Live Your Best Life #5

Tips and ideas to live your best life

Welcome back. Live Your Best Life is here to provide the most up-to-date and valuable information about all aspects of seniors living their best lives. We will keep you updated on all the latest health, exercise, hobbies, and activities for seniors.

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IN THIS ISSUE

The perfect weight loss plan to keep you slim and strong.
5 Bad Foods That Can Help Arthritis.
5-minute heart health habits.
Guide to ulcerative Colitis.
Calf stretches to relieve pain in your lower legs.
A visual guide to sciatica.
More than six million Americans have dementia.
Even light exercise may protect you from cognitive decline.
Exercise helps prevent muscle pain from becoming chronic.
Why is strength training needed for adults over 55?
Favorite fat-burning snacks.
Physical symptoms of depression.
A new banana is coming to stores.
Map your hikes on your iPhone.

AGING

Scientists reveal the perfect weight loss plan to keep seniors slim and strong. A recent study shows that combining a reduced-calorie Mediterranean diet with regular exercise, including walking and resistance training, can significantly improve bone density in elderly individuals, particularly in their lower backs.

5 ‘Bad’ Foods That Can Help Arthritis. If you’re one of the 21% of American adults living with arthritis, you may have searched the web or social media to find out what you should—and shouldn’t—eat to manage your condition

HEALTH

We asked three Cardiologists About Their Go-to five-minute Habit. Can five minutes impact your health? According to the doctors we talked to, it can.

Guide to Ulcerative Colitis. Ulcerative Colitis is a type of bowel disease that causes long-term inflammation of the cells that line your rectum and colon (also called the large intestine).

PAIN RELIEF

7 Calf Stretches to Relieve Tension and Pain in Your Lower Legs. Though they power most upright movements, the calf muscles are often overlooked in stretching routines. However, tight or stiff calves can cause issues across the lower body, from your ankles to your lower back, making even basic daily movements like walking and climbing stairs uncomfortable.

A Visual Guide to Sciatica. Sciatica refers to back pain caused by a problem with the sciatic nerve. This large nerve runs from the lower back down the back of each leg.

MEMORY LOSS

More than 6 million Americans have dementia, which affects memory, language, and problem-solving skills. Lifestyle changes can lower dementia risk, including a healthy diet, exercise, social interaction, blood pressure management, and adequate sleep.

Even Light Exercise May Protect the Brain Against Cognitive Decline. In a landmark clinical trial involving older adults with mild memory loss, those who engaged in low—or moderate-to-high-intensity physical exercise experienced less cognitive decline than those who received standard care.

GOOD BOOKS TO READ

Here is a great book to check out if you’re unfamiliar with using the Internet. It offers numerous tips and tutorials to help you have the best online experience.

I have several other books you may be interested in. They cover photography, fishing, Christian studies, exercise, and Disc Golf.

FITNESS

Exercise helps prevent acute muscle pain from becoming chronic. A study conducted at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil investigated the process of muscle pain chronification—that is, when it goes from acute to chronic—and identified one mechanism by which physical exercise prevents this transition, protecting the body from inflammation and persistent pain.

Why is strength training so necessary for people over 55? Strength training and cardio exercise constitute the pillars of any well-rounded fitness program, but exercise coaches and physiologists say sometimes people hesitate about the strength aspect.

LIFESTYLE

My Favorite Fat-Burning & Heart-Healthy Snack. Pistachios have become almost everyone’s favorite snack. Did you know they are among the best nuts you can eat?

Physical Symptoms of Depression. Depression can affect your body as well as your mind. Trouble falling or staying asleep is common in people who are depressed. But some may find that they get too much shut-eye.

TECHNICAL

A New Banana Is Coming to Stores—and Scientists Claim It Doesn’t Brown. There’s nothing like the disappointment of coming home with fresh fruit, only to discover half of it has browned or rotted within a couple of days.

Map Your Hikes This Spring With This iOS Feature on iPhone. Apple released iOS 18 in September, an update that improved its Maps app, which now lets you plan a walking, running, or hiking route.

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Live Your Best Life #4

Live Your Best Life is here to help you live your best life.

Live Your Best Life is here to provide the most up-to-date and valuable information about all aspects of living your best life as you age. We will keep you updated on the latest news in health, exercise, hobbies, and activities.

