***Baby Boomers Are Setting A New Paradigm For Aging Well

written by Kathi Casey, ERYT, CPI

June is an interesting month. We have: Fathers Day, Flag Day, it’s vision research month, national men’s and women’s wellness weeks are in June, as well as home safety month. Since wellness is one of Baby Boomers’ top concerns, I’ll stick with that topic.

There is a ton of propaganda on the web, and in print and TV advertisements on treatments available for diseases and the aches and pains associated with the aging process. They haven’t learned yet that we Baby Boomers aren’t interested because we’ve decided we don’t intend to age at all! Well not very much, anyway. We want to keep our vitality and good health until we leave the planet.

Today’s Boomers are much more interested in prevention than in treatment. We want to know what to eat and which supplements to take to prevent colon, breast and prostate cancer. We want to know what we can do to keep that welcome mat for Osteoporosis away and how to keep our minds sharp. We are much more interested in playing golf, tennis or running a 5K race, than utilizing one of those “days of the week” pill boxes. The over 50 crowd has the largest number of newcomers entering tri-athelons and other athletic competitions these days. So, in honor of all the Boomers out there who’ve made 50 the “new 40,” and 60 the “new 50,” here are my top four tips for making 70 the “new 60″ and 80 the “new 70″:

1. Make sure you’re getting enough Vitamin D and C. Vitamin D is the largest vitamin deficiency in the US right now, yet we need D for bone health, defending against cancer (studies link deficiencies of vitamin D to as many as 18 different cancers); it protects against multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, and it helps regulate insulin and blood pressure. It’s also been linked to improved muscle strength and optimized brain activity. The current recommendation is a minimum of 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which helps to protect cells from the excess stress hormones we release on a daily basis, keeps our immune system healthy, and helps to repair and regenerate tissue. The recommended dose of vitamin C is 600 milligrams twice a day.

2. Eat Salmon and other oily fish four times a week to get your Omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3′s are the lubrication of the body, we need them for healthy joints and to prevent inflammation. There is also some evidence that they can smooth out wrinkles – Yay! Docosahexaeonic acid (DHA) is the ultimate form of Omega 3 and I recommend taking 500 milligrams a day. DHA will also keep our eyes healthier because it helps to prevent macular degeneration.

3. Learn a new language, or a computer program, or how to play an instrument. All of these things keep your brain active and healthy. Also, keeping socially active has been shown to help keep those brain synapses functioning. If you’re a loner and it’s difficult for you to socialize then get a pet, which also benefits brain health.

4. Build lean muscle. It’s not difficult, it just takes a little commitment, and it’s important because lean muscle burns twelve times more calories than fat. Excess weight can invite high blood pressure, knee trouble, and in women, it’s a contributing factor for breast cancer. Add push-ups to your every other day routine, or try some Pilates leg lifts while you’re catching up with the news in the evening, or add some squats to your warm up exercise routine before walking. It only takes a few minutes each day to add some muscle building exercises and you’ll get the extra benefit of added strength and flexibility for all of your other activities!

For all of my readers this month, I’m offering a 25% discount on Personalized Wellness Coaching. Click on the Wellness Coaching tab on the Home Page at: www.HealthyBoomerBody.com, and then enter the coupon code: Boomers, in the appropriate box in your shopping cart.

Best of Health,Kathi