Practicing Tai Chi Chih, the Westernized version of Tai Chi, has been shown to boost immunity against shingles in older adults.

Over 50% of shingles cases occur in people over age 60. Shingles, a reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox, can be painul and in some cases, leave the suferer with a chronic pain condition known as PHN (post herpetic neuralgia).

A 25-week study conducted by UCLA showed that participants who practiced Tai Chi alone boosted their shingles immunity to the level of those who had received the shingles vaccine.

Tai Chi Chih consists of 19 movements and one pose. The movements are slow and gentle and can be adapted for persons with disabilities. It can even be done while sitting. Learning and practicing Tai Chi Chih does not require physical fitness.

Researchers believe that the results of the shingles study could have implications for boosting immunity in older adults when it comes to other infectious diseases, such as influenza.

Practicing Tai Chi Boosts Immune System in Older Adults

Exercise holds many benefits in terms of enhanced health and outlook. Exercising our bodies also has a beneficial effect on our brains. Researchers have known for a long time that people who exercise do better on memory tests and now they know why.

Evidence shows that exercise causes the growth of new neurons in the brain. Imaging the brain using MRI, researchers were able to see neurogenesis in the dentate gyrate following exercise. The dentate gyrate is a region in the hippocampus that has previously been linked to age-related memory loss.

Keeping active is the key to good health for our bodies and our minds. For more information read NEW REASON TO HIT THE GYM: FIGHTING MEMORY LOSS.

Transcendental Meditation can reduce the incidence of factors that can lead to heart failure and even lessen the severity of congestive heart failure.

In conjunction with the usual health care, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania gave participants in a study either TM education or traditional health education. The participants were 23 African American men and women, average age 64, who were recently hospitalized with New York Heart Association class II or III congestive heart failure. African Americans have twice the mortality rate from congestive heart failure as white Americans.

The group practicing TM showed greater improvements in the six-minute walk test at three months and six months and continued to experience improvements in quality of life and depression. They also required fewer hospitalizations.

Transcendental Meditation likely works to improve heart function by reducing sympathetic nervous system activation associated with stress.

Another recent study showed that older adults don’t ask their doctors about complimentary or alternative medicine for treatment of their conditions. According to the above research, it seems they may be missing some simple techniques that could greatly improve quality of life.

Transcendental Meditation for the Heart

Centenarians often make the news. Reaching a hundredth year is a feat that makes most people want to know the secret to living well and long.

Reuters news service carries the story of Chan Chi, a Hong Kong villager who has reached the impressive age of 107, and is surprisingly spry. Chan Chi credits his longevity to a low-fat diet, regular exercise and… abstinence. Chan has been celibate since his wife died almost 80 years ago.

But while he hasn’t been having sex, Chan still enjoys smoking cigarettes.

Go figure.