NZ Herald - Plus Feature May 2024

A New Zealand Herald Commercial Publication | Thursday, May 30, 2024

THE HEALTH ISSUE Active ageing | Balance and wellness | Anti-ageing lifestyle | Health superstars

Room to move, freedom to choose

Luxury Retirement Homes in Matamata from $799,000

As a family business led by family values, our residents’ quality of life has always been our measure of success.

That’s why our retirement homes are built the way we like to live with plenty of space and all the luxury trimmings that make life more comfortable.

And because having choice is important to us, we make sure our residents have the luxury of choice too. That’s why every home at Matamata Country Club will be unique, with its residents’ own special touches.

We’ve also gone out of our way to ensure our recreation and social facilities are the very best in the country, and that the future care facilities our residents have access to will be truly world-class.

This family-centric approach to the way we’ve built and operated our villages is why our sister village Tamahere Country Club is now the most sought-after retirement community in New Zealand, and why you can expect our newest village, Matamata Country Club will be equally as popular.

Matamata

matamatacountryclub.co.nz

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inside

Balance and wellness for a longer, happier life

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Happy is as happy does

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Vegetables are health superstars

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Sharing the journey

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The anti-ageing lifestyle

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Active ageing and wellness

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Design Courtney Wenzlick | Commercial Revenue Manager Kelly Spice Head of Commercial Publishing & Innovation Margaret Hawker Advertising enquiries E: advertise@nzme.co.nz

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M Balance and wellness for a longer, healthier life

By Carolyn Hansen

To age well, we must keep our bodies fit and healthy.

odern medicine is a true marvel. It cures diseases, saves lives, and grants most of us the promise of a longer life than our ancestors could ever have imagined.

How well we age and what these “extended years” are filled with is another matter altogether. Medicine may grant extended years, but it’s our lifestyles and attitudes that infuse our lives with vitality and joy or dampen it with sedentary loneliness.

Although we cannot freeze time, there are many things we can do to put a stop to ageing and ensure that we pass through the years gracefully, while looking and feeling our best.

Ongoing, scientific research confirms that our health and longevity are not dictated and locked by our genes. We are not born with a “health destiny”. Lifestyles can and do change how our body ages. This is where responsibility regarding our personal health kicks in.

According to WHO, the World Health Organization, health is not merely the

absence of disease or infirmity, it is “a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing”, a state of overall wellness.

The National Wellness Institute states that, “Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of and make conscious choices toward a more successful existence.”

It is a “quality of life” cornerstone, ultimately determining how we feel, look, and interact with those around us, and evidence supports and suggests that practising a wellness lifestyle is the real key to healthy longevity.

Wellness is never about surviving, but about thriving due to deliberate effort. As an approach to healthcare, it emphasises illness prevention and life extension rather than treating disease after the fact. Wellness implies self-awareness of both the causes and consequences of our actions, requiring us to take responsibility for our personal health and happiness.

Healthy habits are empowered to shut

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down bad genes that lead to poor health while turning on protective good ones, the powerful self-healing ones that promote longevity and stellar health.

That means consistently practising lifestyle habits that contribute to and help us achieve better physical, mental, and emotional health, habits that include proper exercise, nutrition, mindfulness (self-awareness) and social connectedness.

The wealth of benefits that exercise offers in terms of making us feel our best while combating the ageing process cannot be overstated. The right exercises actively kick in HGH (Human Growth Hormone) production, continually reminding the body to renew, repair and replace old worn-out cells and tissues.

This self-healing mechanism spreads throughout every cell in the body, making us a whole lot younger and healthier!

Anti-ageing benefits of exercise • Improved muscle mass and strength.

Maintaining or building more muscle mass tissue lends well to functional strength.

As an ageing adult, few things will impact our quality of life as much as seeing and feeling our functional strength go down. Let’s not forget the fact that maintaining our lean

muscle mass will boost our self-esteem and self-confidence. We feel and look better.

Enhanced bone and joint strength. Weight bearing exercises help prevent bone related issues from creeping up later. Osteoporosis is a serious condition that sadly, impacts far too many older adults. By starting early, we can make sure that that our adult years will be blessed with a strong, healthy skeleton.

• Improved immunity.

Decreased risk of health issues - heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Lowered levels of stress/emotional stability – exercise not only kicks up HGH production, but we feel a boost of “feel good, happyendorphins” when we exercise.

Mental acuity/sharp memory. Exercise stimulates key brain chemicals for concentration, memory, and mental sharpness.

Healthy glowing skin. Forget about the expensive makeup, lotions and potions.

