Reader's Digest AU NZ 05.2020

SINCE 1922

OATUSRARPSOLDTDKOCRASISETSS

A ACCIDENTS
Kindness That Changed
Campaign
History
Like No Other
PAGE 102
PAGE 24
GENIUS MOVES
FIRST FRIENDS Training for a
NOW BROTHERS
Reunited By Science Chess Tournament

PAGE 30 PAGE 136

5 ANGER
FIXES

PAGE 80

Available now, everywhere A ACCIDENTS
Kindness That Changed
5 Campaign
History
Like No Other
GENIUS MOVES
FIRST FRIENDS Training for a
NOW BROTHERS
Reunited By Science Chess Tournament

5 ANGER
FIXES

CONTENTS

51 MAY 2020

COVER IMAGE: GETTY IMAGES Features 60 60

24 46 drama in real life

inspiration adventure Seconds to
Save Emily
Kindness: The A Factor
Pass It On With no time to stop,
You’re subject to the freight train was
Simple acts with more than the whims bearing down on a
amazing responses. of the weather in toddler crawling
the Antarctic. on the tracks.
30
CERIDWEN DOVEY COLLIN PERRY
family FROM INNER WORLDS
OUTER SPACES 68
Reunited by Science
51 photo feature
DNA delivers a big
surprise. CLAIRE NOWAK food on your plate Up, Up and Away!

36 I Am Chocolate These amazing
airports are the last
health Pure indulgence place where you’d
or health-giving? expect a plane to land.
Osteoporosis: You decide.
An Epidemic of CORNELIA KUMFERT
Broken Bones KATE LOWENSTEIN
AND DANIEL GRITZER
Untreated, many
people are at risk of
fractures. SARI HARRAR

ON THE COVER: KINDNESS: PASS IT ON – PAGE 24

1

CONTENTS

MAY 2020

102 116 108

74 86 travel

humour animal kingdom 36 Hours in Brussels

Timing Is Everything Sandie Culinary delights of
the Belgian capital.
Are you an early bird After a family
or a latecomer? tragedy, a hyperactive SETH SHERWOOD
puppy starts the
LESLEY CREWE FROM healing process FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? for a mother and
daughter. 116
76
ALEXANDRIA bonus read
parenting BARTON-D’SOUZA
An Elephant in
Inspiring a 102 My Kitchen
Love of Reading
who knew? A charming and
Experiencing poignant read about
the joy of libraries. Accidents That a woman’s struggle
Changed History to safeguard a herd
OLLY MANN of elephants.
World-changing
80 events and inventions FRANÇOISE MALBY-
that started as a
art of living complete fluke. ANTHONY WITH KATJA
WILLEMSEN FROM AN
Getting Angry JACOPO DELLA QUERCIA ELEPHANT IN MY KITCHEN
the Right Way

Can you harness your
rage? LISA BENDALL

88

travel

Wonders
Never Cease

Iceland is more than
majestic landscapes.

DIANE VADINO FROM
HEMISPHERES MAGAZINE

2 may 2020

44

Departments

the digest
18 Pets
20 Health
23 Health News
131 RD Recommends

regulars 20 HAVE YOU
VISITED THE
4 Editor’s Note READER’S
6 Letters
10 News Worth DIGEST
FACEBOOK
Sharing
12 My Story PAGE
16 Smart Animals LATELY?
56 Look Twice
107 That’s Outrageous Constantly
updated, our
humour Facebook feed
offers stories,
44 Life’s Like That video, advice,
humour, quotable
54 Laughter, quotes, cartoons,
the Best Medicine
quirky
86 All in a Day’s Work photographs

the genius section FOLLOW US

136 Train Like a 18 @ReadersDigestAustralia
Master @ReadersDigestNewZealand

139 Family Fun @ReadersDigestAsia

140 Puzzles 3

142 Trivia

143 Word Power

READER’S DIGEST

EDITOR’S NOTE

Keeping Positive

THIS ISSUE WILL BE ONE the Reader’s Digest team will long remember.
In mid-March, the world was slowly closing down. We all felt the rising
concern and alarm, and kept a close eye on the newsfeeds as each day
progressed. With that as the backdrop, we wanted to make sure we
selected articles to help raise your spirits, entertain you and leave
you feeling more positive.

