Posts Tagged ‘healthier’
Why Adding on a Few Pounds as You Age Might Be Good for You
Putting on a few extra pounds in your 50s may add years to your life — if you start off at a normal weight and your weight gain doesn’t tip into obesity, a new study suggests. But two outside experts cautioned that the findings are not a license to pack on the pounds, as study…
Read MoreParents, Don’t Worry if Baby’s Sleep Is Erratic
New parents can relax: Research suggests it’s normal for infants’ sleep patterns to vary widely. “Although previous research has shown that infants start sleeping through the night at different stages of development, little is known about individual sleep patterns night after night,” explained study leader Marie-Helene Pennestri. She’s an assistant professor in the department of…
Read MoreShall You Dance? Study Finds Dancing Helps Seniors Avoid Falls
Preventing falls in older age could be as fun as dancing them away, new research shows. Researchers found a 31% reduction in falls and a 37% reduction in fall risk for those aged 65 and older when reviewing clinical trials on “dance-based mind-motor activities” from around the world. “We were positively surprised by the consistency…
Read MoreGet Moving, Seniors: It’s Good For Your Brain
Want to give your brain a boost? Go for a swim, take a walk, or spin your partner on the living room floor. A new study finds that aerobic exercise can improve older adults’ thinking and memory, even if they’re longtime couch potatoes. This type of exercise increases blood flow to the brain and counters…
Read MoreTime Spent on the Links May Lengthen Life
Grab your golf clubs. Spending a day on the green at least once a month may lower the risk of early death among older adults, a new study finds. About 25 million Americans play golf, which is a sport that can reduce stress and yield exercise benefits. Social in nature and played at a controlled…
Read MoreHow Seniors Can Stay Happy and Healthy with a Smartphone
Over 90 percent of adults over the age of 55 are at risk of developing or have already developed high blood pressure, and 80 percent of seniors have at least one chronic health issue — while 77 percent have at least two. As you age, finding ways to take control of your health is crucial…
Read MoreVitamin D is Key to Muscle Strength in Older Adults
Vitamin D deficiency is linked with poor muscle health in older adults, a new study finds. Maintaining muscle health helps seniors maintain their independence, mobility and quality of life. It also lowers their risk of falls and frailty. Researchers looked at more than 4,100 people, aged 60 and older, in England. About 4 in 10…
Read MoreYour Personality as a Teen May Predict Your Risk of Dementia
Could your personality as a teen forecast your risk for dementia a half-century later? Very possibly, say researchers, who found that dementia risk is lower among seniors who were calm, mature and energetic high schoolers. “Being calm and mature as teen were each associated with roughly a 10% reduction in adult dementia risk,” said study…
Read MoreFour-Legged Friends Help Buffer Loss of a Spouse
The loss of a loved one is one of life’s most stressful events. But new research suggests that having a furry loved one still at home may help ease the pain. Investigators looked at 437 older adults, some of whom lost a spouse, either through divorce or death. They found that having a cat or…
Read MoreStaying Healthy Now to Work Into Older Age
While you can take Social Security benefits at age 62 and get 75% of your maximum, waiting until you reach full retirement age (between age 66 and 67 depending on the year you were born) gets you much closer to the full amount. But the age at which Americans can collect the most dollars has…
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