Sweating releases toxins and puts a “real” glow on our cheeks.

Since consistency is the most important part of exercise, it’s important to pick exercises that we enjoy so we stick with them. For maximum results, focus should

be strength training as this is the form of exercise with the highest payoff and benefits.

When it comes to nutrition, there are certain issues that sabotage our antiageing efforts and accelerate the ageing process. Knowing what they are allows us to avoid them and their health damaging consequences.

• Nutritional issues – (that promote the ageing process) Lack of antioxidants. Processed foods need to be kept to a bare minimum. When it comes to boosting antioxidants, the focus needs to be fresh produce – fresh vegetables and fruits.

Over consumption of sugar. Sugar contributes nothing but calories and opens the door to diabetes.

High intake of trans-fats. Man-made fats designed to increase the shelf-life of the food products we consume. There is no real purpose for them health wise. They set us up for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Insufficient quality protein intake. Protein provides the raw materials needed to generate new cells, to generate the hormones necessary for keeping all systems in the body working properly, and for generating lean muscle mass.

Deficient omega 3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids provide key nutrients that the brain needs to function optimally.

They are vital ingredients that work to keep inflammation levels down. Those who consume adequate omega-3 fatty acids on a regular basis are less likely to develop conditions like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, depression, as well as bipolar disorder.

Everything we do on a day-to-day basis – all the choices that we make in how we approach our day impacts our body and the process of ageing. Our choices either accelerate ageing or combat it. If we punish our body with excessive alcohol, smoking or stress, we cannot expect life to reward us with healthy longevity. These are obvious, dangerous lifestyle habits that must be eliminated because they can and do kill.

In the end, our day-to-day actions and decisions not only affect how we currently feel, but influence who we will become, so we must plan accordingly.

Enjoying independence, productivity and self-care in later years is not a given. It is the reward received; the karmic joy earned for expressing self-love and living a life of “wellness” now.

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Happy is as happy does Photo/GettyImages

By Carolyn Hansen

Happiness is contagious and multiplies itself.

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appiness is a joy-filled, contented feeling; the result of whatever mental and emotional state we entertain. It is the reward factor for all the thoughts, feelings and emotions that drive our ship.

Far from being fleeting or temporary, true happiness, is the optimal “state of being” that we, as humans, can achieve. It is a proven direct link to strong immunity as studies and ongoing research continually prove that happy people are healthier people. They are less susceptible to uninvited guests such as annoying colds and nasty viruses.

Stress is wasteful and zaps our vital energy while happiness contributes to it. This means that happy hearts are stronger at warding off debilitating strokes and longevity-stealing heart attacks.

The success we enjoy, especially when reaching a tough goal, has often been linked to and seen as a major “key to our being happy”.

Although this belief applies to a certain extent, the truth is, the opposite is more valid.

Happiness is the real key and contributing factor towards our success.

When wrapped in and nurtured by pleasure

and positivity, happiness is a powerful, selfrewarding act that works wonders on our bodies, but its magic does not stop with us.

Happiness is contagious and multiplies itself. That means our personal happiness not only works to make us feel better but is empowered to multiply this positive feeling on a larger scale.

Our close friends and family might be the first to enjoy the benefits but, like butter in a hot frying pan, these positive feelings keep spreading. Next in line is our social life. A healthy, happy social life positively affects and benefits our communities. As these “happy moments” continue their journey, they infiltrate and create a happier world. It’s a good thing.

Since dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins are the primary hormones that directly influence our level of happiness, it behoves us to embrace whatever we can do to increase the production of these powerful, mood-enhancing, neurotransmitters/ chemicals.

And, because the release of happy hormones has a lot to do with our habits and

lifestyles, we are empowered, if we so choose, to consciously act and boost their production.

Dopamine, the reward chemical, is produced in the hypothalamus, a small area of our brains in charge of pleasure. Often dubbed the “motivation molecule”, it helps with focus, concentration, apathy, fatigue, and forgetfulness. It is the reward we enjoy when completing any “feel-good or pleasurable” task, motivating us to seek out more goals.

Simple, healthy lifestyles are key to producing dopamine. Quality sleep, proper exercise, restful meditating, enjoying, and absorbing the sun’s rays, eating healthy foods (whole foods, not processed foods) and listening to our favourite music all kick up dopamine levels. Even a pleasurable, quiet bath when enjoyed in the moment, releases this happy hormone.

Endorphins are pain busters. While dopamine is the result of our brain’s reward system, endorphins are natural pain and stress relievers. These neurotransmitters are released by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. They are empowered to lift our mood to euphoric status.