My favourite article, ‘An Elephant in My Kitchen’ (page 116) is a
delightful portrayal of how intriguing life would be if, like the Parisian-
turned African wildlife reserve owner, Françoise Malby-Anthony, you
got to ‘mingle’ with elephants, rhinos and zebras every day. In ‘The A
Factor’(page 46) you’ll meet a pair of scriptwriters who did their research
in Antarctica, as well as a couple of life-long friends who turned out to be
relatives in ‘Reunited by Science’ (page 30). Plus there’s advice on how to
get a better night’s sleep (‘Sleep Tricks,’ page 22), and why getting angry
can be helpful if you know how to harness that anger in a
positive way (‘Getting Angry the Right Way,’ page 80).

Whether your family is gathered under the same
roof, or separated by state or international borders,
the team at Reader’s Digest wishes all our readers
the very best. We look forward to bringing you
more stories about people who do amazing work,
as well as information that you and your families
can trust and depend on.

LOUISE WATERSON
Editor-in-Chief

4 may 2020

SINCE 1922

OATUSARRPSOLDTDKOCRASISETSS

Vol. 198 AKCainmdpnaeisgsn ThAaCt CCIhHDaiEsnNtgoTerSdy
No. 1180
May 2020 Like No Other PAGE 102

EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief Louise Waterson PAGE 24 CheGsEsTNrTaIoUiunSrinnMgaOmfVoeErnSat
Managing Editor Zoë Meunier PAGE 136
Chief Subeditor Melanie Egan FNRIOeRuWSnTiBtFeRRdOIBETNHyDESRScSience
Art Director Hugh Hanson
Senior Art Designer Adele Burley PAGE 30
Senior Editor Diane Godley
Associate Editor Victoria Polzot 5 ANGER
DIGITAL Head of Digital Content Greg Barton FIXES

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READER’S DIGEST

LETTERS

Reader’s Comments And Opinions

Seeing Both Sides magazine is managed; it was a
great way of handling differences
I was literally moved by the of opinion expressing one point
response provided by the Reader’s and validating the other.
Digest editor to ‘The Great Debate
Over Decades’ (Letters, March). DANISH PUNJWANI

It shows how wonderfully the

Mathematical Reasoning out that time actually started from
zero, not one. Time started with the
I am a teenager who has been year zero and after one year it was
reading Reader’s Digest for some year one, i.e. year 0.9 finishes off
time. However, after reading Steve to year 1.0. This means by the end
Pearson’s response in ‘The Great of year one we would get year two
Debate Over Decades,’ Letters, and so on to the end of a decade
March), I was speechless. Although on 31/12/09. Therefore, a decade
Reader’s Digest shared their opinion, actually starts from a zero figure like
I would like to state a mathematical 2010 and 2020, which ends on 2019
reasoning, which I believe, proves and 2029 respectively. OIHICK SAHA
him incorrect. Starting off by pointing

Let us know if you are moved – or provoked – by any item in the magazine,
share your thoughts. See page 8 for how to join the discussion.

6 may 2020

Counting Decades Letters

I totally agree with Steve Pearson MOON MAN
about 1-10, 11-20 etc, when
counting decades relating to dates. We asked you to think up a funny
caption for this photo.
You quote the Oxford
Dictionary’s definition of a decade That’s one giant leap for mankind.
is “a period of ten years” why, then,
don’t we start a new decade at 2004, GIANCARLO LARGO
2016, or 2019, or any other number,
and count ten? Though it irks me, Intense Anti-Gravity Training.
it’s too late to change, the ‘new
millennium’, January 2000 sealed NG CHEE TZAN JOSEPH
the deal. How often in history has
misinformation become fact? I’m over the moon. 

A. DAVEY SOW ZHOU XI

Everyone’s Right His ambition was very clear
from childhood. LOH KOK HOONG
Technically a decade would start
1/1/2011 so that at the end of the Training at NASA.
first year you have completed
year 1 or 2011. MERRAN TOONE

This means the end of the decade Congratulations to this month’s
winner, Giancarlo Largo.
WIN A PILOT CAPLESS
FOUNTAIN PEN WIN!

