Myths about COVID 2

This was published in Medical News Today. All data and statistics are based on publicly available data at the time of publication. Some information may be out of date.

Myth 3: Vitamin C can fight SARS-CoV-2

Vitamin C is another essential nutrient that has received a lot of attention. Many people believe that it can prevent or even cure the flu or common cold.

Although it is true that sufficient vitamin C can help support immune function, current evidence regarding its effectiveness in treating or preventing colds and influenza is limited and often contradictory.

Despite this, there have been claims that this Vitamin might help fight infections with the new coronavirus.

It is possible that people are basing these claims on an existing ongoing clinical trial in China, which is looking at the effects of high dose intravenous (IV) vitamin C on hospitalized patients receiving care for severe COVID-19.

The researchers expect to complete the trial by the end of September 2020. No results are available in the interim.

Commenting on the trial, experts from the Linus Pauling Institute — which focuses on health and nutrition — at Oregon State University in Corvallis explains that although high dose IV vitamin C might help alleviate COVID-19 symptoms in severely ill patients, regular vitamin C supplements are very unlikely to help people fight off infections with SARS-CoV-2.

The experts warn that “IV vitamin C is not the same as taking vitamin C supplements,” as they would never raise blood levels of this vitamin as highly as an IV infusion would.

They also warn people who may be tempted to up their dosage of vitamin C of the fact they could end up taking too much and experiencing adverse side effects.

Myth 4: The keto diet can cure COVID-19

Keto diets, which are high in fats and low in carbohydrates have also received some attention in the context of treating or preventing COVID-19.

This may be because there is some evidence to suggest that keto diets could help boost the immune system. However, much of that evidence is based on animal studies rather than human trials.

Also, an upcoming clinical trial from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, proposes to look at whether a ketogenic intervention might help intubated COVID-19 patients by reducing inflammation.

The intervention would necessitate the administration of a specially devised ketogenic formula through enteral feeding. It would be a last-resort procedure for those in a critical condition.

There is currently no evidence to suggest that following a keto diet could help a healthy person prevent or treat an infection with SARS-CoV-2.

However, there is evidence to suggest that keto diets can expose people to certain health risks — such as by raising cholesterol levels. Keto diets may also have side effects, such as flu-like symptoms, headaches, nausea, and changes in blood pressure.

Myth 5: Herbal remedies can help

There are also claims suggesting that various herbal medicines might be able to fight off the new coronavirus.

This may partly be based on a statement issued by A Chinese official in April 2020, suggesting that certain herbal drugs could help treat COVID-19, as communication in The Lancet on May 15, 2020, reports.

Author Yichang Yang — from the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine in Hangzhou, China — warns that people should take encouragement to use herbal remedies in the treatment of COVID-19 with a pinch of salt.

Yang warns that herbal remedies — including the drugs that the Chinese official names — can have unexpected risks and may not be as effective as some people claim. Also, evidence from human trials is limited.

For similar reasons, he also notes that the mechanisms through which herbal drugs work on the body are often unclear, which may mean that they are not always safe.

A mystery “herbal cure” for COVID-19 on sale in Madagascar — a herbal tea made from artemisia plants — has also spurred worry among specialists, who say that the “remedy” may do more harm than good.

Although people may be tempted to try anything and everything in the face of such a threat to health as SARS-CoV-2, the most important preventive step is to follow official national and international guidelines for public health, as well as individual health advice from doctors and other healthcare professionals.

For more information on the new coronavirus and how to stay safe during the pandemic, look at the information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the WHO.

Healthy Ageing 1

Back in 2011, the Ministry of Health for British Columbia looked at what the literature said about healthy ageing. Here is some of what was in this report which was called Planning for Healthy Ageing A Literature Review, written by Eleanor Kallio, Senior Policy Analyst, Research, Knowledge Translation and Library Services Branch, Planning and Innovation Division, Ministry of Health, Victoria, British Columbia, published in 2011

Health

Older adults need health planning because they are at risk of becoming inactive and developing a major illness, or disability, or chronic disease. The individual can do much to address these challenges: one-half of age-related declines are preventable and physical activity is one of the best antidotes to age-related disease and disability. Maintaining good health is critical to retaining independence and living at home longer.

Low intensity, low-cost activities such as moderate, regular walking are among the most simple and popular ways to be physically active. Having social support and the recommendation of a physician are both helpful for getting older adults more physically active. Practicing a healthy lifestyle is also beneficial for the brain—this is especially important, as the risk of dementia increases with age. Cognitive and physical activity and healthy eating have been linked to brain health, maintaining memory and lowering the risk of dementia.

