HRT Update
According to Phyllis Wise, a professor of neurobiology and physiology at the University of California at Davis, quoted recently in Parade magazine, estrogen given to aging mice enhances memory and normal brain functioning and protects the brain from deteriorating. The same could be true for women, but nobody is sure yet. In any case, using biologically identical hormones that replicate what the human body produces appears to be safer than synthetics. Its benefits for your mind may be as significant as those for your body.
Remember Sex?
In addition to decreasing testosterone levels, many factors may cause a man to lose interest in sex as he ages. Among them are depression, overall physical health, stress, energy level, alcohol and tobacco use, serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease, and use of both prescription and nonprescription drugs. The source of the problem is likely to be a combination of several of these elements. For more information, read Maximize Your Vitality & Potency, For Men Over 40, by Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., and Lane Lenard, Ph.D. (Smart Publications, 1999).
For Men Only
When it comes to weight loss, men, you're in luck. In a study conducted by the Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, 74 overweight and sedentary men and women were assigned to an exercise group or a control group. The exercise group walked on a treadmill for 45 minutes per day, five days a week, without dieting. In the exercise group, all but one of the men lost weight while, on average, the women lost nothing. Researchers speculated that women may burn fewer calories than men during workouts because they are physically smaller. No fair.
Healthy and Fit
A study in the Journal of Neurology (Jan. 27, 2004) reports that fish oil can improve memory, speed of mental tasks, and problem-solving ability. Also helpful are antioxidants (vitamins A, E, C, and selenium) and decreasing saturated fat in the diet. Another study in Great Britain showed that fish oil may help prevent the severe weight loss and wasting experienced by some advanced cancer patients. Omega 3 fatty acids are found in fish such as salmon and herring.
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Letters
Polite and Helpful
"I appreciate so much how pleasant your staff is to talk to. Whenever I call in to refill my prescription, they have always been very polite and helpful. It seems as if your people are always trying to make it easier to deal with the hassle of getting my medication."
"Theodore M."
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Q&A
Q: How is osteopenia different from osteoporosis?
A: Osteopenia, or low bone density, may be a precursor to osteoporosis. The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that 20 percent of health premenopausal women have it. Indications that you may need a bone density test include multiple fractures in your life; medical conditions such as Crohn's disease or rheumatoid arthritis; taking medications such as corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, or GnRH agonists (for endometriosis); irregular periods; and anorexia.
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Quote of the Month
"He who forgives ends the argument."
- African proverb
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