A great way to fight off the flu is to eat! Of course, you must choose the right foods to help boost your immune system. Try eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy to help fight off the flu. Try a variety of these foods to get the essential nutrients you need for good health.

Snack on walnuts, pecans or other tree nuts to get a boost to your immune system.They are loaded with vitamin E, which can help ward off viruses and reduce your chances of developing the flu.

Snack on almonds and blueberries instead of a candy bar. As they lower blood sugar, healthy snacks can improve cognition. In this case, the omega-3s in the almonds and the antioxidants in the blueberries can keep your brain functioning correctly.

The number of Americans with diabetes will nearly double over the next 25 years, while the cost of care will almost triple, as patients live longer and develop more of the disease’s long-term complications, a new analysis said.

The projections estimate that the population will rise to 44.1 million in 2034, from 23.7 million now, with medical spending increasing to $336 billion from $113 billion. The calculations were published in the December issue of the journal Diabetes Care.

One of the best ways to reduce stress is to exercise!! Exercise increases your overall health and your sense of well-being, which puts more pep in your steps every day. But exercise also has some direct stress-busting benefits.

Exercise pumps up your endorphins. Physical activity helps to boost the production of your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins.

Exercise also improves your mood. Regular exercise can increase self-confidence and lower the symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety. This can ease your stress levels and give you a sense of command over your body and your life.

Chest stretch

To flatten your upper back and stretch your chest:

With both of your feet flat on the floor, sit tall in a chair with your hands resting behind your neck. Inhale while gently moving your elbows backward. Hold the position for a few seconds, breathing normally, before returning to the starting position. Repeat five to 10 times.

The many benefits of exercise may be why some call it the fountain of youth. There are many studies that have proven that seniors who exercise benefit from increased strength, endurance, balance, cognitive abilities,and cardiovascular health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seniors should get at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity exercise (such as brisk walking) per week, or 1.25 hours of vigorous aerobic activity (like swimming or running) each week, in addition to strength training two times per week. There are a variety of fitness programs available to seniors today. Many community centers and fitness clubs offer senior fitness classes, including dance, tai chi, and yoga classes. For seniors who are less mobile, there are many types of exercises that can be done from a sitting or reclining position utilizing light weights or weighted balls,
ankle or wrist weights, elastic bands, and stretching.

A recent study done by the CDC shows that 70% of Americans need to decrease their salt intake. The data showed that the average U.S. adult consumes one-and-a-half teaspoons of salt every day. That’s a half teaspoon more than the basic daily recommendation of one teaspoon. This recommendation is much lower for people with high blood pressure, people over 40, and all African-American adults. These groups should be eating no more than two-thirds of a teaspoon of salt per day.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a great way to start your day! Oatmeal is full of omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and potassium. This fiber-rich superfood can lower levels of LDL (or bad) cholesterol and help keep arteries clear. Oatmeal is the product of ground oat groats . The term, ‘oatmeal’ can refer also to other products made from oat groats, such as cut oats, crushed oats, and rolled oats.

Strawberries

I LOVE Strawberries. They are one of my favorite fruits. Did you know that strawberries have more anti-aging vitamin C per serving thanan orange? Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that people who eat foods rich in C have fewer wrinkles and less age-related dry skin than those who don’t. Vitamin C helps fight free radicals, which damage cells and break down collagen, leading to fine lines.

For smoother, more hydrated skin, apply a natural-berry mask like the one below once or twice a week. Don’t forget to eat vitamin c-rich foods everyday.

Healthy older people shouldn’t bother spending money on computer games and websites promising to ward off mental decline, the author of a review of scientific evidence for the benefits of these “brain exercise” programs says. “These marketed products don’t confer any additional benefit over and above being socially and intellectually active in one’s normal daily life,” Dr. Peter J. Snyder of Lifespan Affiliated Hospitals in Providence, Rhode Island, told Reuters Health. “There are some things that we could be doing that have much more rigorous data to support their application.”