NZ Herald - Plus Feature May 2024

THE HEALTH ISSUE

Active ageing | Balance and wellness | Anti-ageing lifestyle | Health superstars

Roomtomove, freedomtochoose

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Matamata

Balanceand wellnessfora longer,healthierlife

ByCarolynHansen

Modernmedicineisatruemarvel It curesdiseases,saveslives,andgrants mostofusthepromiseofalongerlife thanourancestorscouldeverhaveimagined Howwellweageandwhatthese“extended years”arefilledwithisanothermatter altogether Medicinemaygrantextended years,butit’sourlifestylesandattitudes thatinfuseourliveswithvitalityandjoyor dampenitwithsedentaryloneliness. Althoughwecannotfreezetime,thereare manythingswecandotoputastoptoageing andensurethatwepassthroughtheyears gracefully,whilelookingandfeelingourbest Ongoing,scientificresearchconfirmsthat ourhealthandlongevityarenotdictated andlockedbyourgenes Wearenotborn witha“healthdestiny” Lifestylescanand dochangehowourbodyages Thisiswhere responsibilityregardingourpersonalhealth kicksin.

AccordingtoWHO,theWorldHealth Organization,healthisnotmerelythe

absenceofdiseaseorinfirmity,itis“astate ofcompletephysical,mentalandsocial wellbeing”,astateofoverallwellness

TheNationalWellnessInstitutestatesthat, “Wellnessisanactiveprocessthroughwhich peoplebecomeawareofandmakeconscious choicestowardamoresuccessfulexistence.” Itisa“qualityoflife”cornerstone, ultimatelydetermininghowwefeel,look,and interactwiththosearoundus,andevidence supportsandsuggeststhatpractisinga wellnesslifestyleistherealkeytohealthy longevity

Wellnessisneveraboutsurviving,but aboutthrivingduetodeliberateeffort As anapproachtohealthcare,itemphasises illnesspreventionandlifeextensionrather thantreatingdiseaseafterthefact Wellness impliesself-awarenessofboththecausesand consequencesofouractions,requiringusto takeresponsibilityforourpersonalhealth andhappiness.

Healthyhabitsareempoweredtoshut

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downbadgenesthatleadtopoorhealth whileturningonprotectivegoodones,the powerfulself-healingonesthatpromote longevityandstellarhealth.

Thatmeansconsistentlypractisinglifestyle habitsthatcontributetoandhelpusachieve betterphysical,mental,andemotional health,habitsthatincludeproperexercise, nutrition,mindfulness(self-awareness)and socialconnectedness.

Thewealthofbenefitsthatexerciseoffers intermsofmakingusfeelourbestwhile combatingtheageingprocesscannotbe overstated.Therightexercisesactivelykickin HGH(HumanGrowthHormone)production, continuallyremindingthebodytorenew, repairandreplaceoldworn-outcellsand tissues.

Thisself-healingmechanismspreads throughouteverycellinthebody,makingus awholelotyoungerandhealthier! Anti-ageingbenefitsofexercise•Improvedmusclemassandstrength. Maintainingorbuildingmoremusclemass tissuelendswelltofunctionalstrength.

Asanageingadult,fewthingswillimpact ourqualityoflifeasmuchasseeingand feelingourfunctionalstrengthgodown.Let’s notforgetthefactthatmaintainingourlean

musclemasswillboostourself-esteemand self-confidence.Wefeelandlookbetter.

Enhancedboneandjointstrength.Weight bearingexerciseshelppreventbonerelated issuesfromcreepinguplater.Osteoporosisis aseriousconditionthatsadly,impactsfartoo manyolderadults.Bystartingearly,wecan makesurethatthatouradultyearswillbe blessedwithastrong,healthyskeleton.

•Improvedimmunity. Decreasedriskofhealthissues-heart disease,stroke,diabetes,andhighblood pressure.

Loweredlevelsofstress/emotionalstability –exercisenotonlykicksupHGHproduction, butwefeelaboostof“feelgood,happyendorphins”whenweexercise.

Mentalacuity/sharpmemory.Exercise stimulateskeybrainchemicalsfor concentration,memory,andmental sharpness.

Healthyglowingskin.Forgetaboutthe expensivemakeup,lotionsandpotions. Sweatingreleasestoxinsandputsa“real” glowonourcheeks.

Sinceconsistencyisthemostimportant partofexercise,it’simportanttopick exercisesthatweenjoysowestickwith them.Formaximumresults,focusshould

bestrengthtrainingasthisistheformof exercisewiththehighestpayoffandbenefits.

