Category: Ageing

Posted by Christine Pope on in Ageing, Health Care, Healthy Ageing, vegetables

Heart Attack Signs in Women: What You Need to Know
A woman sitting on a sofa with one hand on her chest and the other on her forehead, showing signs of distress and discomfort, possibly indicating heart-related symptoms.

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women worldwide? Despite this critical fact, cardiovascular health in women often takes a backseat in conversations about wellness, with many symptoms brushed off or misunderstood.

This blog will help you uncover the typical and atypical signs of a heart attack in women, understand specific risk factors unique to you, and guide you on how to make your concerns heard by medical professionals. Whether you’re navigating post-pregnancy recovery, dealing with hypertension, or simply looking to age outrageously, the insights shared here are your first step to a heart-healthy life.

Spotting Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Recognizing the signs of a heart attack can save a life, yet many women are unaware of the symptoms that present specifically in females. Here’s what you need to know:

Typical Signs of a Heart Attack

Though the focus tends to be on men, women often experience the “classic” heart attack symptoms too. These include:

  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pain radiating to the left arm, throat, or jaw

If you experience these symptoms, don’t ignore them. Seek help immediately.

Atypical Signs Women Shouldn’t Ignore

Women more commonly experience subtle or “atypical” symptoms compared to men, making them harder to diagnose. These include:

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Extreme fatigue or weakness
  • Light-headedness
  • Abdominal discomfort that feels like indigestion or gas
  • Pain in the upper back or between shoulder blades

Since these signs can mimic less serious conditions, they are often dismissed. If something feels “off,” trust your instincts and seek medical attention.

Speaking Up for Your Health

Women face unique challenges when discussing their symptoms with healthcare providers. Studies reveal that women are more likely to be misdiagnosed or have their symptoms downplayed, which contributes to worse outcomes. To ensure you’re heard:

  • Be clear and assertive, stating symptoms as they occur (e.g., “I’ve been experiencing severe fatigue that feels unusual for weeks”).
  • Highlight your risk factors, such as pregnancy complications, family history of heart disease, or lifestyle concerns like smoking.
  • Don’t hesitate to insist on further testing, particularly if you feel dismissed. Requesting an EKG or additional blood work can save valuable time.
  • Bring a trusted friend or family member to support you during medical appointments.

Most importantly if you have chest pain even if you think its due to something else just keep highlighting as your first symptom chest pain !

Risk Factors Unique to Women

While some risk factors for heart disease apply to both men and women, others are especially critical for women to monitor. This seems strange 10-20 years after having children but pregnancy often highlights underlying risk factors.

Pregnancy-Related Risk Factors

Women who experience complications like pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, or hypertension during pregnancy face a heightened risk for cardiovascular disease later in life.

Key Tip

Regular health check-ups post-pregnancy, especially if you’ve experienced these conditions, are critical to mitigating risks.

Menopause and Cardiovascular Health

The decline in estrogen levels during menopause can lead to changes in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglyceride levels, raising your risk of developing heart disease.

Key Tip

Maintaining an active lifestyle, eating a heart-healthy diet, and monitoring cholesterol levels post-menopause are your best defenses.

Diabetes and High Blood Pressure

Did you know that women with one standard modifiable risk factor have an 11.1% chance of a fatal heart attack compared to just 6.1% in men? Conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure disproportionately impact women and are significant contributors to heart disease development.

Key Tip

If you live with these conditions, work closely with your healthcare provider to develop a management plan that includes lifestyle modifications and, if necessary, medication.

Take Action Today

Heart health isn’t something you simply leave to chance. Taking proactive steps can significantly reduce your risk and empower you to thrive.

5 Steps for a Healthier Heart

  1. Eat Nutrient-Dense Foods: Prioritize a diet rich in lean protein, whole grains, vegetables, and healthy fats to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure naturally.
  2. Stay Active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week. Activities like walking, swimming, and yoga are excellent low-impact options.
  3. Know Your Numbers: Monitor your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels regularly. Staying informed is the first step to effective prevention.
  4. Prioritize Stress Management: Chronic stress and lack of sleep can strain your heart. Implement mindfulness practices, journaling, or simply allocate time for self-care.
  5. Quit Smoking (if applicable): Every cigarette you avoid contributes to better heart health and reduces your risks exponentially.

