Essential Nutrients for Healthy Brains

A recent study published in the journal Neurology has shown that seniors who include more certain essential nutrients in their diets were less likely to have brain shrinkage associated with Alzheimer’s disease. They were also more likely to score better on tests of mental performance.

What are those essential nutrients?  They include omega-3 fatty acids, B and D vitamins, and antioxidants C and E. Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D are found in fish and some plant and nut oils. Vitamins B, C, and E are primarily found in fruits and vegetables. The essential nutrient B12 comes from animal products and fortified breakfast cereals.

Talk with your doctor about including more of these nutrients in your diet. You can get a blood test to check the levels of these chemicals in your body. To increase your intake, eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fish. Before supplementing, speak to your doctor about safely increasing your intake of these nutrients.

Home for the Holidays

Whether you are planning on hosting a crowd for your holiday get-together or you are anticipating a quiet holiday with family and friends, it is nice to have a clean and organized home for the holidays. Get a jump start on your preholiday housework and the task will seem more manageable. These tips will help  you stay on top of your work, leaving you more time to enjoy the holidays.

Tackle the big tasks first

Launder and press your holiday table linens. Clean your oven and refrigerator well. Do a thorough dusting of your home, wash your windows, and do a general tidying of all the clutter. Spot clean your carpet. Clean bathrooms well.

Move on to the smaller things

Gather together the china and silverware  you will be using. Plan your holiday menu and prepare any dishes that can be cooked ahead of time.  Wash out trash cans as necessary. Sweep and mop floors.

Don’t forget the little details

On the day your  guests are due to arrive, walk through your home and remove any remaining clutter. Set the table. Clean mirrors in the bathrooms and polish the faucets. Empty trash from wastebaskets. Put clean towels in the bathrooms and kitchen. Straighten toss pillows. Put on some holiday music.

Sharing Your Table With Fido

Many pet owners think that one of the nicer things they can do for their pets is to feed them human food, often scraps from their own table. This actually can pose a significant health risk to your pet, however. Experts recommend that dogs and cats should not eat any human food. There are some foods, however, that are more of a threat than others. These foods should never be given to your companion animal:
• Alcoholic beverages
• Caffeine
• Chocolate
• Fat trimmings
• Raisins
• Grapes
• Chicken and turkey bones
• Onions
• Garlic
• Macadamia nuts
• Mushrooms
• Raw eggs
• Salt
• Sugar