Mingle, Sleep & Be Merry!
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| Fri, 05-12-2006 - 7:52am |
This is a perfect pre-weekend RealAge post!
Mingle, Sleep, and Be Merry
Looking for fun ways to stay well? Spend more time with friends -- and in bed.
Having close pals you can laugh and cry with, through thick and thin, is a blessing. So is getting a good night's sleep, especially in restless times. But wait, there's more. Both also reduce your blood levels of an inflammatory protein that's been linked to Alzheimer's, bone thinning, heart trouble, rheumatoid arthritis, and even some kinds of cancer.
RealAge Benefit: Having a strong social network of family and friends can make your RealAge up to 3.5 years younger.
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Everyone knows a good diet and regular exercise can help ward off a boatload of Bad Things. But they may not be enough to control IL-6 (interleukin-6), an inflammatory protein. In normal amounts, IL-6 acts as an immune system helper, but excess levels have been linked to a whole string of age-related diseases. Researchers studying older women found two natural ways to help keep IL-6 at healthful, not harmful, levels: solid sleep and good friends. The best news: if you're loaded with bosom buddies but struggle with sleep -- or vice versa -- you're as protected as if you have both. So if you want to stay up all night talking with your best buds, go for it.
Have a great weekend everyone :-)