When lacking pleasure or trying to reduce pain, increasing levels of endorphins should do the trick. Physical exercise, sexual enjoyment, spicy foods, laughing, and eating a piece of dark chocolate all release these neurotransmitters. Vanilla and other aromatherapy oils and meditation have also been used to stimulate the production of endorphins. As a bonus, endorphins can even kick in dopamine.

Serotonin: mood stabiliser and digestion regulator. Feeling fatigued, trouble sleeping, anxiety, and a craving for carbohydrates and sweets may be an indicator of low serotonin levels. Like dopamine and endorphins, exercise, and sunshine play major roles in boosting this neurotransmitter. Why not double up and exercise outdoors when possible?

Oxytocin: our love and cuddling chemical.

Our body produces this neurotransmitter naturally. It may not have the power to help us fall in love instantly, but it is empowered to increase contentment and feelings of security and trust towards others we care for.

Increasing our levels of oxytocin can be as simple as cooking or sharing hugs and cuddles with our loved ones. Enjoying sexual intimacy with our partners, creating a healthy social circle of friends to confide in, doing something nice for others - gifting or helping others does make us happier- or interacting and loving our pets are all positive actions that boost oxytocin levels.

There is an obvious cross-over in lifestyle actions (exercise for example) for all four of these neurotransmitters. It’s a good thing because, for the most part, we are active players when it comes to contributing to and shifting our low, hormonal levels to higher, positive levels.

In the end, it simply means that we are empowered to contribute to and to create a happier life by nurturing a positive mindset and adopting healthier physical habits because “happy is as happy does”.

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Xtendlife : Pioneering Wellness Through Science and Nature ™

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or over 25 years, Xtendlife™ has been on a mission to empower and educate individuals about dietary supplements, helping them make informed decisions to improve their health.

The Xtendlife™ philosophy centres on the belief that prevention is better than cure.

Empowering Health, Extending Life Founded in Christchurch, by Warren Matthews, Xtendlife™ is a testament to passion, and innovation. Along with his son, Lance, he embarked on a journey that would ultimately result in the creation of Xtendlife™ Natural Products. As a researcher, and natural health pioneer, Matthews channelled his efforts into creating transformative products. One such cornerstone is Total Balance™— a nutrient system that goes beyond multivitamins, supporting energy levels, immunity, and foundational health.

The Xtendlife™ mission is clear, to develop and promote scientific research and wider public awareness of the genuine benefits of pure, natural products combined with sensible diet and lifestyles.

Quality and Innovation The Xtendlife™ commitment to science ensures that their formulas deliver results. Products are locally made in New Zealand in an FDA-registered, GMP-certified facility adhering to the highest standards. From supplements to skincare, each product is meticulously crafted with natural ingredients sourced globally.

Signature Products The Xtendlife™ supplement range is a blend of the best natural, raw ingredients sourced from New Zealand and around the world. They offer specialised cellular support and superior nutrition to promote optimal health and improve cellular functioning within the body.

The supplements are made with only the highest quality natural ingredients with strict adherence to quality.

• Total Balance™: A fusion of 90+ vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and herbs, Total Balance™ supports cellular health. It’s age-defying nutrition for longevity. Total Balance™ is a complete nutrient system with tailored versions

for men, women, and children.

With age-defying nutrients to support your entire body at a cellular level, Total Balance™ helps maintain youthful cell function, giving you an advantage in tackling the main causes of ageing.

• Xtendlife™ Heart Health Range is a collection of unique, highly advanced supplements formulated for healthy heart support. This entire range has met the approval of one of America’s leading cardiologists, Dr. Joel Kahn.

In order to share good heart health advice, practices and supplements – so everyone can live a healthier and longer life. Xtendlife™ has also been featured by DrTalks’s Reversing Heart Disease Summit, working with some of the world-leading experts in Cardiology, such as scientist Dr. Barrie Tan, PhD to help people understand heart issues and the natural science behind the powerful nutrition for heart health.

•Kanapa™ Skincare: Inspired by New Zealand’s pristine environment, Kanapa™ delivers radiance and youthfulness. Infused with native botanicals to enhance skin health, helping you look younger and brighter.

• Zupafood™ Nutritional Powders: Superfoods like medicinal mushrooms, spirulina, and grape seed extract boost energy, immunity, and overall health. Zupafood™ powders are all natural and contain no artificial flavours or colourings.

Find out more Join a vibrant community of health enthusiasts and connect with like-minded individuals.

