Living Well Issue 19

health is the new wealth. here are some suggestions for building a portfolio of long-term good-health investments.

Music Magic

Most of us have experienced the power of music to lift mood. But to alleviate physical pain?

Performed by a trained therapist, music is currently being used as a powerful and clinical means to reduce anxiety in hospital patients, lessen pain, improve the memories of Alzheimer’s patients and help cancer patients to sleep better.

Sweet insulin

Tinkering with our insulin levels could lead to longer life. Harvard scientists have recently proven a link between higher insulin and increased activity in two key gene-regulating proteins found in the body. The proteins are involved in helping the body protect itself against environmental damage, stimulating our natural antioxidant systems and fighting off free radicals.

Insulin, the hormone best known for regulating blood sugar, has other roles such as stimulating the burning of fuel cells to provide energy. It also instructs cells to process glucose and suppress tumours.

The researchers admit it is too early to prove definitive links between insulin and lifespan but say the research is incredibly useful for understanding more about the body’s cellular processes and how it defends itself from the environment.

Calling all brainiacs

Many foods have been proven to increase brain health but so too have certain exercises. Sharpening your memory may depend on taking the time for regular mental workouts. According to the experts, there are three key ways to stimulate blood flow to the brain, increasing your ability to concentrate.

Play games  Make memorizing shopping lists, names and telephone numbers part of your daily life. Become a fan of puzzles, crosswords and memory games.

Exercise  While a game of Scrabble may be as good for you as a jog along the beach, there’s no doubt that cardiovascular exercise itself will improve circulation and help improve thought processes – many claim by up to 30 percent.

Sleep  It’s a no-brainer that the body regenerates during sleep so a good night’s kip is essential. But power napping is also a proven way to recharge the brain’s batteries.

Night moves

If you put night cramps down to a lack of salt or potassium in your diet you could be wrong. Leg cramps seem to increase in frequency as we get older but the actual cause usually can’t be pinpointed. According to medical experts, nocturnal cramps are rarely dangerous but they can be extremely painful. Medications commonly prescribed such as quinine, muscle relaxants, vitamin E and certain antihistamines have no proven role but sufferers do report some relief while taking them.

If you are affected you can also take the following practical steps:

• Increase your levels of stretching and regular exercise
• Drink more before and after working out
• Before bed, apply heat to the “culprit” muscles
• Check your footwear (many people who suffer from cramps benefit from shoe inserts or arch supports)

Booze & antibacterials

Taking a course of antibiotics and want to know if you should quit drinking? While it’s a myth that antibiotics and alcohol can’t be mixed, alcohol can slow your recovery from any affliction that caused the need for the antibacterial drugs in the first place. So cutting out – or minimizing – your use of alcohol is recommended.