Well Past 50: The Weblog of Boomerful.com

Now They Tell Me....

I was so proud that I was able to give up my treasured caffeine and go the decaf route.  It was part of the healthy lifestyle I so diligently set off to pursue once I hit the "50" Boomer highway. There are times I even feel a little pompous about kicking the habit.  While many of my friends and co-workers hungrily fuel themselves each day with a variety of high octane coffees, lattes and alike, I smile and say - "Make mine decaf, please."  What a shining example of health and self-control!  Well, maybe not so much.

It seems that my good friend "decaf" still contains enough caffeine to jump start my day, keep me alert and yes - keep me hooked on caffeine!  Bummer!  When did this happen?!

According to research from our www.realage.com friends, three 8-ounce servings of a decaf beverage may contain as much as 21mg of caffeine which is certainly enough to keep me coming back for more - and, maybe, even awake at night.  Even a 1-ounce serving of decaf espresso can contain up to 16 mg.  In comparison, 8 ounces of caffeinated coffee can contain as much as 90-135 mg of caffeine; 40-60 mg for a 12-ounce cola; and 15-50 mg for 8 ounces of tea.   

Because it is such a powerful stimulant, even a small amount may affect you. While it can jump-start your day, too much might mean an elevated heart rate and a rise in blood pressure.  And, since it's addictive, kicking the habit can cause withdrawal symptoms.  There have been times when traveling, for example, and decaf wasn't an option, that I've consumed full strength caffeinated beverages for several days in a row.  When I switch back to the decaf drinks, I experience very bad headaches for a day or two.  It has happened often enough that I know the culprit is cold turkey caffeine abstinence.   Even though, as I discovered, that decaf beverages can contain some caffeine, apparently there's not enough present to avoid the headaches during the switch back.

The bottom line is - if you do experience sensititvity to caffeine - maybe you need to forget even the decaf products. You might find it will make a big difference.

Acai + chocolate = antioxidant powerhouse

One of our Well Past 50 readers wrote an article about two very powerful antioxidants: the acai berry and dark chocolate:

An Antioxidant Powerhouse By Vanessa Herb

"Go ahead...indulge yourself! Medical science has cooked up sweet reasons to eat chocolate (as long as it is dark chocolate)!"

Sound familiar? This is a popular headline today. If you have tuned into television or read magazines, you've seen it too. A simple Google search of dark chocolate and antioxidants reveals mountains of new evidence on the health benefits of eating dark chocolate. While health benefits have been attributed to chocolate throughout its 3500 year history dating back to Olmec Indians in 1500 B.C., the full extent of its contribution to human health is only now being brought to light through modern technology and research.   

Scientists for example have found over 400 known chemical properties in cocoa and yet they are still unlocking the mysteries behind its numerous health benefits.  Research has revealed that the antioxidants in dark chocolate can lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, improve circulation, reduce cholesterol and balance blood pressure.  Still more findings show dark chocolate can also balance blood sugar, increase energy, helps with allergies and can even suppress appetite.   

However, all these benefits of dark chocolate come with a caveat: higher calories that come with high sugar content and fillers found in most chocolate.  Much of this sugar and fillers are added to chocolate to appeal to those who do not like the bitter taste of dark chocolate with the cocoa content needed for increased health benefits. 

A new product called Xocai (pro show-sigh) is on the market, made by a company that for several years distributed sugar-free, low carb, no preservative chocolate bars through retail outlets across the country. Xocai’s name is derived from an ancient Central American chocolate drink (Xocolatl) and an Amazon Rain Forest berry (Acai) which has the highest known levels of antioxidants in any known fruit. 

This company had an idea to combine açai with unprocessed chocolate and launched a new chocolate product line featuring the ultimate antioxidant beverage Xoçai Activ, chocolate nuggets, protein bars, and Omega-3 orange chocolate bars.

Emerging as the most popular of these products is the chocolate & açai beverage.  Mixed with blueberries and grape extract, this powdered formula is mixed with water and contains no added sugar and just a half gram of fat.  This beverage is usually consumed in a shot glass and taken 2-3 times a day. 