Social Networks

The literature strongly emphasizes social networks: they contribute to general well-being and are integrally linked to health, happiness, and self-worth. They help older adults stay engaged and active—especially important for those who live alone or who have lost loved ones. They provide emotional support, assistance with daily living activities, and activities such as walking groups can even enhance health. Social benefits can also be realized through online communities.

These desires haunt me.

As we go through life, we find that we desire different things out of life. We may desire love, money, fame, understanding, parental love, a job or a friend. When I was living my life, I came across a few people that I thought tried too hard. They desired friendship and became annoying in their attempts to please the person or people they wanted to befriend them.

They wanted advancement so they became annoying in their attempts to curry favour with the bosses so they would be noticed and promoted. They wanted to love but they became annoying in their attempts to win the person they wanted to love them.

Sometimes going full speed to get what you want works, but I have found that for all things and non-things that you may ever want that sometimes the fastest way to get them is to forget them.

I don’t mean putting your desire out of your mind, but I do mean that you should focus on just being the most amazing human being you can be. If you do that then I think you have a better chance of getting what you desire out of life. The reason is that we all like to be associated with winners, who are nice.

As humans, we love to be around people who are warm, friendly, pleasant, and have confidence in themselves. If you work at being your best at some point all of your heart's desires, spoken or unspoken, will be drawn to you more powerfully than a magnet is drawn to steel.

Age Friendly Communities and seniors

The third topic I think is important is the issue of the concept of Age Friendly Communities. Since 2005, the provincial government has provided $6.25 million to support the program. To date, more than 148 local governments have completed projects or been approved for funding. There are two streams that a municipal government can apply to for funding. The first is adding an age-friendly or seniors’ lens to existing plans or policies, such as:

• Official Community Plans, Integrated Community Sustainability Plans, Health and Wellness Plans, or community or neighbourhood plans

• Zoning and other bylaws (subdivision, snow removal, parking, etc.)

• Development permit requirements

• Emergency response, evacuation and/or emergency social services plans

• Design guidelines

• Active transportation planning Age-friendly Projects

The second stream for funding is to support local governments to undertake local projects that enable seniors to age in place and facilitate the creation of age-friendly communities. In order to be eligible for Stream 2, eligible applicants are required to have a completed an age-friendly assessment or action plan, or demonstrate that their Official Community Plan, Integrated Sustainability Community Plan, or an equivalent plan, is inclusive of age-friendly planning principles. Under Stream 2, eligible activities must be cost-effective and may include:

• Support for persons with dementia

• Increased community accessibility (transportation, housing, services)

• Provision of recreation and healthy living activities and/or referral and support to link seniors with recreation and healthy living services

• Community gardens and healthy eating

There are many examples of programs that have been started as a result of this funding. Such as the town of Oliver developed an outdoor fitness park with input from partners including Interior Health, service clubs and seniors’ groups. The year-round park is well utilized and provides a no-cost opportunity for seniors to be physically active. Or the District of Invermere created an age-friendly business directory, companion program, monthly luncheons and a mentorship program. The companion program matched seniors with volunteers who will assist with everyday living activities such as shoveling the sidewalk, driving to and from the grocery store or appointments. Business owners and employees offered training on how their operations can be more age-friendly.

The issue is not that these programs have been funded, but the concern is how many projects undertaken in phase one have been developed to a stage two project. How many of these phase two projects are still being offered and are they still providing what seniors need to stay in place or where they one hit wonders and no longer operating?

What can you do with a 30 minutes?

An interesting question is it not?  Many of us complain we have no time, but I bet you could find 30 minutes in a 24 hour period which has a total of 1440 minutes. 30 minutes is only 2% of your day. So what can you do in 30 minutes?
If you want to be healthier, maybe you go for a 30-minute walk. 
Or you could spend 30 minutes making some phone calls in order to move forward with a project that you're working on. 
Or maybe you spend 30 minutes writing a few paragraphs towards that book you've always wanted to write. 
Or you could spend 30 minutes reading the best seller you have been meaning to read
Or you could spend 30 minutes talking to a friend, a loved one
Or you could spend 30 minutes starting to clean out the garage
Or, or, or you fill in the blanks

Where would spending that 30 minutes get you?

The answer, of course, is that you'd be 30 minutes closer to where you want to be.

So what can YOU do this week that will move you closer to where you want to be?

