PROTEIN FOR MUSCLES

Once we humans reach around 50 years of age we start to have weakened muscles.  This is a normal part of the aging process but it is important we do what we can to maintain our muscles. Weakened muscles can cause falls which can be very damaging to older people. Maintaining our muscles helps us to function better overall. Protein is an important muscle builder so we must be sure we get enough in our diets. The average 150 pound adult needs approximately 55 grams of protein per day. Older folks should probably have more. Learn to read nutritional labels on your foods and monitor your protein intake for a week. See if you are getting at least the recommended amounts, especially if you are an older person like me. Discuss with your doctor if you find yourself falling short of the recommended amount.

This file photo shows some samples of protein foods to consider. (I am preaching to myself here as I do not like any of the foods pictured below. Shame on me!)

WHY THE BODY NEED WATER?

The human body needs water more than anything else, except oxygen. At as little as a 2% loss of water, our bodies become fatigued. As little as a 10% loss can cause serious problems and a week without water can be fatal. Check out the following facts and you will understand why water is so important:

• Water makes up 83% of our blood.
• Water composes 75% of our brain.
• Water accounts for 22% of our bones.
• Water makes up 75% of our muscles.

The average adult needs around 1 1/2 to 2 quarts of water a day. If you are large, very active, or if you drink a lot of caffeine products which act as mild 

diuretics, you will need more.

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ENJOY SOME CUCUMBERS TO SOOTHE MUSCLE STRAIN

According to Polish scientists eating a heaping cup of cucumber daily can soothe muscle strains.  These scientists said that cucumbers contain salicylic acid which soaks into immune cells, dialing down their release of pain triggering hormones called prostaglandins. Dealing with muscle strain? Try eating some cucumber instead of reaching for pain pills.

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WANT TO BOOST YOUR LONGEVITY?

If your answer is yes to the title question, and you normally have a glass of orange juice with your breakfast, try switching to pomegranate juice. This switch can slow, maybe even reverse, the aging of your brain, heart, muscles, and bones. Italian scientists say the phytonutrients in pomegranate juice energize anti-aging genes in every cell of the body.

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TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET

This post is a little different but important. I think most of us have heard the saying, "When your feet hurt, you hurt all over".  It is no wonder that seems true. Did you know that a quarter of all the bones in your body are in your feet? That's right. Each foot has 26 bones which means your feet contain 52 bones. In addition to bones the feet and ankles also have 33 joints and more than 240 muscles, ligaments, nerves and tendons.  And we keep all those things busy. The average American will have logged approximately 75,000 miles on their feet by age 50. So don't just take your feet for granted, take good care of them.

Ladies are four times more likely than men to have foot problems. The experts say this is probably due to shoe choices. If the shoe hurts or doesn't fit properly, don't wear it! "Listen" to your feet when they try to tell you something.

Important tip: Feet naturally swell in the afternoon so buy shoes in the afternoon to avoid buying shoes that are too tight.

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WATER AND THE BODY

 Water is one thing the body must have to survive. The body needs water more than most anything else except oxygen. Did you realize that as little as a 2% loss of water, the body becomes fatigued. As little as a 10% loss can cause serious problems and a week without water can be fatal. Consider the following:

• Approximately 90% of the blood is made up of water
• Water composes 75% of the brain
• Water accounts for 22% of the bones
• Water makes up 75% of muscles

The average adult needs 1 1/2 to 2 quarts of water a day, more if they are large, very active physically or drink a lot of caffeine products which act as diuretics.

Make sure you drink enough water to keep your body is good condition.

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MUSCLE VS FAT

FYI - Per Calorielab.com, 1 pound of muscle burns 7 to 10 calories during the day while 1 pound of fat only burns 2 to 3 calories during the day!

BROCCOLI FOR BODY ACHES

Cold weather can often leave our bodies feeling achy, stiff and sore. How about some broccoli to help with that achy feeling? According to a study in the journal Antioxidants, 3/4 cup of broccoli daily can curb these types of pain flares by up to 64%. The help comes from the nutrients zeaxanthin and vitamin-K. both known to curb pain-triggering inflammation and fast-track healing of damaged muscles and joints. Who knew broccoli had that healing power?

HOW ESSENTIAL IS WATER TO THE BODY?

 The photo below should answer that question.

IMPORTANCE OF WATER

Almost all of us know we need to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, even though many of us don't do it!  But do you know why?  How about this?  The experts say water is second only to oxygen as essential to life itself!  Is that reason enough for you? No, you want more reasons?  Check the bullets below.

• Water decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%.
• A lack of water is one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue!
• Water reduces fat deposits in the body. 
• Water helps maintain proper muscle tone.
• Water reduces the risk of bladder cancer by 50%.

The above bullets are just a few of the ways water is helpful to the body.

One thing we should do that most people say they don't even think of doing is to drink at least one glass of water right after getting up in the morning.  Remember we aren't talking about a 16-oz glass.  A glass that holds a cup of water counts as a glass.

Do your body a big favor and drink plenty of water!

Vicks VapoRub

When I was growing up in Southern Indiana this was the recipe for whatever ailed you! We still use it in our house. It has helped me through many sinus headaches.