Tag Archives: aging

Top Cities for Successful Aging Revealed

If living a long, healthy life is your aim, you may want to perk your ears to the latest study from the Milken Institute, which claims to have found the nation’s best cities for successful aging.

The basis of the study was founded on the idea that the older population doesn’t want to sit around and do nothing as they age; they want to be active, live healthy, fulfilling lives, and be engaged in the community they settle in.

To conduct the study, researchers judged how capable a city was at providing successful aging based on 78 indicators ranging from health care to financial well-being.

The indicators were split into two categories: general and specific. General indicators were those that influence decisions about where to live regardless of age, such as cost of living, crime and safety, overall economic prosperity and weather. Specific indicators instead focused on the needs of older Americans, being the availability of specialized housing, financial factors, transportation systems, continued education programs and community engagement. (more…)

Posted on August 3, 2023 by Dana

Why Fermented Foods and Gut Bacteria Matter to Our Health

By Dana Shultz and Mary Hartley, RD

Belly up. It’s time for a discussion on two important health topics that just so happen to be incredibly unsexy: Gut bacteria and fermented foods. Yep, here we go.

These two terms often conjure up images of grotesque stomachs and intestines and the most detestable foods you can imagine. But if you can get past the questionable terminology, fermented foods and healthy gut bacteria are extremely important to our health.

According to a recent article from NPR, a new study has found that diet can promote beneficial bacteria in the stomachs of older people, and as a result, promote healthy aging.

Scientists looked at the diets of 178 elderly people, some of whom lived on their own and the rest lived in assisted living centers or nursing homes.

Researchers found that those living on their own had more varied gut bacteria and scored better on tests measuring frailty and cognitive function because they had more diverse diets rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables grains and poultry. Conversely, those living in assisted living centers subsisted on more of a  “mashed potato and porridge” style diet that offered less variety and nutritional value. (more…)

Posted on July 19, 2023 by Dana

Getting Old Doesn’t Have to Suck! 5 Ways to Feel Great as You Age

There’s no doubt about it, getting old, in America at least, carries a certain stigma. People spend millions every year to slow or reverse the effects of aging on their bodies. Between 1997 and 2024, cosmetic procedures increased from two million to nearly 12 million in the United States. The skin care industry is estimated to be worth $43 billion. Even men have jumped on the bandwagon with the men’s skin care (and makeup!) market booming.

But hold on – aging does not have to send you running to the cosmetics counter and plastic surgeon. It’s not all bad news. Aging brings wisdom, for one. And perceptions are often worse than reality. A Pew Research Center study reported that 57 percent of Americans aged 18-64 thought they would suffer memory loss as they aged, verses 25 percent of Americans 65 and older actually suffering from it. Similar statistics covering things such as being able to drive or suffering a serious illness had coinciding results.

And so, without further ado, we present 5 reasons getting older is kind of great: (more…)

Posted on July 2, 2023 by SarahS

Blue Zones Hold the Four Keys to Longevity

Seems nearly every day new reports about aging and how to slow or reverse the process hit the airwaves. As Americans, we seem to be obsessed with staying young, however, it seems we’re not going about it the right way. National Geographic writer and explorer Dan Buettner recently gave a TED talk regarding longevity and who in the world is aging the best.

Buettner refers to the areas of the world with the healthiest and oldest people as Blue Zones. In these zones he has found commonalities that link these cultures and their longevity. One myth Buettner’s studies dispel is that longevity is genetic. Buettner explains that only 10% of how long we live is dictated by our genes, the other 90% is dictated by our lifestyle. Furthermore, Buettner debunks the ideas that effort will allow one to live past 100 and that treatments exist that can slow the aging process. After observing the Blue Zones, it’s clear that lifestyle is key to the aging process.


Buettner focused on just three of the Blue Zones to draw longevity links. The spry 100 year-old men of Sardinia, Italy, the healthy great-great-great-grandmother in Okinawa, Japan, and the American Seventh Day Adventists in California that live nearly ten more years than their fellow Americans all have four common lifestyle traits that lead to their longevity. (more…)

Posted on June 6, 2023 by Lacy

Tune In: Age Defying Secrets on Dr. Oz

Tune in to the Dr. Oz Show tomorrow to learn the doctor’s secrets on how to ‘Defy Your Age.’ One of the many tips he’ll share comes from Dr. Rovenia Brock. Prior to her appearance on the show, Dr. Oz polled his audience who guessed her age at 34 years old. But as is revealed on the show, she’s actually 56.

Dr. Brock shares one of her favorite age-defying recipes, which includes such ingredients as coconut water which hydrates the skin, wheat grass ice cubes to fight wrinkles, fresh spinach for plenty of antioxidants, lemon, and fresh ginger.

