Today is your day Boomer! In just two days time, I will join the "hip parade" in Canada...that large number of mostly Boomers that have undergone hip replacement surgery. How many? Well according to cihi.ca, "In 2021–2022, more than 117,000 hip and knee replacements were performed in Canada, which is 5.9% more compared with the previous year, but still lower than the annual number performed before the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, more than $1.26 billion was spent on hospital costs." That's a lot of new metal, titanium, plastic and carbon injected into our bodies and a ton of money! Done in a private clinic, the cost is about 20,000-28,000 dollars. In public health, the wait list varies, but it is usually over a half year(I was seven months) and for many the pain is truly unbearable. Many are walking with canes, can't make it around the block, and are popping pills or getting injections to reduce their suffering. At one point last spring, I could hardly walk for about a month as my hip was collapsing. Monday is a BIG day for me. But many of us are in the same boat....er, hip ship.
Today is your day Boomer! And today is another day for wining......and I don't mean complaining. I mean drinking some pressed grapes and enjoying the health benefits. That's right, drinking alcohol is good for you. First, let's state the obvious....only in moderate amounts: two glasses per day for men and one for women. Research shows the following positive health effects: (1) reduces risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson disease (2) is an anti-flammatory(white wine is better for this) (3) decreases risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol(red wine is a better choice) (4) good for mental health, may increase age longevity, may promote healthy gut bacteria. All of this sounds good and much of it boils down to the antioxidants which are higher in red wine. It seems reds--like Merlot, Cab Sav, and Shiraz--have been studied more.....which means more research is needed on whites. Boomers, maybe we could volunteer for a new study! Cheers!

Comments
Post a Comment