Saturday, January 28, 2017

Live Long, Die Short

An article from MSN Lifestyle caught my attention, it was titled : The one delicious food this 101-year-old eats every day for longevity", and concerned an Indiana centenarian has a sweet formula for longevity, her daily dose of chocolate. This is the latest article in a long string of articles you read from time to time on some elderly person's secret to long life.

Eunice Modlin turned 101 on Monday, celebrating the big milestone with a party with her family. The great-great-grandmother, who lives in Boonville, Indiana, with her son, wasn't available for an interview, but her granddaughter shared some of her longevity secrets. "She eats two pieces of dark chocolate every day," Tammy Modlin Gentry told TODAY. "She's always limited herself to two pieces so she didn't [gain weight]."

Modlin also believes eating vegetables from the garden and never drinking alcohol or smoking has allowed her to live a long, healthy life, Gentry said. The centenarian is losing her eyesight and her balance is off, but she still goes to church and prayer meetings. Modlin's bloodwork shows her health is very good, she added.

MyAchingKnees Comment: "Ah Ha! So it wasn't just the chocolate.   Key factors were also likely staying from the worst toxins of alcohol and tobacco as well as eating fresh vegetables that I'm sure were not GMO! Another factor was likely the first half of her life where processed foods were not readily available.

Gentry said her grandmother's life motto is: You don't always get what you want, but you get what you need. Longevity seems to run in the family: When Modlin turned 100 last year, her relatives flew in her 99-year-old brother from Texas to attend the party.

MyAchingKnees Comment: "It looks to me that this lady is living the motto of "Live Long and Die Short". That means to me living a healthy, functional life up to the day you just kneel over - likely from your heart just wearing out, or what most people would call a heart attack.  When I talk to people who have conditions or health problem which are undoubtedly greatly influenced by their unhealthy lifestyle, bad eating habits, disbelief in nutritional supplements, and exposure to daily avoidable toxins, I always ask "if it is their plan just to keep on living an increasingly miserable life until the good Lord takes them?"   

When she was younger, Modlin was known for her archery skills, a sport she took up in her 20s. Her husband made the bows for the family and they traveled all over the country to compete. At one time, Modlin was in The Guinness Book of World Records for the farthest arrow shot, Gentry said.

MyAchingKnees Comment: Well my goodness, another factor: Live a physical life.

She lived through the Great Depression and other tough times, but remained optimistic. "My grandfather, her one true love, passed away in 1991 and she's still going," she added. "I get choked up because it's my grandma, whom I love to the moon and back."


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Friday, January 13, 2017

Sore, Achy Knees - What to Do and Not Do

This article from Web MD, titled "Knee Pains Do and Don'ts" and my commentary.

Do: Rest a Sore Knee
Take a break so your knee has time to heal. You’ll only need 1 or 2 days of rest to ease minor knee pain, but severe injuries may keep you off your feet longer. Talk to your doctor if it doesn’t get better after a few days.

Don’t: Stay on the Couch Too Long
Exercise builds strong muscles around your joints, and that helps prevent injuries. Once your knee has had enough rest, get back out there. Low-impact water workouts or tai chi are good options. But don’t overdo it or you’ll risk more pain.

Do: Use RICE
Try the RICE formula to treat a knee injury: Rest for a day or two to heal. Ice your knee to calm inflammation. Compress (wrap) your joint for support and to stop fluid buildup. Elevate it on a pillow or stool to curb swelling.

Don’t: Risk Slips, Trips, or Falls
Wear shoes with good tread on them to cut your risk of a slip. Choose low-heeled ones with soft, rubber soles. Keep your home’s hallways and stairwells well lit, and clear floors of things you could trip over.

Do: Use a Cane If You Need One
Feel unsteady? Use something to steady you as you move around. Choose a sturdy, strong, light cane with a rubber tip and a handle that’s easy to grasp. Hold it at a 45-degree angle to be sure it’s the right height. Find one in a color or style you like so you’ll be more likely to use it.