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Posted by Christine Pope on in Ageing, Alzheimer's, Detoxification, Health Care, Healthy Ageing, Sleep

What is the Glymphatic System and how does it maintain your brain health?

Have you ever woken up feeling refreshed after a good night’s sleep? Or perhaps after a workout, you noticed your mind feels clearer? This isn’t just a coincidence; it’s linked to something called the glymphatic system. Let’s dive into what it is, how it works, and how sleep, exercise, and nutrients can support it.

What is the Glymphatic System?

The glymphatic system is a waste clearance system in the brain. Think of it as your brain’s cleaning service. It helps remove toxins and waste products that build up during the day. The name “glymphatic” comes from the combination of “glial” cells (support cells in the brain) and “lymphatic” (the system that removes waste from other body tissues).

You are probably more familiar with the concept of the lymphatic system which accounts for the movement of about ten percent of fluid in the body and hosts the immune system. The lymphatic system is activated by muscles to move the fluid around the body.

How Does It Work?

The glymphatic system primarily functions during sleep. Here’s a simplified breakdown of the process:

  1. Fluid Flow: When you sleep, your brain cells shrink slightly, creating more space for cerebrospinal fluid  to flow through the brain. This fluid carries waste away.
  2. Waste Removal: As the cerebrospinal fluid circulates, it picks up harmful proteins and toxins (like beta-amyloid, linked to Alzheimer’s disease) and helps transport them to the lymphatic system for disposal.
  3. Role of Glial Cells: Specialized glial cells, called astrocytes, play a crucial role by forming channels that guide this fluid through the brain.

The Importance of Sleep

Sleep is crucial for the glymphatic system to do its job effectively. During deep sleep, the brain is most active in clearing out waste. Here are some tips to enhance your sleep quality:

  • Stick to a Schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
  • Create a Restful Environment: Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool.
  • Limit Screen Time: Reduce exposure to screens before bed to help your brain wind down and also do not leave devices in the bedroom.

For more information have a look at my blogs Can You Build Up Sleep Pressure and Six Sleep Myths Debunked .

Exercise: More Than Just a Workout

Exercise not only benefits your body but also supports your brain health and the glymphatic system. Here’s how:

  • Improved Blood Flow: Physical activity boosts circulation, which can enhance the delivery of nutrients to the brain and improve waste removal.
  • Enhanced Sleep Quality: Regular exercise promotes deeper sleep, allowing the glymphatic system to function optimally.
  • Stress Reduction: Exercise helps lower stress levels, which can improve overall brain health.

Nutrients That Support the Glymphatic System

A balanced diet plays a significant role in maintaining brain health. Here are some key nutrients to consider:

  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts, these fats support brain function and may aid in reducing inflammation.
  • Antioxidants: Fruits and vegetables (like berries, spinach, and kale) are rich in antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and support brain health.
  • Hydration: Staying well-hydrated is essential for optimal brain function, including the glymphatic system’s performance.

Conclusion

The glymphatic system is vital for keeping your brain healthy by clearing out toxins, especially during sleep. By prioritizing good sleep, staying active through regular exercise, and consuming a nutrient-rich diet, you can support this important system. So, the next time you feel energized after a good night’s sleep or a workout, remember: your brain is hard at work, cleaning up and maintaining your mental health!

For more information on ageing well have a look at my free webinar Feel Sharper Stronger and More Energised; Three Mistakes to Avoid.

Posted by Christine Pope on in Ageing, Cancer support, Health Care, Healthy Ageing, Research

What the hell are senescent cells and why should I care ?
Christine Pope Naturopath

One intriguing aspect of aging is the accumulation of senescent cells—cells that have stopped dividing and in fact contribute to conditions that are associated with age-related decline. In this blog post, we’ll explore what senescent cells are, how they relate to aging, and which foods, including green tea, can help mitigate their effects.

What Are Senescent Cells?

Senescent cells are damaged or dysfunctional cells that have exited the cell cycle but do not undergo programmed cell death (apoptosis). Apoptosis is a healthy process of removing damaged cells. While this process can be protective by preventing damaged cells from dividing uncontrollably (a hallmark of cancer), the accumulation of senescent cells in tissues over time can lead to a range of problems. These cells secrete pro-inflammatory factors, growth factors, and proteases, which contribute to chronic inflammation—a condition often referred to as “inflammaging.”

