When the temperatures drop, there are certain age-related issues you should watch out for
and they are: Heart attacks, weight gain, falls and sensitivity to cold.

And if these are your concerns and you’re not sure how to prevent them, just look below
for some incredibly simple solutions.

a) Weight Gain-
Yes, the inevitable winter weight gain, stuck indoors with an endless supply of great tasting
food will certainly cause weight gain.
The simple solution would be to resist the food by not buying it, but then are visits to
friend’s and relatives houses and of gifts (food gifts) from these same relatives and
friends. So, if you want to keep your weight in check, just put on a pot of tea.
A pot of tea? Yes, green tea. It (G.T.) contains a compound called EGCG that blunts
appetite and has a mild metabolism-stimulating effect.
The amount of tea you should drink each day?
It depends, two to four cups is ideal, or each time you feel those cookies or
leftover lasagna calling you, make some green tea and sip it slowly.
Another tip: Make sure to have your green tea with a little lemon juice
or milk, and skip the sugar, honey, danish and pieces of chocolate.

b) Brrrr-It’s Cold Outside and Inside-
If you’re cold even with the temperature up and wrapped in a comforter,
then you may need to take a supplement. The supplement: L-carnitine.
Internal temperatures like everything else decreases as we age and to turn
up your body temperature, take the supplement L-carnitine.
It’s an amino acid that activates the “good” body fat (brown fat).
Plus, it generates more heat and helps you burn more calories.
And if you’re not a fan of supplements-eat the foods that have plenty of
L-carnitine. Those foods: Meat, poultry, fish, dairy, tempeh, asparagus,
avocado and peanut butter.
Important tip:
Talk to your own medical provider before taking any type of supplement.
Recommended dose: 500 mg.

c) Better Balance-
Falls are the fastest growing health concern for elderly adults and
surprise, surprise, the risks of falling skyrockets in the winter.
If this describes you or a loved one, believe it or not, the simple solution
may be the tip listed above, that tip: Eat more protein.
Protein builds lean muscle mass, and it (protein) improves strength
and balance, especially as you age.
So, if you needed an excuse to eat more protein, this is it.
And lastly, if you’re not a fan of meat, fish, eggs, dairy or poultry,
get your protein from beans, nuts, seeds, green peas, and quinoa.

d) Protect Your Heart-
Fattening food, colder temperatures and abandoning your exercise program
all contribute to poor heart health in the winter and if you want to stay
out of the emergency room or the hospital, you can do simple indoor types
of exercise, (go to youtube and look up walking indoor videos) eat more fruit
and vegetables, ask someone younger and stronger to clear walkways and
driveways of snow and ice and drink some hot cocoa.
No, that’s not a misprint, a simple and cheap cup of cocoa can keep your
heart in tip-top shape, not only in the winter, but year round.
Hot cocoa from a quality type of chocolate contains flavonols, compounds
that help lower blood pressure by making blood vessels more youthful and flexible.
Another benefit: Cocoa also keeps colds away by increasing antimicrobial peptides
in your lungs.
Another useful tip:
Good quality fatty fish (salmon, sardines, trout, etc.) can also deliver the same
benefits as a cup of hot cocoa. Just make sure not to deep fry it (the fish) in a vat of
oil and watch the fatty sides: French fries, Mac & Cheese, hush-puppies,
and cornbread.

One more tip:
To help you along with your journey to stay healthy this winter, here’s a recipe
for a heart-protecting cup of hot cocoa.
Homemade Hot Mocha!
Ingredients:
1 cup of milk, reg. almond or coconut
1/4 cup of brewed espresso or dark roast coffee
1 Tbs. of brown sugar
1/4 tsp. of ground cinnamon
2.5 oz. of dark chocolate, chopped
To make:
In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk milk until warm.
Stir in the espresso, sugar and cinnamon. Add the chocolate and
whisk for 2 mins. straight, just until the milk and choc. start to thicken.
Remove from the heat and pour into a large mug. If desired, add a dollop
of whipped cream to this cup of heart-protecting magic.

And lastly, why is this recipe good for your heart?
Chocolate is shown to shield against irregular heartbeat and
trigger the production of nitric oxide, which improves blood flow
and coffee is an antioxidant powerhouse that reduces inflammation
to help keep arteries clear.

Sources:
* Lisa Davis, Ph.D. (TerrasKitchen.com)
* Harvard Research Team
* Adrienne Youdim, M.D. UCLA Bariatric expert

Please make sure to pass this post (and recipe) on to loved ones
who need help staying healthy during this time of year.
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