Eat Yogurt, it helps bone density

The largest observational study to date of dairy intakes and bone and frailty measurements in older adults has found that increased yogurt consumption was associated with a higher hip bone density and a significantly reduced risk of osteoporosis in older women and men on the island of Ireland, after taking into account traditional risk factors.

The study led by Trinity College Dublin in collaboration with St James's Hospital Dublin and co-investigators from Nutrition at Ulster University, Coleraine investigated participants from the Trinity Ulster Department of Agriculture (TUDA) ageing cohort study.

Total hip and femoral neck bone mineral density measures in females were 3.1-3.9% higher among those with the highest yogurt intakes compared to the lowest and improvements were observed in some of the physical function measures (6.7% better). In men, the biomarker of bone breakdown was 9.5% lower in those with the highest yogurt intakes compared to the lowest. This is an indication of reduced bone turnover.

To determine risk factors for being diagnosed as osteoporotic, the research team analysed a wide range of factors such as BMI, kidney function, physical activity, servings of milk or cheese, and calcium or vitamin D supplements as well as traditional risk factors for bone health (e.g. smoking, inactivity, alcohol etc.). After adjusting for all these factors, each unit increase in yogurt intake in women was associated with a 31% lower risk of osteopenia and a 39% lower risk of osteoporosis. In men, a 52% lower risk of osteoporosis was found. Vitamin D supplements were also associated with significantly reduced risks both in men and women.

Osteoporosis is a chronic condition associated with a reduction in bone strength and an increased risk of bone fracture. Over 300,000 people in Ireland are thought to suffer from the condition while the associated costs of osteoporotic fractures are estimated to be over €650 million annually in Europe.

Lead author of the study and research fellow at the Centre for Medical Gerontology, Trinity, Dr Eamon Laird said: "Yogurt is a rich source of different bone promoting nutrients and thus our findings in some ways are not surprising. The data suggest that improving yogurt intakes could be a strategy for maintaining bone health but it needs verification through future research as it is observational."

Dr Miriam Casey, senior investigator of this study and Consultant Physician at St James's Hospital Dublin said: "The results demonstrate a significant association of bone health and frailty with a relatively simple and cheap food product. What is now needed is verification of these observations from randomised controlled trials as we still don't understand the exact mechanisms which could be due to the benefits of micro-biota or the macro and micronutrient composition of the yogurt."

The study included 1,057 women and 763 men who underwent a bone-mineral-density (BMD) assessment and 2,624 women and 1,290 men who had their physical function measured. Yogurt consumption information was obtained from a questionnaire and categorised as never, 2-3 times per week and more than one serving per day. Other factors examined included daily intakes of other dairy products, meat, fish, smoking and alcohol and other traditional risk factors that affect bone health.

The TUDA study was funded by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Food Institutional Research Measure initiative and the Northern Ireland Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), Cross-Border Research and Development Programme: "Strengthening the all Island Research Base". The current research was a supported by the National Dairy Council, Ireland through a research award.

The above was taken from an article: Greater yogurt consumption is associated with increased bone mineral density and physical function in older adults, E. Laird, A. M. Molloy, H. McNulty, M. Ward, K. McCarrol, lL. Hoey, C. F. Hughes, C. Cunningham, J. J. Strain, M. C. Casey, Osteoporosis International, doi: 10.1007/s00198-017-4049-5, published online 1 May 2017.

Brushing your teeth is important

There is a recent science-that supports the idea that there is some evidence between oral health – (yes, simply regularly brushing your teeth), and thereby reducing chronic inflammation… and possibly reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

An American based science team discovered that reducing plaque buildup lowers the levels of chronic inflammation as measured by C-reactive protein (CRP). The study was led by Prof Charles Hennekens, of Florida Atlantic University. In the trial, 61 patients were given either the special or normal toothpaste and followed for 60 days. Their plaque and inflammation levels were tested before and after the study. Those using the disclosing toothpaste reduced their plaque levels by 49 per cent compared with 24 per cent for the control group. Inflammation, measured by levels of c-reactive protein, also fell by 29 per cent for the special toothpaste group, but rose by 25 per cent for the control group.

The team points out that managing chronic inflammation may be critical to preventing heart attacks and strokes.

The correlation between chronic inflammation and plaque was studied based on the knowledge that people with diseased gums – a condition associated with inflammation, suffered higher rates of heart attack and stroke. However, this recent controlled study, using a specialized plaque-targeting toothpaste, reduced inflammation (by 29%), which is close to a range typically only achieved by using statins (reduction of 39%). 

