Saturday, February 7, 2004

Retirees Involved in the "Longevity Revolution" Find That an Active Lifestyle Requires Taking Good Care of Their Feet

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.

Princeton, NJ (PRWEB) August 11, 2005

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, beginning 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. 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® Dry Heel Ointment, contains natural enzymes, which have proven to be remarkably effective for exfoliating dry cracked heels and moisturizing dry, scaling skin."

Xenna's newly patented, acid-free CalleX Dry Heel Ointment has been shown in consumer studies to significantly reduce thick, dry, flaking skin and cracking on soles and heels within 15 to 30 days. Diabetic-friendly CalleX moisturizes dry, rough or flaky skin, smoothes heels and exfoliates and thins thickened 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 Dry Heel 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 Dry Heel 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.

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