IN THIS ISSUE

As you age, certain things can impact your brain.
Natural ways to boost Testosterone.
What is Lupus?
How to Improve Your Circulation.
How to prevent arthritis and ease pain naturally.
What are the best compression socks, and if you need them.
Factors That Increase Your Risk of Dementia.
Shingles vaccine linked to lower risk of heart disease
Long Covid may cause long-term changes in your heart and lungs.
Cupping therapy and the benefits.
12 iPhone Apps You Should Be Using.
The Best Antivirus for Your Computer in 2025.

Read the articles below

AGING

How Conditions Change Your Brain. Various events throughout your lifetime can profoundly impact your brain, affecting everything, including memory.

Natural Ways to Boost Testosterone. As men age, their testosterone levels naturally decline, typically starting in their 30s. Here are some natural ways to help increase testosterone levels.

Shingles vaccine linked to lower risk of heart disease. A study of more than a million people published in the European Heart Journal today (Tuesday) found that individuals who receive the shingles vaccine have a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events, including stroke, heart failure, and coronary heart disease.

HEALTH

What is Lupus? Lupus is a lifelong disorder of the immune system. Immune cells attack the body’s healthy tissues, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. Symptoms may be limited to the skin, but lupus often causes internal problems such as joint pain. It can damage the heart, kidneys, and other vital organs in severe cases. Although there’s no cure, there are treatments that can minimize the damage.

How to Improve Your Circulation. It’s hard to believe, but your body holds about 60,000 miles of blood vessels. Along with your heart and other muscles, they make up your circulatory system. This network of roadways carries blood to every corner of your body. But when your circulation is poor, it slows or blocks the blood flow. That means the cells in your body can’t get all the oxygen and nutrients they need.

Some books I’ve written about subjects you may be interested in.

Here is a great book to check out if you’re not very familiar with using the Internet. It offers numerous tips and tutorials to help you have the best online experience.

I have several other books you may be interested in. They cover photography, fishing, Christian studies, exercise, and Disc Golf.

PAIN RELIEF

How to Prevent Arthritis and Ease Joint Pain Naturally. If you want to know how to prevent arthritis (or stop arthritis symptoms from getting worse), now’s the time to build habits that support healthy joints. Why? You won’t get a big warning when arthritis starts creeping in—just a stiff knee, a sore hip, and the feeling that something’s changed.

We tested 20+ compression socks, but these six pairs won us over. You’re not imagining it—your legs start to feel heavy, swollen, and tired after sitting or standing for a while. If you don’t move around every 60 to 90 minutes, fluid starts to build up in your lower body, creating that uncomfortable feeling.

MEMORY LOSS

Things That Raise Your Chances of Dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. About a third of people 85 and older show signs of the disease. The genes you get from your parents play a part at this age, but so do things like diet, exercise, social life, and other illnesses. Dementia isn’t a regular part of getting older.

FITNESS

Slideshow: The 7-Minute Workout. If you’ve promised to get back in shape just as soon as you can find the time, then the 7-Minute Workout may be for you. It’s a short, rapid-fire exercise series that uses your body weight. Though it’s called the “7-Minute Workout,” you get maximum benefit from repeating the circuit at least three times.

LIFESTYLE

Long COVID May Cause Long-Term Changes in the Heart and Lungs. Patients suffering from long COVID may exhibit persistent inflammation in the heart and lungs for up to a year following SARS-CoV-2 infection, even when standard medical tests return expected results, potentially placing them at elevated risk for future cardiac and pulmonary conditions.

Cupping Therapy and Its Benefits. Cupping therapy is an ancient alternative medicine where a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. The idea is to draw blood to or away from parts of your body. People get it for many reasons, such as relief of pain and inflammation, relaxation, and well-being, as a type of deep-tissue massage.

TECHNICAL

There are 12 iPhone apps that you should be using. Data control and privacy are legitimate concerns in a world of untrustworthy apps. Fortunately, open-source alternatives provide options that value data security, privacy, and freedom for iPhone users.

Live Your Best Life #3

Live Your Best Life is here to help you live your best life.

In This Issue

Eye health tips for seniors.
How to relieve tired eyes.
Dry eye syndrome: A guide to causes, symptoms, and treatments.
Study to understand cardiovascular and kidney disease risk in women.
Prediabetes. You can turn it around.
13 lies you tell your doctor and why you should not.
How your gut health affects your whole body.
The best nerve pain treatments.
Every day habits to ease inflammation.
Exercise of any type can boost brain power.
Engaging in weight training twice a week may help alleviate symptoms of dementia.
Fruits with the most protein.
Huge benefits from the Mediterranean diet.
Technology to help lonely seniors.
Locking your Social Security number is a straightforward process.