Visit Xtend-life.com or contact the Christchurchbased customer care team via email customerservice@xtend-life.com , chat, or free phone 0508 XTENDLIFE (983365)

Top right: Sandy Barwick celebrates becoming the first woman to complete the 1300-mile Sri Chinmoy race in New York, 1991.

Top left: Sandy Barwick awarded an MBE in the 1994 Queens Birthday Honours.

Bottom: The Anchroage Retirement Village, Marsden Cove.

The Woman Who Conquered Her Everest ULTRA-MARATHON RUNNER, SANDY BARWICK WRITTEN BY SHANA HOPPER-MCCULLY, Sales & Marketing Manager of Hopper Developments

Inspired by Sandy Barwick’s story, recently featured in NZ Herald titled “Where is she now? Sandy Barwick,” I felt compelled to connect with her. As a resident of our Anchorage Retirement Village, I knew Sandy as an ultramarathon runner, but I had no idea of the extent of her achievements.

Sandy Barwick is a somewhat unsung hero in our seaside community at Marsden Cove. Sandy inspires many with her numerous records in ultra-marathon running. One of her most notable accomplishments is the Sri Chinmoy 1300mile race in New York, whom Sandy was the first woman to complete this gruelling race, finishing in 17 days and 22 hours and breaking eight world records in the process.

“

I knew I had to do it. It would be the pinnacle of my career. It was my Everest.

- SANDY BARWICK

What amazes me most about Sandy’s running career was not just her determination and mental strength, but the fact that she began running at the age of 35. “After my Mum passed away, the running ladies from Milford found me in a deep daze, sitting in a corner not doing much. They encouraged me to get out and come for a run, and it just went from there,” she recounts.

I asked Sandy where her drive comes from. “I was a very quiet person growing up, never put my hand up in class, and never applied myself. It was running that changed that for me. Once I learned to push myself, I realised I could achieve anything. It’s an art when you’re competing—the body and mind learn to grow together, and you need to respect that.”

Sandy’s fierce mental strength is legendary. When asked if being a woman and a mother helped her excel in her running career, she responded that her role as a mother was just as important as her running goals. She carefully prepared meals for her family before traveling for races, ensuring her kids were taken care of. Often, she would run a marathon at 4am to be home in time for breakfast with her children before school. “I knew at that age, I had to be responsible, and I learned to believe in myself.”

Even now, Sandy maintains an active lifestyle, often seen walking around the community, having moved from Auckland in 2020, Sandy reflects, “[Moving here] is the best thing I ever did. I love it here; it’s like living in Fiji. It’s the prettiest place to me. It’s just beautiful, a paradise away from Auckland.”

Sandy has created a legacy in her running career, putting ultra-races on the map in New Zealand.

Today, she enjoys giving back and being involved with community groups. “I love what I do. Exercise is still a big part of my day. The focus is still there, and I still follow the ultra-races.”

Speaking with Sandy is awe-inspiring. She proved she could achieve anything she set her mind to, a lesson we all could benefit from. Imagine what we could accomplish if we all had Sandy’s determination and focus. As a modern generation, we need that encouragement to break down barriers and reach our goals.

If there is one takeaway from Sandy’s story, it is that you are never too old, too young, too tired, or too busy to reach your true potential. Like Sandy, you can achieve a fulfilling life at any time, stage, or age.

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Vegetables are health superstars

By Carolyn Hansen

What most people don’t realise is that vegetables are extremely versatile and highly adaptable.

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omputers have had a profound effect on us in nearly every aspect of our lives, and eating is no exception. With such a vast store of information readily available, more and more people are becoming aware of how food choices either contribute to their overall health or subtract from it and they are taking measures to correct their diets.

Recipes that once focused on white flour, white sugar, butter and eggs are quickly fading in popularity and being replaced with healthier options - recipes that use ingredients that contribute to the nutrient density of our diets rather than distract from it.

Vegetables are superstars, bursting with colour and flavour. They provide our bodies with important vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and fibre, all essential nutrients in a balanced diet so it makes sense to include as many of them in our daily menu as we possibly can.

Sounds easy enough right? Unfortunately, most of us have demanding schedules and busy lifestyles that make it challenging at best to get the recommended 3-6 servings of

vegetables daily.

This is, no doubt, the primary reason salads gained in popularity over the years.

They are one of the few ways we can get vegetables “on the go”. Yet the thought of another salad at some point becomes difficult for even the die-hard salad eater to swallow, literally.

What most people don’t realise is that vegetables are extremely versatile and highly adaptable. They are by no means limited to savoury side dishes and salads nor are they limited to raw munchies or smoothies.