Whenitcomestonutrition,thereare certainissuesthatsabotageourantiageingeffortsandacceleratetheageing process.Knowingwhattheyareallowsus toavoidthemandtheirhealthdamaging consequences.

•Nutritionalissues–(thatpromotethe ageingprocess) Lackofantioxidants.Processedfoodsneedto bekepttoabareminimum.Whenitcomesto boostingantioxidants,thefocusneedstobe freshproduce–freshvegetablesandfruits. Overconsumptionofsugar.Sugar contributesnothingbutcaloriesandopens thedoortodiabetes.

Highintakeoftrans-fats.Man-madefats designedtoincreasetheshelf-lifeofthe foodproductsweconsume.Thereisnoreal purposeforthemhealthwise.Theysetus upfordiseasessuchascancer,diabetes,and heartdisease.

Insufficientqualityproteinintake.Protein providestherawmaterialsneededto generatenewcells,togeneratethehormones necessaryforkeepingallsystemsinthebody workingproperly,andforgeneratinglean musclemass.

Deficientomega3fattyacids.Omega-3 fattyacidsprovidekeynutrientsthat thebrainneedstofunctionoptimally. Theyarevitalingredientsthatworkto keepinflammationlevelsdown.Those whoconsumeadequateomega-3fatty acidsonaregularbasisarelesslikely todevelopconditionslikeParkinson’s disease,Alzheimer’sdisease,schizophrenia, depression,aswellasbipolardisorder. Everythingwedoonaday-to-daybasis –allthechoicesthatwemakeinhowwe approachourdayimpactsourbodyand theprocessofageing.Ourchoiceseither accelerateageingorcombatit.Ifwepunish ourbodywithexcessivealcohol,smoking orstress,wecannotexpectlifetorewardus withhealthylongevity.Theseareobvious, dangerouslifestylehabitsthatmustbe eliminatedbecausetheycananddokill. Intheend,ourday-to-dayactionsand decisionsnotonlyaffecthowwecurrently feel,butinfluencewhowewillbecome,sowe mustplanaccordingly.

Enjoyingindependence,productivityand self-careinlateryearsisnotagiven.Itis therewardreceived;thekarmicjoyearned forexpressingself-loveandlivingalifeof “wellness”now.

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Happyis ashappy does

ByCarolynHansen

Happinessiscontagiousand multipliesitself.

Happinessisajoy-filled,contented feeling;theresultofwhatevermental andemotionalstateweentertain.Itis therewardfactorforallthethoughts,feelings andemotionsthatdriveourship.

Farfrombeingfleetingortemporary,true happiness,istheoptimal“stateofbeing”that we,ashumans,canachieve.Itisaproven directlinktostrongimmunityasstudies andongoingresearchcontinuallyprovethat happypeoplearehealthierpeople.Theyare lesssusceptibletouninvitedguestssuchas annoyingcoldsandnastyviruses.

Stressiswastefulandzapsourvitalenergy whilehappinesscontributestoit.Thismeans thathappyheartsarestrongeratwardingoff debilitatingstrokesandlongevity-stealing heartattacks.

Thesuccessweenjoy,especiallywhen reachingatoughgoal,hasoftenbeenlinkedto andseenasamajor“keytoourbeinghappy”. Althoughthisbeliefappliestoacertain extent,thetruthis,theoppositeismorevalid. Happinessistherealkeyandcontributing factortowardsoursuccess.

Whenwrappedinandnurturedbypleasure

andpositivity,happinessisapowerful,selfrewardingactthatworkswondersonour bodies,butitsmagicdoesnotstopwithus. Happinessiscontagiousandmultiplies itself.Thatmeansourpersonalhappiness notonlyworkstomakeusfeelbetterbutis empoweredtomultiplythispositivefeelingon alargerscale.

Ourclosefriendsandfamilymightbethe firsttoenjoythebenefitsbut,likebutterina hotfryingpan,thesepositivefeelingskeep spreading.Nextinlineisoursociallife.A healthy,happysociallifepositivelyaffects andbenefitsourcommunities.Asthese “happymoments”continuetheirjourney, theyinfiltrateandcreateahappierworld.It’s agoodthing.

Sincedopamine,serotonin,oxytocin,and endorphinsaretheprimaryhormonesthat directlyinfluenceourlevelofhappiness,it behovesustoembracewhateverwecando toincreasetheproductionofthesepowerful, mood-enhancing,neurotransmitters/ chemicals.

And,becausethereleaseofhappy hormoneshasalottodowithourhabitsand

lifestyles,weareempowered,ifwesochoose, toconsciouslyactandboosttheirproduction.

