HOW COVID-19 CAN DAMAGE YOUR BRAIN I had a “mild” case of COVID-19 back in December. I credit Paxlovid for my quick recovery; after 10 doses over 5 days of this “wonder drug,” I felt 100% better. Still, as anyone who has had COVID, I worry about Long COVID—especially how it affects the brain. My March 2023 online-edition of the Harvard Health Letter helped to answer my questions. Here are excerpts of an article by Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Does COVID-19 damage the brain? When the pandemic started in early 2020, doctors didn’t know much yet...
LION’S MANE MUSHROOMS JoAnne regularly listens to or watches NPRs Science Friday. Last Friday’s (February 17) episode featured Lion’s Mane Mushrooms. Lion’s mane mushrooms are medicinally potent. They contain bioactive substances that are beneficial to our brains, heart and gut. This healthy fungus looks somewhat like cauliflower or a large cotton puff. It’s so distinctive that you can safely gather it; it’s especially common in Northern California. Here’s a YouTube I found showing what it looks like in the wild: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm0loea8cro Although further research on humans is needed, studies have found that lion’s mane may prove effective against dementia, including...
HEALTH BENEFITS OF CITRUS FRUITS Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit are not only colorful, fragrant, refreshing and juicy but also pack powerful health benefits. They are rich in nutrients including vitamin C, flavonoids and fiber. They can reduce inflammation, improve gastrointestinal function, and help prevent diabetes, cancer and neurological disease. Most citrus fruits are ready to pick in winter, but the exact month depends on the type of citrus. In Mediterranean climates such as California, oranges are picked from December through May. Mandarin harvest is from January to April. Limes and lemons ripen all year. “Valencia”...
EXERCISE—WHAT’S THE MINIMUM AMOUNT? We’ve heard hundreds of times that regular physical activity will improve our health. However, many seniors don’t care to exercise and ask what’s the minimum amount they can get by with. I came across a February 1, 2023 online article by Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter that gives some answers, What’s the minimum amount of exercise I need each week? Here are excerpts: You’re not alone if you dislike exercise: only 20% of middle-aged and older adults spend even 15 minutes per week in vigorous physical activity. By “vigorous physical activity,”...
BEST DIETS RANKINGS FOR 2023 BY U.S. NEWS Once again, it’s time for me to post the best diet rankings for the year from U.S. News. (This is the sixth year I’ve shared their rankings.) Here are excerpts from their article and lists from January 3, 2023 titled U.S. News Reveals the 2023 Best Diets. For the sixth consecutive year, the Mediterranean Diet takes the No. 1 spot for the Best Diet Overall, having emphasis on eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, olive oil and fish and a focus on diet quality rather than a single nutrient or food group. The...
CONTROL YOUR COUGH I guess it’s cough season. I’ve had one for a couple of days, but my nose isn’t stuffed and I don’t think I have a cold. Still, I wanted to find simple specifics on why/how we cough: Coughing occurs when something irritates cough receptors. It clears your airways of food and mucus plus keeps your breathing tubes open so you can receive oxygen. When triggered, the receptors transmit signals through the vagus nerve to your brain. Your brain processes this information and coordinates a cough. If you have a reflex cough, the signals probably go up the...
IS AN OTC HEARING AID FOR YOU? You may have seen the recent ads for over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. The FDA is finally allowing consumers to buy a new category of hearing aids without visiting a health professional and a prescription. This new class is for adults who believe they have mild to moderate hearing loss. (If you have significant difficulty hearing, these may not be for you.) You can now buy an OTC hearing aid directly in stores or online for much less than prescription hearing aids, which average $2,000 to $4,000 per ear. Amazon, for instance, offers several...
CHANGE YOUR MEAL SCHEDULE FOR POSSIBLE WEIGHT LOSS Having problems losing weight? Maybe from all the holiday meals plus cookies and pies? I certainly am. Even though I’m jogging a couple times a week and biking once or twice a week, I’m still 5 pounds over my weight a month ago. In past years I’ve lost my “holiday weight” over the next couple of weeks, but this year I resigned myself to it probably taking a couple of months. However, I just came across a January 1, 2023 online article by Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health...
THE TOP 15 FITNESS TRENDS FOR 2023 The most popular fitness trends change every year. Compare the 2023 survey with last year’s post The Top 15 Fitness Trends for 2122. Here are excerpts from the 17th annual survey from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) authored by Walter R. Thompson Ph.D., FACSM published in its Health & Fitness Journal, Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2023: For the last 17 years, the editors of this Journal have developed and circulated an electronic survey sent to thousands of professionals around the world to predict trends in the health and fitness industry for...
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: REDUCE NEGATIVE THINKING I recently read an article that quotes a National Science Foundation study finding that of our thousands of thoughts per day 80% are negative—and 95 % are repetitive. Sure, I’m making the regular New Year’s resolutions—lose the 5 pounds I’ve gained during the holidays, add-in more exercise per week, etc. But I’m going to concentrate on paying more attention to the repetitive thoughts running through my mind—especially the negative ones. One of the first I’ll look at is my silently swearing at (and wishing the worst for) all the “crazy” drivers on the road....
