Historical Spotlight takes a look at a time in history, shortly following the creation of America’s Constitutional Republic, when Americans became really angry at being taxed. Watch our video to learn more about the 1791 Whiskey Rebellion.
Why At 64 I Prioritize Strength Training Over Aerobic Training
*This post about why at 64 I prioritize strength training over aerobic training is a bit long, but, because of the nature of the subject, it needed to be comprehensive.
Maybe you’ve visited your MD recently for your annual physical. She points out to you that the “couch potato” lifestyle you adhere to is not the best medicine for aging well. So she suggests that maybe you should consider doing some exercise.
Or maybe you’re reaching middle age and realize you’re not in the best of shape. Climbing those stairs are definitely not as easy as they were 10 years ago. You know you have to do something to improve your health.
So, you consider putting on the trainers and going for a jog around the neighborhood.
After all, isn’t that what you do to get fit? Aerobic training is the way to go, right?
But how much aerobic training should you do? Is a 20 – 30 minute walk five days a week sufficient or should you do some higher intensity training like cycling?
Screeching Halt!!
Let’s back up. Let me ask you this question. If you’re getting to middle age, is aerobic training even the best exercise for you?
[Read more…]What is a Dollar? A History of the United States Dollar
This video explores the history of the U.S. dollar from 1776 to the present, seeking to answer the question “What is a dollar?”
Alzheimer’s Disease Is Surging Among Millennials – What’s Going On?
Many of you in the baby boomer generation have already experienced this terrible scenario: A few years back, you noticed your aged mom or dad starting to forget things. Then it started to get worse. And then before you knew it, they were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
This is not an unusual occurrence. In the U.S. alone, there are more than 5 million people living with dementia and about 70% of those have Alzheimer’s disease. And these numbers are expected to increase.
But if you think Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is only something “old people” get, consider this. A recent report from the health insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield revealed that AD and early on-set dementia is surging among millennials.
That’s right. If you’re one of the older millennials and you think that AD is only something you have to worry about when you get older, then think again.
This observation from Blue Cross Blue Shield seems to correlate with a new study performed by researchers at Stony Brook University.
The researchers at Stony Brook found that communication among brain regions can begin destabilizing in individuals much earlier than scientists previously thought. Some individuals showed brain deterioration as early as their forties which worsened with age.
The importance of this is that as brain destabilization increases, cognition decreases.
The Stony Brook study also found that younger adults who had type 2 diabetes (T2D) exhibited brain network destabilization (i.e brain age) that was found in much older non-diabetics.
This finding was not novel. Many previous researchers have found that T2D and insulin resistance, a condition found in T2D, are highly associated with AD.
The bad news and the good news
Okay, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of good news here. Americans are getting dementia at younger ages. Our brains begin deteriorating at much younger ages than we thought. And if we have T2D or insulin resistance, our chances of getting dementia probably increase.
So what do we have to look forward to as we age? A progressive loss of cognition, possibly at a younger age with the possibility of something far worse such as AD.
Not necessarily! There’s a silver lining in this cloud.
The Stony Brook study also included a unique experiment that seems to confirm what other research has suggested. Dementia may be significantly tied to diet and how our brains use glucose for fuel.
This means that if we can adhere to some common sense dietary guidelines, we may be able to significantly reduce our chances of getting some form of dementia whether in early or later age.
Let’s take a look at the Blue Cross Blue Shield report and the Stony Brook study, and then see what we can do to improve our brain function and cognition throughout our adult life.
[Read more…]Shays’ Rebellion: Epilogue to the American Revolution
Was Shays’ rebellion an uprising by indebted farmers trying to get their debts extinguished or was it a legitimate tax revolt? This video will explore what really happened in western Massachusetts between the years 1786-1787 and reveal how Shays’ Rebellion was instrumental in bringing about the U.S. Constitution.
How To Make Dieting Successful: Strategies For Keeping Off The Weight You Lost
Losing weight is probably one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. This is attested to by the spike in gym memberships seen every January.
While some people successfully follow through on their pledge to lose the extra pounds, most of us seem to fail to win the endless battle against our bulging waist and hips.
We try and try to lose weight, and we may for a little while, but something happens, and we gain it right back.
If this has happened to you, and it probably has if you ever dieted, you’re not alone. In fact, 80 -90% of people who diet and lose weight eventually regain it.
However, there are several strategies you can use to win this battle. For instance, a recently released scientific study has shown that increasing the amount of protein in your diet can help you in your fight against regaining the weight you’ve lost
In this post, I’ll take a look at why we tend to regain weight when dieting. This insight will give us some good clues on how to craft a winning diet loss strategy.
[Read more…]The American System: The 2nd Bank of the U.S.
The establishment of a national bank was a key part of Henry Clay’s American system. This video explores the controversial beginnings of the 2nd Bank of the U.S. to its final death at the hands of Andrew Jackson and his allies. The bank’s constitutionality and economic impact will be highlighted.
Are You Getting Enough Dietary Protein To Maintain Healthy Muscle Quality?
* This post is a little long because I couldn’t think of what to leave out. Everything seemed important. Hopefully, when you’ve finished reading you’ll understand the critical importance of adequate protein consumption for good health and aging well.
As you get older, you begin to take more notice of your age and the age of those around you.
You start seeing more older men and women who are unable to navigate the simple physical tasks of life without the help of an aid.
Maybe you’ve seen it amongst your loved ones. Your aging dad’s once powerful arms and legs now have shrunk to what appears to be mere skin and bones.
Your mom, now definitely well into her senior years, seems to be permanently attached to her walker.
Maybe we notice it more because there’s a fear in us that we may end up like that as well. After all, isn’t frailty and weakness just an inevitable part of growing old?
Well, we may believe that’s what aging is supposed to be like because that’s what we generally see. But does it have to be that way?
Not necessarily.
The American System: Henry Clay vs. Andrew Jackson
In Part 3 of The American System we will examine the beginnings of Henry Clay’s American System and proceed to focus on the divisive nature of the plan. The differing constitutional views between Clay and President Andrew Jackson concerning federal subsidies for internal improvements will also be highlighted.
Can Starting An Exercise Program In Your 50s Help You Live Longer?
Okay, so you’ve reached middle age. You enjoy your time reclining comfortably on your couch after a hard day’s work. Perhaps tonight you’re watching a show on TV featuring trim athletic people scampering around, and you suddenly let out a sigh.
You remember back 20 or 30 thirty years ago when you yourself were in good shape. Maybe you played soccer or lifted weights or ran 10 Ks. You were fast. You were strong. You were agile. But that was in the past. Now you’ve consigned yourself to being a couch potato extraordinaire.
“What’s the use of remembering the glory days anyway?” you muse. “That was then. This is now.”
But wait a minute. While you may never again be able to look like Brad Pitt in Fight Club or Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby (though if you worked really hard you’d be amazed what a proper diet and exercise can do for your physique, even at 60), you still may be able to recapture most of the health benefits you lost by not exercising for 30 years.
That’s right! If you start doing moderate to vigorous exercise every day, right now, you can reap almost the same benefits of longevity as someone who at your age has been exercising their whole life.
It sounds too good to be true, right? But it’s true!
Check out this recently published study.
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