Dopamine,therewardchemical,is producedinthehypothalamus,asmallarea ofourbrainsinchargeofpleasure.Often dubbedthe“motivationmolecule”,ithelps withfocus,concentration,apathy,fatigue,and forgetfulness.Itistherewardweenjoywhen completingany“feel-goodorpleasurable” task,motivatingustoseekoutmoregoals.

Simple,healthylifestylesarekeyto producingdopamine.Qualitysleep,proper exercise,restfulmeditating,enjoying,and absorbingthesun’srays,eatinghealthy foods(wholefoods,notprocessedfoods)and listeningtoourfavouritemusicallkickup dopaminelevels.Evenapleasurable,quiet bathwhenenjoyedinthemoment,releases thishappyhormone.

Endorphinsarepainbusters.While dopamineistheresultofourbrain’sreward system,endorphinsarenaturalpainand stressrelievers.Theseneurotransmitters arereleasedbythepituitaryglandandthe hypothalamus.Theyareempoweredtoliftour moodtoeuphoricstatus.

Whenlackingpleasureortryingtoreduce pain,increasinglevelsofendorphinsshould dothetrick.Physicalexercise,sexual enjoyment,spicyfoods,laughing,and eatingapieceofdarkchocolateallrelease theseneurotransmitters.Vanillaandother aromatherapyoilsandmeditationhavealso beenusedtostimulatetheproductionof endorphins.Asabonus,endorphinscaneven kickindopamine.

Serotonin:moodstabiliseranddigestion regulator.Feelingfatigued,troublesleeping, anxiety,andacravingforcarbohydratesand sweetsmaybeanindicatoroflowserotonin levels.Likedopamineandendorphins, exercise,andsunshineplaymajorrolesin boostingthisneurotransmitter.Whynot doubleupandexerciseoutdoorswhen possible?

Oxytocin:ourloveandcuddlingchemical. Ourbodyproducesthisneurotransmitter naturally.Itmaynothavethepowertohelp usfallinloveinstantly,butitisempoweredto increasecontentmentandfeelingsofsecurity andtrusttowardsotherswecarefor.

Increasingourlevelsofoxytocincanbeas simpleascookingorsharinghugsandcuddles withourlovedones.Enjoyingsexualintimacy withourpartners,creatingahealthysocial circleoffriendstoconfidein,doingsomething niceforothers-giftingorhelpingothersdoes makeushappier-orinteractingandloving ourpetsareallpositiveactionsthatboost oxytocinlevels.

Thereisanobviouscross-overinlifestyle actions(exerciseforexample)forallfourof theseneurotransmitters.It’sagoodthing because,forthemostpart,weareactive playerswhenitcomestocontributingtoand shiftingourlow,hormonallevelstohigher, positivelevels. Intheend,itsimplymeansthatweare empoweredtocontributetoandtocreatea happierlifebynurturingapositivemindset andadoptinghealthierphysicalhabits because“happyisashappydoes”.

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Xtendlife™ : PioneeringWellness ThroughScience andNature

Forover25years,Xtendlife™hasbeenona missiontoempowerandeducateindividuals aboutdietarysupplements,helpingthem makeinformeddecisionstoimprovetheirhealth

TheXtendlife™philosophycentresonthebelief thatpreventionisbetterthancure

EmpoweringHealth,ExtendingLife FoundedinChristchurch,byWarrenMatthews, Xtendlife™isatestamenttopassion,and innovation Alongwithhisson,Lance,he embarkedonajourneythatwouldultimately resultinthecreationofXtendlife™Natural Products Asaresearcher,andnaturalhealth pioneer,Matthewschannelledhiseffortsinto creatingtransformativeproducts Onesuch cornerstoneisTotalBalance™ anutrientsystem thatgoesbeyondmultivitamins,supporting energylevels,immunity,andfoundationalhealth

TheXtendlife™missionisclear,todevelopand promotescientificresearchandwiderpublic awarenessofthegenuinebenefitsofpure, naturalproductscombinedwithsensibledietand lifestyles

QualityandInnovation

TheXtendlife™commitmenttoscienceensures thattheirformulasdeliverresults Productsare locallymadeinNewZealandinanFDA-registered, GMP-certifiedfacilityadheringtothehighest standards Fromsupplementstoskincare,each productismeticulouslycraftedwithnatural ingredientssourcedglobally

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TheXtendlife™supplementrangeisablendof thebestnatural,rawingredientssourcedfrom NewZealandandaroundtheworld Theyoffer specialisedcellularsupportandsuperiornutrition topromoteoptimalhealthandimprovecellular functioningwithinthebody

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• TotalBalance™: Afusionof90+vitamins, minerals,enzymes,andherbs,TotalBalance™ supportscellularhealth It’sage-defying nutritionforlongevity TotalBalance™isa completenutrientsystemwithtailoredversions

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Topright: SandyBarwickcelebrates becomingthefirstwomantocomplete the1300-mileSriChinmoyracein NewYork,1991.

