Well Past 50: The Weblog of Boomerful.com

Doctor Gives Four Tips to Assess Your Health

by Contributing Editor Melina Papadakis

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The kindly old family practitioner keeping an eye out for the patient's overall health is a thing of the past. These days, doctors are as swamped with paperwork as they are with patients.

The New England Journal of Medicine reports the average doctor's appointment lasts less than 22 minutes. An American Medical Association report cites patients changing health insurance providers as a reason few have the same 'family doctor' watching over them year after year.

It's quickly becoming the patient's responsibility to keep an eye on her own changing health, guide her doctors, and pursue preventive health maintenance.

In his new book, Medical Crisis: Secrets Your Doctor Won't Share With You, Dr Anthony Martin asserts that breast cancer and prostate cancer are nearly 100 percent preventable. It takes more than five years for most cancers to grow to the size of the tip of a ballpoint pen. By the time cancer is found by routine blood tests or feeling a lump, the patient may have missed precious time.

Here are Dr. Martin's four warning signs to find out if you are on the path to cancer, stroke or other illnesses:

1) Energy. "If you've been tired for three weeks straight, your body is trying to tell you something is wrong." Long-term fatigue is tied to red blood cells. Red blood cell problems can lead to liver, kidney or brain trouble. Check yourself: Ask your doctor for a simple blood test.

2) PH Balance. 70 percent of the human body is water. Water, like in your swimming pool, is either acidic or alkaline. An unbalanced pH (Potential Hydrogen) level is a breeding ground for cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and pre-mature aging. Check yourself: Ask your doctor for a saliva test.

3) Free Radicals. The body produces free radicals as a process of detoxifying itself. When balanced, they are used by the immune system to destroy bacteria and viruses. Unbalanced free radicals can lead to cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, arthritis or Alzheimer's. Check yourself: Ask your doctor for a urine test.

4) Inflammation. You need cells to 'puff up' to stop bleeding – but too much can strangle the arteries and cause coronary heart disease. Fat cells are a side affect of obesity. Too many fat cells or cells that are too 'puffy' can lead to asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Check yourself: Ask your doctor for a blood test.

According to Dr. Martin, once you've got a realistic idea of where you stand, you can work toward healthier living habits. "Change your attitude, change your diet, change your exercise habits and change your supplements," he said.

Do you have a personal health regimen that you follow? What do you do to stay healthy?

For more interesting articles and news you can use, visit our main Web page at www.Boomerful.com.

Product Review: The Tanita InnerScan Body Composition Monitor

Assistant Editor Mark McLaughlin weighs the merits of a high-tech, multifunctional scale.

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The Tanita InnerScan Body Composition Monitor is certainly the most stylish scale I've ever used. It would be an attractive addition to most bathrooms - with its sleek lines and stainless steel finish, it looks like a piece of modern art.

This high-tech monitor gives you your weight, muscle mass, bone mass, percentage of body fat and more. My only complaint (a very small one) is that the controls are rather complex, and it took me about ten minutes to program it before I could even weigh myself for the first time. Fortunately, the machine had a function for saving my settings, so I don't have to reprogram it every time I use it.

Now I use the Body Composition Monitor regularly and I find it extremely helpful. Since I started using it, I've been cutting more and more fat out of my diet, so I can lower my body fat percentage. As a result, my body fat has dropped two percent.

I would recommend the Body Composition Monitor to anyone who seriously wants to keep an eye on their weight, body fat, and other body composition statistics. Bear in mind, this equipment is for home use only and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any diseases, so you should use this equipment in conjunction with advice from your personal physician.

Find out more at this website.

Be sure to visit our main Web page, www.Boomerful.com, for interesting articles and news you can use!

FDA-Approved Diabetes Breakthrough Goes Public: Could Save Lives and Millions of Dollars

Contributing Editor Melina Papadakis reports on an important medical breakthrough.

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For those suffering from diabetes, there may be help in the future, thanks to the work of Dr. Marc Rose, president and co-founder of VitalCare – www.vitalcaretechnology.com. Dr. Rose may have developed a potential cure for diabetes.
 
