4 the Better: 103-Year-Old Physician, Mouthwash Risks, Internal Sunscreen
Bite-sized inspiration and information in 4 minutes
103-Year-Old, Still Practicing Holistic Physician
Maybe because I'm on the cusp of life’s third trimester myself, I’m always impressed by people in their 80s and 90s who are fully engaged and flourishing in the game of life. Then along came centenarian Dr. McGarey, and suddenly, the word “impressed” seems far too pedestrian.
My first brush with Gladys Taylor McGarey, M.D., was about two years ago; I stumbled upon a podcast in which she was being interviewed, and she just made me smile. I thought, “My goodness, at 101, she is articulate, passionate about health, and still sharing her knowledge!”
After my initial reaction of awe and disbelief that a doctor in her hundreds was still practicing, the thought that kept running through my mind as I listened to her interview was how much the world had changed since she was born and how adaptable and flexible she must be to have evolved with it. Imagine: when she was born, things we take for granted, such as TVs, refrigerators, and penicillin, didn’t yet exist. And yet, at an age that most people don’t live to see, let alone thrive, she has embraced the digital age and just published her sixth book, The Well-Lived Life, A 102-year-old’s Doctor’s Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age.
Known as the Mother of Holistic Medicine, Dr. Gladys—as she is affectionately called—is a highly decorated, internationally recognized leader in holistic and integrative medicine. A true pioneer, she is co-founder of the American Holistic Medical Association, co-founder of Parapsychology and Medicine, and founder of The Foundation for Living Medicine. She has been in family practice for over 60 years while still raising her own family of six.
In addition to her books, she writes for various health publications as a columnist and a featured writer. She also lectures extensively, sharing the stage with industry luminaries such as Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, and Andrew Weil for more than five decades.
Dr. Gladys has helped countless people live happier and healthier lives with her integrative approach to treating disease and fostering health. Through her foundation, she has helped expand the knowledge and application of holistic principles through scientific research and education. And with her latest bestselling book, she shares secrets gained over the course of her 103 years on how to live with joy, vitality, and purpose at any age.
I am so inspired by people like Dr. Gladys, who continue to be productive well past society’s expectations and make a positive and lasting contribution in the process.
If you’d like to see Dr. Gladys for yourself, here are a few of her latest interviews:
Dr. Rangan Chatterjee
Sprouht
The Icons by Motiversity
Mouthwashes May Do More Harm Than Good
Most big-name mouthwashes, such as Scope and Listerine, contain potentially cancer-causing chemicals (such as chlorhexidine gluconate and ethanol), are highly acidic (which can weaken teeth and gums), and contain artificial dyes that have also been linked to cancer in animal studies.
Furthermore, a Swedish study linked antibacterial mouthwash to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Not all bacteria in the oral microbiome are bad; certain bacteria in the mouth produce nitrites, which help blood vessels expand and contract. Antibacterial mouth rinses can’t discriminate and kill both the harmful bacteria that lead to oral disease as well as the beneficial nitrifying bacteria that we need for healthy blood vessel function.
Lastly, several studies have also found a correlation between consistent mouthwash use and higher risks of diabetes, which is already on the rise.
The bottom line is that a good oral hygiene regime of flossing, tongue scraping, and brushing, coupled with a healthy diet, doesn’t require all that extra washing and rinsing.
BONUS: The Name for Sharing Memes, Pictures, etc…
Pebbling. Based on penguins’ (yes, penguins) penchant for gifting pebbles to potential partners, presenting these tokens from the internet shows someone you care about them. So just know that the next time you share a funny meme, uplifting message, or anything to brighten someone’s day, you’re pebbling.
Take Your Internal Sunscreen
With summer here, I’m sure I don’t need to share that you should only use non-nano mineral sunscreen, which does not contain harmful chemicals that migrate into the bloodstream. So, in addition to protecting your body’s exterior, my friendly reminder is to protect your cells from the inside out with antioxidants that prevent cell damage from oxidative stress.
One of the most potent and effective antioxidants is Astaxanthin—a class of natural pigments known as carotenoids. Although present in salmon, shellfish, and seaweed, it’s a good idea to ingest it as a supplement extracted from microalgae—Haematococcus Pluvialis. While it has far-reaching benefits for heart, liver, and eye health, immunity support, and overall metabolic health and longevity, Astaxanthin’s ability to protect against ultraviolet exposure and fight UV-induced oxidative stress effectively makes it an internal sunscreen.
Studies have shown that taking as little as 4 mg of Astaxanthin a day, starting 14 days prior to exposure, was sufficient for added UV protection (still use sunscreen for a prolonged time in the sun), and increasing 6-12 mg improved skin structure, integrity, and moisture. That’s why 12 mg is part of my daily supplement routine.
