Baby Boomer Health Network Blog

Anti-Aging - A Great New Suppliment

2009-02-01T21:49:00.000-08:00

I read about this new product Vivix from Shaklee. I am not an affiliate of Shaklee, just so you know.

Just one 30-day supply of Vivix delivers the same amount of resveratrol found in 3,000 glasses of red wine. We all know that resveratrol in red wine is a great anti-oxident. It tastes like concentrated grape juice mmmm - can't go wrong with that.

I decided to try it and have using it for almost 2 weeks now. I will let you know how it goes but already feel more 'perky'.

If you want to check this out with someone in the know, and is a Shaklee representative, visit Dr. Bill's site here:

http://www.hardmanacupuncture-tcm.com/

I know him personally and trust him completely.

Here's to anti-aging :)

Heart Month

2007-02-11T23:11:00.000-08:00

We are all thinking of hearts right now with Valentine's Day coming up - so what a good time to think of our own heart.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Heart’s most important functions are those of governing Blood and housing the Mind and most of the pathological changes of the heart reflect involvement with the Blood and Mind. It is considered a solid organ, designated Yin by category and associated with the element Fire. Joy is the positive emotion associated with Fire, so Be Happy - it is good for your heart!

Also in TCM, we know that the heart energy channel opens into the tongue, and some landmarks and colours can indicate the presence of energy imbalances. The pulse will often reveal energetic symptoms of disharmony long before any physical symptoms manifest. When this early diagnosis is made, the energy imbalance can be corrected with acupuncture, and the physical symptom may never occur. Our Heart Energy has to be balanced to empower us to reach our full body, mind and spiritual potential. Lifestyle is a major factor in maintaining a healthy heart. Diet and exercise are at the top of the list, and can be supplemented by meditation, positive thinking, therapeutic breathing and opening your heart to your Creator.

To read more on Heart Health I invite you to visit: http://www.hardmanacupuncture-tcm.com/article-heart.htm

Stay Healthy & Happy!

Would You Like X-Ray Perception?

2007-02-04T11:19:00.000-08:00

Somewhere between what a person is saying, and not saying... is what they are really saying. Read more here:

http://www.babyboomerhealthnetwork.com/articles.html#Perception

Jan

Baby Boomer Health Network News

2007-01-14T22:47:00.000-08:00

I am happy to announce that the new Baby Boomer Health Network Newsletter is now available. In this issue I cover:

1. Are You At Risk For a Heart Attack Or Stroke?
2. Improving Your Memory - Don't Think So Much!
3. Stressed - Here's Your Answer!

This is a free newsletter, just sign-up for "Forever Young" in this blog.

Baby Boou
Jan
http://www.babyboomerhealthnetwork.com/

Coming Up To A New Year – Do You Have New Health Concerns?

2006-12-26T21:52:00.000-08:00

It’s interesting to note that both men and women are facing one similar health concern – “menopause” for women and for men “Andropause” (low testosterone). Women know this happens, most men do not, or won't admit to it.

Hormonal changes occur for both women and men at this time of life. Women may suffer hot flashes while men may buy a red car :-)

Ok, let’s look at some of the differences.

Women

- Hot flashes / night sweats
- Depression
- Loss of sexual desire
- Weight gain

Men

- Loss of sexual drive or impotence
- Depression
- Memory loss
- Weight gain

There are ways to help both women and men going through these changes. Yes prescription drugs, but there are many natural ways as well. I will cover some of these next time.

Read more on this issue and other health issues for Baby Boomers here: http://www.babyboomerhealthnetwork.com

Baby Boomers Sleeping Less Hurts Your Health

2006-11-04T21:23:00.000-08:00

I was reading an article today that said that most boomers don't get enough sleep. I'm sure most are not surprised by this statement. But did you know that lack of sleep can hurt your health?

Statistics show that women have more problems sleeping than men, mainly because women are the caregivers and tend to worry more. Sleep disturbances is associated with decreased memory, impaired concentration and impaired ability to function. Sleep is as important as nutrition and exercise as we grow older. Sleep gives our body time to rebuild, it also gives our brains time to work through daily issues.

Stress is a big factor. You can help to manage your stress by discussing worries long before bedtime and tapping into relaxation techniques.

I want to tell you something I have just started to help stress. It is amazing. It's called stress 911. It takes only 10 minutes a day, twice a day, and all you have to do is breathe. Read more here: http://www.babyboomerhealthnetwork.com/soul-soothers.html

Use It Or Loose It!

2006-10-18T22:05:00.000-07:00

Stay Active!

Exercise is very important as we age. Stats say you should be exercising 3 - 5 times a week. Walk, bike, swim, golf, anything that keeps you mobile, within reason.