Most people think of diabetes as a blood sugar problem, but that is just a symptom of the disease. Diabetes is caused by a malfunctioning metabolism. No matter how carefully a type 1 (juvenile onset) or type 2 (adult onset) person with diabetes monitors blood sugar or measures insulin, he or she is still fighting a ticking clock. Nearly all people with diabetes will eventually have complications like kidney or heart failure.
 
VitalCare clinics use iCAT Therapy to give patients micro-pulses of insulin, mimicking the way food and energy are processed in the normal human body. Dr. Rose says that over time, the treatment stops, stabilizes and actually manages to fix damage from diabetes. To date, no negative side effects have been reported.
 
The FDA-approved, once-a-week, six-hour treatment costs one-thousand dollars. That may sound like a lot, but compared to a lifetime of medical complications this actually saves HMO's, PPO's, hospitals and taxpayers' money. "If we can cut hospitalizations for diabetes by just 50 percent - and we can - that will save millions of dollars a year," said Dr. Rose. Rose has 30 VitalCare clinics throughout the country, but foresees more.

Has diabetes affected you or someone in your family? Tell us about how you've dealt with this serious health concern.

Be sure to visit our main Web page, www.Boomerful.com, for interesting articles and news you can use!

Weight Loss Made Easy?!? We’ll See!

Our New Products Editor, Mary Kellenberger, shares some thoughts and tips on weight loss.

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“I’m visiting Arizona next month, so I’ll need to look sleek and sassy when I see all my old friends. Yeah, yeah, yeah….” This is the chorus on the broken record I play each January as I try squeezing into my warm-weather clothing.

Here we go again. It’s well into January and I have the same litany of excuses as to why I don’t just give away the leftover box of chocolates and wheel of Brie. My son gave me the candy, so it has sentimental value (along with all the calories) - and the Brie? Cheese is protein … that’s good, right?

So, this morning when I saw an article on www.realage.com claiming “the easiest way ever to lose 10 pounds,” I couldn’t resist. Truthfully, I expected another sweat-and-starve-‘til-you-drop plan but was pleasantly surprised. It’s not a quick way to drop the pounds but it’s common sense and not that hard!

All they’re suggesting is that by cutting back on 100 calories per day, you can lose 10 lbs. in a year’s time. And, those 100 calories are often those we don’t even realize we’re ingesting. Here are some of the tips…

* Forget the second tablespoon of dressing. Toss your salad well after adding just one tablespoon and you won’t even notice the difference. Or - my one good eating habit - have your dressing on the side and just dip your fork into it before taking a bite of salad. It works!
* Eat half a candy bar or energy bar rather than the whole thing.
* Use one pat of butter on your potato rather than three.
* Have one scrambled egg rather than two.
* Leave the last three bites of your main course on the plate - especially if it’s pasta.
* Order your Dairy Queen in a cup rather than a cone.

I like this! I’m not giving up anything … just reducing the amount of these tasty items. And, as they suggest, if I try eliminating 200 calories per day - I’ll be 10 pounds less in six months!

While this plan won’t get me to where I want to be in six weeks, it’s a good start - and, will hopefully get me on track. Once I’m on the right track, the journey is always easier.

Product Review: REVATROL, Advanced Red Wine Complex

Reviewed by Mark McLaughlin, Assistant Editor

REVATROL, Advanced Red Wine Complex

http://www.revatrol.com

For years, the media has been telling us that a glass or two of wine each day can be good for you. When I received a press release about the folks behind Revatrol, Advanced Red Wine Complex, I asked if I could try out this dietary supplement, which they say puts all the health benefits of red wine, including longevity, into pill form.

The pills themselves are a rich reddish-maroon color, have a slightly wine-like taste, and go down smoothly. You're supposed to swallow them whole, but in the interest of science, I chewed one. The taste was very bitter and not at all wine-like, but I can't fault them for that, since they don't sell them as Revatrol Chewables.

I can't say if taking the pills has lengthened my life, since I'm nowhere near done living yet! But if you've been reading about the healthy benefits of red wine, you can now enjoy those benefits on a daily basis without the alcohol or calories of actual wine. Plus, if you're always on the go, these pills are a lot more portable than a wine bottle.

 

The box does list some cautions – for example, people with diabetes or hypoglycemia should consult a physician before taking them – but then, checking with your doctor before taking any health supplement is always good advice. Ask your doctor if Revatrol is right for you!