Topleft: SandyBarwickawardedanMBE inthe1994QueensBirthdayHonours.

Bottom: TheAnchroageRetirement Village,MarsdenCove.

TheWomanWho ConqueredHerEverest

ULTRA-MARATHONRUNNER, SANDYBARWICK

WRITTENBYSHANAHOPPER-MCCULLY,

Sales&MarketingManagerofHopperDevelopments

InspiredbySandyBarwick’sstory,recentlyfeaturedin NZHeraldtitled“Whereisshenow?SandyBarwick,”I feltcompelledtoconnectwithher.Asaresidentofour AnchorageRetirementVillage,IknewSandyasanultramarathonrunner,butIhadnoideaoftheextentofher achievements.

SandyBarwickisasomewhatunsungheroinourseaside communityatMarsdenCove.Sandyinspiresmanywithher numerousrecordsinultra-marathonrunning.Oneofher mostnotableaccomplishmentsistheSriChinmoy1300mileraceinNewYork,whomSandywasthefirstwoman tocompletethisgruellingrace,finishingin17daysand22 hoursandbreakingeightworldrecordsintheprocess.

“

IknewIhadtodoit.It wouldbethepinnacle ofmycareer.Itwasmy Everest.

-SANDYBARWICK

WhatamazesmemostaboutSandy’srunningcareerwas notjustherdeterminationandmentalstrength,butthe factthatshebeganrunningattheageof35.“Aftermy Mumpassedaway,therunningladiesfromMilfordfound meinadeepdaze,sittinginacornernotdoingmuch.They encouragedmetogetoutandcomeforarun,anditjust wentfromthere,”sherecounts.

IaskedSandywhereherdrivecomesfrom.“Iwasavery quietpersongrowingup,neverputmyhandupinclass, andneverappliedmyself.Itwasrunningthatchangedthat forme.OnceIlearnedtopushmyself,IrealisedIcould achieveanything.It’sanartwhenyou’recompeting—the bodyandmindlearntogrowtogether,andyouneedto respectthat.”

Sandy’sfiercementalstrengthislegendary.Whenasked ifbeingawomanandamotherhelpedherexcelinher runningcareer,sherespondedthatherroleasamother wasjustasimportantasherrunninggoals.Shecarefully preparedmealsforherfamilybeforetravelingforraces, ensuringherkidsweretakencareof.Often,shewouldrun amarathonat4amtobehomeintimeforbreakfastwith herchildrenbeforeschool.“Iknewatthatage,Ihadtobe responsible,andIlearnedtobelieveinmyself.”

Evennow,Sandymaintainsanactivelifestyle,often seenwalkingaroundthecommunity,havingmoved fromAucklandin2020,Sandyreflects,“[Moving here]isthebestthingIeverdid.Iloveithere; it’slikelivinginFiji.It’stheprettiestplaceto me.It’sjustbeautiful,aparadiseawayfrom Auckland.”

Sandyhascreatedalegacyinherrunningcareer, puttingultra-racesonthemapinNewZealand. Today,sheenjoysgivingbackandbeinginvolved withcommunitygroups.“IlovewhatIdo.Exercise isstillabigpartofmyday.Thefocusisstillthere,and Istillfollowtheultra-races.”

SpeakingwithSandyisawe-inspiring.Sheprovedshe couldachieveanythingshesethermindto,alessonweall couldbenefitfrom.Imaginewhatwecouldaccomplishif weallhadSandy’sdeterminationandfocus.Asamodern generation,weneedthatencouragementtobreakdown barriersandreachourgoals.

IfthereisonetakeawayfromSandy’sstory,itisthatyouare nevertooold,tooyoung,tootired,ortoobusytoreach yourtruepotential.LikeSandy,youcanachieveafulfilling lifeatanytime,stage,orage.

ToexploretheHopperlifestyle,visit HOPPERLIVING.CO.NZ|(09)4270015

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Vegetables arehealth superstars

ByCarolynHansen

Computershavehadaprofoundeffect onusinnearlyeveryaspectofour lives,andeatingisnoexception.With suchavaststoreofinformationreadily available,moreandmorepeopleare becomingawareofhowfoodchoiceseither contributetotheiroverallhealthorsubtract fromitandtheyaretakingmeasuresto correcttheirdiets.

