WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
I’ve heard that if you have dementia, you probably don’t know it. I don’t think I’m suffering from it and no one has accused me of having it. Research has shown that people in their fifties and sixties who sleep six or fewer hours per night, could be at a higher risk of developing dementia. Researchers have examined survey data for about 8000 British adults spanning around 25 years. The data was based on participants’ personal sleep logs and sleep-tracking devices that they had agreed to wear. Researchers then linked that information with dementia diagnoses from the health records system. They found that 50-year-olds who were in the habit of sleeping six hours or less a night had a 22% higher risk of developing dementia later in life. Sixty-year-olds were 37% more likely to develop the disorder as compared with people who slept seven or more hours each night. Developing good sleep habits is highly recommended. One way is to turn off mobile devices at least a half-hour before bedtime. One should also make sure they are exposed to natural light as much as they can during daytime hours and have dinner at least an hour or more prior to bedtime, because the digestive process might interfere with sleep.
I am a type-two diabetic, so I try to keep my numbers down by prescribed medication and maintaining a proper diet. This is very difficult, because I do enjoy eating. I try to stay away from the sweet stuff and all the rumored bad stuff that tastes so good. I also watch my intake of things like potato chips. If you enjoy snacking, it’s recommended that you try cashews and other nuts instead of potato chips and dip. Eating just two ounces of nuts daily can lower levels of the harmful type of cholesterol (LDL) by up to 5%. In fact, a 2019 study found that those with type 2 diabetes who devoted 10% of their daily calories to cashews had a lower ratio of LDL to HDL (the good cholesterol) levels than those who didn’t eat any cashews. A study revealed that eating peanuts and tree nuts twice a week and walnuts once a week was associated with a 13% to 19% reduced risk of any form of cardiovascular disease, and a 15% to 23% lower risk of coronary heart disease. I’m not a big fan of walnuts, so maybe I should eat more cashews.
With the weather becoming more spring-like, people are getting Out and About more on their bicycles and motorcycles. This means that drivers should be on the alert when driving vehicles weighing more than 2000 pounds. If you are the one on a bicycle, please remember that stop signs mean STOP. You can be cited for failing to stop at a stop sign or red light. If on a bicycle, you should also remember to ride with the traffic, or on the right side of the street. Another important thing to remember is that riding your bike on the sidewalk while in the downtown business section is not permitted. When riding your bike at night, you must have a headlight and reflectors.
A suggestion to pedestrians. When you’re out walking Fido, please remember to pick up Fido’s poop. While you’re at it, pick up that discarded paper cup that some irresponsible idiot just threw on the ground thinking that his/her mother would take care of it. We have a beautiful city and it’s everyone’s responsibility to do their part so that it stays that way.
A few words of wisdom worth remembering:
In life, some things are bigger than they look from a distance.
Live in harmony with your beliefs and ideals.
Face your fears with confidence.
“Water heater out of kilter, try the brush-less whisker wilter.” ~ BURMA SHAVE
See you Out and About!
Submitted by Norm Stutesman
