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Light Minestrone with Whole Grain Pasta
Light Roasted Chicken with Italian Herbs
Chicken Tuscany
Savory Sausage and Vegetables
Zesty Tomato Bisque
Introducing 5 New
Mediterranean-Style Soups.
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bone density
Thinning bones may lead to fracture,
so it’s important to check bone density,
especially if you are older than 50 or
post-menopausal. The test involves a
special kind of X-ray that provides a
“T-score.” Your T-score compares your
current bone density to that of a healthy
30-year-old who presumably has peak
bone mass.
T h e N
u m
b e r : A
b o v e
- 1
A healthy
T-score is above -1. If you aren’t where
you should be, your doctor will let
you know.
T a k e A
c t i o n :
Increasing calcium intake
is essential if your T-score is low.
Exercise can also increase bone mass.
circulating D
Recent research has found that
a deficiency of vitamin D, the
so-called sunshine vitamin, may
increase risk of osteoporosis,
breast cancer, hypertension, and
multiple sclerosis.
T h e N
u m
b e r :
3 5
You want to
have circulating levels of vitamin D
higher than 35 ng/mL (nanograms
per milliliter), measured by a
blood test.
T a k e A
c t i o n :
Fifteen minutes
of sun exposure on bare arms,
face, or neck two to three times
a week boosts D levels without
causing sunburn, according to Dr.
Shelley Wroth, a physician at the
Duke University Center for
Integrative Medicine.
thyroid
0.4-4.0
Thyroid problems become more common as we age, and symptoms can
mimic those of other conditions. A thyroid-stimulating hormone test—a
simple blood test—diagnoses thyroid problems.
T h e N
u m
b e r :
0
.
4
-
4 . 0
m
l U
/ L
(milli-international units per liter) Some labs
may report this differently, so have your doctor explain the results.
T a k e A
c t i o n :
There isn’t much you can do on your own. If your numbers
indicate a problem, your doctor will go over medication options with you.
depression
When women are depressed, they
may not exhibit signs of hopelessness
or sadness. Instead, they may
experience low energy, difficulty
concentrating, and odd aches and
pains, says Dr. Kristin Leight, a
psychiatrist at Columbia University.
There is no blood test to check for
depression, but there is an easy
screening scale.
T h e N
u m
b e r :
5
If you experience five or more of the
following symptoms for two weeks
in a row or more, you may suffer
from depression:
• Sadness
• Irritability
• Hopelessness
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Low energy or fatigue
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Significant weight change (loss or
gain) if you aren’t dieting
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of interest in normally
enjoyable activities
T a k e A
c t i o n :
If you recognize
yourself too often in this list, talk to
your family doctor. If you have a few
symptoms, but not five, do something
to offset depressive inclinations.
“Rather than isolate yourself, make
social plans. Instead of lying in front
of the television, get outside for half
an hour,” says Leight. “I also pre-
scribe one pleasurable activity per
day.” You pick what that is.
124
JANUARY
2010
BETTER HoMES AND GARDENS
