by theonehipguy@gmail.com | Apr 5, 2015 | Uncategorized
This past weekend my wife’s mother passed away. Gertie lived to ripe old age of 92. She was a remarkable woman who was not only the matriarch of her immediate family but was also for the entire clan.
As my wife Susanne went through her old pictures I was reminded of how the wheels of time keep marching on. Susanne would show me some pictures and I would say when was that? I would be surprised at the years that have slipped by from when some of those pictures were taken and where we are today.
Pictures are amazing ways to look into our past, our parents past and even our grandparents past. There are even older pictures that are weathered and worn. Many of these photos are of people who have passed on yet when I look at them I can’t help but ask…”What did they wish for? Did they accomplish all that they aspired to be, do and have?” Did they ever realize the legacy that they were creating?
It is gentle reminder of our lives today…are we living a life well lived? Are we accomplishing all that we aspire to be, do and have?
Are there any dreams and goals that are on hold? Is there someone we should talk to? Are waiting until NEXT year to take that trip of a lifetime?
What can we do differently right now to set the course towards those dreams we have put on hold? Who can we help right now and make a difference in their lives?
Start planning that trip, don’t wait.
Anyone who has experienced a health crisis must surely know aspiring to be, do and have in all that we are is the best we can do. Take care of yourself. We are only here for a short time on the earthly plain yet the time we have we can accomplish so much. The legacy we are creating will be amazing…don’t you think?
There may be a day that someone will look through those old pictures of us. Perhaps it will be one of our children or one of grandchildren or even our great grandchildren. Perhaps they will look into those eyes that were frozen in time so many years ago and ask…”What did they wish for? Did they accomplish all that they aspired to be, do and have?”
I know I want my answer to be that I did my best! That I was in continual motion to reach my dreams and goals. I may not have achieved and succeeded in everything but I got in the game, took some chances and took action to be, do, and have along the way.
As we say goodbye to my wife Susanne’s mom, my adopted mom, I know that she got in the game, took some chances and took action to be, do, and have along the way and as a result has left a legacy that is boundless.
How about you?
In health,
Your OneHipGuy
John
by theonehipguy@gmail.com | Apr 1, 2015 | Uncategorized
I have written in the past about the need to eat right and to consume fruits and vegetables. There is so much information out there that we as consumers are more confused than ever. One of big questions is “Organic” or “Conventional”? I’ve heard this debated for years.
What I have discovered is that organic is critical in some specific fruits and vegetables and in others it does not have as much of an impact.
If this is an important issue for you then taking the time to research the fruits and vegetables you eat often and how they are affected by pesticides would be a good thing to do.
I definitely have my opinions. I came across this today and think it gives some great, practical advise based on detectable pesticide residues and from a source I consider to be relatively reliable.
Take the time to watch this video and use the cheat sheet it talks about to guide you through the maze of misinformation that is out there.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/video-hub/4119963227001/
Yours in health,
Your OneHipGuy
by theonehipguy@gmail.com | Mar 27, 2015 | Uncategorized
It also made me think about what happens when we consider going on a vacation. For some they jump at the chance for others they are unable due to health issues.
The excitement of planning the trip, the thrill of getting to destination and having that first day wherever it might be is what I would call the GOOD part of the getaway! Packing the suitcase with far too many things because we might need them may be a little tedious yet it comes with excitement of whats to be!
For me on this trip I was going from the cold to the hot with promises of golfing, swimming, dinners out with family and sight seeing.
Reconnecting with family can be the best part of a vacation. I believe that we have friends for reasons and seasons but that family should be there for our lifetime. We are all uniquely different with a common thread. I respect and admire that about my family and honor the opportunity to share time with them. This the really GOOD part of a vacation!
I have found since my hip replacement that my connection to family is stronger than ever. Being acutely aware of the fragility of the human body, l have a stronger sense of time and how little we have.
In every vacation there are some not so good or BAD situations. Delays at the airport, credit card issues, line ups, and more line ups are part of the process. Some might even say that family are part of the BAD…I will say right here that no matter what it can be the GOOD. I accept my family for their unique selves as they do me. Park the ego’s at the door and be in the moment. You don’t have to take them home with you!!
It is seldom a smooth road when travelling.