Do: Watch Your Weight
Extra pounds add strain to your knees and raise your risk of painful arthritis and injuries. But even moderate weight loss can make it better. If you need to drop a few pounds, set a goal to lose just 5% of your current weight over the next few months.

Do: Consider Acupuncture
Tiny needles are put into the skin around your sore joint. Research shows it can ease knee arthritis pain, though it’s still unclear how. Look for someone who's trained and experienced. Many states license acupuncturists.

Don’t: Forget to Stretch
The muscles around your knees can get tight, and that can lead to painful injuries. Daily stretches can prevent that and muscle pain. Ask your doctor or physical therapist for easy moves to help you limber up before you walk or do any other activity.

Do: Use Heat and Cold
If your knee pain flares, try hot or cold treatments. Moist heat is better for pain relief than dry. Soak in a warm bath, or zap a damp washcloth in the microwave. To ease a swollen knee, press a bag of frozen veggies wrapped in a towel against the joint.

Don’t: Sleep in the Wrong Position
This can make your knee pain worse. Try out different positions, and put a pillow between your knees if you sleep on your side. Don’t prop up a bent knee on a pillow, though -- that can make it harder to unbend your leg the next day.

Do: Try Braces or Sleeves
Support a sore, weak knee with a brace, sleeve, or tape. Ask a physical therapist to fit you with one or to tape your knee. A simple sleeve that fits over your knee can offer short-term pain relief, too. You can find them at the drugstore.

Don’t: Wear Out Your Knees
You may get knee pain because you overload your joints. Movements you do over and over again, like go up and down stairs every day, can jar and wear down your knees. But don’t sit for long periods, either. That puts extra pressure between your knee and leg bone that can cause pain.

Do: Support Your Arches
Choose shoes that support your arches, or get slip-in inserts at your local drugstore. If those don’t work, you can ask your doctor about custom supports. But those can be expensive and don’t always work better than the ones available over the counter.

Don’t: Keep Wearing the Same Old Shoes
Shoes can stretch and wear out after a while. Don’t keep wearing your favorite pair after their support and tread have worn out You may find that new shoes that support your feet and ankles well ease your knee pain.

Do: Talk to Your Doctor
You don’t have to deal with knee pain alone. Your doctor might prescribe medication or give you a steroid shot to help. She also might talk with you about surgery to replace worn joints or ligaments.

These are the things I would add:

Do: Take quality joint supplements. 
Since having terrible knee pain upon climbing stairs in my mid 40's, for the past 12 years I have taken a quality joint supplement that include Glucosamine, Vitamin C, magnesium and Turmeric extract. I have no pain today going into my late 50's.  My conversations with researchers have convinced me that Chondroitin and Hyaluronic Acid are not likely to be ingredients that do joint pain any good.  I use to take supplements with those ingredients all without any relief.   

Do: Ensure you get Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids in your diet.
Not because Omega's 3 provide nutrients for your knees and joints, but because they are an anti-imflammatory and help reduce the unequal ratio of Omega 3's to Omega 6's, which if not corrected can manifest itself through joint pain.

Do: Try some home remedies such as Apple Cider Vinegar. 
People, including my wife, have tolds me has helped some with their knee pain. Apparently quality Apple Cider Vinegar has calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus which are vital to joint and bone health.

Apple Cider Vinegar contains the calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus your body needs to dull that pain. The magnesium in apple cider vinegar helps bones absorb calcium, which is essential to bone strength. Apple cider vinegar also contains antioxidants, beta-carotene, and acetic acid. The basic receipt is 1 to 3 teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar into juice and drink twice a day. And some people even have added the Apple Cider Vinegar into a smaller amount of oil such as coconut or olive oil and massage directly into the affected joint.

Additionally, Muscle rubs, while not particular thought of as effective for the joints, can help blood flow into the joint and help nutrient flow and elasticity of connective tissue.  I use the Deep Blue rub on my neck - I would not hesitate to use it on my knees, if I needed it.  


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