The result is an antioxidant powerhouse. And, as for the taste, many who previously did not care for dark chocolate describe this is as the best chocolate they’ve ever sampled. Many report that the açai and blueberry add a unique flavor to the chocolate, reducing the bitterness associated with a 70% cocoa content product contained in Xocai. 

For more information or questions about Xoçai go to www.healthyXocolate.com.

Which Health Study to Believe?

Oh, how I loved Dr. Lipshitz, telling us that 10 to 15 pounds over our ideal weight would make us live longer, healthier lives. But it was a doomed relationship.  Now Harvard Medical School confirms, once again, that being overweight increases our risk of dying by 20-40%.  At least that’s the percentage of people who died in the follow up period to their study, as opposed to those who maintained a lower weight.

Furthermore, they tell us the only proven antidote to being overweight is walking 10,000 steps a day. The current issue of TIME magazine, also quoting the same Harvard study, debunks my favorite recent finding about red wine extending our life spans. The ingredient in red wine responsible for reducing the risk of death, Resveratrol, is found in such minute amounts that you would have to drink 1000 glasses a day to enjoy its benefits. There isn’t enough Martinelli to keep just me alive longer than my life expectancy.

Scientists are researching Resveratrol to see if they can feed it to us, not just mice, and extend our lives by 30%, too. It looks promising, but approval of the drug for pharmaceutical use appears to be at least 10 years away.

Despite Dr. Lipschitz’s jolly advice to stay plump and live longer, we are back to the same advice we’ve been getting from all the other health gurus: eat less, exercise like crazy and drink wine only in moderation, because all it will do for you is make you unconcerned about all of this bad news. It undoubtedly means that buying my dark chocolate from the bulk section of the supermarket is out, too.

But wait: AARP Magazine just reported that sweet-eaters live about a year longer than those who never eat sweets. They attribute it to dark chocolate improving arterial flow and elasticity. They also say that a drink or two a day lowers your risk of heart attack by 30 percent. And, OH MY GOD, they advocate staying up late to avoid heartburn, sleeping in to stay slim and gossiping for good health.

Who are we to believe? Maybe a little of everybody – but more of AARP. They know how to have a good time.

Eyes for the Future

Aging happens.  It's not fun, but it sure beats the alternative.  While I dread some of the inevitable changes, there is one that I downright fear.  It's the vicious disease that attacked my Mother a few years ago and stole her sight - namely, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which is a leading cause of blindness in people over 55.  There is some good news, however.  In a recent article posted by realage.com, we learn that there are four nutrients that - when added to our diets - can help reduce the risk of acquiring AMD by up to 35 percent.  That's a number big enough to warrant serious consideration.

Diets containing ample amounts of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene and zinc appear to greatly reduce the risk of AMD.  Good sources of these nutrients are fresh produce, nuts, fortified cereals and supplements. For example, you can get your vitamin C through oranges, mangoes and strawberries.  Great sources of zinc are turkey, chicken and fortified cereal while almonds and peanut butter - or a supplement - can help with your intake of vitamin E. 

Excellent sources of beta carotene are sweet potatoes, apricots and peaches.  Other nutrients appearing to be beneficial to eye health include lutein and zeaxanthin.  Lutein is found in spinach, peas, and green bell peppers and zeaxanthin sources include corn, spinach, orange bell peppers and tangerines. 

All the items listed are easily obtainable at local markets and there are enough choices to make everyone happy - even if you don't like spinach!

For more information on AMD studies click here .

The ZZZZ's Have It

If you choose sleep over pushing yourself to get all those holiday tasks done, you are making the right decision.  According to the folks at RealAge.com, their research shows that people from 32 - 59 who slept less than 5 hours a night for several years were twice as likely to develop hypertension as those who got 7 to 8 hours a night.  Less sleep means your heart has to work harder which can eventually lead to  high blood pressure.  Your heart needs its rest. 

The results of consistently cutting back on a full's night sleep aren't good.

