Nutrition News

The fastest growing segment of the population in western civilization is what we like to call the "Seasoned Baby-Boomers." We hope that retirement is a prescription for relaxation, play, and an abundance of 'me-time.' It should also be a time to focus special attention on your health. Who doesn't want to add quality years to their life? Who doesn't want to fight the aging process? This month we'd like to turn our focus onto how we can optimize our golden years and combat the aging process through proper nutrition and exercise.

When taking an active role in your health, you must consider that strength training creates enhanced muscle growth and increased bone density, strengthens the immune system, stabilizes joints, and the list goes on...Because you are already a Curves member, we'd like you to use this information to encourage your friends who are neglecting their own health. Research has shown that the golden years are a time when people are most susceptible to many health risks. Yes, genetics and the natural course of aging do play a role in the state of your health. However, you can still optimize your health, live longer, prevent disease, and fight the aging process if you are willing enough to make exercise and proper nutrition an essential part of your life.

Evidence from numerous sources indicates that a significant number of 'mature' individuals fail to get the proper amounts and types of food necessary to meet essential energy and nutrient needs. Why does this happen and what can we do about it? I believe just bringing attention to this topic is the first step, and that proper education and implementation is the second step.

We all know that good nutrition promotes proper healing and vitality, whereas poor nutrition can prolong recovery from illness and lead to lack of energy resulting from imbalances in body chemistry. The emphasis on nutrition and exercise is universal. We need to carry on good nutritional habits throughout life. Many health care providers try to create a multifaceted intervention approach to address the wide range of factors contributing to suboptimal nutrient intake in the mature years of life. Let's make this much more straightforward; we simply need to be aware of how to meet our body's needs in order to maintain optimal health status in our mature years.

After age fifty there are many metabolic and physiological changes which have an impact on the nutritional needs of an individual. The metabolic rate slows and can decline as much as thirty percent over a lifetime. However, the Curves program can counteract the decrease in metabolism with the simple implementation of strength training. When you build muscle you directly increase your metabolism. Another positive is the increase in bone density with resistance strength training. If a person simply does not exercise, their metabolism will decline. This results in decreased caloric needs which can be complicated by changes in an aging individual's ability to balance food intake and energy needs. Even with a decreased caloric need, many older people have difficulty getting sufficient calories which can eventually lead to chronic fatigue, depression, and a weakened immune system. As we age, our body composition changes. If we avoid exercising, this will lead to a decrease in lean tissue mass (as much as 25%) and an increase in body fat. Such changes can be accelerated because older adults utilize dietary protein less efficiently and may actually need a greater amount than the standard recommendation of high quality protein in their diet to maintain lean tissue mass. These changes in metabolism and physiology can be exaggerated due to complications from digestive difficulties, oral and dental problems, and medication-related nutrient imbalances.

Here are some specific nutritional recommendations for you:

1. Please refer back to our article Re-defining Ourselves Nutritionally.

2. Vitamins & Minerals: You need a whole spectrum of vitamins, and minerals. Magnesium, Calcium, Zinc, Manganese, Boron, Copper, etc... The Curves Complete is a great way to guarantee that you get all the essentials.

3. Antioxidants: Vit E, C, D, and K, CoQ10, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Grape Seed Extract.

4. Flush Out With Fiber. Fiber helps to flush out and remove unwanted waste from the intestinal tract. I recommend one to two tablespoons of ground-up flaxseed daily. You can try it sprinkled on your cereal or mixed into your morning shake.

5. Acidophilus Supplements. Acidophilus is the "good bacteria" that inhabits your intestinal system and is necessary for keeping unwanted viruses, bacteria, and yeast at bay. Unfortunately, due to the overuse of antibiotics, combined with diets abundant in refined sugars and flours, we tend to have a very low "good bacteria" count.

6. MSM stands for methyl-sulfonyl-methane. It is also referred to as "physiological sulfur." What this term implies is that MSM provides the human body with the essential mineral sulfur. Sulfur is an important element for all cells and body tissues. It is an especially important nutrient for joint tissue, where it functions to stabilize the connective tissue matrix of cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Sulfur is also essential to proper liver function, detoxification, and for the action of insulin.

The message to our seasoned readers is clear...the quality of your nutrition and exercise program is the foundation for the quality of your life.