Read the articles below

AGING

Eye Health Tips for Seniors

This article focuses on seniors in Arizona, but the same issues affect seniors nationwide.

It’s common for seniors to experience vision changes since the eye’s internal structures also age, affecting their ability to process visual information and see clearly. These changes typically include dry eyes, blurred or double vision, oversensitivity to light, and decreased visual acuity.

How to Relieve Tired Eyes

Wash your hands before you start so bacteria don’t invade your eyes. Dip your washcloth in water that has been boiled (to sterilize it) and cooled to a lukewarm temperature. Then put it on your eyes for 5-10 minutes, or as long as your doctor advises.

Dry Eye Syndrome: Complete Guide to Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, and Relief

Have you ever felt like there’s sand in your eyes, even though there’s nothing there? You’re not alone. Dry Eye Syndrome affects millions worldwide, making simple tasks like reading, working, and even blinking uncomfortable. Understanding this common but often overlooked condition is the first step toward lasting relief. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need about dry eyes, from causes to cutting-edge treatments, so you can protect your vision and live more comfortably.

HEALTH

A new $15 million study aims to understand the risk factors for cardiovascular and kidney disease in women.

Research teams from Augusta University, Massachusetts General Hospital, and The Ohio State University will lead a $15 million project to study how risk factors for cardiovascular and kidney diseases impact women. The American Heart Association’s Strategically Focused Research Network (SFRN) on Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic Syndrome: Heterogeneity in Women aims to understand why women may be more susceptible to developing cardiovascular and kidney diseases due to specific unique risk factors and life stages.

Prediabetes: You Can Turn It Around

It’s when your blood sugar is higher than usual, but not high enough to be called diabetes. You may not necessarily notice any symptoms — you can have it and not know it. A simple blood test can tell you if you do.

13 Lies You Tell Your Doctor (and Why You Shouldn’t)

If there’s ever a place to be honest about your habits and health, it’s your doctor’s office. Forget the embarrassment — your doctor’s there to help you, and the more information they have, the more they can do.

How Your Gut Health Affects Your Whole Body

Your body contains many bacteria. You have more of them than you have cells. Most are good for you. The ones found in your gut not only help you digest food, but they also work all over your body and can be good for your physical and mental health.

Some books I’ve written about subjects you may be interested in.

Here is a great book to check out if you’re not very familiar with using the Internet. It offers numerous tips and tutorials to help you have the best online experience.

I have several other books you may be interested in. They cover photography, fishing, Christian studies, exercise, and Disc Golf.

PAIN RELIEF

The best nerve pain treatments have been identified. Nerve or neuropathic pain has long been a tricky condition to treat effectively. However, a new study has comprehensively evaluated current drug and non-drug therapies to provide up-to-date guidelines to inform treatment options for those with the condition.

Everyday Habits to Ease Inflammation

Your body needs some inflammation to fight infection and speed healing. However, prolonged exposure to excessive amounts can cause your immune system to attack healthy organs and tissues mistakenly. This can lead to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and irritable bowel disease. Luckily, there are ways to keep the flames at bay.

MEMORY LOSS

Exercise of any kind boosts brainpower at any age.

Whether it’s an early morning jog or a touch of Tai Chi, groundbreaking research from the University of South Australia shows that any exercise can significantly boost brain function and memory across children, adults, and older adults.

Brazilian researchers say Weight training just twice a week helps protect older people from dementia. Volunteers with mild cognitive impairment who engaged in strength training demonstrated improvements in memory and brain anatomy after six months.

FITNESS

New Study Explores the Impact of High-Volume Exercise on Heart Health

Researchers from The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine, in collaboration with UT Southwestern Medical Center and the Kenneth H. Cooper Institute at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, have reported the results of a groundbreaking study examining the effects of different levels of physical activity on coronary artery disease (CAD) and overall mortality. The findings offer crucial insights into the relationship between exercise quantity and cardiovascular health.

How to Improve Balance and Coordination with 10 Simple Exercises. As we age, maintaining balance and coordination becomes crucial for staying active, independent, and reducing the risk of falls. Fortunately, incorporating a few exercises into your routine can help strengthen muscles and enhance overall movement control. Below, we outline 10 practical exercises that can help boost your balance and coordination. Always talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.