• You lose out on valuable resting time which makes for lower blood pressure.
• When you're awake you spend more time dealing with stress.
• Salt retention, a contributor to high blood pressure, may increase.

So put down the wrapping paper, scissors and even time spent shopping online.  Opt for the relaxing comfort of your bed and awake healthier and with the rest necessary to more easily  deal with the holiday tasks at hand.

Read the entire article at RealAge.com >>

The Red Wine Wagon

It's no secret that I consider red wine to be an essential part of my health regimen, but what makes me feel even better is that I have scientific research to back my claim.

A recent article in the Washington Post gives an in depth view of the study of resveratrol, given in huge quantities to the mice, may open up a whole new field of drugs to prevent diabetes and reduce obesity, which in and of itself is likely to lower the incidences of stroke and heart attacks, at the very least, and prolong life. This ingredient in red wine has also been shown to dramatically increase endurance and longevity in the mice who took it compared to the ones who didn't. In fact, they resembled "trained athletes" without the training, with lowered heart rate and similar muscle fibers.

So go ahead - pour that second glass of red wine!

Choose Cashews! Or, how to Eat Your Way Through the Holidays and Still Be Healthy (Kind of…)

This time of year just stinks when it comes to my ongoing struggle with will power.  It’s never an easy battle but – in addition to the daily treats brought into the office by well meaning co-workers (sisters of Satan carrying out the devil’s work on my thighs), finally “doing” lunch with all the folks that I actually enjoy seeing, but somehow managed to miss the entire year, and feasting on quarts of buttered popcorn (my favorite ‘meal’ but only when heavily slathered with real butter) while watching every sappy holiday movie that cable bestows – there are the parties. 

It’s not that I’m overly popular – I’ve just been around a long time- so maybe people feel obligated to keep inviting me. And, all of these people lay out the most fabulous spreads of food ever seen. And, I don’t think any of it comes from Sam’s!   They actually prepare – from scratch – incredibly scrumptious and very eye appealing food for these affairs – and there’s lots of it and it’s all different. 

Fighting off guilt  (guilt was winning) I decided to go Online and see what I could find about eating “bad” stuff that might actually be good for me and would be served at a party.  There at www.realage.com I found some wonderful news.  Cashews!! Cashews - they tell us through proven research (I’m not going to doubt such a wonderful find) - are good for us.  It’s a favorite nut of mine and I can now stand next the bowl at the end of the bar and not feel at all guilty about picking the cashews out of the mixed nuts. I think there is a modicum of moderation involved but they’re good for my heart!

Cashews, we’re now told, improve something called baroreflex sensitivity – which means when blood pressure rises, cashews tell our hearts to calm down – as well as providing other cardio benefits.  So choose cashews over the mini-cream puffs, mini-quiche and wheels of Brie.  Of course, you could pick the carrots and pepper slices but - come on – it’s the holidays!

Value Every Moment

I don’t like to focus too much attention on health problems. I’ve always had the philosophy that if you don’t think about them they won’t exist. That philosophy worked pretty well for me until I turned 50. With each day after my 50th birthday it became harder and harder to make myself believe that my expanding knuckles were still delicate and balanced with the rest of my hand. The pain didn’t want to go along with my philosophy either. Still, I chose the fantasy route I had enjoyed for so many years, popping Ibuprofen when the pain became unbearable, and stuffing my hands in my pockets during conversations that had once required a great deal of gesturing.

There have been a few other signs that the body is wearing out. My eyes have developed a number of afflictions too, including a cyst the size of a golf ball right on my eyeball (you do remember, I am prone to exaggeration?), reoccurring inflammation, and constant watering. Still, the fantasy continued: ‘My eyes are fine.  I must remember to stock up on purse size tissue packets.’

My body may be wearing out, but my serious gift of avoiding reality has kept my immune system in a state of such confusion that it keeps fighting like a whirling dervish trying to free itself of my massive denial.  Unfortunately denial can only survive until it is challenged. 

My denial was seriously challenged a few weeks ago when, for no apparent reason, my heart began to race, I couldn’t get my breath, my hands went completely numb and my skin turned ashen. My assumption that I must be dying was reinforced by my husband’s comment that he had never seen anyone that color unless they were dead. This condition actually needed to be dealt with.

