Blood Sugar and Your Brain

A new study has found that if you want a healthy brain, you need to control your blood sugar. This goes for whether you have diabetes or not. Most of us know the usual ways to control blood sugar, our weight, eat more fruits and vegetables, etc., but we also must get 150 minutes of physical activity a week.


To this article I would add to consume smaller meals every two or three hours. I do have a couple of things to change such as stop using jarred sauce. I think I should go back to this recipe!

Strive For More Than Five

We all know that we must try to eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Turns out that 5 might not be enough for optimal health. The new call is for at least 7 servings a day. I think I eat at least 12 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. I eat even more on my meatless days, which are at least 2 days a week.


Researchers have found an association with mortality and vegetable consumption. Consuming 7 servings was linked to a 42% lower risk of death.

Fifty Is The Cut-Off

Although I exercised and eight right in my early years, it wasn't until I was in my upper 40s or until I turned 50 that I actually began to live a healthy lifestyle. Many 50+ individuals will claim that they are in better health than their 20s, 30s, 40s and even beyond. There may be a reason why this is and it goes beyond the wisdom that comes with aging.


In a new study, we can reverse the effects of an unhealthy lifestyle if we change our bad habits by 50. We can reverse the effects of smoking if we quit by 50. We can reverse the effects of an unhealthy diet if we change our nutrition by 50. Keep in mind that this is just a current study, but may hold truths to those who have gone into despair about their overall health.


My bottom line is don't abuse your body until you are 50 then go healthy. As with anything else leading a healthy lifestyle will go farther in a lifetime. If you don't start to smoke a lead a healthy lifestyle from infancy, you may live a long carefree and healthy life.

Health Journal 12

It's summer and since it goes by faster than the other seasons, I have to take advantage of the great weather. Thus why this edition of the Health Journal is getting close to the wire. Ground Zero has now been in existence for over a year, and I know the HJ is my most popular for the variety of information.


Summer can include stress that can lead to over eating and lack of exercise. Learn ways to manage stress in the summer.


Remember to keep your heart in tiptop shape through fitness and nutrition. There are surprising foods that are good for your heart.




Yoga is gaining popularity for the overall health benefits. Learn to improve your health with yoga.




If your like me your BMI might put you in the overweight category. My doctor refuses that idea because I exercise and have muscle mass that adds weight. If I lose too much weight I almost look like a muscular anorexic. Although it is still a reliable source, you can't always rely on BMI.


An often important and neglected exercise involves strengthening the core muscles. This becomes apparent as we age when bones become brittle and we are prone to falls. Find out the importance of core-strengthening.


When it comes to workouts, or just about any aspects of life, setting goals will help accomplish our outcome. Know how to set effective goals.


Leading a sedentary life can kill you because your health suffers. It seems that sitting too long can also have an adversity on your overall health. Sitting can increase your cancer risk.

The Man Behind The Curtain

The Great and Powerful Oz turned out to be an ordinary man that used the power of illusion to make himself self seem more powerful than he really was. Over the years of watching Dr.Oz, it is time to give my opinion on his advice. I am in better health thanks to largely following Dr. Oz's advice on healthy living. I use his links often throughout my blog.


When it comes to healthy eating and fitness tips and most other healthy living tips, Dr. Oz is right on. I tried many of the supplements endorsed on the show, that weren't for weight loss and dieting, and I think I'm going to start researching them a bit more. I have used supplements that Dr. Oz mentioned as a "cure"(or something to that effect) and found them a waste of money.


The show is mostly geared toward women. It does offer great advice for the most part that everybody can use. In my opinion, the show has peaked and many have given up on Dr. Oz. I've been finding myself changing to other stations lately and not watching Dr. Oz.


Bottom line is that Dr. Oz has transformed many to live healthier and that is a big plus. Do your own research because Dr. Oz isn't the ultimate authority when it comes to health. Everyone is different and not everything works. Do your own homework!

The Powerhouse Superfoods List

Most of us make it a point to consume as many superfoods as possible. Many of us have been on the kale kick, thinking that it is the most powerful of foods. Well the CDC has come out with a list to identify food powerhouses.


Although it is based on foods that can lower disease risk, I don't buy it for the most part. I can't understand why romaine lettuce beats out other superfoods that didn't make the list. I can't see why iceberg is even on the list. Sweet potatoes on the low end seems a bit extreme.


I consume most foods on the list regularly while others are consumed from time to time. Then there are those I won't touch, like iceberg. For your overall health all these foods should be consumed from time to time.

To Gym or Not To Gym

Although I've used gyms from time to time in my life, I've been working out steadily at a gym for over 8 years now. In this time I've switched gyms 3 times and have seen patterns among them. For instance you are bound to meet these people at the gym eventually. Sad but true!




For me, gym has become a motivator, because I go at least three times a week to get my money's worth. I did just leave a gym and opted for a 'cheaper' gym. You get what you pay for as weights are dumbbells and limited free weights and machines galore. Still it will save me over $300 a year so I'll make the best of it for now.


I will consider investing in a home gym. Although this may save me some real money, I feel my motivation would suffer. I tend to workout at home on rare occasions. But motivation may be my savings. That will be a decision in the future, since I can buy equipment I will need for $400.


Whichever decision about where to train, learn the basic training rules and make your fitness regimen work for you.