We may not be able to do the same physical activities we could when we were 20 or 30, and we need to keep that in mind or run into unexpected injuries. Boomer bodies are a lot more prone to sports injuries than we care to realize.

I read an article that has a name for "replacements" called "boomeritis". The Hospital For Special Surgery states:

"... knee and hip replacements, surgery for cartilage and ligament damage, and treatment for tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis and stress fractures. The phenomenon even has a name in medical circles: boomeritis." Baby Boomers are saying something that can be done. And thanks to improved diagnostics and surgical advancements, often something can be done.

Some tips to avoid injuries:

- take time to warm up- space out your activity. Don't jump off the couch just on the weekend- "no pain no gain" is not true. If it hurts - stop!

So yes exercise. We all need strength, flexibility, etc., and exercise helps not only our bodies but also our sense of well being. Just be a bit more realistic about the type of exercise you chose especially if you are just starting to look at a physical fitness program.

Another plus, physical activity can slow down some aspects of the aging process.

Start moving!

Read more on Baby Boomer Health Issues and Tips at:

http://www.babyboomerhealthnetwork.com/

Baby Boomers Now Caring For Their Parents

2006-10-06T23:06:00.000-07:00

I am sure this subject is not news for many Baby Boomers out there.

As the first of our generation start turning 60, and thinking of retirement and our own health issues, taking care of our aging parents enters the equation of where we go from here. Our parents, who we once thought never understood us, are now becoming our (role reversal) children. We are now responsible for their well being.

How can Baby Boomers deal in this new territory? Here are some tips.

- Try to enjoy your parents now as never before. As much as their care may be difficult remember they have a wealth of information to share. You may hear memories as never before, if it's not past that point.

- Give more of you than your time. This may sound a bit strange but giving of yourself is way more important than time you spend if you really don't want to be there. If the "caring time" is warring you down look for help with the care so you can spend quality time.

- Do not let your parents aging fear your own mortality. Try to rejoice in every moment and let fear go. Yes our time will come, but that is not what you need to think of now.

Am I an expert, no, but I took care of my Mother for years when she was dying of cancer and know that the experience, as hard as it was, is something I am so thankful that I did and had that special time with her.

Of course there are many more issues to deal with in this whole area. I invite you to read more at my friend's site (Peter Silin) http://www.diamondgeriatrics.com/

Hope I Die Before I Get Old - Not Anymore!

2006-09-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

I was reading an article today that states that the Baby Boomer generation is likely to live longer than any generation before it. That doesn't surprise me - you?

The National Post reported that Co-founder Ronald Klatz of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, once told the academy's annual conference "we are on the verge of practical immortality, with life spans in excess of a hundred years. "Fifty percent of Baby Boomers can live up to 100 and beyond."

Yes us Baby Boomers are paying more attention to what we eat, our stress levels, exercising more and doing much more to ensure that will live longer. Just accepting that we are getting old and our bodies will not work the way we want it is not acceptable to Baby Boomers.

Read more on anti aging at our site and specifically our anti-aging page here: http://www.babyboomerhealthnetwork.com/anti-aging.html

Change In The Season - Boosting Your Immune System

2006-09-21T21:44:00.000-07:00

I was talking to my friend, Dr. Bill Hardman, today about a a health issue and he mentioned to me how important it is to boost your immune system as the season changes. He told me about Pranic Breathing to charge up your chakras and increase the level of vital healing energy in the body.

Therapeutic Breathing <= => Pranic Breathing

When you do pranic breathing, it energizes you to such an extent that your auras temporarily expand by 100 percent or more. The inner aura expands to about eight inches or more, the health aura to about four feet or more, and the outer aura to about six feet or more.

Read more here on the process: http://www.hardmanacupuncture-tcm.com/article-therapeutic-breathing.htm

Thanks Dr. Bill!

Female Boomers - A Type of Breast Cancer Alert!

2006-09-18T23:23:00.000-07:00

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)

There are many types of breast cancer and not all look the same way. Not all breast cancers show up as a lump. One type of breast cancer that does not typically present as a lump is Inflammatory Breast Cancer or IBC. IBC makes up only 1% to 6% of all breast cancers; so many people are not familiar with the disease.

IBC is the most aggressive type of breast cancer. It tends to grow at a much faster rate than the other types of cancer. IBC grows in sheets or nests of cells in the breast as opposed to growing in a solid tumor. IBC grows in the dermal (skin) lymphatic system which explains why there is usually no lump associated with it. The symptoms of IBC appear due to the cancer cells blocking the lymph vessels below the skin - typically presenting as warm skin and color changes. Because of the involvement of the lymphatic system, IBC carries an initial Stage 3 diagnosis, however, the earlier you detect the disease and begin treatment, the greater your chances of survival.