I’m Soooo Tired!

Our Boomerful.com New Products Editor, Mary Kellenberger, has these thoughts to share about getting a good night's sleep (she must be tired from trying out all those new products!).

by Mary Kellenberger

Yes, I'm tired – and it’s no wonder! I’m in the throes of menopause and my sleep-promoting hormones – estrogen and progesterone – are abandoning me.

I just get into the middle of a nice little dream and along comes a major hot flash, jolting me out of my sweet slumber. I end up in the living rooms of the “Nick at Night” families because I’m now wide awake! If I don’t choose to watch the one-thousandth rerun of The Cosby Show, I end up in the “middle-of-the-late-night-bottomless-bin-of-worries-about-everything-in-my-life-that-could-go-wrong” …but probably won’t. Unfortunately, the “probably won’t” realization never hits until I’m up-and-around the next day.

Is anybody out there? Should we be sharing meaningful conversations at 2:15 a.m. or is there a better solution?

Our friends at RealAge.com have some good tips on overcoming sleep-deprivation without spending money or taking drugs. Some of these simple, common sense suggestions that could make a difference are:

Don’t…

• consume caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol too close to bedtime
• watch television right before going to bed
• eat or drink two to three hours before bedtime
• go to bed before you are sleepy
• exercise too close to bedtime

Do…

• use your bedroom only for sleep
• exercise regularly, preferably in the morning or early afternoon
• keep a regular bedtime and waking time, even on the weekends
• create a relaxing bedtime routine, such as taking a leisurely stroll, soaking in a tub, listening to soothing music, or massaging your legs or feet before bed
• practice relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation therapy, guided imagery, and deep breathing exercises
• create a comfortable environment that is conducive to sleep by eliminating uncomfortable bedding, wearing loose clothing, keeping the bedroom temperature slightly cool, and eliminating any bothersome noise or light

All this advice seems to make sense – except for the part about giving up my cup of chocolate/almond chip ice cream at 10 p.m. I’ll just have to eat it earlier.

Camera Company Thinks Pink In October

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is devoted to building awareness and finding a cure while sharing information about breast cancer. I just found out from a press release sent my way that in honor of the special month, Casio, Inc. will release a special-edition camera bundle to show their proud support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). 

Casio’s EX-Z75, a 7.2 megapixel digital camera, will be available as a special bundle during October to help raise awareness of NBCF’s mission – Help for Today…Hope for Tomorrow^®. The bundle will feature a pink EX-Z75, a camera case embossed with the pink ribbon, and a pink ribbon-clad lanyard. The EX-Z75 is packed with features and can be purchased at a variety of stores nationwide. It sells for $179.99 and will proudly sponsor the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Kudos to Casio!

If you'd like to find out more about breast cancer, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure website is an excellent place to start. You can even learn how to perform breast self-examination at the site. 

Are you diligent in checking yourself for breast cancer? Do you check as often as you should? Let’s hear from you, Boomerful.com visitors!  

Do You Know Your Cholesterol Number?

September is National Cholesterol Awareness Month. I recently received the following information from the Society for Women’s Health Research and thought I would share it with all of you:

According to the results of a nationwide survey conducted by the Society for Women’s Health Research, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy organization, 79 percent of women know how much they weighed in high school but less than one-third know their current cholesterol number. Of the women who had a recent cholesterol test, only 57 percent could actually recall their cholesterol number.

Data from the survey suggests a major disconnect between women understanding the risks associated with high cholesterol and actually taking action to monitor and control it.

A majority of the women surveyed (63 percent) said they were concerned that high cholesterol will be a health concern during their lifetime and almost 60 percent of women said they were actively trying to manage their cholesterol, yet only 32 percent knew their cholesterol number.

Most women recognize the health risks of having high cholesterol. Nearly nine out of 10 women surveyed (88 percent) know that high cholesterol is linked to hardening of the arteries and heart disease, and almost as many women (85 percent) know high cholesterol can lead to stroke.

