Seniors should be aware of toxic heavy metals that may be in their home, and possibly in their foods or medications. Heavy metals including, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, and silver, may be toxic to the health if consumed in high quantities. If a senior contracts long-term exposure to these heavy metals, there is a possibility of Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and neurological degenerative processes that mimic other diseases. Also, seniors may also be allergic to certain heavy metals, which could cause sickness or death. If your senior loved one is not aware of the dangers of heavy metal toxicity, make sure they are informed.

Some toxic metals, especially Arsenic, is the most common cause of heavy metal poisoning in adults. It is important to avoid toxic metals and gain awareness of toxic metals in the home.  Always be sure to use the least harmful product possible, read labels, know of potential hazards of what you are buying, and learn the symptoms of toxicity. Aluminum is not necessary a heavy metal, but some studies have proven that Aluminum exposure can cause Alzheimer’s Disease.  Aluminum can be found in certain brands of baking powder and cooking supplies such as pans.

There are a number of things you can do that are beneficial to the health, especially if you have come into contact with heavy metals. By enhancing your immunity, you can help protect your body from the harmful effects of heavy metal toxicity. Certain antioxidants can help detox your body such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Glutathione, and Zinc, as well as herbs, garlic, green tea, other minerals.

If you think that you or a loved one has heavy metal toxicity, you should contact a physician immediately. The symptoms of heavy metal toxicity are usually severe and rapid in onset, including cramping, nausea, and vomiting, as well as pain, sweating, headaches, difficulty breathing, impaired cognitive, motor, and language skills, and convulsions. If you are cautious and aware of these symptoms you can avoid further injury or death.

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Social situations help you to grow, allow you to be more relaxed, and help to build happiness in your soul.  As seniors age, they find comfort in relaxing by themselves, tucked away in their homes or senior living facilities, being anti-social, and not wanting to do activities they once loved to do. This is not always a sign of depression, although it could lead to a serious condition such as early-onset of Alzheimer’s Disease or Obesity.

When you cut down on the enjoyable activities, such as exercising, going out with friends, watching the Friday night movies at the cinemas, or meeting up for tea in the afternoon with your friends, you may be adding on weight and years. Staying connected with people is just as important to your health and well being as staying active and fit.  When you stop enjoying activities and avoid social situations, you could be at-risk for relying on food and overeating as eating becomes the main source of pleasure. Seniors can become dependent on food and eating when they lost a loved one or spouse, and feel that they cannot enjoy social interaction and food becomes their vice.

Plan for social activities with local seniors at meet-ups, chess games, bingo parties, drinking at the local hangout, going on senior cruises and trips, as well as interacting with family and friends as often as you can. The more you remain active and social, the less likely you will become obese or contract Alzheimer’s Disease. If you are taking care of a loved one, find the senior an adult day care center to go to during the day. Also, enroll the senior in exercise classes and activities such as tai chi to get them out of the home and into the world. You will see the difference as you become more social and more active, and you will feel more empowered, healthier, and happier when you socialize with others.

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Seniors need to concentrate of healthier foods and a healthier lifestyle to avoid disease. So many people believe that having a healthy diet will lead to a healthier life, which in some cases can be free of disease and cancer. Seniors need to focus on carrying out the healthier attributes including exercising, eating more vegetables, and socializing more often. By avoiding processed foods and  eating vegetables at least once each week, your body and soul will thank you! Taking good care of yourself includes eating healthfully, getting the proper exercise, and creating a healthy balance in life. Those who are considering retirement, should look into a healthier eating pattern that includes organic produce, exercise classes, and a reduction of alcohol/stop smoking. The sooner you start living healthier, the longer you will live.

Superfoods will help keep your body going, give you strength, and will help your body function easily. Without putting stress on your body, superfoods create a balance of the good nutrients and energy your body needs to remain healthy. What do I mean when I say Superfoods, well I am talking about good for you foods, such as organic produce, unprocessed whole foods, antioxidant rich products, and B Vitamin enhanced leafy green vegetables. You will need to take a step back and evaluate what you consume, how you prepare the food, and how quickly you consume the food.

By evaluating your eating habits, you will be able to produce an honest approach to healthier eating habits.  Understand that your body needs nutrients from whole foods (vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds), look for the Organic seal of approval, shop local produce, and be aware of the dangers of preservatives, food additives, artificial food colorings, and artificial food flavorings. Processed foods, especially those that can be found in the frozen section of the grocery store, can have dangerous chemical preservatives, may have less nutrients due to over processing the foods, and require quick consumption often resulting in microwave usage. If you can name the food in one word, apple, banana, grapes, kale, onion, etc, then you will be able to enjoy the purity of whole foods. Find recipes that include little to no cooking, and recipes that include a plethora of colorful fruits and vegetables!

It is easy to eat Good foods, live a healthier life, and be a stronger individual. You may even avoid disease and illness by remaining healthy and active.

