Getting older? Try exercising to add on years to your life! (+ more health updates)

Elderly Adults Who Exercise More May Live Longer

Among a sample of 803 seniors participating in the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly, researchers found that those who increased their physical activity levels over a ten-year period had a 43% lower risk of death during the course of the study than participants whose activity levels declined or remained unchanged. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, July 2017

Food Safety When Packing for a Picnic.

Picnicking can be a lot of fun, but nothing can ruin your outdoor meal faster than a case of food poisoning. To reduce your risk, the United States Department of Health & Human Services suggests: packing any meat, seafood, poultry, sandwiches, summer salads, fruit, vegetables, and dairy products in a cold cooler; fill the cooler with ice to help it stay colder longer; and store it in a shady spot. Department of Health & Human Services, June 2017

Tai Chi May Reduce Falls Among Older Adults

A review of previous research indicates that compared with activities such as low-intensity exercise and physical therapy, seniors who practice tai chi are significantly less likely to experience a fall. The analysis suggests that tai chi could be a simple and cost-effective intervention to help older adults maintain their mobility and independence. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, July 2017

Reducing Sugar in Your Diet

Consuming too much sugar can lead to weight gain and other health issues. To help reduce sugar in your diet, the American Heart Association recommends the following: not adding table sugar, syrup, or honey to cereal, coffee, tea, or pancakes; drinking more water and avoiding soda; eating canned fruit in water instead of sugar-laden syrup; reducing sugar in recipes by one-third or using extracts such as lemon, almond, or vanilla instead of sugar; and substituting unsweetened applesauce in place of sugar. American Heart Association, July 2017

Impaired Mobility May Indicate Mortality Risk in Dementia Patients

In this study, researchers followed 589 elderly dementia patients for one year and found that those who performed poorly on an initial functional mobility assessment had a 66% increased risk of death during the next twelve months. Maturitas, September 2017

Yours in health,

Dr. Brad Butler, DC