If flying there can weather delays, mechanical issues and although frustrating remember to be part of the problem. Things happen and that is the story of life. Roll with them and you will feel better no matter how frustrating.
I like to remind myself that for every BAD situation there are others having a worse one! We can be the giant or the midget all by how we view and react to situations. Be a giant!
Eating can be challenge when on a vacation. The tendency is to eat rich and maybe have a few alcoholic beverages. The old adage everything in moderation should be followed.
Our bodies are our best indicators. I was feeling a little sluggish and acidy so I started to drink more water which I neglected and then got back to my normal routine of a healthy protein shake to start the day and my daily vitamins. Getting out of routine can cause me to miss taking my vitamins, however once I get back on track I start to feel better.
The third part of my topic is The UGLY.
What could I possibly have to say that would be fitting in this topic?
I believe the ugly part is not being able to take a vacation because of our health.
Statistically the North American population is doing it to ourselves. From heart disease, cancer, type II diabetes, stroke and so on, most of these are diseases of poor lifestyle choices. The burden on the health care system is becoming more and more taxing as the baby boomers become older and older.
There are challenges in hospital space and timely care.
The aging population, our parents are being put in care facilities in hopes that they will be cared for properly. Although these facilities do their best there is more pressure on them as the demand increases.
If you can afford to take a vacation and health is good then what are you waiting for? There is so much to see and do. It is a blast to see different parts of North America and meet interesting people. Time is tickin
It is a GOOD thing to do!
In health,
Your OneHipGuy
by theonehipguy@gmail.com | Aug 20, 2014 | Diet
There is increasing concern over what actually goes in our food. More and more consumers have forced the manufactures to disclose just what goes into our food. Legislation has forced the improvement of labeling on the products we buy, yet there are still areas that are of concern.
Take chicken for example. I recently was in a store that promoted free-range chicken, organic chicken, and the conventional chicken. Okay so I ask myself which one should I be eating? I did some homework and found that the free-range chicken most likely was not organic since the feed it ate would be genetically modified and that the definition of free range is somewhat controversial. In order to label chicken as free-range, producers must demonstrate through affidavits or testimonials that their poultry have free, continuous access to the outdoors for more than half of their lives. The free-range label is slightly controversial, since some producers insist that the label applies even if the birds do not actually go outdoors very much or at all — they merely need the option to go outside.
So lets take a look at the Organic chicken. Law states that it must be fed only certified organic feed, which is grown without artificial fertilizers or pesticides, from the time they are two days old. They may not receive hormones or antibiotics at any time, though they may receive vaccinations to prevent common diseases. Though they may be kept inside temporarily for specific purposes like medical treatment or to protect the quality of soil or water, they must be given reasonable access to the outdoors.
Scientific research does not clearly show any health or nutritional benefits from eating organic or free-range chicken versus conventionally-raised chicken. Nonetheless, consumers’ perception of nutritional superiority continues to drive much of the demand for certified organic and free-range poultry.
Another key factor in deciding which chicken to eat is cost. Organic and free range chicken costs significantly more simply because of the increased growing period. A conventional chicken will be in the local store in 30-40 days. An organic and free range chicken will be in the local store in 60-70 days.
Given all of the data that I have gone though the deciding factor for me is eating as clean as possible. Since I have a hip replacement I take what I put in my body very seriously. I believe the less stress I put on my immune system the better long term. What eating clean means is eating chicken that has no added hormones, antibiotics, etc. It also means eating a chicken that has been treated as humanely as possible.
So eating Organic Chicken is the only way to go for me, yet that my not be the case for all of you!
So why did the Organic Chicken cross the road? You Tell Me! I look forward to your answers!
Yours in health,
John – One Hip Guy
by theonehipguy@gmail.com | Aug 13, 2014 | Uncategorized
Lets get down to brass tax…did you get all the nutrition your body needs today? Yesterday? The day before? Are you sure?
The fact is that it is almost impossible to fulfill the needs of body at the cellular level. Try as we might we are mostly unable to meet the needs day in and day out.
More and more informed adults are taking nutritional supplements to augment their lifestyle. In a report produced by the Council for Responsible Nutrition in 2011 the evidence is quite clear that taking supplements is now a mainstream part of a healthy diet.
http://www.crnusa.org/CRNPR12-SurveyFindingsUsage031312.html
Whether you are a seemingly health adult or you have encountered health challenges it seems prudent to take a nutritional supplement. As someone who has had a hip replacement I am acutely aware of the need to keep my immune system strong. A weak immune system could be a serious problem for someone who has a hip replacement from clotting to infection.
