All the talk and images of chocolate and chocolate-covered strawberries and other sweet edibles for Valentine’s Day got me thinking about sugar the past week. Sugar tastes good. Sweet foods make you feel good.  But sugar has acquired a bad reputation in recent times. The warning has gone out from leading health organizations to reduce the consumption of sugar. Sugar is identified as a major contributor of the global public health crisis in obesity and heart disease. Is sugar a danger to older adults then?
Sugar’s fall from grace
What happened! Sugar used to be king o…

The holidays are here and so is winter, bringing with it freezing temperatures, cold winds and snow—coughs, sneezes, runny noses, colds and flu. Even if you have gotten your flu shot, it is still wise to fortify your fortress—your immune system—against unwanted visitors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that during most flu seasons in the United States, an estimated 90% of flu-related deaths and 50% to 60% of flu-related illnesses occur in people aged 65 or older. Here are some immune boosters for seniors from handwashing to essential oils to for…