ANTICIPATING THE NEGATIVE—THE NOCEBO EFFECT Today I received an email from the Mayo Clinic promoting a new book: The Nocebo Effect -When Words Make You Sick. I don’t plan on ordering the book, but I did want to find out what a nocebo effect is, never hearing of it before. Here are highlights from the Mayo Clinic blurb, Can Words Make You Sick?: An investigation of the nocebo effect—the placebo effect’s evil twin “The nocebo effect” is a phenomenon best summarized as the occurrence of a harmful event that stems from consciously or subconsciously anticipating it. The most recent and...
BELLY FAT MAY BE BAD FOR THE BRAIN Accumulating more visceral fat, particularly around the belly during midlife, is associated with brain alterations that are consistent with Alzheimer’s disease, long before any symptoms appear. A recent study, which employed MRI scans, has found that visceral fat—fat that can gather around internal organs even in individuals with healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) levels—is linked to changes in the brain. In sharing the latest updates on Alzheimer’s research with fellow seniors, I’m providing excerpts from an online article dated November 20, 2023, on NBC Health News by Linda Carroll, A type of...
BEST DIETS RANKINGS FOR 2024 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 seventh year I’ve shared their rankings.) Here are excerpts from their article and lists from January 3, 2024, titled U.S. News Reveals the 2024 Best Diets. For the seventh consecutive year, the Mediterranean Diet takes the No. 1 spot for the Best Diets Overall, with its focus on diet quality rather than a single nutrient or food group and daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, olive oil,...
BOGUS DECONGESTANTS Now that we’re in the middle of the cold and flu season, I thought it was timely to talk about useless nasal decongestants. Back in September, an advisory panel for the FDA found that phenylephrine—the common ingredient in several over-the-counter decongestant cold and allergy medicines—doesn’t work. Phenylephrine is the primary ingredient in the most popular oral decongestants on the market. It gained popularity two decades ago as a replacement for pseudoephedrine, the decongestant used in Sudafed. (In an attempt to prevent its misuse as an ingredient to make methamphetamine, Sudafed began requiring its customers to request it from...
SITTING ALL DAY MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK OF DEMENTIA We’ve all heard that sitting for many hours a day can increase our risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and other illnesses. However, a recent study has found that extended sitting may also increase our risk of developing dementia. I sit at my computer for at least six hours per day and then spend another four hours in the evening either reading or watching the latest series on Prime or Netflix. Back in March 2021, I posted that a solution to sitting for long hours could be stretching (What to Do...
THE TOP 15 FITNESS TRENDS FOR 2024 The most popular fitness trends change every year. Compare the 2024 survey with last year’s post, The Top 15 Fitness Trends for 2023. Here are excerpts from the 18th annual survey from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), published in its Health & Fitness Journal, Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2024: For the last 18 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 the following year. This report for 2024...
MODERATE DRINKING & YOUR HEART We’re in the heart of the holiday season, a time filled with family gatherings, office parties, and special events for Yuletide and New Year’s Eve. During this period, our indulgence in festive foods like cookies, pies, scalloped potatoes, stuffing, and gravy often increases, along with an uptick in alcohol consumption. This might include enjoying eggnogs laced with brandy, sipping from a spiked punch bowl, or raising glasses in toasts with friends and family. As we move past New Year’s Day, most of us will return to our regular diets and resume watching our alcohol consumption....
THE TRUTH ABOUT FISH OIL SUPPLEMENTS I used to take fish oil supplement capsules regularly, believing they helped reduce cardiovascular disease. When I began phasing out red meat and replacing it with fish, I felt I no longer needed them. Still, I believed the product labels claiming they promoted heart health and supported healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels. However, I’ve recently read articles in both Scientific American and from Harvard Medical School suggesting they actually lack any demonstrated benefits and that consumers are wasting their money. Since you—like many of us seniors—may take fish oil supplements, you may wish...
CRANBERRIES: FESTIVE, FLAVORFUL AND HEALTHY It’s that season again when cranberries take center stage; it’s the time when, along with turkey, potatoes, and pumpkin pie we often include cranberries in our Thanksgiving or Christmas feasts. The classic is cranberry sauce, but baked goods such as muffins, breads, and scones are also popular. I guessed that cranberries, like most fruits, are packed with health benefits. To get more detailed info, I found an article from the Cleveland Clinic, dated January 26, 2022, titled Are Cranberries Healthy? 6 Surprising Benefits. Here are excerpts: Cranberries, which are mostly carbs and fiber, contain about...
DIALING DOWN HOLIDAY SEASON STRESS Managing daily life can provoke anxiety in even the most resilient individuals. Yet, the holiday season, with its additional stressors, only amplifies this effect. The bustling nature of this time of year often leads to an overwhelming schedule, where the mere thought of another commitment makes you want to scream. Furthermore, the season brings unique challenges like gift selection, travel complexities, and potential financial worries. Increased stress, especially in us seniors, can have a significant impact on our mental well-being. I came across an insightful article on the AARP website, which highlights various strategies to...
