Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Some people are blessed with genetic advantages, but most of us have to work at staying healthy. Norma Roth, author of Aging Gracefully With Dignity, Integrity & Spunk Intact; Aging Defiantly knows that, if they stay healthy, seniors and baby boomers can remain productive well beyond their 80s, and with the changing economics of our world many might have to work much longer that previously anticipated. Her primary message is how exercise and nutrition greatly effect mental capacity, thus Norma is tell those facing this uncertain future start staying in shape now and don't stop!

A prescient January 2001 article in Time Magazine speculated that by 2014 routine exams of seniors and those over 55 will include Rx for daily life changes that may well read: "Rx 10,000 steps/day and other prescriptions for maintaining body health, as science and medicine recognize the significant effect of the body on the mind." Right now, all across the country, a legion of people in their 80s continue to work full time and are highly productive in their chosen fields, and this keeps them fully engaged in life's processes and benefits society as their collective wisdom and experience contributes positively to society.

In her book, Aging Gracefully With Dignity, Integrity & Spunk Intact; Aging Defiantly, Norma Roth tells seniors and those over 55: Why Wait? She urges getting in shape now and staying in shape! Research is showing that a healthy body results in a healthy mind! Therefore, science and medicine are predicting that changing life styles will effect how you think later! Maintaining mental acuity, clarity and mental health is a primary objective.

Stressing how the empowerment of the mind is dependent on the health of the body, the author notes that life changes now will have a major effect on how you think later and points out that those changes are not difficult to add to routines of life. They include exercise, nutrition, stress reduction and good old fashion oxygen on a regular basis—certainly not rocket science. Ms. Roth suggests that each individual has the keys to the continuing ability of his or her brain to function well, urging members of the Silver Generation as well as those over 55 not to waste another day in getting on board the newly recognized prescriptive for mental health.

Institutes like the Institute of Lifestyle Medicine (ILM) an education and advocacy group at

Harvard Medical School and Boston's Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, medicine have started to move towards the goals of adding the very important element of fitness and wellness to what is viewed as the essential medicine of tomorrow. Such courses the Science & Experience of Exercise & Nutrition for doctors will influence the way they learn to deal with the life style decisions of the elderly and those entering "that age" starting at 55!

Just as an increasing amount of medical and scientific data has shown that those who use their minds retain a significant portion of it, probably for a lifetime, there is a fair amount of literature appearing out there suggesting that healthy bodies result in healthy minds as well. Therefore, studies are showing that maintaining an exercise program, even as short as briskly walking thirty minutes every day, can convert to clearer thinking and retain flexibility and balance so vital to the functioning of your mind, as well as your body. The author points out the increasing body of literature suggesting that healthy bodies effect—greatly effect—healthy minds; healthy bodies effect mental health; oxygen effects brainpower; and exercise is a must for maintaining clarity of thought.

Researchers are also finding a far greater relationship between mental deterioration and physical well-being than we would have thought possible. And since people are living a far-longer life than anyone had previously thought possible, living into the 90's beginning to seem a real possibility, it seems a good idea to move ahead now. The potential effect of physical well-being on slowing, preventing, controlling, and—most significant for those entering that age—replenishing the mind (in what had been thought to be an inevitably aging brain!) is staggering.

In her book Aging Gracefully, Ms. Roth urges those getting older to seriously consider the factor of maintaining body health. As she points out it is not really surprising after all that the body and mind have to be in sync. It is a combination of common sense and serious research on the subject of relationships and interrelationships. Studies are indicating that disease (not surprising), illnesses (not surprising), and medications (not surprising) may even contribute to symptoms that characterize loss of memory, or brain drain (a colloquialism, but an interesting, descriptive phrase).

It also appears that members of the Silver Generation should be aware of the need for daily intake of oxygen replenishment as well. What science and medical evidence seem to be revealing in the arena of diminishing mental acuity is that oxygen availability to the brain cells can, and often does, determine the ability to maintain high levels of memory functions. Conversely, anything that takes away from that vital supply of oxygen adversely affects your mental faculties, such as smoking, environmental factors such as chemicals, lack of exercise and fresh air, disease, and so on.

The good news, too, is that some of the reduced brain cell function, that may well be caused by physical factors, can be also be restored when you return to good health—and start in on exercise. It almost goes without saying that exercise, a walk in the fresh air (when you can find it), even taking deep breaths of fresh air through open windows on a good day can greatly assist in replenishment of oxygen to the body (try it!).

All of these activities can minimize some of the causes related to memory loss and, in so doing, help in the clarity of thought process as well. If this Silver Generation is to derive full benefits from this wonderful period of health and longevity on the horizon, it would be foolhardy to ignore the instant, sustainable benefits from exercise, nutrition, stress reduction and oxygen (translate to fresh air). Take good care of that body, exercise regularly, watch that nutrition and watch that oxygen intake. The axiom of current scientific and medical research is: healthy bodies promote healthy minds. The personal stakes are high, but the rule is simple to follow: take good care of your body and your mind will richly.

For media interviews with Norma Roth contact Promotion in Motion at 323-461-3921 or

brad@promotioninmotion.net