Cooked grains have been a food staple for over 5000 years.

Whole grains or foods made from them contain all the essential parts and naturally-occurring nutrients of the entire grain seed. Their health effects have been evident for centuries. Indeed, when Hippocrates, the father of medicine, wrote “Let food by thy medicine and let medicine be thy food,” he was talking in part of the “medicinal” benefits to be found grains.

In an article published in Nutrition Research Reviews, University of Minnesota food scientist Dr. Joanne Slavin noted a slew of them. Said Dr. Slavin: “Studies find that whole-grain intake is protective against cancer, CVD [cardiovascular disease], diabetes and obesity… Whole grains are rich in nutrients and phytochemicals with known health benefits. Whole grains have high concentrations of dietary fiber, resistant starch [easy-to-digest starch], and oligosaccharides [easy-to-digest plant sugars]. Whole grains are rich in antioxidants, including trace minerals and phenolic compounds and these compounds have been linked to disease prevention. Other protective compounds in whole grains include phytate, phyto-oestrogens such as lignan, plant stanols and sterols and vitamins and minerals. Published whole-grain feeding studies report improvements in biomarkers with whole-grain consumption, such as weight loss, blood-lipid improvement, and antioxidant protection…[and] it is well known that dietary fiber from grains such as wheat and oats increases stool weight and speeds transit.”

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	Is your glass half-full or half-empty?

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? How long (and healthily) you live may depend on your answer.

Over the past decade, studies have shown conclusively that having a good attitude influences physical health. And that certain personality traits - especially being optimistic, but also being extroverted and conscientious and open to new ideas - influence not only how well you live but how long you live well.

Indeed, a Dutch study of men and women aged 65 to 85 found that being an optimist helps reduce your risk of dying from heart disease and all other causes, too. According to the study, death rates from all causes were 55% lower for those with the highest optimistic/positive outlook and the risks of dying from heart disease were 23% lower.

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	To work, health checklists must be used.

In July, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the AARP did the nation’s 50-plusers a huge favor. They published two free health checklists, one for men and one for women that are designed to be used at home and taken to medical appointments, too.

Both easy-to-use checklists help people 50 and over find out about the life-style changes they need to make; the preventive medications they may need to be taking; and the medical check-ups and screenings they need to be doing to prevent disease and stay healthy.

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	Improperly used, a walker can lead to a fall.

Falls are a huge health hazard for older adults. They are a major reason for hospital admissions and nursing home placements and the leading cause of injury-related death for people over the age of 65.

Most falls occur at home - usually in the bathroom, bedroom or kitchen - says Cleveland Clinic physical therapist Amy Cassady. However, she adds, “Knowing the situations and conditions that put a person at risk for falls, and then fall-proofing the home, will significantly decrease their chances of a fall.”

Actions and situations that can lead to a fall:
• Turning quickly
• Reaching or stretching for out-of-reach items
• Walking in a dim-lit area or where the floor is slippery
• Improper use of walkers, canes, step ladders or stools
• Wearing slip-on shoes, rather than those that lace up and have a firm, flexible sole
• Using sleep aids that leave you tired or groggy in the morning
• Taking one or more medications whose side effects/interactions make you unsteady on your feet

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