Can we be healthy seniors and have "numbers" that say we aren't? (benefits, parents)

[xz2y]

Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801

Doctor wanted to put me on cholesterol and blood sugar meds. I said give me six months.

I lost 24 pounds, gave up eating ice cream, and started looking at the sugar content of everything.

Cholesterol and blood sugar went back down to normal ranges.

I still take generic Synthroid, but that's it.

That's great! Ice cream is wonderful.....but it's decadent and I save it for special treats. I'm also trying to eliminate certain foods (added sugar) to see if there is any impact on my inflammation. I think sugar can be inflammatory for certain people, so I've cut way back to see if it makes any difference.

Looking at the sugar content on food labels can be a full-time job. It's unbelievable how many foods have added sugar.
It's also amazing how many different words are used to describe "sugar" on labels by the food industry, to intentionally confuse consumers, IMO.

Agave nectar
Barley malt syrup
Beet sugar
Brown rice syrup
Brown sugar
Cane crystals (or, even better, "cane juice crystals")
Cane sugar
Coconut sugar or coconut palm sugar
Corn sweetener
Corn syrup or corn syrup solids
Dehydrated cane juice
Dextrin
Dextrose
Evaporated cane juice
Fructose
Fruit juice concentrate
Glucose
High-fructose corn syrup
Honey
Invert sugar
Lactose
Maltodextrin
Malt syrup
Maltose
Maple syrup
Molasses
Palm sugar
Raw sugar
Rice syrup
Saccharose
Sorghum or sorghum syrup
Sucrose
Syrup
Treacle
Turbinado sugar
Xylose


https://www.verywellfit.com/differen...-sugar-2242526

I was in Trader Joe's one time and asked if any of their cereals didn't have sugar, and out of an entire aisle of breakfast cereals, we found only one.

[Nanny Goat]

Originally Posted by athena53

Scary stuff- thanks for all the above. I'd read about the osteonecrosis risk, as well as unexplained fractures from "normal" activities such as walking down a step, with Boniva and Fosamax. When I had one of my dental implants I asked my oral surgeon about the implications of either of those meds. He said, "If you were on Boniva or Fosamax I'd have you sign a whole new set of waivers." He'd already supplied a very thorough list of anything that could go wrong with an implant and I'd had to sign it indicating that I understood the risks. He's very good- I now have 5 implants and no problems whatsoever. I want to keep it that way. I think I'll just keep up with the calcium, the magnesium and my cardio workouts.

I've seen a few jaw necrosis side effects from them where I work. I won't go on them, but some people might choose to. Being I've seen two, I have to wonder. There are many bone vitamins to research. Of course Calcium, but right doses of D, Vit K (possibly), magnesium, boron and other trace elements might help. Exercise that stresses the bone (in the right way), too.

[CatTX]

I think many US medical professionals are frustrated because of patient non-compliance. People refuse to change their diet/lifestyle and just want to take meds. And they often don't even take those as instructed. We have a friend who has had diabetes for years and pretty much ate what he wanted and compensated by injecting more insulin. That did not turn out well at all. A relative who has dangerously high BP and decided to stop her meds because she feels okay. Another who is obese and sedentary and has bad blood test numbers and does not care. A good friend who has major heart issues and still smokes. And I could cite many more. I can see why docs kind of give up.

There is also so much medical misinformation people believe because they heard it on Dr. Oz or read it on facebook or some celebrity is yelling about it, as evidenced by the current outbreak of easily preventable childhood diseases because parents buy into the anti-vaccination propaganda.

I do believe it is prudent to discuss medical treatments with ones' health care provider and find out as much as possible about side effects. And to find another provider if they are not willing to do that.

[Mikala43]

You KNOW people do not listen to their doctors. We are at a record high obesity, and you can't tell me they do not know that is unhealthy. Like Cat, I've known plenty of people with diabetes, but still want to eat the same, or ones with gout, and they eat what they know will trigger it.

When, as a society, it is recommenced you park at the back of the parking lot, to "get exercise", you know it's pretty bad.

[athena53]

Originally Posted by xz2y

It's also amazing how many different words are used to describe "sugar" on labels by the food industry, to intentionally confuse consumers, IMO.

Agave nectar
Barley malt syrup
Beet sugar
...

