The People News, a free newspaper serving Cleveland Tennessee (TN) and Bradley County Tennessee (Tn).





Of Bradley County Tn.


SEPTEMBER  2003

                            The People News, a free newspaper serving Cleveland and Bradley County Tn.

HEALTH CONSCIOUS

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Turn back the body clock

by BJ Armstrong

By all those lovely tokens
September days are here
With summer's best of weather
And Autumn's best of cheer.  ....Helen Hunt Jackson


Does this make you think of crossing time zones? Your body may be in Ohio but your head's still in California. Melatonin is good for jet lag because it adjusts your body clock. One to three milligrams can help you get to sleep.

Some researchers believe they have found not only the "clock" in our bodies that cause aging, but also a way to turn back those hands. Researchers claim it to be a hormone called Melatonia. It's produced in the brain which works great when we're young. By age 80 we're producing only half. This results in age related physical decline.

Since our Melatonia levels drop as our age climbs, scientists think this is why so many elderly people are plagued by sleeping pills. But says Elson Haas, M.D. and author of "Staying Healthy with Nutrition," like anything else, it may not work for everyone.

Studies also show that St. John's Wort improves sleep quality. Because sleeping less as we age .. taking this herb helps to sleep better, exhibit less

B J Armstrong

sadness, helplessness, exhaustion, and headaches. Researchers report no side effects but check with your doctor before taking any medicine not prescribed by him.

Today's herbalists agree that Valerian is the most useful relaxing herb. They recommend it for insomnia besides anxiety and headaches. It is in most over-the-counter tranquilizers and sleep-aids.

There are many conditions associated with aging: stroke, heart disease, deafness, blindness, and memory loss. In Europe as well as here in the U.S.A, many older people take Ginkgo to help keep themselves physically fit. Most of us, as we age, want to become more alert and sociable, be able to think more clearly, and feel better. Time is running down as we get older, which results in age-related physical decline.

Until recently, we believed that there was little that could be done to prevent signs of aging.

However, we now know that a combination of factors, including lifestyle, diet, supplements, exercise, and herbs can help maintain a youthful appearance and more importantly, help with physical decline along with old age.

I knew there'd be a rainbow
As I watched the rain coming down
Someday, my life would be over
Then I would not be around.
The birds sitting in September trees
Seemed to be aging, just like me
I think they must be waiting
To see how much longer  before God will be here!-----Anonymous

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