Month: July 2024

Preventing Dementia: The Power of Exercise

July 31, 2024

The number of people living with dementia globally is forecast to nearly triple to 153 million by 2050.

A recent report published in the Lancet concluded that more cases of dementia can be avoided or delayed than previously thought. The report concluded that there is much more that millions of people can do to reduce the risk of developing the disease, and that it is not inevitable.

“Lead author Dr. Gill Livingston said one of the easiest things people could do to prevent their risk of dementia was fit some exercise into their day if they are mainly sedentary, be that a walk or even seated exercises.”

Read the entire July 31, 2024 article in TheGuardian.com.

Sugar Blues: Insightful Reading on the Dangers of Added Sugar

July 30, 2024

Sugar Blues is a book written by William Dufty (1916-2002).  It’s been called a life-changing classic. The book was released in 1975 and became a commercial success. The author argues that sugar is an unnatural, addictive drug that is harmful and damaging to human health.

Dufty was married to the late silent film star Gloria Swanson, a health crusading vegetarian and non-smoker.  She and Dufty went on tour promoting Sugar Blues during the late 1970s.

Sugar is added to most packaged food.  It is difficult to avoid, hard to resist, and adds unwanted calories to our diets.

If you’re having trouble losing weight, and you can’t stop eating foods containing added sugar, get yourself a copy of Sugar Blues, and see what you think. The book is sold on Amazon and has 5-star reviews.

Healthy Eating and Anti-Aging: The Sugar Connection

July 30, 2024

A recent study appearing the the journal JAMA Network Open found that middle-aged women eating a healthy diet had ‘younger-looking ‘ cells than women who consume processed foods high in added sugar.

Added sugars are sugars that are added to food during production, rather than natural sugars present in fruits, vegetables and dairy. The study concluded that excessive intake of added sugars limits healthy longevity.

Cutting the sugary goodies from your diet improves the odds of not only living longer, but living longer and healthier.

Read the entire article from July 30, 2024 LiveScience.com.

The Grey Muzzle Organization: Support for Senior Dog Well-being

July 29, 2024

“Holly Thompson, CVCOA Wellness Coordinator, said that ‘Animal companions are vital to fighting the isolation and loneliness that many older adults experience. Pets provide companionship, love and purpose. For some people, their pet is the only other living creature they connect with in the day.”

The Grey Muzzle Organization is the largest national non-profit organization focused specifically on the well-being of senior dogs. Funds are used to provide medical and dental treatment, foster and hospice care, and adoption programs that help keep older dogs in loving homes.

Read fthe full July 29, 2024 article from MyChamplainValley.com.

3 Ways That Negative Stereotypes About Aging Become Reality

July 29, 2024

In an important article from Psychology Today , the author discusses negative self-perception among older adults as being unhealthy, in decline, and useless.

A study revealed that stereotyping and discrimination may lead to physiological stress such as an increase in blood pressure. Holding negative beliefs about aging may also lead to chronic stress which can lead to damaging effects on health.

“Stereotypes that portray older adults as unhealthy may reduce motivation to engage in health-promoting behavior”.

Read about negative aging stereotypes in September 2021 Psychology Today .

U.S. Centenarian Population Is Projected To Quadruple Over The Next 30 Years

July 26, 2024

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The world is home to an estimated 722,000 centenarians, according to the United Nations’ population projections for 2024.

In the past three decades the U.S. centenarian population has almost tripled. As of 2024 there are 101,000 centenarians in the United States.

Read more recent statistics from PewResearchCenter.org as of January 2024.