BODY BY DESIGN'S Mark Misner

"Healthy Aging"
Reprinted from "South Tampa Community News" article 4-2011

We have enjoyed an amazing month of awesome weather in March. April should be equally special. During the last weekend in February, 25,866 of your friends and neighbors participated in the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic runs. This tops the previous number of runners, set just last year. When you add in the in- credible 1,700 kids, ages two through ten, who had a blast at the kids runs held at the University of Tampa; this is clearly an event with a race for every age and ability. The youngsters run age appropriate distances from 50 yards to 1 mile. The big Gasparilla weekend has the popular 5k run, walk and stroller events; as well as an 8K, 15K and half-marathon (13.1 miles.) Congratulations to all who ran, jogged and walked!

The March 2011 Tuffs University Health & Nutrition Newsletter detailed a few studies that I would like to share with you. The stud- ies feature issues facing seniors. As we age, or watch our parents age, we need to do everything we can to maintain our health.

A new review of more than fifty clinical trials found that exer- cise and vitamin D supplements are the most effective ways toprevent falls in older adults. According to Yvonne L. Michael, ScD, MS, of the Drexel University School of Public Heath, "This is important news because falls are extremely common in this population and they are the leading cause of death and injury for the elderly." The statistics are impressive. In 2004, US hospitals treated more than 1.8 million older adults for fall- related injuries and in-excess of 433,000 were hospitalized.

The Institute of Medicine has set the standards at 600 IU of vi- tamin D daily for children and adults under the age of 71, while older adults need 800 IU daily. The trials of vitamin D supple- mentation saw a 17% reduction in falls. The exercise studies included a variety of exercises aimed at improving walking gait, balance, strength and flexibility. Basically, enhancing an older adult's ability to live a high quality of life including the independence to complete everyday activities. The exercisers had a 13% lower risk of falling compared to those who did not exercise. It is important that we all react to this knowledge that the addition of vitamin D supplements and regular exercise can prevent falls in our later years.

Have you ever been in a large city such as New York or Chicago and wondered about the ill effects of all that air pollution? Do you regularly bike, run or walk along busy roads? Depending on where you live and your lifestyle, you may be exposing yourself to hazardous pollution. Harvard researchers have analyzed the data from the first study to link traffic-related air pollution and cognition in older men. Researchers concluded that the exposure to black carbon, a product of auto exhaust, was associated with a 30% greater chance of scoring badly on a standard test for dementia. Re- searchers suggest that tiny particles in exhaust might lodge in the brain or could cause cardiovascular damage, which in turn, affects the brain. The lower test scores on the cognitive testing were almost equivalent to increasing the subjects' age by 2 years.

Vary your exercise routine to include indoor and outdoor activities. Schedule your outdoor exercise when automobile traffic is not at its highest. Consider running or biking in one of Tampa's great public parks. We can't completely avoid air pollution, but should remember to enjoy clean air when we get the chance. Take a nice long walk the next time you are at the beach or in the mountains. This is another great benefit of the Gasparilla runs - how often do we get the opportunity to run right down Bayshore Boulevard without any vehicles? Mark your calendars now, the 2012 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic race weekend is March 3rd and 4th. I hope to see you there. Have a healthy, wonderful Tampa day!

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