Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Health Newsletter

November 1, 2006               

 Issue Vol. 6 No. 11

 In This Newsletter

Introduction

Healthfully yours

Health Hints

 Introduction***

 The Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Health Newsletter is written monthly, solely for information to help seniors, baby boomers and anyone who may have an interest in staying healthy, living a vigorous, active lifestyle and combating the aging process. It does not constitute the practice of medicine and is not meant to prescribe treatments. It is offered strictly as an educational aid. Any medical problems you may have, we recommend that you seek the help of your physician or other healthcare professional. Discussing your intentions with your doctor is always the proper procedure. The newsletter also includes know-how in the form of useful tips and links to more extensive material on the Internet. You may wish to share this newsletter by sending a copy to a friend, neighbor or relative and suggesting they subscribe to it.

This newsletter is scanned for viruses and is virus-free before it is sent to recipients!

 Website: http://www.doctorsexercise.com 

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 E-Mail address: newsletter@doctorsexercise.com

Healthfully Yours***

Cold and Flu Season

 Last Year, I wrote about the short supply of the flu vaccine, and the necessity of protecting yourself against contracting the flu. This year, there appears to be no shortage of the flu vaccine, but that doesn’t mean you can leave your guard down. The most important thing is maintaining a strong immune system and using preventive measures to ward off the flu virus. This also holds true to preventing colds caused by the rhinovirus.

 You need to know that every year the FDA tries to determine what strain of the flu will be prevalent during the ensuing season. By the time they have determined the type of vaccine that will be manufactured, the virus has begun to mutate, leaving the individuals with weakened immunity systems vulnerable to getting the flu or a serious cold.

 Viruses that cause influenza spread so quickly that 30 to 60 million Americans catch it each year and some 36,000 die. It mutates so fast that no one ever becomes fully immune. The immune system has no defense to a specific virus or viruses, which have mutated and become more virulent. That is why many individuals who have received flu shots still contract the flu.

 The fact is- flu shots may actually be worthless if the individual has a seriously impaired immune system. A study conducted by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases found no correlation between increasing vaccination rates after 1980 and declining death rates in any age group. (As published in the Archives of Internal Medicine volume 165, 2005)

 There are two reasons why an individual can fall prey to the flu:

 1. Their immune systems are weak or in a weakened state.

2. Their immune system cannot defend against a specific virus or viruses that have

    mutated and  become more virulent, and cannot afford protection because they

    have been immunized for a different strain of virus.

 Individuals with weakened or compromised immune systems are not only prone to contracting a cold or influenza, but are seriously at risk for developing bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinus problems as well. Therefore, it is incumbent upon everyone to keep their immune systems at an optimal peak level to guard against invading bacteria and viruses. Basically, it is like wearing body armor when in a battle zone, because we are surrounded constantly by invading bacteria and viruses looking to invade our bodies. How we put this body armor to work is discussed in the health hints below.

  Health Hints***

 One of the most important things you can do is to wash your hands thoroughly and often, especially after the following:

 

1. Visiting the bathroom.
2. After handling your pets.
3. After using phones or any type of equipment used by others.
4. After handling and preparing food.
5. After doing any household chores and cleaning, vacuuming, taking out the trash, etc.
6. After any gardening or yard work.
7. After shopping and using a shopping cart.
8. After greeting others by shaking hands.
9. Avoid kissing each other when greeting friends.

It is important that you keep your hands away from your eyes, mouth and your face. If at all possible try to stay away from crowds or gatherings whenever possible. Eating a well balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains is extremely beneficial in maintaining a healthy immune system. Don’t overload your body with excess calories. This not only impacts the immune system, but will put on excess weight causing all your body systems to work harder. Calculating the amount of calories you should have on a daily basis is simple, just multiply your weight by 6.7 and then add 487. Then multiply that number by 1.6. Not only will this strengthen your immune system, but also it will add to your longevity. There are many foods that will help enhance and maintain the immune system.  These in particular are the foods you need to add to your diet that will help strengthen the immune system.

Ø     Fish

Ø     Flax

Ø     Yogurt

Ø     Oranges…Grapefruit…Lemons…Limes

Ø     Cantaloupe

Ø     Figs…Apricots

Ø     Chilli peppers

Ø     Blueberries…cherries

Ø     Sweet potato…yams

Ø     Red bell peppers…tomato…onion

Ø     Honey

Ø     Nuts…all varieties

  It is also mandatory that you keep well hydrated throughout the day. Drink water and stay away from colas and other carbonated beverages. Be sure to get enough rest so as not to place undue stress on your immune system.

 Adding the proper supplements to your diet is a must because most people will not be getting enough antioxidants such as vitamin A, C, E, and beta-carotene in their diet. In addition an herbal supplement can prove very effective in strengthening your immune system. Titan Laboratories produces two very effective formulas for aiding in the strengthening of the immune system. These are Factor Twelve and Factor One. Two caplets of the Factor Twelve and two tablets of the Factor One should be taken twice daily until January. More information can be obtained by going to: http://www.doctorsexercise.com. Click on Products…then click on the Factor Series…and check for Factor Twelve and Factor One.

 Following a regime as outlined above will give you the best possible protection against coming down with influenza or a serious cold, bronchitis, sinusitis or pneumonia.  

 Doc Cane