As we age, the number of senescent cells increases, leading to tissue dysfunction, impaired regenerative capacity, and various age-related diseases, such as arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. Learning how to manage these cells is crucial for promoting healthier aging.

The Impact of Senescent Cells on Health

Senescent cells can significantly affect our health. Here’s how they impact our bodies:

Weakened Immune Response: More senescent cells can weaken the immune system, making it harder for our bodies to fight off infections and illnesses. This means you take longer to recover from an infection or may get ill more often. These cells rely on the immune system to effectively remove them so if the immune system is struggling with the burden of trying to reduce these cells it becomes less effective over time.

Chronic Inflammation: These cells cause ongoing inflammation, which can lead to many age-related diseases. It’s important to keep inflammation in check as we get older.

Reduced Tissue Repair: When senescent cells build up, our bodies become less able to repair and regenerate tissues. This can lead to weakness and a decline in overall health.

Berries high in antioxidants

Foods That Help The Body To Remove Senescent Cells

While researchers are actively investigating ways to selectively remove senescent cells (a field known as senolytics), they are already foods which can assist in reducing their negative effects and promote overall health. Here are some foods that can be beneficial:

  1. Green Tea: Rich in polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), green tea has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies suggest that EGCG may help modulate senescence and reduce inflammation, making it an excellent addition to an anti-aging diet. For those who are sensitive to caffeine may find that the 3-4 cups of green tea necessary are too much, however the first pot of tea will be higher in caffeine so if you reuse the leaves you get the benefit without as much caffeine.
  2. Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are packed with antioxidants and phytochemicals that combat oxidative stress. Their anti-inflammatory properties may help lower the burden of senescent cells.
  3. Cruciferous Vegetables: Foods like broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts contain sulforaphane, a compound that may promote the removal of damaged cells and support cellular health.
  4. Turmeric: Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has potent anti-inflammatory effects and has been shown to combat cellular senescence. Incorporating turmeric into your meals can be a flavorful way to enhance your diet.
  5. Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is rich in healthy fats and polyphenols. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce the negative impacts of senescent cells.
  6. Fatty Fish: Salmon, mackerel, and sardines are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce inflammation.
  7. Dark Chocolate: High-quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher) contains flavonoids that can improve blood flow and reduce inflammation, making it a delicious addition to an anti-aging diet.
  8. Nuts: Walnuts, almonds, and other nuts are rich in healthy fats and antioxidants. They can support cellular health and may help reduce the effects of aging.

Understanding the role of senescent cells in aging is an exciting area of research that offers hope for developing strategies to promote healthier aging. By incorporating foods that are nutrient dense and have a high level of anti-oxidants, we can support our bodies in managing the effects of senescent cells and inflammation.

Aging is inevitable, but the way we age can be influenced by our lifestyle choices. Embracing a diet rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods not only nourishes our bodies but also empowers us to age outrageously well. So, grab a cup of green tea, enjoy some berries, and make those dietary changes that can positively impact your health.

For more information on ageing well have a look at my free webinar 6 Tips for Ageing Outrageously. In this webinar we review four foods for brain health, ways to improve your brain health and supplements that can help.

There are other ways to support removal of damaged cells that are also useful to add to your regime and it may be useful to look at Is Fasting for me ? and Heat and cold, stressors which boost energy and slow ageing for some more information.

References

  1. Diwan B, Sharma R. Nutritional components as mitigators of cellular senescence in organismal aging: a comprehensive review. Food Sci Biotechnol. 2022 Jun 18;31(9):1089-1109. doi: 10.1007/s10068-022-01114-y. PMID: 35756719; PMCID: PMC9206104.
Posted by Christine Pope on in Ageing, Detoxification, Environment, Health Care, Healthy Ageing, Skin

How does chronic inflammation affect your skin?

A key factor in accelerating ageing is long term inflammation and it can be damaging both to our bodies and in particular to our skin. Inflammation is a complex defence mechanism in which white blood cells move from from the circulation into damaged tissues to destroy the agents that potentially may cause tissue injury. Acute inflammation is a helpful response, particularly during an infection, whereas chronic inflammation is persistent and can lead to tissue damage. 

What are the usual indicators of chronic inflammation? Markers such as C Reactive Protein or Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (EDR) are often used as indicators and will commonly be checked on blood tests. CRP is often raised in the acute stages of inflammation and may continue to be elevated in the chronic stages as well. It is often used to monitor how people respond to a particular treatment.