As for ways to help control cholesterol, nearly all women (96 percent) understand that exercise can play a part in fighting high cholesterol, with just about as many women knowing that eating more fruits and vegetables (95 percent) and eating foods low in fat (94 percent) can also contribute to better heart health. In addition, 94 percent of women knew that there are medicines, called statins, available which can help you lower cholesterol if diet and exercise are not effective.

The results of the telephone survey of 524 women, conducted from June 29 - July 1, 2007, also showed that:

One in three (32.9 percent) did not know that women can exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet, but still have dangerously high cholesterol levels.

Women with a family history of high cholesterol are only slightly more likely than the general population (66 vs. 60 percent) to say they are actively trying to manage their cholesterol levels.

More than one-third (36.3 percent) of women were surprised to learn that high cholesterol has no symptoms.

Less than four in 10 (35 percent) women know any of the four key numbers for monitoring cholesterol: total cholesterol level, LDL level, HDL level, and triglyceride (blood fat) level.

Half of American women are not familiar with the terms LDL (47 percent) and HDL (49 percent), which are critical to managing cholesterol and heart health.

Ninety percent of women (90.6 percent) believe that some cholesterol is good, yet only a third of women (38 percent) correctly identified HDL as the “good” cholesterol. An equal number got it wrong.

Only 21 percent of women know their high density lipoprotein (their HDL level – the “good” cholesterol), with an equally low number knowing their low density lipoprotein (their LDL level – the “bad” cholesterol).

Women are equally concerned about developing heart disease (71 percent) and breast cancer (70 percent) in their lifetime and 43 percent were surprised to learn that heart disease kills six times as many women as breast cancer.

Half of the women surveyed (50.2 percent) knew that atherosclerosis was hardening of the arteries.  One-third (33.9 percent) believed it to be loss of bone density and 24 percent thought it was curvature of the spine.

Squeeze, release. Squeeze, release...

It just doesn't end.  While we rightfully rally our attitude to believe that aging surely beats the alternative, we might, at the same time, be  wondering if we can "make it" to the nearest Ladies Room.  Who ever thought that the back end of our life (no pun intended)  would find us back in Pampers.    I remember laughing at those June Allyson commercials for Depends.  "Oh, those poor people.  They must have something terribly wrong with them."  Luckily, I haven't had the need to shop the incontinence aisle at Walgreen's yet,  but  I see lots of these products stacked around the assisted living facility where my little Mama now resides - including her closet.

The good news that comes from our friends at realage.com is that we can strengthen our pelvic floor muscles enough to lessen and even prevent the leaking of urine which is how it all starts.  This is accomplished by performing Kegel exercises on a regular basis.

If you're unfamiliar with these exercises and the muscles involved, you can feel them by squeezing the muscles in your genital area.  Or, you can pretend you are stopping a flow of urine or passing gas.  Simply tighten these muscles and hold for 4 seconds. Do this 10 to 20 times allowing the muscles to relax completely between contractions.  Doing this 10 times a day will definitely improve effectiveness. 

No time to "exercise?" No worries.  Kegel exercises can be performed anywhere: driving in your car, sitting in a traffic jam, waiting for a bus, sitting at your desk, watching television, etc.  No one will know that you are doing them.  People with bladder control problems may notice a difference after just  a few weeks.  Although, greater improvement may take 3 to 6 months of daily exercises. 

Personally, I'm thinking that  Kegel exercises had a lot more appeal when their only purpose seemed to be for improving orgasms.  Time marches on....

Reach Out and Calm Someone

From a mother's cradling embrace to a friend's comforting hug, or a lover's caress, touch has a special effect on those who need it the most. Outward gestures of affection have an immediate impact on someone who is in a time of need or crisis.

According to RealAge.com, cultivating good relationships brings lots of perks, not the least of which is stress reduction. During troubled times, a good friend or family member can offer a lot by helping you talk through real-life troubles while offering a simple touch such as holding your hand or putting their arm around your shoulder.

An additional benefit is a better immune system - which means faster healing and less risk of infection after surgery or major illness. In a recent article on WebMd.com, psychologists have noted the effects of human touch and healing on patients either before or after surgery. Read more about the health benefits of massage therapy on CNN.com.

So the next time you see a tense look on a loved one's face - reach out and put your arm around their shoulder or offer a hug. You'll do wonders for their stress level, as well as your own.