New Paper actually says “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”

Why? Because it’s good for your heart! There is a link to a PDF of the paper in the first paragraph of the linked article, and yes, the title really is “Don’t worry, be happy: positive affect and reduced 10-year incident coronary heart disease.” In a study of over 1700 adults, Canadian researchers found that people with a positive outlook had a reduced risk of heart disease. This suggests that controlling depression is an important part of a heart-healthy lifestyle.

I Can See Clearly Now

Another study of over 600 elderly people shows how important regular vision screening is. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that patients with untreated vision problems were at increased risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. They point out that “Proper vision is a requirement for many of the activities that previously have been found to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. These include reading, playing board games, other mentally stimulating activities, social networking, as well as physical activity such as walking and routine exercising. A visual disorder may interfere with normal mobility and may also hinder a person’s ability to participate in such activities.” So remember to include vision screening among your regular check-ups.

There’s good news for women at risk for osteoporosis, a disease of decreased bone density. Researchers have discovered a way to both increase bone mineral density and reduce the risk of falls that might break bones! Better yet, it involves no pills, no injections, no other medication that can interact with other drugs, and to top off all the other benefits, it’s inexpensive. You’ve probably guessed by now that this miracle medical breakthrough is none other than our old friend and nemesis, exercise.

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Research from the University of Southern California suggests that a key to humans living longer than other primates is in the genes. However, these same genes that let us live longer also make us more susceptible to cancer, heart disease, and dementia.

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A new study by researchers at UCLA finds that baby boomers are not entering their 60s as healthy as the generation before them. in fact they are as much as 70% more likely to have trouble with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as walking from room to room and doing basic household chores. African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans had higher rates of disability. The lead researcher is very blunt about what she considers to be the primary contributing factor to this unhealthy trend:

“The newer cohorts of people in their 60s have many more people who are overweight and obese,” said UCLA’s Teresa Seeman, lead author of the study. “Those people are at much higher risk for disability.”

No matter what the “fit but fat” crowd claims, study after study continues to show that obesity is a risk factor for a variety of debilitating ailments. Obesity is having a negative impact on the ability of the baby boom to enjoy their coming golden years. Weight control is a key part of any long term strategy to Age Against the Machine.

Last week we had the opportunity to talk about the amazing Jack Lalanne and his 95th birthday. Jack is a man who is a true fitness leader. He didn’t get there just by building gyms though, he got there by being an example. He isn’t the only fitness leader who leads by example, that is something that true leaders do at any age.

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