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The leading causes of death and disability in the United States are heart attack, stroke, and  vascular disease. The prevention of such diseases stems from preventative care in the younger years of a person’s life, which includes lifestyle changes and nutraceutricals. Seniors and aging adults may experience the effects of heart disease in their lifetime, because only one risk factor can increase a senior’s risk of Heart Attack.

These risk factors include, but are not limited to: smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sedentary lifestyle, high blood sugar, diabetes, obesity, stress, and family history. If you are over 40 years old, you should get diagnostic tests such as a Cardiac Echo, Coronary Calcium Score, Carotid Duplex, and a Peripheral Vascular Evaluation. Also, a Mediterranean diet can be the best diet for someone who is concerned or at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Some nutrient recommendations for people who suffer from Cholesterol are: Red Yeast Rice, Phytosterols, Time Release Niacin, Kyolic, Fiber Complex and Delta-Tocotrienol. For those with Hypertension, these nutrients may help: Magnesium, Arginine, Hawthorne, CoQ10, Grape Seed, and Pine Bark. The top nutrients that you should take if you are at-risk or have had cardiovascular disease symptoms are: CoQ10 (boosts cardiac performance), Vitamin D3 (controls blood pressure),Aged Garlic Extract (lowers cholesterol, lowers triglycerides, boosts immunity, and is anti-bacterial), and Omega-3 (stabilizes heart rhythm and lowers triglycerides).

Be sure to talk with your physician before taking any nutraceuticals that are new to your body. Some prescription medications can interfere with certain nutrients, so be sure to ask your doctor before adding them into your regular routine.

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Recently, doctors and nutritionists have been telling the average American to lose a little weight. That belly fat that you may have may also be damaging to your bones. Having belly fat and obesity is a major public concern as it may be a risk factor for osteoporosis and bone loss. Over 70 million Americans are considered obese, and many are Seniors receiving homecare senior care services.

Obesity is associated with many health problems including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, arthritis, sleep apnea, and high cholesterol. Your doctor may have all ready warned you that you need to lose weight, and now you have even more of a reason to lose that weight, since belly fat is also associated with bone health. Having a lot of belly fat is more detrimental to bone health then having fat around hips. Also, genetics, diet and exercise are all contributors to the level of visceral fat in the body, therefore you will need to talk with your doctor to find out how you can lose that belly fat to avoid bone health issues.

Seniors should get plenty of exercise, eat fruits and vegetables, and drink plenty of water. When you age, your body may find it harder to break down processed foods such as microwaveable meals and potato chips, thus, by eating whole foods and grains, you will find that your belly fat will decrease more easily. Avoid bone problems by maintaining a healthy exercise routine and by having a moderate weight. Always ask a doctor about what you should do to stay fit and healthy, and monitor your body the best you can- you only have one body, so take good care of it.

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The immediate scare of radiation after the disaster in Japan has spread throughout the world. People throughout the world are now understanding the effects of airborne radiation and how it correlates to our foods such as fish and milk products. A few weeks ago, milk in the United States was found to be radioactive, but some scientists have found it to be “safe” for consumption. Should Seniors be weary of consuming any milk products after this knowledge? Protecting yourself from disease and illness should be a priority, especially if you are aging at a senior care facility.

More recently, meat consumers were made aware that almost half of all meat (beef, poultry and pork) is contaminated with the resistant strain of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus. More commonly known as Staph, the new strain of this bacteria is multidrug resistant which poses many health risks for consumers of meat products. The warnings of food contamination will only rise in the next few months, as many of the animals have become contaminated with the infectious strains of Staph. Also, there is no way of knowing which meat and milk is safe from contamination from either radiation or bacteria.

Seniors and young children can get very ill from Staph, and there is even a possibility of death. If you have the option of consuming only plant-based foods, you should choose to do just that. If the authorities cannot guarantee safety in our meat and milk products, avoiding this food can be the only way to avoid sickness and even death.

If you eat meat, make sure to thoroughly wash countertops, utensils, and mixing bowls that come into contact with raw meat. Also, heat the meat throughout to kill the bacteria in the meat product. You can never be too sure of where bacteria will be, so it is best to wipe down counters and faucets/sinks in order to avoid getting Staph and other food borne illnesses.

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As we age, it is harder to make changes in our lifestyles. We like what we like, and nothing will change that! Just as we could be called “stubborn” for not wanting change, it is true that most people never want to change their current situation. As our bodies change, we grow older, we may face disease or illness, or just old-age. The house we own may have been a viable choice in our 50’s, but now we are in our 70’s, and the stairs are becoming too hard to climb… sound familiar? Well, you are not alone. Many older adults choose to grow old in the house they own, the house they spent years or their entire life. So, the sound of going to a senior care facility, is definitely not an option for these seniors. That is why Home Care services are so important.

