Here comes the sun

Actually, I don’t really believe spring is here, yet – where I live, we’re guaranteed to get another blast of cold and snow in April – but in theory, we’ll be seeing a bit more of the sun for the next few months. (The pretty picture above is not mine; it’s a Creative Commons image from Maxpixel.net.)

A few things…

• While this informative little piece is actually a sponsored article – the print equivalent of an “informercial” – it does have some useful information about the likelihood of those in the over-50 age group needing more vitamin D and B12. Just last fall, my doctor put me on an 8-week vitamin D booster program, taking 50K IU/week. Here’s a good article from Runner’s World about vitamin D. (Update: in the comments below, Suez provides this very interesting counterpoint to the arguments for supplementation: https://www.outsideonline.com/2380751/sunscreen-sun-exposure-skin-cancer-science)
• Are you getting enough fiber? Chances are, you’re not. I mean, like, “bet the farm” chances you’re not. “Only 5 percent of people in the US meet the Institute of Medicine’s recommended daily target of 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men.” And you really want to get enough, because it does all kinds of good things, like evening out your blood sugar and reducing cholesterol. (Pssst… you don’t get fiber from animal protein.)
• Following up on some research we learned about last year, a new article in JAMA Network Open adds evidence that, with exercise, there is really no such thing as starting “too late;” even starting an exercise program in your 50s will significantly reduce your risk factors. Also, starting a weight-lifting program when you’re over 50 has some extra confidence-boosting benefits!
• Finally, happy 88th to Marvin Hachmeister, who runs 25 miles a week and just completed his 39th annual birthday 10K. He says he’ll stop running if he ever reaches a point where it takes him more than one hour to run a 10K. Me, I’d be thrilled to get my pace back under 10 minutes/mile!