Dr. Brock says she drinks one of these smoothies every morning, which she calls her ‘fountain of youth’  shake, because it helps prohibit premature aging with powerful detoxifying qualities. (more…)

Posted on May 15, 2023 by Dana

Suzanne Somers Releases ‘Bombshell’ Book on Lifelong Health and Vitality

Actress and author Suzanne Somers has released a new book called ‘Bombshell: Explosive Medical Secrets That Will Redefine Aging.” Of her 23rd book, Somers says what she’s trying to do is ‘make aging aspirational.’

“I turned 65 this year and on my birthday I thought, ‘When I was a kid, 65 used to be when people either retired or died, and I’m so nowhere near those scenarios,” the star said during a recent interview on The Today Show. ‘And I started really assessing what it was that I do and thought I’d pass that on.

Somers say she’s chosen to use this part of her career to gather the brightest minds in the kind of health she’s interested in – including Western doctors and those offering breakthrough medical treatments – and share that with the world.

While some may be skeptical as to whether or not ‘Bombshell’ truly holds the promise of eradicating some cancers and making some diseases obsolete as it claims, Somers says she stands behind all of the information she’s gathered and that she’s never been more proud of a book in her life. (more…)

Posted on May 9, 2023 by Dana

Get a Smaller Waistline and a Younger Face on The Doctors

The weather is warming up and many are beginning to plan for summer. This Friday, March 30, The Doctors are going to explain how we can get our bodies ready for the new season too. This Friday’s episode is titled, “Simple Secrets to Shrinking Your Waistline.”

Many of us walk around with what are referred to as spare tires, muffin tops, and love handles. The Doctors want to share some all-new tips and secrets about how to eliminate extra fat for good.

New diet trends, like eating dessert for breakfast will be discussed. They will also be describing the little known weight loss tricks of the French. Discover how French women stay thin and learn how to use their techniques too.

(more…)

Posted on March 29, 2024 by Lacy

12 Anti-Aging Herbs and Nutrients for Better Health

By Michelle Schoffro Cook for Care2.com

Trying to maintain a youthful appearance but don’t want to undergo the knife, Botox, or some other invasive procedure? Natural herbs and nutrients can help. Here are 11 of the best ones for anti-aging:

1. Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA): ALA is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect your body from free radical damage. It also helps to recycle other antioxidants like vitamins E and C, giving you greater protection against free radicals. Free radicals are to blame for aging and disease, including skin damage and wrinkling.

2. Bilberry: Packed with antioxidants, bilberry is potent medicine against many age-related concerns. It is helpful to preserve vision and prevent degenerative eye diseases.

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Posted on September 21, 2023 by GuestBlogger

Keep Your Joints Healthy with Effective Supplements

There are two things I’ve learned since moving into my new home.

1. I had no problem meeting my step goal from Miss Courtney Crozier’s summer challenge since I now have 3 sets of stairs to go up and down all day.

2. The creaking noise I’m hearing is not from my stairs, it’s from my knees.


I’m not sure what caused it: whether it’s my years of sports playing goalie and catcher in high school or rugby in college. It could be the stress on my body from the extra 120 pounds of weight that I had less than a year ago. Maybe I’m just getting, dare I say it, … getting old??

The good news is I’m not in pain…yet. However, this could be the warning signs of something greater and as a health care professional I should not be ignoring things. I am considering taking some supplements to help lubricate my joints like I’m the tin man in the Wizard of Oz.

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Posted on September 10, 2023 by Sarah

Acai Berry Supplements for Weight Loss May be a Waste

There comes a certain point in some people’s weight loss journey where they start to get frustrated and desperate. They may turn to options other than diet and exercise to kick start results and if it’s something quick and easy, they’ll take it. One of those options most frequently includes diet pills and supplements. One particular little fruit has become increasingly popular for fast and easy weight loss: the acai berry. But, does it live up to the hype?

Acai berry came onto the American market when it was promoted as a superfood for age-defying beauty by Dr. Nicholas Perricone on the Oprah Winfrey show. The fruit is grown in Brazil and tastes like a cross between wild berries and chocolate. Acai in berry form contains significant amounts of healthy fats and fiber and the juice contains antioxidants making it a smart addition to any diet.

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Posted on September 4, 2023 by Sarah

Yoga for Healthy Aging

Yoga has many long lasting health benefits when practiced on a regular basis. It is proven to lower blood pressure, increase flexibility, strengthen muscles and improve cardiovascular health. As we get older, it is important to continue an exercise program that is appropriate for our bodies. Most styles of yoga are gentle enough to practice through a lifetime, however there are a few considerations we must honor to avoid unnecessary strain or discomfort.

Warm Up

A proper warm up makes a tremendous difference in the way we carry our bodies in yoga. A loose and limber spine is paramount for getting into and out of poses with ease. Simple flexion and extension movements of the spine increase its fluidity by lubricating the spaces between each vertebra, allowing the adjacent muscles to release stiffness. Spinal mobility is a key component for a fit and healthy body, especially as we age.

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Posted on August 25, 2023 by Jill