Retirees
Involved in the "Longevity Revolution" Find That an Active
Lifestyle Requires Taking Good Care of Their Feet
From golf to dancing, it's hard to think of a single activity retirees
are known to enjoy that doesn't require healthy, well-cared for feet,
and older folks are discovering their podiatrists are right -- aging
feet get longer, wider, flatter and thinner. In addition, common problems
for many seniors are dry, cracked heels and yellow, discolored toenails.
The
fact that more Americans are living longer and retiring earlier has
led to dramatic changes in attitudes toward the "golden years."
More retirees recognize that maintaining an active lifestyle requires
an investment in exercise and paying attention to body parts they
may have taken for granted when they were younger. From golf to dancing,
it's hard to think of a single activity retirees are known to enjoy
that doesn't require healthy, well-cared for feet, and older folks
are discovering their podiatrists are right - aging feet get longer,
wider, flatter and thinner. In addition, common problems for many
seniors are dry, cracked heels and yellow, discolored toenails.
Mabel
Staley, an Oklahoma native, says "99% of aging is attitude."
In her younger years, she appeared in Pawnee Bill's Wild West Show.
This spry 89 year old still goes "two-stepping" a country
western dance that is strenuous even for twenty-year olds. She says,
"My attitude is if I take care of my feet, they'll take care
of me. I want to be able to get out and do the things I always did."
Halfway
across the country, in sun-baked Florida, Dr. William Holmes and his
wife, Dorothy, who are in their eighties, regularly attend dances
at the local Elks club, play golf and swim. Dr. Holmes is an M.D.
and also holds a Ph.D in behavioral sciences. In addition to staying
physically active, he has remained professionally active, screening
medical literature for important developments for other physicians.
He says, "As we get older, regular exercise is essential to staying
in shape, both physically and mentally." Mrs. Holmes adds, "Just
about everyone in Florida wears sandals because everything here is
casual. And, in this climate, your feet can get hot. People want to
be comfortable, but they definitely care how they look, regardless
of their age. That includes wanting their feet to be attractive, which
I think is especially true for women. No one wants to wear sandals
or open-toed shoes if their feet or toenails are unattractive.
For
the embarrassing problem of yellow, discolored toenails, many podiatrists
recommend Xenna Corporation's NonyX® Nail Gel. NonyX Gel exfoliates
the dark, yellow or thick granular material called keratin debris,
which can build up under nails over time. With regular use, the gel
softens, breaks down and then clears out unattractive keratin debris
under the nail using natural ethanoic acid, and permits it to be scraped
out from under the nail after about four weeks. Once keratin debris
is removed, NonyX Gel keeps nails looking clear and attractive with
regular use.
Dr.
Holmes says, "Yellow, discolored toenails are an embarrassment
to most people. I've used NonyX Gel very successfully, and, in fact,
one of the 'before and after' photos on the Xenna website are of my
toenails. I appreciate the value of an effective, natural solution
to this problem and know that others do as well."
In
addition to being more likely to have yellow or discolored toenails,
as we age our feet become longer and wider, known as "splaying."
Ligaments in our feet begin to collapse and arches fall as the result
of both gravity and wear and tear. The process is so gradual, it often
goes unnoticed, and many individuals make the mistake of continuing
to wear the same shoe size, rather than adjusting for these changes.
Podiatrists agree that poorly-fitted shoes are a major cause of many
foot complaints, including foot callus. Other signs of aging feet
are loss of cushioning in the fat pads on the balls of our feet, as
well as loss of moisture. "Dry foot" syndrome and cracked
heels are common.
Dr.
Jack Morgan is a Monterey Park, California podiatrist and podiatric
surgeon who has lectured around the country on foot problems ranging
from congenital foot defects in infants to problems specific to the
elderly and diabetic. According to Dr. Morgan, "Out of every
50 patients I see, 10% have problems with dry, scaly or cracked skin
on their feet and increased thickness to skin, which takes the form
of either foot calluses or corns. Whether young or old, my patients
care very much about the cosmetic appearance of their feet."
He adds, "Among the many products for dry feet, only one, Callex®
Callus Ointment, contains natural enzymes, which have proven to be
remarkably effective for softening and thinning calluses, exfoliating
dry cracked heels and moisturizing dry, scaling skin."
Xenna's
newly patented, acid-free Callex Ointment has been shown in consumer
studies to significantly reduce callus, dry, flaking skin and cracking
on soles and heels within 15 to 30 days. Safe for diabetic use, Callex
moisturizes dry, rough or flaky skin, smoothes heels and exfoliates
and thins callused areas, while leaving normal skin unaffected.
NonyX
Nail Gel can be purchased in the footcare section of Walgreens, Rite
Aid, Longs, Drug Emporium, Brooks, Duane Reade and most Medicine Shoppe
drugstores. You’ll also find it at HEB, Roundy’s and Brookshire grocery
stores, through podiatric physicians, independent pharmacies and online
at www.drugstore.com and www.xenna.com. Callex Ointment is now available
in the footcare section at Longs Drugs and most Medicine Shoppe pharmacies
and from podiatric physicians and online at www.footsmart.com, www.drugstore.com
and www.xenna.com. To order NonyX Nail Gel or Callex Ointment online,
find a store near you or to view clinical photos, click on www.xenna.com.
Xenna can be reached by telephone at 800-368-6003.
Xenna
Corporation is a privately-held company which develops and distributes
natural personal care products for skin, hair and nails.