LIFESTYLE

Fruits With the Most Protein

Fruit may not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering protein sources. But if you’re looking for some more of the stuff, every little bit counts. Certain fruits can be a sweet way to add an extra dose of this nutrient to your diet.

Scientists Just Discovered a Huge Health Benefit of the Mediterranean Diet

A new study suggests that exercise and a Mediterranean diet may help support bone health.
Women who exercised and followed a Mediterranean diet experienced less bone density loss.
Bone health and density are significant as you age.

TECHNICAL

Gray-Haired Tech: Technology can help lonely seniors

Technology has become vital in addressing loneliness among seniors and other single individuals, providing innovative ways to connect, engage, and improve their quality of life. Various technological solutions now help older adults maintain social connections, participate in activities, and experience companionship, even when in-person interactions are limited.

Locking Your Social Security Number Is Easier Than You May Think. Your Social Security number is the key to many parts of your financial life, from opening a new bank account to applying for a job to renting an apartment. If thieves get their hands on your SSN, they can do severe damage to your finances, including taking on debt in your name and stealing your tax refund.

Live Your Best Life #2

Live Your Best Life is here to help you live your best life.

Welcome back. Live Your Best Life is here to provide the most up-to-date and valuable information about all aspects of seniors living their best lives. We will update you on the latest news on health, exercise, hobbies, and activities.

“If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.”

Thomas Jefferson

IN THIS ISSUE

Maintaining a lifestyle as you age.
Parkinson’s disease may soon outpace dementia.
What are the signs of a heart attack in women?
A drug that nearly eliminates hidden cholesterol.
What is Fibromyalgia, and what causes it?
The most effective way to alleviate muscle pain.
Can Nicotine help stop memory loss?
Age is no barrier to exercise.
Protect your gut microbiota as you age.
American seniors are vulnerable to these threats.

AGING

Maintaining a lifestyle as you age. Thanks to breakthroughs in medicine and nutrition in recent years, we are living longer than ever before. But this increase in life expectancy also brings an increase in the number of diseases, injuries, and impairments that affect older adults.

Parkinson’s Disease May Soon Outpace Dementia. Two incurable diseases loom over our aging populace: Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Right now, Alzheimer’s is more common and seems a more widespread concern than the relatively narrow shadow cast by Parkinson’s.

HEALTH

What Are the Signs of a Heart Attack in Women? Women can experience heart attack symptoms that are different from men’s. Recognizing these signs early and seeking immediate medical attention can save women’s lives. Unlike men, women often exhibit more subtle symptoms, making it crucial to understand the differences and advocate for proper care.

Scientists discover a drug that nearly eliminates hidden cholesterol. Researchers have found an experimental medication that significantly reduces a cholesterol-like particle that can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

PAIN RELIEF

What is ‘Fibromyalgia’ and why is it caused? “Fibromyalgia is the most complex organic syndrome we see in rheumatology, diseases that manifest with pain in muscle fibers throughout the body,” he said. According to him, these people usually experience fatigue, lethargy, insomnia, loss of self-confidence, anxiety, and stress. “… it is a very complex syndrome where even in the treatment of this disease, a broad team is needed,” he said.

Best Ways to Stop Muscle Pain. Like other parts of your body, your muscles change over the years. “As you age, your muscle fibers become less dense, which makes them less flexible and more prone to injury,” says Elizabeth Gardner, MD, an orthopedic specialist at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn. You’re also more likely to lose muscle mass and strength or to develop osteoarthritis, and both can put more stress on the muscle you do have.

Here is a great book to check out if you’re not very familiar with using the Internet. It offers numerous tips and tutorials to help you have the best online experience.

I have several other books you may be interested in. They cover photography, fishing, Christian studies, exercise, and Disc Golf.

MEMORY LOSS

Could Nicotine Patches Be a Surprising Way to Help Memory? Many worry about memory loss as we age or as our loved ones do. Whether it’s just those “where did I put my keys?” moments or something more serious like Alzheimer’s, it affects a lot of people. Scientists have been working hard to find ways to help, and guess what? They’ve been looking at something you might not expect: nicotine.

FITNESS

Age really is no barrier to exercise. It has long been believed that ageing makes the body more vulnerable to physical exertion and slows recovery. A major study published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity challenges this idea. Indeed, it shows that older people recover just as well as younger people after physical activity.

