Choices

We are all getting older

            As a nation, soon 20 percent of our American population will be over 65.  While that is really not so old, in a few years, 20 percent of our population will be over 80 years old. Certainly, there are some Americans who chose healthy, life-long habits such as not smoking, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water daily, eating a diet high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables. However, many have chosen not to take self-responsibility for their health. Aging itself takes a toll on your health. Major organs such as the liver and kidneys just do not work as well. Now, for those who have made healthy choices and continue to be active, both physically and mentally, their bodies adapt and they enjoy a decent level of health. 

What the studies tell us about aging and health 

            Anyone remember your mom saying, “You are what you eat!” This might have been when you were choosing those ding-dongs (chocolate dipped cupcakes) and soda, and passing up an apple with a smidgen of peanut butter with a glass of low fat milk. Research shows that so many disease processes are linked to our diets. We really are what we eat!

 

Just one example ...

            When someone in their forties or older comes in to the emergency room, complaining of left abdominal pain, do you know what it is from? Diverticulitis ... when diverticula in the digestive tract becomes inflamed or infected. Diverticula are bulging pouches that form in the digestive system, usually in the large intestines. Why does this happen? Because the person already has Diverticulosis...those pouches that formed in the intestines. Those pouches form simply because a person is not eating a high fiber diet, rich with grains, fruits, and vegetables, staying well hydrated (for most of us that means drinking 8 glasses of water daily), and regularly exercising.

            In other words, we eat every day; therefore, we need to poop every day. It is when those waste products stay in the intestines too long, that the pouches begin to form. Then, eating certain foods, particularly with seeds, such as tomatoes, popcorn, or strawberries, and the seeds can become embedded in the pouches and a full-fledged infection begins.  After the initial episodes of diverticulitis where one rests the digestive tract with only clear liquids, the diet then needs to be rich in high fiber foods for the rest of that person’s life. There was a 17 year study published on this recently that showed it is okay to eat foods with seeds as long as it is part of a high fiber diet.

What can you do?

            Encourage those who you love to make healthy life style choices and lead by example yourself. This will help you and those you love enter that 80 plus crowd in a healthy state, allowing you and loved ones time to discuss those end of life plans.