Although additional clinical studies are underway, there is now arguably reasonable proof that good dental health, in conjunction with other lifestyle choices, may be an element in managing chronic inflammation and reducing the risk of heart attack or stroke. 

Sadness

We live in a society where a high value is placed on being positive, however, occasionally in life, no matter what you do…

no matter how hard you try…

sometimes things will just be incredibly sad.

Just telling yourself to "be positive" isn't much help,

because moods can have a life of their own

There are three types of sadness most of us fall into:

1.   Short-term sadness:

2.   Triggered sadness

3.   Depression

Depression is an illness and must be treated by a professional. 

However, if you suffer the first two types, the best cure for sadness is happiness.

And the good news is: the sadness helps you appreciate the happiness so much more.

We hold faith (revisited)

Changing a few words changes the meaning and direction and message we want our readers to hear. Words have power and force that go beyond the writer. A few days ago, I wrote that we hold faith and I looked at death. Yet by changing and deleting a few words in the post to look at birth, we hold faith, has a changed perspective.

For a mother or a father of a newborn life becomes a storehouse of anticipated dreams, of unanswered questions, of yet to be filled dreams and desires, of unanswered questions both welcomed and rewarding, self-love and self sacrifice.

When someone is born, their life becomes an unfinished biography, a book with a plot that hangs in the air, an ever-expanding half-finished dream. Life hides bundles of truths to be discovered, of joys yet to be felt, love turned outside in. The birth of a child, uplifts us from nothing, gives us back joyful memories that were suspended in our past. These memories can heal the soul, lift the heart, reveal the truth or justify the intentions of our imagination.

When a birth occurs, life begins to mean so much, Death seems a million miles away and unwanted. Life and living for the child become both the question and the answer, the problem and the solution. A new life becomes the beginning.

We talk about the future when a birth happens. We listen to our ministers preach convincingly about life because we know they have experienced it themselves. We seek out those who are more knowledgeable about life than us and have experienced it at first hand. We hold faith that there is a better life for the new. Some of us hold faith with religion and others who we believe will show us a better way for the new one with us. 

There is love, hope, and joy in a birth. We celebrate with the parents, the family and friends, we rejoice in the hope that the child will have a better life and will not make the same mistakes we made.  We call on our gods to show the way for the child to be a good person. 

Celebrate your life and all new life by being the best you can be.

Social isolation and health

An interesting study by the AARP sheds some light on isolation and health, which I have posted about before, but as we age we lose our support group unless we work on keeping it. So to help find a reason to maintain  a strong social network you might want to review this study (pdf file)

“Social isolation is the distancing of an individual, psychologically or physically, or both, from his of her network of desired or needed relationships with other persons. Therefore, social isolation is a loss of place within one’s group(s)”  (Biordi & Nicholson, 2009)

One of the underlying factors determining prevalence of people considered “isolated” is whether they live alone. According to a recent study by the National Council on Aging, an estimated 17% of all Americans over the age of 65 are isolated because they live alone and face one or more barriers related to geographic location, language, or disability. In addition, half of those older Americans are considered economically unstable (Ortiz, 2011).

People who have limited income are considered to be more susceptible to isolation because they have limited resources to overcome barriers associated with isolation. Many researchers agree, however, that a solitary lifestyle alone is not an accurate indicator of isolation.

Based on a synthesis of the scientific research, this paper proposes the following unifying definition of isolation. Isolation is the experience of diminished social connectedness stemming from a process whereby the impact of risk factors outweighs the impact of any existing protective factors. A person’s lack of social connectedness is measured by the quality, type, frequency, and emotional satisfaction of social ties. Social isolation can impact health and quality of life, measured by an individual’s physical, social, and psychological health; ability and motivation to access adequate support for themselves; and the quality of the environment and community in which they live.

Isolation in adults aged 50+ occurs due to a complex set of circumstances and factors that exist at the individual, social network, community, and societal levels. The primary risk factors associated with isolation are:

·       Location: rural, unsafe or inaccessible neighborhood/community;

·       Small social network and/or inadequate social support;

·       Language (non-English speaking); and

·       Membership in a vulnerable group.

These factors can be grouped into psychological, physical, and social categories.