Many unassuming vegetables like Swiss chard, beets, spinach, zucchini, and kale can successfully add flavour, texture and colour as well as boosting the nutrient density of foods in our meals, snacks, treats and desserts.

They are often the hidden ingredients that deliver vibrant colour, moisture, texture and nutrients to all types of recipes including sweet recipes, making them easily at home with breakfast dishes, desserts and a variety of snacks and treats.

Sweet vegetable recipes are the complete treat package, delivering healthy

Photo/GettyImages carbohydrates and fats, quality proteins, fibre and antioxidants, along with important vitamins and minerals, all cleverly wrapped up and disguised as “dessert”.

Imagine how many people over the centuries have enjoyed sweet potato or pumpkin pie around the holidays? For many these sweet vegetable pies were the crowning jewel of the celebration. Potatoes have often been that special “hidden” ingredient that made mum’s chocolate cake super moist without adding density or changing the texture. If anything, it made the cake fluffier and more delicious!

Carrots are naturally sweet and contain more sugar than any other vegetable besides sugar beet. Because of this, they have long been a favourite “sweet substitute”. Times were tough during the Middle Ages and both World Wars and luxury sweeteners were expensive and difficult to obtain so carrots became the favoured sugar substitute providing both added moisture and sweetness where needed.

The ever-popular carrot cake that remains a family favourite to this day is said to have evolved from a pudding that was enjoyed in banquets as far back as medieval times. In the early 1900s, this healthy carrot pudding evolved into something entirely new when it was baked in loaf pans as a quick bread.

Need an ingredient as a binding agent that adds natural sweetness and moistness where needed? One that replaces eggs and fat in most recipes? Look no further than your

vegetable bin. Using a combination of dried fruits, nuts, seeds and coconut products as a base you incorporate your vegetables into, you can create delicious, decadent, healthy sweets that please the pickiest eaters.

Grain substitutes like almond or coconut flour, natural sugars like dried fruits and healthy fats like coconut oil or avocados, can be easily used to create a healthy cake base that you can stir small amounts of raw grated vegetables or cooked and pureed vegetables into. Or better yet, rather than small amounts make the vegetable the star ingredient like it is in carrot, zucchini, beet or parsnip bread.

Vegetables provide much-needed nutrients in whatever form they are eaten but raw vegetables are nutrient powerhouses providing increased energy and vitality.

Because they provide our bodies with higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals and nutrients, they help prevent disease through proper cellular regeneration. They also alkalise and balance the body’s pH and decrease fat production while helping cleanse the body of accumulated toxins and waste.

When vegetables aren’t the star role in a dish, they easily work their magic in the background, assuming a more subtle supportive role. Either way, it’s both challenging and fun to find creative ways to sneak extra vegetables into innocent-looking dishes and watch with delight as our loved ones enjoy them knowing they are getting healthier at the same time!

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Sharing the journey

By Kelly Spice

Heartbeats is the first of its kind, community-led, peer to peer cardiac support and education group for heart event survivors, their families and broader whanau.

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rom humble beginnings on the Hibiscus Coast, north of Auckland, Heartbeats has grown to over 200 ‘members’ with some as far afield as Whangarei, Napier, Turangi, Wellington and Christchurch.

Based loosely on the AA model of support through individual, personalised connections and learning, Heartbeats’ motto is ‘sharing the journey’, believing that true support comes from the understanding of having experienced the same confronting medical event.

Heartbeats founder Trent Lash, himself a heart event survivor, decided to start a community-based support group to better inform and educate heart patients on their particular condition and help them through the post-traumatic stress of having experienced a life-threatening situation.

“Many heart event survivors are confronted with a life-changing condition, and a realisation of their mortality. Most

undergo post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The feedback from Heartbeats members has been humbling, personal, and very real” says Lash. Members have commented ‘finding Heartbeats has saved my life’ ‘this group is amazing, I have been looking for this support for over two years’ ‘referring me to [professional health psychologist] has uncovered huge stress that I have held for over twenty years as a result of my bypass surgery . . thank you’.

Accessing support from Heartbeats is easy - any person who has high blood pressure, suffered a heart event, has a genetic heart condition or family history of heart disease is eligible. There is no cost to join Heartbeats, it’s free.

Heartbeats offers: • Monthly, local group meetings across Auckland, with regular guest speakers from the local medical and allied health services sector. They include:

cardiologists, general practitioners, dietitians, health pyschologists, pharmacists, exercise physiologists & physiotherapists, heart researchers etc • Bi-monthly online meetings or seminars, with the same guest speakers and facilitators HeartFORUM • Individual peer-peer connections through our HeartBUDDY platform for people with the same heart condition, to support each other when facing surgery or ongoing challenges.