Recipesthatoncefocusedonwhiteflour, whitesugar,butterandeggsarequickly fadinginpopularityandbeingreplaced withhealthieroptions-recipesthatuse ingredientsthatcontributetothenutrient densityofourdietsratherthandistractfrom it.

Vegetablesaresuperstars,burstingwith colourandflavour.Theyprovideourbodies withimportantvitamins,minerals,healthy fatsandfibre,allessentialnutrientsina balanceddietsoitmakessensetoinclude asmanyoftheminourdailymenuaswe possiblycan.

Soundseasyenoughright?Unfortunately, mostofushavedemandingschedulesand busylifestylesthatmakeitchallengingat besttogettherecommended3-6servingsof

vegetablesdaily.

Thisis,nodoubt,theprimaryreason saladsgainedinpopularityovertheyears. Theyareoneofthefewwayswecanget vegetables“onthego”.Yetthethought ofanothersaladatsomepointbecomes difficultforeventhedie-hardsaladeaterto swallow,literally.

Whatmostpeopledon’trealiseisthat vegetablesareextremelyversatileandhighly adaptable.Theyarebynomeanslimitedto savourysidedishesandsaladsnorarethey limitedtorawmunchiesorsmoothies.

ManyunassumingvegetableslikeSwiss chard,beets,spinach,zucchini,andkalecan successfullyaddflavour,textureandcolour aswellasboostingthenutrientdensity offoodsinourmeals,snacks,treatsand desserts.

Theyareoftenthehiddeningredientsthat delivervibrantcolour,moisture,textureand nutrientstoalltypesofrecipesincluding sweetrecipes,makingthemeasilyathome withbreakfastdishes,dessertsandavariety ofsnacksandtreats.

Sweetvegetablerecipesarethe completetreatpackage,deliveringhealthy

carbohydratesandfats,qualityproteins, fibreandantioxidants,alongwithimportant vitaminsandminerals,allcleverlywrapped upanddisguisedas“dessert”.

Imaginehowmanypeopleoverthe centurieshaveenjoyedsweetpotatoor pumpkinpiearoundtheholidays?For manythesesweetvegetablepieswerethe crowningjewelofthecelebration.Potatoes haveoftenbeenthatspecial“hidden” ingredientthatmademum’schocolate cakesupermoistwithoutaddingdensityor changingthetexture.Ifanything,itmadethe cakefluffierandmoredelicious!

Carrotsarenaturallysweetandcontain moresugarthananyothervegetablebesides sugarbeet.Becauseofthis,theyhavelong beenafavourite“sweetsubstitute”.Times weretoughduringtheMiddleAgesandboth WorldWarsandluxurysweetenerswere expensiveanddifficulttoobtainsocarrots becamethefavouredsugarsubstitute providingbothaddedmoistureand sweetnesswhereneeded.

Theever-popularcarrotcakethatremains afamilyfavouritetothisdayissaidtohave evolvedfromapuddingthatwasenjoyedin banquetsasfarbackasmedievaltimes.In theearly1900s,thishealthycarrotpudding evolvedintosomethingentirelynewwhenit wasbakedinloafpansasaquickbread. Needaningredientasabindingagent thataddsnaturalsweetnessandmoistness whereneeded?Onethatreplaceseggsand fatinmostrecipes?Looknofurtherthanyour

vegetablebin.Usingacombinationofdried fruits,nuts,seedsandcoconutproductsas abaseyouincorporateyourvegetablesinto, youcancreatedelicious,decadent,healthy sweetsthatpleasethepickiesteaters.

Grainsubstituteslikealmondorcoconut flour,naturalsugarslikedriedfruitsand healthyfatslikecoconutoiloravocados,can beeasilyusedtocreateahealthycakebase thatyoucanstirsmallamountsofrawgrated vegetablesorcookedandpureedvegetables into.Orbetteryet,ratherthansmallamounts makethevegetablethestaringredientlikeit isincarrot,zucchini,beetorparsnipbread.

Vegetablesprovidemuch-needednutrients inwhateverformtheyareeatenbutraw vegetablesarenutrientpowerhouses providingincreasedenergyandvitality. Becausetheyprovideourbodieswith higherconcentrationsofvitamins,minerals andnutrients,theyhelppreventdisease throughpropercellularregeneration.They alsoalkaliseandbalancethebody’spH anddecreasefatproductionwhilehelping cleansethebodyofaccumulatedtoxinsand waste.

Whenvegetablesaren’tthestarrole inadish,theyeasilyworktheirmagicin thebackground,assumingamoresubtle supportiverole.Eitherway,it’sboth challengingandfuntofindcreativewaysto sneakextravegetablesintoinnocent-looking dishesandwatchwithdelightasourloved onesenjoythemknowingtheyaregetting healthieratthesametime!

