| Walk With the Doc Even with the best of intentions, the goals we set can fall by the wayside. Staying motivated is a challenge. Complicating matters is the difficulty in getting informed. The daily barrage of news and popular books can easily cause us to ask “what’s going to work for me?” For years Government guidelines promoted the notion that fat makes you fat. That’s an idea needing a kick to the curb long ago. In moderation, fat is a very important part of our diet. Despite the last news flash, most advertized “nutrition” products are not helpful. It’s hard to cut through the barrage of noise. Perhaps the confusion keeps you from taking positive action. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be a nutrient numbers game. And contrary to what you may have heard, you don’t have to go vegan or adopt a Paleo diet. Want to dig deeper into what the science tells us? Read more at “Nutrition Myths and Healthy Dietary Advice.” Perhaps it’s time to talk about your plan. Nancy Neighbors, MD Huntsville, Alabama ********************************* Healthy mid-life behaviors pay off. Physical fitness in middle age can lower your risk of stroke almost 40% after 65. Best of all, the protective effect of fitness remain even in the face of risk factors like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and abnormal heart rhythms. Given that stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of long-term disability, exercise makes sense. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise a week. Read more at “Middle-Age Fitness Helps Ward Off Stroke.” |