LIFESTYLE

Protect your gut microbiota as you age. Our gut microbiota helps supply nutrients to our body and affects the immune system. After the introduction of solid foods in childhood, the gut microbiota gradually diversifies and tends to remain stable. However, this gut diversity tends to decline when we reach our senior years, and there is an increase in certain types of bacteria that were previously not dominant, such as those that may be pro-inflammatory.

TECHNICAL

America’s seniors are vulnerable to these digital threats. As digital technology advances, experts say that seniors are at a particularly high risk of being targeted by scammers. According to Tom Kamber, founder and executive director of the national nonprofit Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), which is part of AARP, older individuals need to find a balance between enjoying the advantages of the internet and staying safe.

Live Your Best Life #1

Welcome back. Live Your Best Life is here to provide you with the most up-to-date and valuable information about all aspects of seniors living their best lives. We will keep you updated on all the latest health, exercise, hobby, and activity news.

“If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.”

Thomas Jefferson

IN THIS ISSUE

Maintaining a lifestyle as you age.
Parkinson’s disease may soon outpace dementia.
What are the signs of a heart attack in women?
A drug that nearly eliminates hidden cholesterol.
What is Fibromyalgia, and what causes it?
The most effective way to alleviate muscle pain.
Can Nicotine help stop memory loss?
Age is no barrier to exercise.
Protect your gut microbiota as you age.
American seniors are vulnerable to these threats.

AGING

Maintaining a lifestyle as you age. Thanks to breakthroughs in medicine and nutrition in recent years, we are living longer than ever before. But this increase in life expectancy also brings an increase in the number of diseases, injuries, and impairments that affect older adults.

Parkinson’s Disease May Soon Outpace Dementia. Two incurable diseases loom over our aging populace: Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Right now, Alzheimer’s is more common and seems a more widespread concern than the relatively narrow shadow cast by Parkinson’s.

HEALTH

What Are the Signs of a Heart Attack in Women? Women can experience heart attack symptoms that are different from men’s. Recognizing these signs early and seeking immediate medical attention can save women’s lives. Unlike men, women often exhibit more subtle symptoms, making it crucial to understand the differences and advocate for proper care.

Scientists discover a drug that nearly eliminates hidden cholesterol. Researchers have found an experimental medication that significantly reduces a cholesterol-like particle that can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

PAIN RELIEF

What is ‘Fibromyalgia’ and why is it caused? “Fibromyalgia is the most complex organic syndrome we see in rheumatology, diseases that manifest with pain in muscle fibers throughout the body,” he said. According to him, these people usually experience fatigue, lethargy, insomnia, loss of self-confidence, anxiety, and stress. “… it is a very complex syndrome where even in the treatment of this disease, a broad team is needed,” he said.

Best Ways to Stop Muscle Pain. Like other parts of your body, your muscles change over the years. “As you age, your muscle fibers become less dense, which makes them less flexible and more prone to injury,” says Elizabeth Gardner, MD, an orthopedic specialist at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn. You’re also more likely to lose muscle mass and strength or to develop osteoarthritis, and both can put more stress on the muscle you do have.

Here is a great book to check out if you’re not very familiar with using the Internet. It offers numerous tips and tutorials to help you have the best online experience.

I have several other books you may be interested in. They cover photography, fishing, Christian studies, exercise, and Disc Golf.

MEMORY LOSS

Could Nicotine Patches Be a Surprising Way to Help Memory? Many worry about memory loss as we age or as our loved ones do. Whether it’s just those “where did I put my keys?” moments or something more serious like Alzheimer’s, it affects a lot of people. Scientists have been working hard to find ways to help, and guess what? They’ve been looking at something you might not expect: nicotine.

FITNESS

Age really is no barrier to exercise. It has long been believed that ageing makes the body more vulnerable to physical exertion and slows recovery. A major study published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity challenges this idea. Indeed, it shows that older people recover just as well as younger people after physical activity.

LIFESTYLE

Protect your gut microbiota as you age. Our gut microbiota helps supply nutrients to our body and affects the immune system. After the introduction of solid foods in childhood, the gut microbiota gradually diversifies and tends to remain stable. However, this gut diversity tends to decline when we reach our senior years, and there is an increase in certain types of bacteria that were previously not dominant, such as those that may be pro-inflammatory.

TECHNICAL

America’s seniors are vulnerable to these digital threats. As digital technology advances, experts say that seniors are at a particularly high risk of being targeted by scammers. According to Tom Kamber, founder and executive director of the national nonprofit Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), which is part of AARP, older individuals need to find a balance between enjoying the advantages of the internet and staying safe.