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Sharingthe journey

ByKellySpice

Heartbeatsisthefirstofitskind,community-led, peertopeercardiacsupportandeducationgroup forhearteventsurvivors,theirfamiliesandbroader whanau.

Fromhumblebeginningsonthe HibiscusCoast,northofAuckland, Heartbeatshasgrowntoover200 ‘members’withsomeasfarafieldas Whangarei,Napier,Turangi,Wellingtonand Christchurch.

BasedlooselyontheAAmodelof supportthroughindividual,personalised connectionsandlearning,Heartbeats’ mottois‘sharingthejourney’,believing thattruesupportcomesfromthe understandingofhavingexperiencedthe sameconfrontingmedicalevent.

HeartbeatsfounderTrentLash,himself ahearteventsurvivor,decidedtostarta community-basedsupportgrouptobetter informandeducateheartpatientson theirparticularconditionandhelpthem throughthepost-traumaticstressofhaving experiencedalife-threateningsituation.

“Manyhearteventsurvivorsare confrontedwithalife-changingcondition, andarealisationoftheirmortality.Most

undergopost-traumaticstressdisorder (PTSD).ThefeedbackfromHeartbeats membershasbeenhumbling,personal, andveryreal”saysLash.Membershave commented-

‘findingHeartbeatshassavedmylife’ ‘thisgroupisamazing,Ihavebeen lookingforthissupportforovertwoyears’ ‘referringmeto[professionalhealth psychologist]hasuncoveredhugestress thatIhaveheldforovertwentyyearsasa resultofmybypasssurgery..thankyou’.

AccessingsupportfromHeartbeats iseasy-anypersonwhohashighblood pressure,sufferedaheartevent,hasa geneticheartconditionorfamilyhistoryof heartdiseaseiseligible.Thereisnocostto joinHeartbeats,it’sfree.

Heartbeatsoffers:

•Monthly,localgroupmeetingsacross Auckland,withregularguestspeakers fromthelocalmedicalandallied healthservicessector.Theyinclude:

cardiologists,generalpractitioners, dietitians,healthpyschologists, pharmacists,exercisephysiologists& physiotherapists,heartresearchersetc

•Bi-monthlyonlinemeetingsorseminars, withthesameguestspeakersand facilitators HeartFORUM

•Individualpeer-peerconnections throughour HeartBUDDY platformfor peoplewiththesameheartcondition,to supporteachotherwhenfacingsurgery orongoingchallenges.

•Regularpublicpresentationsonheart diseaseandhearthealthmanagement HeartTALKS toraisepublicawarenessof

heartdiseaseandsavelives

•CARDIO,anexercise-basedcardiac rehabiliationprogramme(developed inconjuctionwithAucklandUniversity ExercisePhysiologyDepartment)that isbasedonproveneffectiveoverseas modelsforcardiacrehabilitation

•Referralstoanetworkofhealthcare professionalsthatspecialiseintheheart (medicalprofessionals,psychotherapists etc)

Formoreinformationvisitheartbeats. org.nzorcontactTrenton0220606 199info@heartbeats.org.nz

SummersetStJohns willbeasophisticated retirementhaven,withbreathtakingviews,right intheheartoftheeasternsuburbs.

Thevillagewillofferanexquisitevillagecentre withabarandbistro,enviableresort-stylefacilities, andSummerset’srenownedcontinuumofcare, includingservicedapartments(careissubjectto availabilityandeligibility)–allofwhichwillbefully operationalfromdayone.

AtSummerset,weknowthatlifedoesn’tslow downjustbecauseyouretire.Soourluxurious homesaredesignedforpeoplewithactive lifestyles,whowanttospendmoretimedoing thethingstheylove.

Ourshowhomeisnowopenforviewing,book yourappointmenttoday.

Lovethelifeyouchoose.

Showhomeviewings byappointment 099507982|stjohns.sales@summerset.co.nz 400RemueraRoad,Remuera

Theanti-ageing lifestyle,what isitandareyou livingit?

ByCarolynHansen

Researchshowsthemoreyouchangeyourlifestyle (particularlyintheareasofphysicalactivityand nutrition)themoreyouimproveyourhealthand longevity.

Almostfromthebeginningoftime, peoplehavebeenlookingfora fountainofyouth,orattheveryleast amagicpotionthatcankeepusfeelingand lookingforeveryoung.

Thepotionsusuallycomeinabottle,ajar, orapill-orfromasurgicalprocedure-but asitturnsout,wehavebeensearchingin thewrongplaces.