•  Isolation can also be triggered by the following major life changing events:

o  Change/Loss of Social Network

o  Social Role

o  Physical Health

o  Mental Health

o  Resources

• Contextual factors that are relevant to the occurrence of isolation include individual psychosocial states that play a role in isolation, as well as social factors such as social networks, social supports, social engagement and integration, income, mobility, societal factors, and the physical environment.
• Health and isolation are strongly linked, although further study is required to delineate the specific pathways through which isolation impacts health.
• Events, including changes in/loss of a social role, physical and mental health, social network, resources, and location of residence, can also trigger factors, both risk and protective, that can lead a person closer to or away from isolation.

There is a great deal of diversity among intervention designs, target populations, and outcome measures for interventions. The most common interventions reviewed in the literature fall into group and one-on-one categories and have been implemented with people living in community settings (as opposed to residential care settings). These interventions have aimed to: Reduce loneliness and/or depression;

·       Increase social network size;

·       Improve quality of supports; and

·       Increase frequency of social contacts.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ISOLATION AND HEALTH

A strong link has been established between isolation and morbidity, and isolation is considered a risk factor in development of illness and impairments in the presence of illness (Berg & Cassells, 1992). The link between social relationships and health has been widely studied. Cacioppo and his colleagues examined the mechanisms through which loneliness can impact health. In their study results and reviews of previous literature, they identified a long list of health conditions with which loneliness (subjective isolation) is associated (Cacioppo et al., 2009).

Additionally, research has found loneliness to be a predictor of depression and suicidal ideation In her study of loneliness in a sample of adults aged 50 and older, Theeke found that chronic loneliness was associated with higher numbers of chronic illness and higher depression scores, among other health-related issues (Theeke, 2007). Isolation has also been demonstrated to be predictive of cognitive impairment in older women .

Tomaka et al. (2006) found isolation to be related to disease outcomes including diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and emphysema. Evans et al. (2008) stated that risk exposures of isolation including likelihood of having reduced social networks could offer a major connection between income and health. Isolation resulting in lack of transportation can also have health consequences.

A 2006 report from the Transit Cooperative Research Program of the Federal Transit Administration identified that 3.6 million Americans, a large portion of whom are older, low income, and minorities, have deferred or altogether missed routine medical care due to lack of transportation. In turn, such a trend could lead to higher national health care costs

Berkman et al. (2000) propose a framework that illuminates the path from isolation to health through social networks: We have identified five mechanisms by which the structure of social networks might influence disease patterns:

1) biological and psychological pathways proximate to health status,

2) health behaviors,

3) psychological mechanisms,

4) physiologic pathways, and

5) the social environment in adulthood.

While social support is the mechanism most commonly invoked, social networks also influence health through additional behavioral mechanisms including:

(1) forces of social influence;

(2) levels of social engagement and participation;

(3) the regulation of contact with infectious disease; and

(4) access to material goods and resources.

These mechanisms are not mutually exclusive. In fact, it is most likely that in many cases they operate simultaneously (Berkman et al., 2000).

Cornwell and Waite (2009) found an independent association between their two measures of isolation and health. Higher levels of social disconnectedness and perceived isolation were associated with lower levels of self-rated physical health. 

They also determined that there is a benefit to considering both of these dimensions simultaneously (Cornwell & Waite, 2009). Evans et al. (2008) confirmed in a sample of community-dwelling (non-institutionalized) older adults that there is a relationship between lower income and poorer health.

What everybody needs

You know what everybody needs? You want to put it in a single word?

Everybody needs to be understood.

And out of that comes every form of love.

If someone truly feels that you understand them, an awful lot of neurotic behavior just disappears – disappears on your part, disappears on their part. So if you're talking about what motivates this world to continue existing as a community, you've got to talk about love... And my argument is it comes out of your biology because on some level we understand all of this. We put it into religious forms. It's almost like an excuse to deny our biology. We put it into pithy, sententious aphorisms, but it's really coming out of our deepest physiological nature.

Written by  Sherwin Nuland author of  How We Die: Reflections on Life's Final Chapter

Those who are not yet spiritually wise

Those who are not yet spiritually wise,  simply cannot appreciate, or even recognize, those who are. 

Fortunately, you can still blow their socks off as you live the truths you've uncovered. 

Snorkeling and life lessons

Snorkeling is fun and I learned an interesting life lesson from this activity

As I was swimming another swimmer who was quite excited said he had spotted  an octopus and asked if I would like to see it. I nodded and he showed me . I spent some time watching the octopus and the other beautiful fish in the area,  before moving on to another part of the reef.

About ten minutes later my wife, who had been swimming in the area was helping the other swimmer find the octopus called me over. She was about twenty feet from me and she had a large turtle swimming under her. I quickly swam over.to see the turtle swimming away. I followed it for a few minutes until he swam away too fast for me to keep up.