• Regular public presentations on heart disease and heart health management HeartTALKS to raise public awareness of

heart disease and save lives • CARDIO, an exercise-based cardiac rehabiliation programme (developed in conjuction with Auckland University Exercise Physiology Department) that is based on proven effective overseas models for cardiac rehabilitation • Referrals to a network of healthcare professionals that specialise in the heart (medical professionals, psychotherapists etc) For more information visit heartbeats. org.nz or contact Trent on 0220 606 199 info@heartbeats.org.nz

Summerset St Johns will be a sophisticated retirement haven, with breathtaking views, right in the heart of the eastern suburbs.

The village will offer an exquisite village centre with a bar and bistro, enviable resort-style facilities, and Summerset’s renowned continuum of care, including serviced apartments (care is subject to availability and eligibility) – all of which will be fully operational from day one.

At Summerset, we know that life doesn’t slow down just because you retire. So our luxurious homes are designed for people with active lifestyles, who want to spend more time doing the things they love.

Our show home is now open for viewing, book your appointment today.

Love the life you choose.

Show home viewings by appointment

Retirement residences designed with luxury in mind

09 950 7982 | stjohns.sales@summerset.co.nz 400 Remuera Road, Remuera

All Summerset homes are sold under a licence to occupy and are subject to availability, and depending on the type of home, eligibility criteria.

Summerset does not offer rental accommodation. Image is artist impression as of January 2023.

SUM6145_HP

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The anti-ageing lifestyle, what is it and are you living it?

Photo/GettyImages

By Carolyn Hansen

Research shows the more you change your lifestyle (particularly in the areas of physical activity and nutrition) the more you improve your health and longevity.

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lmost from the beginning of time, people have been looking for a fountain of youth, or at the very least a magic potion that can keep us feeling and looking forever young.

The potions usually come in a bottle, a jar, or a pill - or from a surgical procedure - but as it turns out, we have been searching in the wrong places.

Instead of running to a surgeon for cosmetic surgery or to the store to buy a potion or cream, we should be looking no further than our workout clothes and getting back into the kitchen and cooking natural foods from scratch.

These two strategies are gaining popularity as a new lifestyle-based antiageing plan lifestyle changes that can literally change what is going on with the DNA that is involved in the ageing process.

We are progressively obtaining new answers to these age-old questions and much of this new knowledge is positive and exciting as more and more people want a

healthy and youthful life, the good life.

The search is for a quality old age. In the minds of some, old age itself has become a disease to be “cured”. There is a kind of quest for an endless middle age as when you adopt an anti-ageing lifestyle you have a real chance of adding decades of additional happy and healthy living.

More than 30 years of research has uncovered that the more you change your lifestyle (particularly in the areas of physical activity and nutrition) the more you improve as you are in fact turning off the bad genes that lead you down the path of poor health and instead are turning on the good genes that protect from disease and promote longevity and stellar health.

Most significantly, we can actually lengthen the ends of our chromosomes at regions referred to as “telomeres”.

Telomeres are likened to the little plastic ends to a shoe lace that prevents the lace from unravelling. With telomeres, however, those ends get worn away with poor lifestyle

habits which then lead to ageing of the cell the DNA is in.

With the right lifestyle changes, you can actually alter how you age by lengthening rather than shortening the telomeres on the ends of your DNA thereby slowing or even reversing the ageing process from within. Exercise has been associated with preventing telomere shortening, so it is clearly a very powerful anti-ageing strategy.

The power of proper exercise (strengthening exercise) is that it boosts human growth hormone (HGH) production, which is vitally important for optimal health, strength and longevity.

Vigorous physical activity, such as directly working the major muscle groups through their ranges of movement in a slow with slow, controlled manner with adequate loading, triggers stem cells to release high concentrations of growth factors that circulate around the body giving chemical instructions to renew, repair, replace and rejuvenate ALL body cells and tissues.

The result - super health at the cellular level - old worn-out cells and tissues get replaced with new younger, healthier, stronger ones turning back the biological clock in your body, muscle and brain. And not just a little bit younger and stronger, but a WHOLE LOT younger and stronger.

This “super wellness” is all about staying well when you are healthy. It is about building a strong disease-resistant body and even if you get sick it is about finding and

eliminating the cause of the disease not just managing the symptoms.