Insteadofrunningtoasurgeonfor cosmeticsurgeryortothestoretobuya potionorcream,weshouldbelookingno furtherthanourworkoutclothesandgetting backintothekitchenandcookingnatural foodsfromscratch.

Thesetwostrategiesaregaining popularityasanewlifestyle-basedantiageingplanlifestylechangesthatcan literallychangewhatisgoingonwiththe DNAthatisinvolvedintheageingprocess.

Weareprogressivelyobtainingnew answerstotheseage-oldquestionsand muchofthisnewknowledgeispositiveand excitingasmoreandmorepeoplewanta

healthyandyouthfullife,thegoodlife.

Thesearchisforaqualityoldage.Inthe mindsofsome,oldageitselfhasbecome adiseasetobe“cured”.Thereisakindof questforanendlessmiddleageaswhen youadoptananti-ageinglifestyleyouhavea realchanceofaddingdecadesofadditional happyandhealthyliving.

Morethan30yearsofresearchhas uncoveredthatthemoreyouchangeyour lifestyle(particularlyintheareasofphysical activityandnutrition)themoreyouimprove asyouareinfactturningoffthebadgenes thatleadyoudownthepathofpoorhealth andinsteadareturningonthegoodgenes thatprotectfromdiseaseandpromote longevityandstellarhealth.

Mostsignificantly,wecanactually lengthentheendsofourchromosomes atregionsreferredtoas“telomeres”. Telomeresarelikenedtothelittleplastic endstoashoelacethatpreventsthelace fromunravelling.Withtelomeres,however, thoseendsgetwornawaywithpoorlifestyle

habitswhichthenleadtoageingofthecell theDNAisin.

Withtherightlifestylechanges,youcan actuallyalterhowyouagebylengthening ratherthanshorteningthetelomereson theendsofyourDNAtherebyslowingor evenreversingtheageingprocessfrom within.Exercisehasbeenassociatedwith preventingtelomereshortening,soitis clearlyaverypowerfulanti-ageingstrategy.

Thepowerofproperexercise (strengtheningexercise)isthatitboosts humangrowthhormone(HGH)production, whichisvitallyimportantforoptimalhealth, strengthandlongevity.

Vigorousphysicalactivity,suchasdirectly workingthemajormusclegroupsthrough theirrangesofmovementinaslowwith slow,controlledmannerwithadequate loading,triggersstemcellstoreleasehigh concentrationsofgrowthfactorsthat circulatearoundthebodygivingchemical instructionstorenew,repair,replaceand rejuvenateALLbodycellsandtissues.

Theresult-superhealthatthecellular level-oldworn-outcellsandtissuesget replacedwithnewyounger,healthier, strongeronesturningbackthebiological clockinyourbody,muscleandbrain.And notjustalittlebityoungerandstronger,but aWHOLELOTyoungerandstronger.

This“superwellness”isallaboutstaying wellwhenyouarehealthy.Itisabout buildingastrongdisease-resistantbodyand evenifyougetsickitisaboutfindingand

eliminatingthecauseofthediseasenotjust managingthesymptoms.

Thegoalsofananti-ageinglifestyleare(at ANYage):

•Healthier-abovesimply“notbeingsick”

•Toremainstrongandenergeticregardless ofage

•Slowtheageingprocess

•Liveapeakperformancelife

•Improvebodycomposition(muscle-to-fat ratio)

•Wellness-physically,mentallyand emotionally

•Beingfreeof-andnotatriskofdisease

•Healthspanequalslifespan

Thisisanexcitingtimetobealiveasit’s thefirsttimeinhumanhistorywehavethe knowledgeandtoolstoavoidtheworst effectsofageing.Giventhisnewknowledge, ananti-ageinglifestylecankeepourbodies andmindsyoungformuchlongerthanhas traditionallybeenthecase.

Youdon’tneedtoagethewayyour parentsandgrandparentsdid.Thisisyour prime!SetanewexampleforhowHOTyour 60sandbeyondcanbe.Theyoungeryou are,thebetteryourchancesoflockingina healthy,activeandenjoyableoldage.

Adoptingananti-ageingdietandlifestyle nowwillmaximiseyourchancesofenjoying alongandhealthylifespan.Forallofus, whateverourage,nowisthetimetostart.

Photo/GettyImages

ByCarolynHansen

Areyoureadytojointhegrowingnumbersof healthyolderpeopleeasilymaking70thenew40? Imaginebeingabletolivelikeyouare40or50for therestofyourlife?Howcoolwouldthatbe?