I missed the turtle, the other swimmer  missed the turtle. Snorkeling focuses your vision to what you can see  directly see in front of you.  If you want to see more you have to be flexible and  be open to looking around.  We can become so focused on what is in front of us that we miss the beauty that surrounds us. Every time I snorkeled I found it took me some time to adjust my vision to see the wonders of what was before me. Slowly the beautiful vista opened for me, but only when I opened my mind did I begin to see the variety of fish and corral before me. 

I found that over the summer I had, because of the hip and the  pain of recovering from knee surgery, I had become focused on my pain rather than appreciating the wonders, and beautiful things life has to offer. Snorkeling allowed me to regain my focus and to remember life is a joy and I just have to stay focused on the beauty not the pain of life. 

Decrease Your Risk of Death by Thirty Percent

According to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in February of 2014, physical activity can decrease your risk of death by as much as 30 percent. Not only was daily physical activity linked to a 30 percent drop in death for all causes, but it was also responsible for a 27 percent lower risk of heart attack and stroke!

The research was conducted on 4,232, 60 year old men and women and their health was tracked for 12.5 years. Participants were followed while performing what researchers call non- exercise physical activity (NEPA). These participants were not involved in a regular or regimented exercise program but physical activity levels were determined. Those that performed the highest levels of physical activity enjoyed the best results.

Another exciting finding was the reduced occurrence of the metabolic syndrome (pre-diabetes) which was significantly lower in those with higher non- exercising physical activity. This is of particular importance since it’s recently been estimated that 58 million Americans are at increased risk for developing diabetes.

The activities that qualify for results are those that we generally associate with typical household chores like house cleaning, gardening, raking etc. The researchers stated that “Our findings are particularly important for older adults, because individuals in this age group tend, compared to other age groups, to spend a relatively greater proportion of their active day performing routine activities as they often find it difficult to achieve recommended exercise intensity levels.”

The researchers concluded that”A generally active daily life was, regardless of exercising regularly or not, associated with cardiovascular health and longevity in older adults.”The message is that you just have to stay generally active to get results. If you are not moving then start moving. If you are moving a little, start moving more and more until you reach the highest levels of physical activity that’s safe and appropriate for you.

Key Steps to Decision-Making

There comes a point in almost everyone’s life when they realize their life has changed. The future is unknown, but there’s a gnawing internal awareness that time is of the essence. 

Circumstances have evolved: the children are grown and have their own lives, family and friends have moved away, death or divorce has altered lifestyle, health has become a concern for oneself or someone in the family, retirement is looming or at least being considered. How do we make the right decisions to maximize the benefit of our remaining “good years” and stay in control of our life as much as possible?

We know there are no guarantees in life, but it’s our responsibility to make the best decisions we can based on the information we have and how we feel about it.

Studies have shown that with increasing age there appears to be a decline in the ability to make appropriate decisions. We learn less easily, we process information more slowly. This can have an impact on financial and health related decisions. It’s important to think about your future as clearly as possible now and plan for someone you trust to assist you any time you are unsure about a decision.

At this point there also seems to be a tendency to think less about the long term future and more about the moment. Taking a dream vacation, moving out of an unhappy relationship, engaging in a hobby or interest from earlier years, seeking a new purpose that can be implemented immediately are just some of the short term attractions.

Here are the steps to help you make the right decision for yourself.

1 – Consider all factors

Take a look at everything that should be considered: health, money, lifestyle, relationships, self-fulfillment. It’s helpful to prioritize all factors so that appropriate weight can be given in the decision-making process.

2 – Consider your options

Write out all the options you have identified. If there’s only one, your objective is to make it the most favorable, considering other factors. If there’s more than one, apply the following steps. You might also want to get the strategic perspective of someone else who can help you find new options.

3 – Consider limitations

If health is your priority concern, consider any physical or functional limitations that will affect the rest of your decisions. If money is your primary concern you know that will be a strong consideration in sorting through options.

4 – Consider desires

If you’ve always wanted to spend time painting, but never could find the time, this may be the perfect time to experience the joy of expressing your talent. This might be the ideal time to relocate to another place if all the factors are right.

5 – Consider your bucket list

If you haven’t already made your list, do it now. See how your bucket list fits with your priorities and limitations. You may not be able to include everything, but chances are you can achieve a lot if you put your mind to it. The more you can relate your bucket list to the previous three steps the greater the chances of fulfilling your plans.