Common sources of inflammation include the following;

  • Chronic infections
  • Lack of exercise
  • Diet
  • Isolation and chronic stress
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Obesity
  • Environmental exposures and toxins
  • Injuries

The body reacts to these triggers by increasing the flow of nutrients to the area to enable it to resolve however in some cases the trigger persists and you develop chronic inflammation. In the skin the chronic inflammation results in a layer of the skin thickening and may cause the lymphatic vessels in the area to increase in size and number.

Skin inflammation longer term can also result in senescent cells. Senescent skin cells, which accumulate over time, play a crucial role in the response to chronic inflammation.

Chronic inflammation arises when the immune system responds to persistent or recurring stimuli, such as infections, environmental factors, or cellular damage. In the case of skin, chronic inflammation can also be triggered by factors like UV radiation, pollution, or even chronic skin conditions. When the skin is subjected to such insults, it activates an immune response that recruits immune cells, including macrophages and T cells, to the affected area.

The Effects of Chronic Inflammation on Aging Skin:

  1. Inflammatory Molecules: Aging skin cells, known as senescent cells, release various substances like pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and enzymes that break down the skin’s structure. These molecules attract immune cells and contribute to more inflammation in the affected area. This ongoing inflammatory environment can worsen skin damage and disrupt the natural healing processes.
  2. Impaired Function: Senescent skin cells have reduced functionality and struggle to perform essential tasks like wound healing and tissue regeneration. This impairment occurs due to changes in the way genes are activated and signaling pathways operate. Consequently, the skin’s ability to repair itself becomes compromised, leading to slower healing and an increased risk of chronic wounds.
  3. DNA Damage: Chronic inflammation generates oxidative stress, which can cause DNA damage in aging skin cells. This damage can result in genetic mutations that further contribute to the cells’ dysfunctional behavior. Over time, the accumulation of these genetic abnormalities can potentially raise the risk of skin diseases, including cancer.

Chronic inflammation poses a significant challenge to the health and appearance of aging skin. The release of inflammatory molecules by senescent cells, their impaired functionality, and the accumulation of DNA damage can lead to a decline in skin health and an increased risk of skin diseases. Understanding the impact of chronic inflammation on aging skin cells is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate its harmful effects and promote healthier skin aging. By adopting lifestyle practices that reduce inflammation, such as maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise and managing stress levels you can assist in maintaining healthier skin.

For more assistance in managing lifestyle factors and making the changes that will support healthier skin (and a healthier you) have a look at my resources including my free webinar 6 Tips for Ageing Outrageously .

Posted by Christine Pope on in Ageing, exercise, Healthy Ageing, stress

Find out how what factors might put you at risk of developing chronic pain

Why do some people experience chronic pain and others have complete resolution of that pain? One in six Australians suffer from chronic pain and there are a number of factors which can predispose you to experience that condition. Chronic pain is defined as pain that continues for more than 12 weeks after the initial trauma or injury.

First up the concept of pain is more complex than originally thought. When you experience an injury the tissue that is damaged sends a series of signals through nerves to the brain. The brain then decides how to interpret that signal. It usually regards it as pain initially and then over time as the tissue heals the signal decreases and the brain usually acknowledges the signal as reduced pain. There can be times however in the presence of high levels of stress or anxiety that the signal to the brain is not adjusted as the tissue heals, this is what can happen with chronic pain.

The brain also interprets those signals through a filter of previous experiences and emotions, factors which may lead to an increased risk of chronic pain being experienced.

For many people testing or scans may no longer reveal the presence of an injury but they are still experiencing pain. This may lead to the feedback from practitioners that the sensation is not real, however it is real and the patient is still experiencing that sensation.

So what are the major risk factors for developing chronic pain (1);

  • Based on the earlier description you can probably guess that one of the major risk factors for chronic pain is a prior experience of chronic pain. That’s right the brain in filtering this information “remembers” a prior experience and this can increase your risk for developing chronic pain.
  • Two other significant contributors can be related to your workplace. Being in an environment where the injury is subject to compensation or being in an environment where your relationship with your boss is strained both lead to a higher risk of chronic pain. To a certain extent this relates to the elevated cortisol you produce when you are in a stressful situation which then leads to a reduction in the ability to modulate or reduce pain signals in the brain. When your nervous system is in overdrive you are less able to calm the signals.
  • There are gender differences in the experience of pain and responses to pain management. Women are more likely to express more sensitivity to pain and less likely to respond to conventional treatment. (2) In a 2007 review of pain research 79% of studies had been conducted solely in male animals and only 8% in female animals. Further women are more likely to experience chronic pain conditions than men.
  • Significant distress during the initial phase of the injury and high levels of anxiety in relation to the injury both predispose you to developing a chronic pain condition.
  • History of domestic violence or abuse increased the odds ratio of pain to 1.6. The data was based on a three year population study of over 24,000 women (3).