Inthemindsofmany,oldagehasbecome adiseasetobe“cured”.Infact,thereis akindofquestforanendlessmiddle age.BabyBoomersworldwideareatthe forefrontofthequesttocontrolageingor avoiditaltogether.Peoplearenolonger satisfiedwithageingasitis.Theyare activelysearchingforqualityoldage.They wantahealthy,youth-filledlife,thegoodlife nowandwellintotheirfuture.

Twostrategieshavegainedsignificant popularityasnewlifestyle-basedantiageingplansthatcanliterallyalterwhatis goingonwithintheDNAthatisinvolvedin diseaseandtheageingprocess.

Over30yearsofresearchcontinuesto

Activeageing andwellness— thefutureisin yourhands

uncoverthetruthaboutthestatusofour health;themorewechangeourlifestylesto healthierones,particularlyintheareasof physicalactivityandnutrition,themorewe improveasweturnoffthebadgenesthat leadusdownthepathofpoorhealthand turnonthegoodgenesthatprotectusfrom disease.

Extraqualityyearscanbehadjustby turningonself-healingprocessesthat promotelongevityandstellarhealth.The rightlifestylechangescanalterhowweage bylengtheningratherthanshorteningthe telomeresthatexistattheendsofourDNA, therebyslowingorevenreversingtheageing processfromwithin.

Telomeresareliketheplasticendsof ashoelaceandserveasimilarpurpose. Theyprotecttheendofchromosomes fromentanglementorfromfraying.Every timeacelldivides,thetelomeresbecome shorteruntiltheycannolongerdivideand eventuallydie.

Theresultissuper-health/wellnessat thecellularlevelasoldworn-outcellsand tissuesarereplacedwithnew,younger, healthier,andstrongerones,turningback thebiologicalclockinourbody,muscles andourbrain.Super-wellnessisallabout stayingwellwhenwearehealthy.It’sabout buildingastrong,disease-resistantbody beforetragedyhappens,notafteritstrikes. Ifsicknessdoeshithome,thenitisabout eliminatingthecauseofthedisease,notjust managingthesymptoms.

Thegoalsofananti-ageinglifestyleare thesamenomatterone’sageandshould includerobusthealingandcellrenewal —activatingourpersonalself-healing processeswithin.Beinghealthybeyond simply“notbeingsick”.Slowingdownthe ageingprocessasweallowourselvesto livelifetopeakperformancealongwith

improvedbodycomposition(ourmuscleto-fatratio)withhealthier,stronger,more stable,emotional,mental,andphysical bodies.

Wellnessismorethansimplytheabsence ofdisease.Itisabouthavingapositive proactiveattitudetowardsourownhealth alongwithprevention—notwaitinguntil diseasesymptomsstrike,leavingusno choicebuttoreact.

There’snotimelikenowtomakechanges. Increasingevidencepointstothefact thatageorhealthstatusdoesnotmatter. Thetimetobeginpreparingforhealthier, happierageing/senioryearsisnow.

Areyoureadytojointhoseextending middleageintothefarreachesofoldage andtoincreasethehealthyspanofageing whileavoidingtheworstaspectsofoldage untiltheveryend?

Areyoureadytojointhegrowingnumbers ofhealthyolderpeopleeasilymaking70 thenew40?Imaginebeingabletolivelike youare40or50fortherestofyourlife?How coolwouldthatbe?

Photo/GettyImages

SPECIFICATIONS:

WeightCapacity-230kg

WeightwithBatteries-160kg

MotorSize–24v/1400w

MaxForwardSpeed–15km/h

DistanceRange–upto50km

GroundClearance–12cm

Batteries–12v/75ahx2

OverallDimensions-1650x720x1400mm

FullFrontandRearSuspension

SPECIFICATIONS:

WeightCapacity-200kg

WeightwithBatteries-132kg

Motorsize-24V1400WattBrushless

MaximumForwardSpeed-15km/h

DistanceRange-Upto50km

GroundClearance-13cm

Batteries-12V/75Ahx2

OverallDimensions-W750xL1350xH1600

FullFront&RearSuspension

Ourcompanyhasbeenoperatingvehicle garagesinNewZealandforover20yearswith anaverageannualturnoverofover4million NZDollars.Wehavealargemobilityscooter workshopwithanextensiveandfullrange of partsandaccessories. techniciansavailableforyourpeaceofmind.

SPECIFICATIONS:

WeightCapacity–150kg

WeightwithBatteries–85kg MotorSize–24V/400W MaxForwardSpeed–10km/h DistanceRange–upto30km GroundClearance–9cm Batteries–12V/35Ahx2 OverallDimensions–1270x610x1080mm

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