great at any age
‘ Shrink-proof ’ your height as you age
Everything from tiny decreases in bone density to technologytriggered shifts in posture can cause your height to decrease up to a half inch with each passing decade after age 40 . To the rescue : Simple tricks that keep you standing tall for life
Enjoy a creamy treat |
‘ Mirror ’ a taller you |
muscles in nine weeks , suggests |
Spooning up 1 cup of full-fat froyo daily protects your height , suggests an Irish study . In addition to calcium and vitamin D , full-fat yogurt is packed with vitamin K ( nearly twice as much as found in nonfat or low-fat yogurt ), a nutrient that guides calcium away from arteries and safely into bones . This reduces the risk of height-hindering bone loss when eaten daily . |
Hunching over your smartphone as you stream and scroll shifts your natural posture , finds Korean research . This may train muscles into forming a hump , which can leave you inches shorter . The remedy : Performing “ mirror image ” maneuvers that are the exact opposite of your usual slouched posture realigns the spine and helps rebuild malformed |
a Canadian study . Stand straight with the back of your head and rear end touching a wall . Gently tuck in your chin while softly elongating your neck before returning to your original position . Repeat 10 to
20 times four times daily .
Play pickleball
Researchers investigating agerelated height decline made a
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Sharper sight for years to come
More than 20.5 million Americans over 40 have cataracts , a cloudy spot in the lens of the eye that becomes more common with age . Cataracts can make vision blurry , hazy or less colorful . And research in JAMA Ophthalmology found they can even up your risk of falls . Here ’ s how to keep your sight sharp
Eat an omelet Boost the power of your morning omelet by adding spinach . Both spinach and egg yolks are rich in lutein , which researchers have found curbs the risk of cataracts and other eye ailments . Lutein helps fight inflammation in the eye , reduces oxidative stress and boosts the overall sharpness of your vision . Each cup of spinach packs 8 mg of lutein , and you can get an additional 200 mcg in a single egg .
Up your omegas
Omega-3 fatty acids significantly reduce the risk of cataracts , and fish oil supplements pack a powerful dose of this key nutrient . Try : Nature Made Fish Oil 1,200 mg ( Walgreens . com ).
Slip on shades Research in the Journal of Biological Chemistry found UV light can damage lens proteins in a specific way typically seen in cataracts . To keep rays at bay , look for sunglasses with 100 % UVA- and UVB-ray absorbent protection and wear them even on cloudy days . While clouds can block visible light , they can actually increase UV rays . fascinating discovery : Women age 40 and above who began incorporating regular , moderate aerobic movement into their daily routine reduced their expected height loss by nearly half . Experts explain that activities like pickleball or brisk walking gently stress our bones , signaling osteoblasts to get to work creating healthy new bone that keeps us standing tall .
— Ann Green
Sip sangria
A study in Ophthalmology found drinking about a glass of red wine per day curbs cataract risk . Red grape skin has eye-benefitting antioxidants , resveratrol and flavonoids . And adding orange slices to your sipper delivers vitamin C , which Tufts scientists say reduces cataract risk by as much as 57 %.
Take a walk Carrying extra pounds ups cataract risk . But strolling for at least 30 minutes a day , five days a week helps you reach the 150 minutes of exercise per week recommended by the Centers for Disease Control to help melt unwanted pounds and protect your sight . — Jennifer Bringle
Woman ’ s World 5 / 20 / 24 17