Eating a healthy diet is still the best starting point and taking a supplement can fill in the missing pieces that we may not even be aware of that isn’t there.
Lets talk about just a couple of supplements and the benefits:
Supplemental magnesium improves physical performance in healthy older women
Magnesium (Mg) is an essential mineral important in the structure and the function of the human body and also as a cofactor for hundreds of enzyme systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions in the body. Unfortunately, dietary surveys in the US continue to show that older people are particularly susceptible to magnesium deficiency for various reasons, including an inadequate dietary intake, reduced absorption, and greater losses in stools and urine. A poor magnesium status has been associated with reduced physical performance, but to date no trials have established a link between magnesium supplementation and physical performance in the elderly.
In a new study published in the American Journal ofClinical Nutrition, investigators sought to determine whether oral magnesium supplementation could improve physical performance in healthy older women. The research group included 139 healthy women with an average age of 71.5 years that were attending a mild fitness program. The study group included 77 controls and 62 women who were given 300 mg/day of magnesium oxide for 12 weeks. The researchers were blinded to the grouping.
The primary outcome analyzed was a change in the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). The scores for the SPPB did not differ between the two groups at baseline. After 12 weeks of supplementation, the group taking magnesium had a significantly better total SPPB score than the controls. The treatment group also had a significantly better test score for chair stand times and 4 minute walking speeds. The improvements were even more evident in women with dietary magnesium intakes below the RDA.
The findings of this study indicate that magnesium supplementation may play a role in delaying age-related decline in physical performance in healthy older women, especially if dietary intake is below recommended levels.
Nicola Veronese et al. Effect of oral magnesium supplementation on physical performance in healthyelderly women involved in a weekly exercise program: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr published ahead of print July 9, 2014 doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.080168
Another Vitamin and it’s benefits:
Vitamin C reduces the frequency and severity of colds and improves physical activity in men with suboptimal vitamin C status
Although severe vitamin C deficiency resulting in scurvy is a rare occurrence in modern society, as many as 22% of U.S. adults are believed to have inadequate vitamin C status, with as many as 6% classified as vitamin C deficient. Insufficiencies are often undiagnosed because early symptoms of poor vitamin C status are not obvious and may include fatigue, malaise, depression and irritability. Inadequate vitamin C levels have also been associated with increased duration and severity of colds during the peak of cold season.
In a new study published in the journal Nutrients, researchers examined the impact of vitamin C status on physical activity and upper respiratory tract infections during the winter months.
The participants in this double-blind randomized trial included healthy, nonsmoking college men, with a marginal plasma vitamin C level, who were not training for or competing in sports. The men were randomized into one of two groups that received either 1000 mg of vitamin C/day or a placebo. Participants were given a booklet at the beginning of the study that contained the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-21, the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, and a short food frequency measure. Over the course of the eight week study, the men completed the symptom survey daily, and the exercise and food frequency measures weekly.
During weeks 6-8 of the study, the physical activity score for the vitamin C supplemented group rose moderately compared to the placebo group. The number of cold episodes reported during the study was lower in the vitamin C group (7) compared to the placebo group (11), as was the reported duration of colds (reduced 59% versus placebo).
Although this study was limited by a relatively small sample size, the results suggest that there may be measurable health advantages associated with vitamin C supplementation in men with adequate-to-low vitamin C status. Since this study was conducted during winter months and included only men with similar vitamin C status, more research is needed to determine whether these results can be extended to other populations and seasons.
Carol S. Johnston, Gillean M. Barkyoumb, and Sara S. Schumacher. Vitamin C Supplementation Slightly Improves Physical Activity Levels and Reduces Cold Incidence in Men with Marginal Vitamin C Status: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients 2014, 6, 2572-2583; doi:10.3390/nu6072572.
The ongoing studies continue to show that taking high quality nutritional supplements along with a healthy diet will give all of us the best chance to have a strong immune system. If you are not taking a supplement why not? If you are taking a supplement then congratulations! The next step is to ensure you are getting a high quality supplement that is made to pharmaceutical standards.
Yours in health,
John- One Hip Guy