Wow- that was quite the list! And don't forget to check the ingredients on the "reduced sugar" or "sugar-free" products for all the chemicals they use instead. Why can't they just leave the sugar out and we'll add our own?

I was given some vanilla-infused agave syrup and it was DELICIOUS- but I did some research and it may be even worse for you than garden-variety table sugar. Any health benefits disappear in the processing.

[Huckleberry3911948]

Feeling better is not a strong indicator of being better
Our feelings constantly lie to us

[athena53]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

Feeling better is not a strong indicator of being better
Our feelings constantly lie to us

That's why I still get the recommended tests on a regular basis- I concluded that after a certain ago, sadly, you can no longer conclude that you're fine just because you feel fine.

Originally Posted by Mikala43

You KNOW people do not listen to their doctors. We are at a record high obesity, and you can't tell me they do not know that is unhealthy. Like Cat, I've known plenty of people with diabetes, but still want to eat the same, or ones with gout, and they eat what they know will trigger it.

I know. Late last year I picked up a copy a a medical journal at my sister's place and was drawn to the title of an article ""Black Uteri Matter". The author discussed the disproportionately high maternal mortality rate among black women, blaming part of it on the medical profession not getting them the support they needed for issues that are more common among black women- gestational diabetes, high BP, etc. I can fully agree that a pregnant woman or one in labor needs care tailored to her particular issues to maximize the chances that she and her baby will be healthy- but I suggested to my sister (an OB/Gyn) that the approach might be to empower mothers to take charge their own health, limit weight gain during pregnancy, make dietary changes to mitigate BP and diabetes, etc... she informed me that it wasn't really acceptable to put the onus on the patient to make healthy changes. Sad.

[TMSRetired]

Originally Posted by Mikala43

You KNOW people do not listen to their doctors. We are at a record high obesity, and you can't tell me they do not know that is unhealthy. Like Cat, I've known plenty of people with diabetes, but still want to eat the same, or ones with gout, and they eat what they know will trigger it.

When, as a society, it is recommenced you park at the back of the parking lot, to "get exercise", you know it's pretty bad.

I park at the back of the parking lot so my vehicle doesn't get dinged and I can fully open the doors and load up the back seat.

[charlygal]

Originally Posted by jrkliny

A great many of you seem to be trying to be your own doctors. That seems to me to be extremely foolish. We don't have the years of training and experience. Even if we had the skills and the knowledge needed, we cannot perform procedures, run tests or prescribe meds.

Others of you have described the side effects of drugs and the value of exercise, diet and other steps to improve health. Physicians are not stupid. They know the details of these factors especially if you deal with doctors who are specialists in the areas of importance to your health.

If you want to continue to be your own doctors, that is your choice but I think it is an extremely poor choice. Note becoming educated on your health issues is important but that does not mean you ignore medical advice.

It can be difficult to find a good doctor that you trust and can work with. I have a few suggestions that might help.

First, consider your choices in insurance. I am not locked in and limited to using HMO doctors. I do have to pay quite a bit for good supplemental insurance, but I have never had an issue with gatekeepers, with limited choices or with doctors that do not provide services due to poor reimbursement.

When it comes time to pick a new doctor, look at the doctor's medical education and experience. Most doctors now work in groups. Look at the education and experience and board certifications for other members of the group. It is often difficult for a doc to be accepted into a group of excellent doctors or specialists. Exclusive practice groups will select only those physicians who are first rate. Next look for direct referrals from other physicians. If you have a good PCP they should be able to help with finding specialists and visa versa. I avoid referrals from patients who are not knowledge of the medical field. I want first rate docs not people who win popularity contests. There is a lot more I could add but the first step is to realize the importance of finding good docs and the importance of moving on when you are not satisfied.

Well, we are talking about older people here. At an advanced age, I think it's okay to make decisions that may ultimately affect ones mortality.

I've always said that I would be good to live to age 75. After that age, I'm going to feel free to eat a cheeseburger or two. I'm not going to worry about levels as long as my quality of life is still relatively good.

[Piney Creek]

I'm a huge believer in the benefits of daily exercise, especially for things like cholesterol. Also, eating salmon, oatmeal, and the other foods that are part of a cholesterol lowering diet. I have red meat every once in awhile, but very rarely (and always in small amounts) and I think that's helped. We also want to get a home testing kit. If anyone has bought one of these, we are looking for suggestions for kits that worked well.