Understanding Menopause 

Menopause is the biological process marking the natural decline of reproductive hormones that ends a woman’s menstrual cycles and prime fertility years for having children. It signals the time when the ovaries lose follicular function, which is the ability to release eggs. 

When you think of summer, do you picture vacations, barbecues, outdoor fun and sunshine? I know I do.

Sunshine, in particular, has many benefits for our physical and mental health. Among other things, the sun enables our bodies to produce vitamin D (which improves the strength and overall health of our bones and helps our immune system fight off infections) and promotes good mental health by naturally boosting serotonin levels. For humans, the sun is a crucial part of maintaining our health and wellness.

Menopause is a significant psychological and physiological transition in a woman’s life. As women go through perimenopause, they can experience hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, mood swings and insomnia. And while many women expect the typical signs and symptoms of perimenopause, they don’t anticipate higher cholesterol levels, especially when they’re eating healthy and exercising regularly.

Most of us slow down as we age. We schedule fewer activities, relax more, and get more rest. After raising children and retiring from careers, taking it easy can be a welcome change. But slowing down can also be more literal; for example, walking at a slower pace. This type of slowing down suggests your body is aging.

How long it takes us to walk a specific distance on a level surface indicates our overall health and life expectancy. Technically, it’s called gait speed, and the MDVIP Wellness Program includes a screening for it.

We all know we’re supposed to “eat healthy.” But what the heck does that even mean? Ask five different people and you’ll get five different answers: paleo, keto, vegan, Mediterranean, low carb. Which is the “correct” diet?

If you or a loved one has diabetes, you may have seen or heard of a technology called continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs. They are a significant technological advancement designed to assist individuals with diabetes in managing their blood sugar levels more effectively.

Being agile in your 60s and beyond isn’t about the ability to rapidly change direction while running or doing zig-zag lateral side-skipping. It’s about being flexible and coordinated with nimble enough reaction times to regain your footing when you trip, maneuver a full shopping cart around a busy store, maintain good balance or avoid bone-breaking falls.

It’s never too late to focus on what it means to be mobile, which is what agility comes down to. If you maintain your agility, you’ll retain balance, flexibility and strength despite natural aging.

Whether you’re a runner, golfer, Pilates aficionado or pickleball player – or a dedicated couch potato — your 40s are primetime for focusing on agility.

Why is 40 important? That’s because strength and muscle mass begin to decline when we hit our 40s. And if we do nothing, they can decline by 1 to 2 percent every year for lean muscle mass and up to 5 percent for strength.

Keith Richards once described getting old as “fascinating.” “The older you get, the older you want to get.”

Richards, who recently turned 80, may be fascinated, but many of the rest of us are worried about aging and the challenges that come with it. In fact, two-thirds of Americans, responding to a recent MDVIP/IPSOS survey, said they’re concerned about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep, chances are you’re stressed. Stress is another public health issue plaguing America. In fact, more than 25% of American adults report being so stressed that they can’t function, according to a poll conducted by the American Psychological Association.