Symptoms of IBC include a rapid, unusual increase in breast size; nipple discharge or change in the areola area (the pigmented area around the nipple); any skin changes of the breast such as redness, rash or blotchiness; a flattening or retracting of the nipple; persistent itching of the breast or nipple; dimpling or ridging of the nipple; a lump or thickening of the breast tissue; any lymph node swelling under the arm or above the collar bone; stabbing pain or sore breast; and a feverish breast. These symptoms may appear quickly and seemingly out of nowhere. Mammograms and ultrasounds usually miss IBC unless there is a tumor involved.

IBC can be detected by a number of biopsy methods. A skin punch biopsy or needle core biopsy in combination with an MRI and/or a PET scan are usually the course of action when investigating suspicious symptoms. Any area of concern removed by biopsy must also include the tissue from below the skin surface. Another term used to refer to IBC in a pathology report is "dermal lymphatic involvement".

Some doctors will treat women with an antibiotic for mastitis upon initial consultation. Mastitis is a benign breast infection. If your symptoms have not improved after 7-10 days of antibiotic treatment, insist on a biopsy. Some skin rashes can be caused by allergies or are reactions to certain soaps and/or detergents. Changing the soap or detergent you use can sometime resolve a skin rash, but if there is no improvement you should insist on a biopsy.

One myth of breast cancer is that is does not hurt. Most of the time breast pain comes from non-cancer causes, such as hormonal changes. With IBC there is pain involved more so than other types of breast cancer.

The treatment for IBC includes chemotherapy, modified radical mastectomy (MRM) and auxiliary lymph node dissection (ALND) and radiation. If the cancer is hormone receptive, a hormonal treatment like Tamoxifen is used.

As with all breast cancer symptoms, any indication of IBC should not be taken lightly. Chances are in your favor that it will be benign, but in the event that you do have IBC, early detection and treatment are key to your survival.

Source: Ezine
©2003-2006 Dr. William Hardman, Dr.TCM
http://www.hardmanacupuncture-tcm.com/article-Inflammatory-Breast-Cancer2.htm

Chocolate Gives You Health Benefits

2006-09-10T20:53:00.000-07:00

Are you back from grabbing a piece of chocolate after reading that :-)

Here is the scoop:

DARK chocolate - yes dark chocolate - has health benefits. You are less likely to over-indulge.

Dr. Jordan LeBel, an expert of the physiological effects of chocolate, stated "The more pleasure at the first bite, the less you are going to eat". Dr. LeBel went on to explain that most people over-indulge on chocolate when they are under stress. He recommends that people buy high quality dark chocolate and enjoy it just like you would a glass of wine.

In my words, from a commercial I saw recently, 'just let it melt in your mouth - don't chew it - just let it melt.

As one chocolate lover to another - ENJOY!!

Read more on Baby Boomer health here: http://www.babyboomerhealthnetwork.com/

Happiness Equals Anti-Aging?

2006-09-08T23:43:00.000-07:00

In fact, that is what they have reported for a long time. It is also in the news again today.

Unfortunately what you will be reading lately (though it is nothing new) is that "money equals happiness". I would love to ask anyone who has a great deal of money, but no love in their life, if they are truly happy. Sure they can have the surgery, or whatever it takes to "look" young - but that is not really anti-aging.

Being happy is one of the best medicines for anti-aging. Happiness, the feeling of 'well being' creates endorphins. It makes you feel good and increases HGH.

Read more about anti-aging here: http://www.babyboomerhealthnetwork.com/anti-aging.html

How Boomers Can Help Anti-Aging

2006-09-03T21:38:00.000-07:00

It has been reported that Baby Boomers say the most important things to do to stay healthy are to exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water. That sounds fairly easy don't you think.

In fact, when it comes to what Boomers actually do on a regular basis most only drink lots of water, watch their diet, off and on, and exercise is limited. Let's break this down.

1. Exercise
2. Balanced
3. Supplements
4. Reduce Stress

Yes, aging sucks, but today we know that we can dramatically slow down the aging process in many different ways. Read more details on this here: http://www.babyboomerhealthnetwork.com/articles.html

Don't forget to sign-up for our newsletter :)

Boomers Putting On The Pounds

2006-08-30T20:26:00.000-07:00

I read an article today that stated some bad news for Baby Boomers putting on the pounds. That is not a surprise. What was a surprise was that Boomers who are slightly overweight, not just obese Boomers, run a risk of not just disease but an early death.