The goals of an anti-ageing lifestyle are (at ANY age): • Healthier - above simply “not being sick” • To remain strong and energetic regardless of age • Slow the ageing process • Live a peak performance life • Improve body composition (muscle-to-fat ratio) • Wellness - physically, mentally and emotionally • Being free of - and not at risk of disease • Health span equals life span This is an exciting time to be alive as it’s the first time in human history we have the knowledge and tools to avoid the worst effects of ageing. Given this new knowledge, an anti-ageing lifestyle can keep our bodies and minds young for much longer than has traditionally been the case.

You don’t need to age the way your parents and grandparents did. This is your prime! Set a new example for how HOT your 60s and beyond can be. The younger you are, the better your chances of locking in a healthy, active and enjoyable old age.

Adopting an anti-ageing diet and lifestyle now will maximise your chances of enjoying a long and healthy life span. For all of us, whatever our age, now is the time to start.

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Active ageing and wellness — the future is in your hands

Photo/GettyImages

By Carolyn Hansen

Are you ready to join the growing numbers of healthy older people easily making 70 the new 40?

Imagine being able to live like you are 40 or 50 for the rest of your life? How cool would that be?

I

n the minds of many, old age has become a disease to be “cured”. In fact, there is a kind of quest for an endless middle age. Baby Boomers worldwide are at the forefront of the quest to control ageing or avoid it altogether. People are no longer satisfied with ageing as it is. They are actively searching for quality old age. They want a healthy, youth-filled life, the good life now and well into their future.

Two strategies have gained significant popularity as new lifestyle-based antiageing plans that can literally alter what is going on within the DNA that is involved in disease and the ageing process.

Over 30 years of research continues to

uncover the truth about the status of our health; the more we change our lifestyles to healthier ones, particularly in the areas of physical activity and nutrition, the more we improve as we turn off the bad genes that lead us down the path of poor health and turn on the good genes that protect us from disease.

Extra quality years can be had just by turning on self-healing processes that promote longevity and stellar health. The right lifestyle changes can alter how we age by lengthening rather than shortening the telomeres that exist at the ends of our DNA, thereby slowing or even reversing the ageing process from within.

Telomeres are like the plastic ends of a shoelace and serve a similar purpose.

They protect the end of chromosomes from entanglement or from fraying. Every time a cell divides, the telomeres become shorter until they can no longer divide and eventually die.

The result is super-health/wellness at the cellular level as old worn-out cells and tissues are replaced with new, younger, healthier, and stronger ones, turning back the biological clock in our body, muscles and our brain. Super-wellness is all about staying well when we are healthy. It’s about building a strong, disease-resistant body before tragedy happens, not after it strikes.

If sickness does hit home, then it is about eliminating the cause of the disease, not just managing the symptoms.

The goals of an anti-ageing lifestyle are the same no matter one’s age and should include robust healing and cell renewal — activating our personal self-healing processes within. Being healthy beyond simply “not being sick”. Slowing down the ageing process as we allow ourselves to live life to peak performance along with

improved body composition (our muscleto-fat ratio) with healthier, stronger, more stable, emotional, mental, and physical bodies.

Wellness is more than simply the absence of disease. It is about having a positive proactive attitude towards our own health along with prevention — not waiting until disease symptoms strike, leaving us no choice but to react.

There’s no time like now to make changes.

Increasing evidence points to the fact that age or health status does not matter.

The time to begin preparing for healthier, happier ageing/senior years is now.

Are you ready to join those extending middle age into the far reaches of old age and to increase the healthy span of ageing while avoiding the worst aspects of old age until the very end?

Are you ready to join the growing numbers of healthy older people easily making 70 the new 40? Imagine being able to live like you are 40 or 50 for the rest of your life? How cool would that be?

NORDIC POLAR CRUISER

GET FREEDOM NOW!

SAVE $500!

R.R.P. $7995

SAVE $1000 Now Only $6995.00 From only $

40

on NORDIC Mobility Scooters

per week** for 36 months with a $3500 Deposit

**subject to terms and conditions.

SPECIFICATIONS:

PACKAGE INCLUDES

Weight Capacity - 230kg Weight with Batteries - 160kg Motor Size – 24v/1400w Max Forward Speed – 15km/h Distance Range – up to 50 km Ground Clearance – 12cm Batteries – 12v/75ah x 2 Overall Dimensions - 1650 x 720 x 1400mm Full Front and Rear Suspension

A Get Home Safe program FREE 3 year AA FREE Tool Kit Adjustable Tiller Roof Spare Wheel Windscreen n and Windscreen Wiper Large Lockkable Storage Compartment Choice of Seats - Luxury High h Backk Adjusttab ble Swiivell Seatt - Adjustable e Two Person High Back Seat