6 – Consider what your gut tells you

Don’t ever make a decision without checking with your gut. You will know it’s right when you feel totally comfortable with the decision you’re making. You’ve addressed the limitations and have figured how to achieve your goals. You know what you’re going to do and how you’re going to do it.

Look Around in Wonder

This is another beautiful technique that is simple: for some time come back to the present moment – here and now. Look around you! There are so many things that you may not have noticed in your daily life. For example, if you are sitting at a desk – notice the texture of the desk. What is it made of – wood? 

Notice how the design on the wood is. Notice the colors of the walls near you. Notice the people near you and the clothes they are wearing. Notice the expressions on their faces. Notice the floor near you. What is it made of? Is there a design on it? 

Just look around with the curiosity of a child for some time. Come on, when was the last time you just looked around and noticed things without any reason? 

As you do this...some thoughts may creep in. As soon as you notice you are thinking of something, let the thought go and come back to the present moment. Again – look around...and observe things you may never have observed before! Sometimes, I use this technique when I go to dine at restaurants. I notice the tables and chairs. I notice the walls. I notice the paintings. I notice the clothes the waiters are wearing and I notice the expressions on the faces of people. If you do this for just few minutes, you will feel joy. It might seem irritating at first or maybe even foolish. But do it anyway and the irritation and thoughts will vanish. 

Soon, you'll think: “Wow. I never knew there was just so much to notice around me.” Repeat this activity as many times in the day as you want. If you do it often enough, you will actually feel like a world of wonder has opened up. This is because generally we are so lost in thoughts that we hardly look around and notice many interesting things. The reason this activity works is also similar to the reason the first one works: it brings us back to the present moment for some time and helps us release our common negative thought patterns. So, well, why not try it right now? :)

Is Sleep Important to you?

While more research is required to explore the links between chronic sleep loss and health, it's safe to say that sleep is too crucial to shortchange.

These are some reasons to get enough sleep:

Learning and memory: Sleep aids the brain in committing fresh information to memory with a process known as memory consolidation. In studies, individuals who'd slept after learning a task did better on tests afterwards.

Metabolic process and weight: Chronic sleep loss might cause weight gain by impacting the way our bodies process and stack away carbs, and by shifting levels of hormones that impact our appetite. 

Safety: Sleep debt leads to a greater tendency to nod off during the day. These lapses might cause falls and errors like medical errors, air traffic mishaps, and car accidents.

Mood: Sleep loss might result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate, and moodiness. Too little sleep may likewise leave you too tired to do the things you love to do.

Cardiovascular health: Serious sleep disorders have been related to high blood pressure, increased stress hormone levels, and atypical heartbeat.

Disease: Sleep deprivation alters immune function, including the activity of the body's killer cells. Getting enough sleep may likewise help fight cancer.

To evaluate your sleep shortage, ask yourself:

Am I frequently tired?

Am I utilizing caffeine to get through the day?

Do I sleep well?

Do I wake up feeling invigorated?

Do I become drowsy while driving or watching television?

If you're having severe sleep issues, see your physician, especially if you have trouble more than 3 nights a week for a month. Your doctor may check whether your sleep problems are caused by some underlying health issue, like depression or a thyroid disorder, and may help with a treatment plan or referral to a sleep specialist.

Gingko biloba, protects against stroke-related neurologic deficits

The information below is about a small study, so the results need to be considered in that light. But the results are promising. The article was first published in July 2013 in the GreenMedInfo Jouranal.
A new study published in the Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease confirms that extracts of one of the oldest plants in existence today, the 'living fossil' known as Gingko biloba, protects against stroke-related neurologic deficits in human subjects.[1]
Researchers at the University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran, lead a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trial, in order to assess the efficacy of Gingko biloba on functional outcome in patients with acute stroke. In order to measure functional outcome they used The National Institutes of Heath Stroke Scale (NIHSS), a 15-item neurologic examination stroke scale used to evaluate the effect of acute cerebral infarction on the levels of consciousness, language, neglect, visual-field loss, extraocular movement, motor strength, ataxia, dysarthria, and sensory loss.[2]

A total of 102 patients with acute ischemic stroke were studied. 52 patients received Ginko biloba and 50 patients placebo tablets, both for 4 months.[3]  The primary outcome of treatment was a 50% reduction in the 4-month follow-up NIHSS score compared to the baseline NIHSS score, and was was reached in 17 patients (58.6%) and 5 patients (18.5%) in the Gingko biloba and placebo groups, respectively. When results were adjusted via multivariate regression for age and sex, there was observed a significant NIHSS decline in the Gingko biloba group compared to the placebo group.
The study authors concluded, "Our data suggest that G biloba may have protective effects in ischemic stroke. Therefore, the administration of G biloba is recommended after acute ischemic stroke."