A 10 year study done by the US Government concluded that even if Baby Boomers are just a bit overweight they are more at risk of dying early. If you are a Boomer in your 50's you are 20% - 40% more likely to die in the next decade.

Slightly overweight, though, is still less of a concern as obesity which also increases the risk of heart disease, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and yes an early death.

Bottom line? Boomers must maintain a healthy weight and stay active!

Menopause, What Is It?

2006-08-27T23:15:00.000-07:00

The early age of menopause in humans is not only unusual, it is an enigma. The evolutionary success of a species is weighed in terms of the numbers of offspring that are produced. Any gene that makes an individual less fertile than her peers will set her and her descendants at a disadvantage, because they will produce fewer offspring in the next generation. In time, the numbers carrying it will be swamped by those of more fecund females. Thus, any gene that calls a halt to breeding halfway through life is biologically perverse. Or is it?

Such a gene would be permitted if it had a sufficiently heavy compensation to balance the disadvantages. For example, were it not for menopause, there would be more complications of childbirth and more genetically abnormal babies than already exist. With modern obstetric care and prenatal diagnosis, these are less likely than they were for primeval Eve. The efforts she had given to bearing children when she was young would be wasted if she died before they had reached an independent age. Besides, an older woman has less energy for the demanding job of motherhood.

Read more of this article here: http://www.babyboomerhealthnetwork.com/articles.html

Prostate Concerns For Male Boomers

2006-08-26T20:45:00.000-07:00

Sadly, men die every day from prostate cancer because they just didn’t know there was a problem. One of the main reasons is that men do not want the dreaded exam - when the doctor puts the medical gloves on and asks you to "assume the position".

No it's not fun guys, but if you don't do it the doctor may find something wrong when it is way to late to help.

Read more here: http://www.babyboomerhealthnetwork.com/mens-health.html

Boomers Putting On The Pounds

2006-08-23T22:46:00.000-07:00

I was reading an article in today's newspaper on Baby Boomers putting on the pounds. One of thing I found interesting was it is not just being obese that is the problem, just being a bit overweight can be as big of a problem.

The US Government did a 10 year study that showed slightly overweight Baby Boomers (in their 50's) were 20-40% more likely to die in their 60's. Yikes!

Even being slight overweight can increase the risk of heart disease, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, etc.

What do you do? The article stated that the best thing you can do is maintain a healthy weight. That goes without saying. I would go a bit further than that and say you also need to keep active - even walk a block a day if you don't have time for anything else.

Read more on diet and fitness here http://www.babyboomerhealthnetwork.com/

Natural Health Care

2006-08-18T20:54:00.000-07:00

Ayurveda is one of the oldest systems of natural health care, originating in the ancient traditions of India. Now considered one of the leading forms of holistic medicine available in the West, Ayurveda addresses all factors that influence our quality of life.

The principles of Ayurveda state that nothing exists in isolation, so that everything you interact with, your diet, family, work or relationships, has an effect on your health and well being. One guiding principle of Ayurveda is that mind and body are connected and that the mind has a profound influence over our health and well-being. While conventional Western medicine is still grounded in the paradigm of mind-body separation, Ayurveda holds that health is more than the absence of disease; it is a dynamic state of balance and integration of body, mind, and spirit.

Read more of this article here: http://www.babyboomerhealthnetwork.com/alternative-health.html

Why do we Age

2006-08-17T23:14:00.000-07:00

Part I of 3 Parts by Dr. Laurence Magne

For many years, scientists have researched by various methods the reasons why we age. Aging is caused by a lot of reasons: genetics, the environment, nutrition, stress and other lifestyle factors. We often hear how "having good genes" is the most important thing in aging. Aging can be accelerated or slowed depending on these. For example, studies on identical twins have shown how genetic inheritance influences only about 30 percent of the rate and ways in which you age. The rest is under your control.

Different parts of the body age at different rates and for different reasons. Aging is highly variable between people. Have you never been to a family or high school reunion and noticed how some of your relatives or friends seemed old before their time, while others stayed "Dick Clark young", while remaining vital and excited about life? Think of someone who was young when you first met and you hadn't seen in a while, then when you met up with them they looked old. It happens fast, doesn't it?

As you age, there are thousands of changes occurring on a gross body level, in all of your tissues and organs, as well as in your individual cells. It would be great if we could find just one of the cause for aging and fix it, but there are many.

Read more of this article here: http://www.babyboomerhealthnetwork.com/articles.html

Welcome To Baby Boomer Health Network Blog

2006-08-17T20:49:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled to have you join us. We are just starting so stay tuned for more posts shortly!