Fortunately my doctor knew immediately that I had suffered from supraventicular tachycardia, or abnormal heart rhythm. Although the condition is generally a non-issue, in rare cases it can cause sudden death. That last bit of information sent my husband to the internet to track down a defibrillator. “Hey, they have one on Ebay for $300 less than the one on the medical supply site,” he announced, giddy with accomplishment. 

Our eyes met, and he froze in the chill of my icy stare. “You would buy my life-saving device at a discount on ebay, where it’s probably being sold because it malfunctioned when the first owner used it on his wife when she was in the middle of an attack of SVT?  Of course he doesn’t need it any longer.”  The purchase of the defibrillator was put on hold awaiting further information from the doctor.

But, for approximately the 12th time in a week I was struck by the transience of our lives and the need to value every moment, not to mention the miserliness of my adoring husband.  No, I don’t think I’m going to keel over from SVT in the near future. But it could happen. So I think it’s imperative that I stop hording my treasured Martinelli wines and start drinking them. I’m buying a hot tub to sit in while I sip my Martinelli 2003 Giuseppe and Luisa Zinfandel. I’m going to join my daughter in a makeover at the MAC counter (she always appears to be having so much fun), and I’m wearing my little short sweatshirt dress with leggings and boots because it makes me feel good and I don’t care what the fashionistas say. They don’t have SVT. I do.

Brain Food: Tips to Preserve Your Mental Power

I enjoy following USA Weekend's weekly Eat Smart tips by Jean Carper. Here are 5 brain food tips for baby boomers that will help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and preserve brain power as we age:

• Eat fish. Studies have show that the omega-3 fat in fish such as tuna or salmon may help fight toxic plaque and stimulate communication between the brain cells.
• Get plenty of fruits and vegetables into your system. A daily serving of strawberries, blueberries or spinach helped to prevent AND in some cases reverse brain aging in animals.
• Drink Green Tea. Two cups of the antioxidant-rich drink a day can cut the risk of cognitive impairment by 54%.
• Eat Curry. This could be called the spice of life! One of the ingredients in curry, curcumin, is shown to improve memory in animals and reduce a brain toxin that's linked to Alzheimer's.
• Trim Animal Fat and Calories. A new Swedish study indicates that people who ate more saturated animal fat in midlife doubled their Alzheimer's risk, especially those who are genetically vulnerable.

The Mediterranean Diet

If you’ve been paying attention to recent blog entries, you know that the former-hippies among us have a better chance of staving off Alzheimer’s than all those goody-two-shoes who followed the rules of “the establishment” and never learned to roll a joint while they were driving down the highway on the back of a motorcycle at 90 miles per hour. I am prone to exaggeration, so take that visual with a grain of salt. 

Add to the good news about pot, even more recent more research to grant me absolution for my minor sins! Research published in the Annals of Neurology found that volunteers who ate a diet made up of fish, fresh vegetables and olive oil, accompanied by a glass or two of red wine, had a diminished likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

For several years I’ve been able to use heart disease research to substantiate my claims that red wine is good for you. Before that research was released to the public my claims were based on a deep-seated belief that “something that good can’t be bad for you.” But, oh, how I love research that allows me to wave a piece of paper in the faces of non-believer and say, “See, RESEARCH proved it’s too good to be bad for you."

All of these changes in attitude remind me of the Woody Allen movie, Sleeper. Woody’s character dies and is cryogenically frozen for 200 years. When he is revived, everything about American culture has changed. Scientists he encounters in 2173 laugh at the ignorance of the people of the 20^th century who thought deep fried foods, cigarettes and chocolate were bad for you. The part about chocolate has partially come true. I still hold out hope for deep-fried foods.

In the meantime, I will continue to preach that anyone with a modicum of restraint should keep eating and drinking what makes them happy – unless, of course, washing down two double bacon cheeseburgers with a pint of beer is what makes you happy. But you KNOW better than that.