Some say the famous film star Bette Davis first coined the expression “growing old ain’t for sissies.” But no matter who first said it, it’s true. The body begins to wear as it ages, bringing pains and discomforts we never had before, and
it often takes a great deal of courage to deal with them.
How slowly one’s body wears down and wears out is quite often influenced by the frequency of chiropractic care and the quality of nutrition and exercise it gets.
Countless older persons have learned that frequent chiropractic checkups and treatments keep them feeling younger, longer.
Here’s a 7-point plan — simple, yet powerful —designed to help make one’s senior years some of the best of all.
#1 — PREVENT BONE LOSS.
Regular exercise and sufficient calcium intake help prevent osteoporosis (fragile bones), especially in women. Regular exercise such as walking helps maintain strong bones. Though the best source of calcium is in milk, yogurt, and cheese, many persons cannot tolerate dairy products. But broccoli, collards, kale, Chinese cabbage, spinach, and turnip greens
are high in calcium. Also, ask your chiropractic doctor about calcium supplements.
#2 — EAT PLENTY OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND FRUITS.
These are sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Fiber helps keep you regular and helps decrease blood cholesterol. Research studies suggest that eating from the cabbage family (cabbages, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, cauliflower) may help prevent cancer.
#3 — DRINK LOTS OF WATER.
Even without strenuous exercise, you need about 8 cups of liquid each day. The more you get from water the better. Some liquid comes from juice, milk, coffee, tea and soup. But coffee and tea should be kept at a minimum. Leam to drink herbal teas.
#4 — EAT REGULAR MEALS.
Three square meals a day is fine, but four or five smaller meals may be okay too, provided your total intake contains enough fruits or vegetables, grains (either cereal or bread), and protein.
#5 — REDUCE DIETARY FAT.
Lean meats are best. Don’t eat fried foods. Instead eat foods baked, steamed, or broiled. Chicken skin contains lots of fat, so trim it off. Salad dressings should be fat free, low calorie. Most fruits and vegetables have only a trace of fat. (Avocados are an exception.) Cut way back or eliminate butter, margarine, cream. Use non-fat or reduced-fat milk.
#6 — GET REGULAR EXERCISE.
Try to establish a routine, a special time and place to exercise that’s convenient and fits your schedule. Besides the physical benefits of exercise, the emotional, social, and psychological benefits of being physically active are significant too. The activity most popular among the over-55 age group is walking, an activity one can do in the neighborhood or in a shopping mall. If you haven’t exercised for several years or if you have a health problem requiring special attention, check with your chiropractic doctor before starting an exercise program.
#7 — GET REGULAR CHIROPRACTIC CARE.
As we get older and our bodies begin to lose their flexibility, many of us develop pains and health problems brought on by disorders of the ligaments, muscles, cartilages, bones, joints, and nerves in and around the spine. Many older persons have learned that frequent chiropractic checkups and treatments help keep them feeling younger, longer.
Copyright © 2010 Health Star, Inc