animals is caloric
restriction”.
Physically
as I age, firstly, I don’t expect to get skin cancer like my grandfather had or
have the same intensity of wrinkles as my grandmother. My grandmother smoked,
and I do not. My grandfather spent excessive time in the sunshine without
protection, and I do not. Early on I found that the sun caused me painful
sunburns within in a very short time. In fact, my father was once hospitalized
for sun poisoning. In addition to burns, exposure to the sun makes me sleepy
and lethargic. I have since gotten used to covering up from the sun, with a
combination of sun block or sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, gloves and long
sleeves. I have recently added a hijab (a Muslim women’s veil) to my sun
protection attire, and although this grants me unwelcome attention, it is
essential to preventing sun exposure to the sides of the face, ears and neck
during driving. Thus, I plan to avoid the skin cancers and wrinkles that come
from sun exposure because “the degree of skin degeneration is directly related
to the amount of sun exposure”. Plus, we learned that physical sun
protection is the safest way to enjoy the sun.
Although
bone loss in not in my family health history, bone loss is something I believe
will be at risk of. I switched from drinking skim milk to soymilk for several
years. Although I have recently switched back to 1% milk, during my soymilk
phase, I did not entirely replace all the calcium and vitamin D I was
losing. Plus, I have had plenty of
carbonated sodas since childhood and “A diet low in calcium and vitamin D and
high in phosphorus (found in meat and sodas containing phosphates) is
correlated with reduced bone mass”. Thus, the factors above added with
the fact that I stopped exercising are sure fire risks for bone loss.
Hearing
loss is not something that was common in my family, but is something I am
concerned about as I attended many rock music concerts through the years. I now
know that “researchers believe hearing deficits are attributable more to an
accumulation of noise damage than to actual age changes”.
What can I do?
– Healthy Aging Strategies
There is so much I
can do to maintain and improve my health that I feel hopeful. I have many ideas
and plans and most are simple to implement.
·
Bone Loss Prevention
Preventing
bone loss will be easy with “sufficient calcium, vitamin D and regular
weight-bearing physical activity” as these are “the most effective ways to maintain bone health”
coupled with 1,500 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D. I am already
taking a daily dose of 1,200 mg of calcium and 2,000 IU of vitamin D via
supplements. I also drink at least 1 glass of 1% milk daily. I believe these
habits will be easy to maintain.
·
Hearing Loss Prevention
Although I seldom
attend concerts now, I’m not ruling out the possibility that I might like to
see a concert or two at some point in time. I used to think wearing earplugs at
concerts was silly considering you are paying to listen to the music. However,
now that I know hearing loss is directly related to overexposure to noise, I
won’t forego the earplugs.
·
Skin Cancer
& Cataracts Prevention
I am already
utilizing everything I can to block the sun. In addition to my clothing and
sunscreen combo, I also have tinted windows in my car. I have also used an
umbrella to shield the sun while walking. To be honest, the hardest part of
keeping up with this regiment is the comments I get from people who love the
sun. Although I am still figuring out how to navigate through public scrutiny,
I find it easy to mention I just came from a funeral (which being a funeral
director, this can indeed be the case).
·
Cardiovascular Health, Cataracts Prevention,
Diabetes Prevention, High Cholesterol Prevention, General Mobility, Back Pain
Prevention, Foot Problem Prevention,
& more
I find there are a
multitude of problems that can be prevented or corrected through proper
lifestyle habits. For instance, “when abnormal lipids are diagnosed, the first
recommendation is lifestyle changes: reducing animal fats, increasing dietary
fiber, losing weight, exercising more, quitting smoking”. Treatment of
high blood pressure follows the same guidelines, though it adds the reduction
of salt and alcohol. Interestingly “the most significant reductions in blood
pressure are with weight loss”.
Although I already
try to eat mostly lower fat proteins like ground turkey and baked chicken, I
could focus more on only eating low fat proteins. Also, although I already
incorporate some fruits and vegetables, I should and could eat more. My main
obstacle to fresh produce is purely financial at present. Also, spending time
with Naturopathic Doctors has made me question what type of produce and meats
to buy. There is a huge push to “buy organic” and although I can’t afford it
presently, I am hoping that I will be able to incorporate more organics into my
diet over time. I do not believe pesticides, chemicals or added hormones are
good fuel for the body.
The
last component I believe I will need to achieve the best health is to restart
exercising on a regular basis. Exercise has so many benefits that it’s
inarguable how necessary it is. Although it will still be hard
for me to set aside the time to exercise, I am dedicated to doing it. I already
have a mini trampoline, elliptical machine and a treadmill (that needs to be
fixed) at my home and I look forward to using them regularly.
Our
health is in our hands in many ways.
We must be vigilant and remember that the things we do today will affect
tomorrow and all the tomorrows to come.
References
Ferrini. (2008) Health in the Later
Years, Fourth Edition. (4th ed.). McGraw Hill.