The researchers also pointed out that acute ischemic stroke is a major cerebrovascular disease with potential morbidity and mortality, and that despite the availability of thrombolytic therapy (blood thinners), risk factor modification and rehabilitation therapy are the mainstays of stroke management. Ginkgo biloba, they opined, could "afford neuroprotection and improve the outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke."

Additional Research on Natural Stroke Preventive Strategies

On GreenMedInfo.com's database we have indexed 20 natural substances which have been found to have value in stroke prevention, including:

• Fish Consumption
• Vitamin D
• Garlic
• Green Tea
• Curcumin
• Resveratrol

You can view the first-hand citations here: Stroke Prevention Research, and on the more general stroke research page here: Stroke. 

You can also view our stroke recovery research page, including research on the following substances:

• Antioxidants
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Resveratrol
• Sulforaphane

View the research here: Stroke Recovery Research. 
Additional database sections relevant to this topic include the 'pharmacological actions'neuroprotective, neuritogenic and neurorestorative agents.

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[1] X Zeng, M Liu, Y Yang, Y Li, K Asplund. Ginkgo biloba for acute ischaemic stroke. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005(4):CD003691. Epub 2005 Oct 19. PMID: 16235335

[2] http://www.nihstrokescale.org

[3] This trial was registered to the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir; trial IRCT138804212150N1).

Sayer Ji is an author, researcher, lecturer, and advisory board member of the National Health Federation.

He founded Greenmedinfo.com in 2008 in order to provide the world an open access, evidence-based resource supporting natural and integrative modalities. It is widely recognized as the most widely referenced health resource of its kind.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of GreenMedInfo or its staff

What a wonderful world

A wonderful world it is, and as we approach winter many of us thinking of spring and summer and how we need to take off for some time off from our hectic world. To appreciate what we have I recommend the following: 

www.youtube.com/embed/auSo1MyWf8g?rel=0

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Stories from the Hospital Ward

When I was in the hospital for my hip replacement this month, I had two interesting   people in my ward. The first person was a lady had been attacked by a pitbull the night before.  She was walking home and there were three young men sitting near the path that she was walking on. She did not see a dog but as she walked by a dog lunged at her,  grabbed her hand. The owners of the dog pulled back on the chain choke hold but the dog  held firmly and finally released the hand. The young owner of the dog looked at her as she look at her hand then turned and ran away the third young man looked at her wait a few minutes looked at her hand to see if she was really hurt saw the blood gushing from her hand and ran away. She was a few hundred meters from her home so she went home contact her ex husband came over drove her to the hospital.
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Hospitals are interesting   as they have policies and procedures which must be followed. She did not arrive in an ambulance therefore ,she was moved to the back of the cue in the emergency room. When she was finally seen the doctor who examined her said told her that  your hand is probably just bruised. He was going to send her home. She asked for an xray and he allowed that x-ray to happen. When the X ray results came back it was noted that her annual and radius were crushed and that her hand was broken.

 Because she was insistent about the x-ray she was able to have her hand operated upon. The doctor who operated was the same doctor that had operating on my knee and my hip. He is very good. He saved her hand. Here is my concern,  the young men ran away from their responsibility to the woman who was injured and bleeding as they paniked. The hospital treated her with disrespect at first and were going to send her home. She stood up for herself at the hospital. She had the courage to walk home and get help. People may have heard her scream when the dog was attacking but no one came to help. Society is reaching a point where we are ignoring other others who are in distress I find that sad. My question is should we help others who are in distress when we can or at least phone emergency services?

My second ward mate was a man who was injured while he was crossing in a crosswalk on a very busy highway he tripped. And fell and broke his elbow while he was on. The ground drivers who had stopped to let him cross got out of the car help him up took him to the sidewalk another driver phoned the ambulance who brought him to the hospital. The woman and the men were treated differently by the people who saw them in distress. The two individuals who were in the ward with me, at the hospital were both treated differently why the passers by who could help. The young lady was not helped (I say young she was two years younger than myself as so she was in her mid 60's), well the man was helped. I have faith in our society when people go beyond what they need to do in order to help others. We need to continue to be a caring society.