NORDIC COMPANION CRUISER R.R.P. $7995

SAVE $1000

Now Only $ 6995.00

r the o f d ne nd Desig ropean a ts ty Eu n Marke Quali erica m A North

PACKAGE INCLUDES FREE 3 year AA A Get Home Safe FREE Tool Kit FREE Double Cane Holder FREE Rear Storage Bag Two Person Seat Roof and d Windscreen Adjustab ble Tiller

SPECIFICATIONS:

Weight Capacity - 200kg Weight with Batteries - 132kg Motor size - 24V 1400Watt Brushless Maximum Forward Speed - 15km/h Distance Range - Up to 50km Ground Clearance - 13cm Batteries - 12V/75Ah x 2 Overall Dimensions - W750 x L1350 x H1600 Full Front & Rear Suspension

Our company has been operating vehicle e garages in New Zealand for over 20 years with h an average annual turnover of over 4 million n NZ Dollars. We have a large mobility scooter workshop with an extensive and full range of parts and accessories.

Offer expires

29/02/2024

All NORDIC mobility scooters meet high international Quality and Safety standards.

technicians available for your peace of mind.

Phone: Phone:

0800 69 66 73

For yo our FREE demonstration n at your ho ome NOW *terms and cond ditions apply.

visit www.nordicmobility.nz

NORDIC CRUISER

Mid-S Mid Sized Town Sized Town Cruiser.

Cruiser.

R.R.P. $5195

SAVE $1000

Now Only $4195.00 $ Fro om only 30per week**

for 36 months with a $1500 Deposit

**sub bject to terms and conditions.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Weight Capacity – 150kg Weight with Batteries – 85kg Motor Size – 24V / 400W PACKAGE INCLUDES Max Forward Speed – 10km/h FREE 3 year Get Home Safe program Distance Range – up to 30km Ground Clearance – 9cm d Safety Flag FREE Tool Kit and Batteries – 12V / 35Ahx2 FREE Cane and Cane Holder Overall Dimensions – 1270x610x1080mm FREE Dustcover &Rear Storage Bag Full Front and Rear Suspension High Back Swivel Seat and Adjjustable Tiller

NORDIC LUXURY EXPLORER LORER

NORDIC LUXURY CRUISER

R.R.P. $6295

R.R.P. $5995

SAVE $1000

SAVE $1000

Now Only $5295.00 $ From onlly 35 per week**

Now Only $4995.00 $ Fro om onlly 35 per week**

for 36 months with a $2000 Deposit

**subject to terms and conditions.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Weight Capacity – 180kg Weight with Batteries – 147kg Motor Size – 24V / 800W Max Forward Speed – 15km/h Distance Range – up to 60km Ground Clearance – 12cm Batteries – 12V / 75Ahx2 Overall Dimensions – 1480x640x1120mm Full Front and Rear Suspension

PACKAGE INCLUDES

for 36 month hs with a $1500 Deposit

Large e Heavy Dutyy Luxury Scooter..

FREE 3 year AA A Get Home Safe program FREE Tool Kiit and Saffety Flag FREE Cane and Cane e Holder FREE Rear Storage Bag FREE Dustco over F F REE Windscreen Luxury High Back Adju ustable Swivel Seat Adjustable Tiller

**su ubject to te erms and conditions.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Sport rty t Luxury

Scooter.

Weight Capacity – 150kg PACKAGE INCLUDES Weight with Batteries – 110kg FREE 3 year AA A Get Home Safe program Motor Size – 24V / 800W FREE Tool Kit and d Safety Flag Max Forward Speed – 15km/h FREE Cane and Cane Holder Distance Range – up to 50km Ground Clearance – 12cm FREE Rear Storag ge Bag & Windscreen Batteries – 12V / 55Ahx2 FREE Dustcover Overall Dimensions – 1380x630x1150mm Luxury High Back Adjustable Swivel Seat Full Front and Rear Suspension Adjustable Tiller

MAKE YOUR NEXT STEP A SAVVY ONE

Vivid Living is bringing a smarter approach to 70+ retirement living.

Our unique operating model is designed to protect the nest egg you’ve worked hard for. A lower deferred management fee, share of capital gains and guaranteed buy back are just some of the features packed into our offer.

Our villas are selling fast! We think we have something special here at Vivid Living, so come and see for yourself.

Come along to our open day!

Saturday 23 March 10am - 2pm 14 Tiromoana Dr, Red Beach

Call or visit us today vividliving.co.nz 0800 173 323

1 bedroom villas selling from $725,000

We share Capital Gains!

2 bedroom villas selling from $845,000