As you or a senior loved one ages, you will want to make sure they are safe and comfortable in their home. If a senior chooses to age at home while receiving home healthcare services, make sure they are okay with this situation. A senior must agree to have a homecare assistant help them in their home, with their daily tasks, and possibly help them medically. The senior should feel comfortable with these lifestyle changes, and agree to the terms and conditions.

Sometimes, seniors may choose to have homecare only one-two days a week, but the doctor may tell them they should have assistance 5-7 days each week. Make sure to talk to the doctor, find out what is needed for the senior to feel safe and remain healthy in their home. Also, remember that if you or another family member can take on some of the homecare chores, it will save you money and may help your senior loved one feel more comfortable with aging at home. However, don’t take all of the workload, by being a homecare helper, you will be straining yourself which is very unhealthy and stressful. Homecare services are there to help you and your aging loved one.

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As you age, you may start to notice an extra-something when it comes to your weight. You will want to keep a close eye on your weight, as most people gain weight as they age. Women, especially, need to maintain physically fit in order to maintain their weight. It is best if seniors in senior care facilities get plenty of exercise, and people at any age should engage in moderate to vigorous exercise nearly every day.

You should make sure to be physically active as much as possible. If you are providing homecare services for an aging loved one, you should ensure that they are receiving the physical fitness they need to maintain a healthy weight. Aging women that exercise will be able to manage their weight better than a woman who does not engage in physical activity. Some of the best activities to partake in are, basketball, running, brisk walking, or an exercise class.

Common health problems such as heart disease and diabetes can generally be avoided by maintaining a normal weight, by not smoking, exercising daily, and by eating healthfully. Everyone can benefit from adding activity to their lifestyles, especially aging men and women. Some common easy exercise routines include jogging, brisk walking, dancing, and spinning classes. Find what exercise routine works for you and stick with it to maintain a normal weight as you age.

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Controlling cholesterol levels can seem difficult at times, and so many people suffer from cholesterol related issues. The best thing to do is to learn what to eat and how to eat in order to maintain a healthier diet, which in turn will help you maintain your cholesterol  levels. At any age, you should watch what you eat, and whether you are in a senior care facility, you should be talking with your doctor about how to control your cholesterol.Most times, cholesterol problems occur to those who contracted these issues from heredity. Often, it is your diet and your exercise schedule that may impact your cholesterol. We all get lazy and choose to eat “bad for us” foods sometimes, but try to make the consumption of high-fat, fast-food meals a minimum. Choose leafy green vegetables, colorful veggies, and an assortment of fruit. Add margarine lightly, and use good fats oils like Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil instead of lard or butter. Simple choices can make a big difference in your health.

A lot of seniors who live in senior housing or at-home homecare, will understand that they need to live a balanced life with a healthier diet and exercise. Most homes offer nutritional programs and ways to stay fit. Take advantage of these programs, and talk with your doctor to find out if there are any rehabilitation centers or senior centers offering senior classes like tai chi or yoga. The more you move, the healthier you will be. Since LDL cholesterol can become oxidized and cause inflammation, this could cause an onset of coronary artery disease. That is why it is important to watch your cholesterol levels.

There are many ways to lower you cholesterol levels. One way may prove to be beneficial; taking lycopene may help lower blood pressure and should be added to your diet. Also, a plant-based diet can help assist you in lowering your levels. To control your cholesterol levels, you should: lose weight, quit smoking, exercise, minimize unhealthy fat consumption, consume healthy fats, eat more fruits and vegetables, use supplements such as cranberry juice, phytosterols, lycopene, and cranberry juice. Since more people have heart disease than any other disease, you should make the changes necessary to reduce your cholesterol today.

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By making small changes in your life, you will be able to lead a healthier life. Setting health goals can be easier for many people who need that extra push or some health guidelines. Aging adults should make sure to follow a health plan that works for them, and to continue an active lifestyle whenever possible. Seniors should talk with local senior rehabilitation centers or adult day care centers to find out which exercise classes  and nutritional programs are available in their area.

Senior care facilities may also offer great exercise programs that are worth asking about. Talk with the senior care administrator to find out if there are any health plans available. If you can create your own health plan, make sure to follow these simple guidelines:

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially superfoods such as berries, green leafy vegetables and mushrooms such as reishi mushrooms. By increasing your intake of superfoods, you will have more energy and will help your body fend off illnesses.
• Exercise is the most important thing you can do to enhance your health. If you become inactive for a long period of time and decide to exercise, you should talk to your doctor before beginning a health plan.
• Sleep is very important because it helps your body to rebuild cells. Lack of sleep can make you gain weight, weaken your immune system, and may cause diabetes.
• Eat organic or whole-foods since they are healthier they will give you more nutrients and vitamins. Foods with additives are bad for you and your health.
• Choose pure sugars rather than refined sugars whenever possible. Limit your intake of simple sugars to avoid health problems. Refrain from eating foods that are processed or soft drinks that contain high-fructose syrup.

Remember, when you are healthy-you can be happier, share more love, and love yourself even more. Find a health plan that works for you, and take control of your life!

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