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Living Longer in CR

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carolvaughn
  9/20/2017 15:50 EST

The Caja has just announced that the life expectancy for those living in CR is
up from 70 years of age ten years ago,
to 71.1 years today! They added "With
this indicator, CR is on par with some European nations and surpassed the
condition of countries like the United
States."
Live long and prosper!

ILuvCR
  9/20/2017 16:19 EST

Absolutely! I've never been healthier or happier, Pura Vida!

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guestuser
  9/20/2017 17:47 EST

I dont think that number is correct---it is more like 79+. however on thing to keep in mind that is an average age including infants. If you are in your 60's your life expectancy goes up into the mid 80+ range.

Kohl
  9/22/2017 10:43 EST

Unfortunately, continuing good health is not guaranteed...

carolvaughn
  9/23/2017 09:33 EST

You are absolutely correct about that,
Kohl. I do feel that one's chances of
having good health in later years are
greater in CR than in other places.
People tend to eat better, exercise more, have less stress, feel closer to
their community: all the things recommended for a happy long life.
I certainly wish you that!

ILuvCR
  9/23/2017 10:15 EST

Interesting article on the subject of longevity and health,

https://www.sharecare.com/health/longevity/how-to-live-longer

Five doctors comments on the subject and while none actually mention Costa Rica you can almost tick off what they say from a list of the benefits of living here.

One consensus that I'm not sure fit's with living here is the part about

"Monitor Your Health/Seek High Quality Care "

"Monitor your health stats
Taking part in regular check-ins with your Physician will keep you abreast of your body's needs and challenges and can alert you to what needs special attention and care. Be sure to follow your Dr.'s advice with any health issue."

I'm not quite sure how to accomplish this?

Actual residents please, your thought on seeking and obtaining quality health care without breaking the bank?

Pura Vida!

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Kohl
  9/24/2017 09:34 EST

Use a private facility for tests, especially for important ones.

The results can then be handed over to your CAJA doctor, who in turn will contact a specialist on your behalf. However, no longer can the 'results' from a private doctor, allow you to ' jump the queue' to the specialist, for quicker attention...but it will still be faster than waiting for an appointment to make an appointment....

Friends were recently told by the radiologist, that if they go to CAJA facility to expect to wait 4-5 months for the results of a PET/CT scan, and that is after waiting a few months to get the scan.

lindyluvsCR
  9/24/2017 23:30 EST

Since I came here the first time when age 19, the Ticos have been getting bigger and bigger with their conversion to the American junk food, and more cars vs walking and at least walking to the bus stops.

The expats we know, for the most part, who get a car and then live up in the mountains, get bigger every time we see them!

The people we know that are in shape are the ones who don't have a car.

The answer is walking these hills! And eat the great fruits and veggies etc.

There is a Tica in our church who is 95 years old and had 10 kids! She has a mind as sharp as a tack. Gets around. Another lady had a 103rd birthday and died shortly after.

Forget the tests. The minute a number is a little off you get a med with a side effect and then have to treat that and it is like a snowball going downhill.

Eat right and walk and have a pura vida. Just my opinion.

NothingButNet
  9/25/2017 08:52 EST

I didn't need American junk food to gain weight after moving to CR. The most delicious breakfast I started eating every morning was pan casero from Merayo with a large cup of hot coffee (with cream and sugar). Coupled with the fact that it is customary here to have bread and butter with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, I gained about 10 pounds. That is pure Tico eating.

I don't blame gringo food for that...only my poor eating habits and sitting in San Jose traffic for hours every day not getting exercise.

KiyoNishikawa
  9/25/2017 11:21 EST

Great news! I'm 67, a Japanese-American. Let's play tennis in San Jose and eat healthy to live to 100 yrs old. I'm looking forward to living in Pura Vida starting Nov. 2017.

lindyluvsCR
  9/25/2017 21:21 EST

You are right. Ticos eat that white bread and white rice. I get this wonderful german wholegrain bread from the feria. But don't eat it every day.

The Ticos I know never use butter though. Often dip it in a sour cream custard. But I think they eat mountains of that white bread. Also I eat brown rice instead of white, unless in a soda now and then.

My husband's daughter came in US for the summer one year, and ate wholegrain bread and brown rice instead of white and lost 10 lbs without trying.

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Seejay45
  9/29/2017 10:29 EST

In the U.S., high fructose corn syrup is one of the biggest culprits, and it's the sweetener used in the soda that many people drink to excess. Not sure if HFCS is used in CR, but I suspect so. It's also found in so many processed foods. And no, HFCS is not just another form of sugar. It wreaks havoc on your endocrine system, leading to weight gain, insulin resistance and diabetes.

Kohl
  9/29/2017 12:54 EST

We were pleased to find light corn syrup in Walmart...or any corn syrup...to make pecan pies. 8-)

lindyluvsCR
  9/29/2017 13:23 EST

Okay Kohl - but read SeeJays post and don't make pie with it often. Very unhealthy.

Kohl
  9/29/2017 14:28 EST

We are both underweight and need fattening up...and reckon that an occasional piece of pecan pie is a good way to do it. 8-)

lindyluvsCR
  9/29/2017 18:36 EST

Kohl, I'm not overweight, but ice cream every few days or chocolate takes care me of not being underweight. It wouldn't take me long to take care of your underweight 'problem' LOL.

Seejay45
  10/2/2017 12:46 EST

Regular light or dark Karo-type syrups aren't the demons that HFCS is. Any form of sugar can wreck your weight and health, but HFCS is formulated differently and has more devastating consequences. Here's a link to more information:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/348991-why-is-high-fructose-syrup-bad/

Seejay45
  10/2/2017 12:50 EST

Kohl, I own a Stateside pie shop, and pecan is our best-seller. We go through quite a lot of dark Karo syrup! Pecan pie is hard to beat~

Kohl
  10/2/2017 16:26 EST

Homemade 'Pies' of any sort are not very popular here, due to the lack of ovens, in most Tico homes.

Ute35
  10/5/2017 14:57 EST

Just curious. Do most expats cook or go out to eat everyday? I just imagine going to the market to eat for my meals with some snacks at the house. Thoughts?

lindyluvsCR
  10/5/2017 15:48 EST

I think everyone is different. I see some people eating breakfast out often. We do maybe one time a week.

We get our fruits and veggies at the feria (farmers market) on Friday. I steam a big pan full of about 4 dif kinds every night.

There is a pizza place near our house that makes them in a kiln. But usually only go if showing expats around. Maybe one time a month or less.

I make home made pancakes from oats I grind in food processor and cinnamon etc and raw milk that comes from dairy near us. Just holler out the window for him to stop when I want some and run out with a pitcher.

We eat fresh pineapple every day. My husband has learned how to pick them better than how I learned on internet. He also has learned how to make the best guacamole.

Once in a blue moon eat Mexican or have a hot dog when we go to Pricemart in their fast food restaurant.

I prefer eating at home. More healthy. Tastes better. And costs less.

Kohl
  10/5/2017 15:53 EST

Markets are generally open only for one or occasionally two day a week. Most do not sell 'meals', but possibly fish, cheese, eggs, chicken, fruit, veggies and some baked goods.

From our experience, I would say, that most expats cook and eat at home...but maybe I'm wrong.

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