For those people who experience chronic pain it needs to be treated with a holistic approach that looks at physical, psychological and social factors. Whilst manual therapies for example can be of assistance in treating acute pain and assist in managing symptoms, graded exercise therapy provides more significant benefit in most of the research done to date. Combining this with appropriate counselling or stress management as well improves the overall resolution. Effectively this condition requires a team approach.

It also is clear that a lot more research is needed on the type of pain and what the best approach is in regards to it. Much of the research is 10-15 years old and often limited to common conditions like low back pain. For this reason you may find that you get more relief from a particular treatment than indicated as more commonly treatments like remedial massage are researched but there are very few studies on other forms of manual therapy such as lymphatic massage, myofascial release and Bowen therapy.

If you are suffering from aches and pains and would like to understand more about how to support yourself then this free webinar on my site could be really helpful, 6 Tips for Ageing Outrageously .

References

(1) Mills SEE, Nicolson KP, Smith BH. Chronic pain: a review of its epidemiology and associated factors in population-based studies. Br J Anaesth. 2019 Aug;123(2):e273-e283. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2019.03.023. Epub 2019 May 10. PMID: 31079836; PMCID: PMC6676152.

(2) reenspan JD, Craft RM, LeResche L, Arendt-Nielsen L, Berkley KJ, Fillingim RB, Gold MS, Holdcroft A, Lautenbacher S, Mayer EA, Mogil JS, Murphy AZ, Traub RJ; Consensus Working Group of the Sex, Gender, and Pain SIG of the IASP. Studying sex and gender differences in pain and analgesia: a consensus report. Pain. 2007 Nov;132 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S26-S45. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2007.10.014. Epub 2007 Oct 25. PMID: 17964077; PMCID: PMC2823483.

(3) M Ellsberg, H Jansen, L Heise, et al. Intimate partner violence and women’s physical and mental health in the WHO multi-country study on women’s health and domestic violence: an observational study Lancet, 371 (2008), pp. 1165-1172

Are you missing out on ways that you can start ageing outrageously well ?
Posted by Christine Pope on in Ageing, exercise, Healthy Ageing, Multiple Sclerosis, Sleep

Are you missing out on ways that you can start ageing outrageously well ?

70 may be the new 50 but its possible that it won’t be that enjoyable if you haven’t looked after your physical health. Over the last decade through global challenges, like the Covid pandemic and personal challenges like three rounds of surgery I have been researching how to age well and there are some common themes.

In 2016 I was able to do the training on the Recode protocol, which was developed by Dr Dale Bredesen. The training was run in San Francisco (which was a very good reason for enrolling as well as the content) and involved looking at thirty six points of intervention based on the five major triggers for Alzheimers. Dr Bredesen has subsequently completed two case study series and more recently a clinical trials for his protocol and it is showing improvement in over 80% of cases who had been classified as having mild cognitive impairment (1). For more information on the protocol have a look at the blog on Delaying Alzheimer’s .

In Melbourne in 2018 Dr Terry Wahl’s presented her strategies for managing Multiple Sclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases and I have followed her work extensively after that symposium. Her focus in clinical practice is on using food rather than supplements primarily as well as looking at specific types of exercise that can support recovery. Dr Wahl is a neurologist who was in a tilt wheelchair with her advanced MS and is now back to riding her bike. Her programs have been implemented at the Iowa City Veteran’s Affairs Hospital and she has conducted four clinical trials on the program. To date the trials are showing significant improvements in fatigue scores and quality of life. Key features of her program involve balancing blood sugar and flooding the body with nutrients from whole foods, in particular up to 9 cups of vegetables and fruit a day plus good quality protein. Her program really encourages the use of organ meats, like liver, for good levels of key nutrients which are quite expensive as supplements. In particular CoQ10 which is essential for energy production in your cells.

