Pets yield posse, purpose, brain power

We talk about the importance of having a supportive posse of friends and colleagues and a sense of purpose and play — not just for emotional well-being, but for your physical health, too. A workout buddy can boost your physical activity. Friends can inspire you to improve your nutrition and help you negotiate doctor appointments. Committing to helping others through a job or volunteering enriches life, making you more careful. But have we mentioned that pets also help you gain the health benefits that come from having a posse, purpose and play — especially for older folks living alone?

A study in JAMA Network Open looked at the impact of having a pet on almost 8,000 people age 50 and older who live by themselves. It shows that not only does having a cat or dog often stimulate a daily dose of exercise, lead to interaction with other pet owners, provide heart-warming love, companionship and good conversations, it also helps protect your brain’s verbal fluency and memory.

If you live alone and don’t have a cat or dog (goldfish and hamsters don’t seem to be as beneficial), consider adopting one and joining a local dog group or cat club (they’re all over). That’s using your brain.

Algae burgers, anyone?

It’s estimated there are between 30,000 and a million species of algae — tiny phytoplankton that grow in lakes, rivers and oceans. They make the news annually when toxic blooms invade seashores causing sea life and land-based animals and humans potentially serious respiratory distress, gastric woes and skin irritation. But there is a whole slew of beneficial algae that turn out to be dynamite substitutes for saturated-fat loaded, inflammatory animal-based proteins.

Researchers from the U.K.’S University of Exeter recently published an article in The Journal of Nutrition that shows eating spirulina (blue-green algae that grows in fresh and salt water) and chlorella (a freshwater green algae) deliver proteins that are effective at maintaining and building muscle mass.

Spirulina also contains B complex vitamins, beta-carotene, vitamin E, a variety of important minerals, and GLA (an essential fatty acid). Animal studies suggest it may also help immune function. Chlorella contains B12, omega-3s, vitamin C and fiber. One study found that it reduces body fat percentage, serum total cholesterol and fasting blood glucose levels.