Saving money can make you happier. Of course! But healthier? What's the latest? Plavix lost its patent protection at the end of 2011. Those of us who include the blood thinner in our 'stay healthy' arsenal will save considerable money now that the generic is available.
Most of us like to shop, but does it help our health? The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health says, "Absolutely!" According to the study, shopping can actually lower the possibility of untimely death by 23%. Wonderful! Isn't this what we've been saying all along? But why does it help our health? How?
The researchers include the benefits of physical activity, socialization-either with shopping pals or with the salespeople we meet-time away from the house in the fresh air, the psychological lift of fresh veggies in the frig or new stuff to wear to work tomorrow, and to top off the health and happiness fix, the discovery of bargains to stretch our money a little.
At least one of our group suffers from atrial fibrillation-that very serious condition causing irregular heart beats. It's a danger because it might lead to stroke or to heart failure. In the study by Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Kansas Hospital, Kansas City, a group of a-fib sufferers were able to reduce episodes by 50%. How did they do it? A new med? No.
They were able to reduce their episodes of a-fib dramatically by following a plan that included participation in 45-minute yoga classes 3 times a week for 3 months. According to the researcher, this treatment also avoided side effects of those drugs usually prescribed for the disorder.
Are you living with aching caused by inflammation? Cherries have been noted as a good preventative. More suggests that we give aloe and/or prickly pear juice a try. Since recurring inflammation can lead to even more serious health issues such as heart disease and/or cancer, adding one of the juices listed might reduce the inflammation. And here's an unexpected plus! (One that we don't need, of course, but one that we can pass on to our imbibing friends.)
The prickly pear extract could help a hangover by attacking inflammation induced by alcohol.
And how about this nutrition booster: Sea buckthorn berries. What? Here's another edible that few of us have heard of. It is also known as the havtorn berry. These small berries are packed with Vitamins C and E, omega fatty acids, and beta-carotene. According to Washington, DC, dermatologist Noelle Sherber, these fruits "are powerful neutralizers of free radicals, and including them in your diet will minimize disease-causing inflammation and wrinkle-creating collagen breakdown." A berry that minimizes collagen breakdown? Hmm...now that's a bonus!
Wow! What a lot of information. No wonder I'm grateful to Dawn for steering me to this worthwhile publication. More focuses on those of us over 40. Of course, some of us are under that age, and many of us were 40 a few decades ago, but we can all enjoy the worthwhile info in a journal describing itself as the publication for "Women of Style and Substance".
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