There are six key areas that you need to consider in order to age outrageously well.

  1. Eat your vegetables! Flooding your body with nutrients in a form that you are best designed to absorb. Make sure you are eating the rainbow with vegetables and including at least one cup of green leafy vegetables, one cup of brassica vegetables and one cup of brightly coloured vegetables daily. If you are trying to add more vegetables to your diet it is always helpful to increase gradually and to look at adding them to snacks, soups and smoothies as well. It can also be a good idea to prepare extra vegetables with dinner and have them ready to add to lunches or soups the next day. Roast vegetables are a particularly tasty way to improve the vegetable content of your lunch and you can add them to spinach leaves in a salad or blend them with bone broth for an easy and quick soup.
  2. Balance your Blood Sugar ideally by including protein with every meal and minimising your intake of sugary foods and simple carbohydrates like bread and cereal. You do not need to be eating large quantities of protein but rather a palm size amount at each meal over the day. Adequate protein for most people would involve 2 eggs at breakfast, a small can of tuna with lunch and a chicken breast fillet at dinner. At the same time it’s important to include some carbohydrate in the diet as well but optimally it’s from whole foods and provides a slow release of glucose and a good serve of fibre as well. If you struggle to add enough protein then adding a protein shake or smoothie can be a good way to up it daily. Usually I do recommend clean brands, whey protein if you can tolerate it or plant protein for those who like variety. The plant protein options that I find useful at the moment are Nuut, Amazonia and Vital Protein. Nuut is offering sampler packs which is a good way to try a few different flavours. The other two brands are usually available in health food stores and the fermented split pea protein from Vital Protein is one of the better vegan options as its not grainy.
  3. Exercise regularly and mix it up. Ideally including both strength based training as well as cardio will really assist in maintaining good bone health as well as improving balance and energy levels. Start low and build exercise levels slowly to minimise the risk of injury and setbacks. The simplest and easiest way to start exercising is to walk regularly, starting with a five minute lap of the block and then building up over weeks by adding five minutes each week and then multiple walks per day. On e of my favourite quotes about exercise is from JIm Rohn “Take care of your body its the only place you have to live in”.
  4. Identify the sources of inflammation and manage them as well as possible. Key areas to consider are a history of infections, such as recurring sinusitis, food intolerances and allergies, heavy metal toxicity, sedentary lifestyle and chronic pain from old injuries. There are a wide number of sources of inflammation in the body and dealing with those assaults can be challenging. That’s why quite a number of “anti-ageing” programs remove common allergens like gluten and dairy as anyone with gut problems will have challenges digesting and absorbing nutrients from them. Lactose intolerance is increasingly common as we age as we were really designed to have milk in our diets only as babies and small children. Generally we should be able to absorb small amounts if our digestion is working well. Removing allergenic foods can really assist you in feeling better however test first to make sure its the right foods. For ten years I removed dairy from my diet and whilst it helped a little removing gluten was the game changer for my brain and energy levels.

5. Meditate like a Buddhist monk! Research is showing that twenty minutes of meditation can reduce levels of anxiety, depression and pain (2). Meditation is a relatively inexpensive tool with many apps which can be helpful like Gaia and Calm. Recent research undertaken at a VA hospital in the States showed that twenty minutes of meditation twice a day reduced PTSD symptoms (3). The Wellness experience provide a free thirty day meditation series in either ten minute or twenty minute increments which you can do through the website themeaningoflife.tv . One of the most essential attributes of meditation is its ability to increase grey matter in the brain and assist with clarity and focus.

6. Add appropriate supplements as needed. Look at the key symptoms and determine what is needed for you. For those who are experiencing significant inflammation for example it can be useful to look at supplementing with Tumeric and good quality essential fatty acids. If your issues are more around cramping and low energy then consider adding a magnesium supplement (preferably a powder for better absorption) and a multi vitamin. Just make sure that you do check the use of any supplements with your medications. Your pharmacist or practitioner can advise you on the right dosing and minimise the risk of any interactions.

Interested in more information on Healthy Ageing ? Click on this link https://www.christinepopenutritionist.com/ageing-outrageously for more information on my eight week program.

Christine Pope is a naturopath and nutritionist based at Elemental Health at St Ives and is available for consultations online and in clinic.

1. https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-alzheimers-disease/jad215707

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7287297/

3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29921143/