The best letter each month CAPTION CONTEST
will win a Pilot Capless
Fountain Pen, valued at over Come up with the funniest caption
$200. The Capless is the for the above photo and you could win
perfect combination of luxury
and ingenious technology, $100. To enter, see email details for
featuring a one-of-a-kind your region on page 8.
retractable fountain pen nib,
durable metal body, beautiful
rhodium accents and a 14K
gold nib. Congratulations to this
month’s winner, Brian Dempsey.

rdasia.com 7

READER’S DIGEST

is 31/12/2020 and makes sense RD SHOP
because you would expect a decade
to be ten years. 2020 ends with the For quality products, book sales and more,
zero as does ten. visit Readersdigest.com.au/shop
Culturally and maybe and Readersdigest.co.nz/shop
simplistically a decade is seen for
example: the 60s that is the ten years CONTRIBUTE
from 1960-1969 inclusive. Including
1970 in the 1960s seems counter Anecdotes and jokes
intuitive. Send in your real-life laugh for
So everybody is right from their Life’s Like That or All in a Day’s Work.
point of view. Got a joke? Send it in for Laughter
If we accept this it may lead to is the Best Medicine!
world peace! Smart Animals
BRIAN DEMPSEY Share antics of unique pets
or wildlife in up to 300 words.
Second Decade Reminisce
Share the tales of an event from your
Steve Pearson’s letter is certainly past that made a huge impact in
correct in stating that the second 100–500 words.
decade of this century is actually My Story
2021-2030. Do you have an inspiring or life-
changing tale to tell? Submissions
Unfortunately, the media insists must be true, unpublished, original
that it is 2020-2029, and that we are and 800–1000 words – see website
already in our next decade. for more information.

However, we should all use the Letters to the editor, caption
term twenty-twenties for 2020- competitions and other reader
2029, which is quite correct and in submissions
common usage in the past, such ONLINE
as the 1990s, and the last ten years Follow the ‘Contribute’ link at the
being the twenty-teens. JACK BANA RD website in your region.
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More than a Career www.readersdigest.co.nz
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I loved your story ‘A Sign from
Above’ (My Story, February). It truly EMAIL
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8 May 2020

TALKS What’s New in RD Talks

Sit back and enjoy the audio versions of the most engaging
stories to have appeared in Reader’s Digest magazine.

A BROTHER’S THE HAUNTED
LOVE HOUSE NEXT

Burned beyond DOOR
recognition, Franck’s The Broaddus family
only hope to save his couldn’t wait to move
life was his identical
twin brother – and into their dream
home. Until ominous
a groundbreaking
medical procedure. letters began
arriving in the mail.

LETTING GO RESCUE AT
If we could choose 45,000 FEET
one thing to outlast Skydiving instructor
Sheldon McFarlane
all others, what thought trainee
better choice would jumper Christopher
there be but love? Jones’s first solo jump
would be routine.
It was anything but.

TO LISTEN GO TO:

www. rsdigest.com.au/podcasts

www.readersdigest.co.nz/podcasts

www.rdasia.com/podcasts

READER’S DIGEST

NEWS WORTH SHARING

Designs for Green Airships Get Off The Ground

Asolar-powered will be powered by two
airship, capable of solar-powered and two
carrying loads of aero engines.
250 tonnes, could one day
be used as a low-emissions Its British designers claim
way to freight cargo the airship will use just
internationally. eight per cent of the fuel of
a conventional jet plane on
Currently in development, a transatlantic flight. And
the Varialift airship will since airships benefit from
use helium gas to lift off jetstream winds, they also
– far safer than the highly offer an advantage over
flammable hydrogen used cargo ships in efficiency
by past airships. Its flight and carbon emissions.

COMPILED BY VICTORIA POLZOT

10 may 2020

‘Rainbow Grandpa’ Eco-Friendly
Paints Village To Save It Cleaning Products
Provide Meaningful
The Taiwanese government had Work
plans to demolish 97-year-old
war veteran Huang Yung-fu’s New Zealand
village until he came to the rescue social enterprise
with his paintbrush. Will&Able is
creating jobs for people
Caihongjuan Village in the Nantun with disabilities.
district of Taichung City used to house
over 1200 families but had become Many products are launched
increasingly run-down as people under the ‘eco’ banner but
moved away. Huang was one of only Will&Able takes the concept a
11 people left when the government step further. All its products are
decided to redevelop the area. packaged in 100 per cent
recycled New Zealand milk
Surrounded by dozens of empty bottles and customers can opt to
buildings, Huang picked up his have their bottles returned
paintbrush to add some colour to his for upcycling after use.
surroundings. He started by painting
birds on the walls inside his home, In the factory, each bottle in
moved outside and was soon the eco-friendly cleaning range,
covering neighbouring buildings which includes hand soap,
with fantastical designs. dishwashing liquid, laundry
His work caught the eye of detergent, toilet cleaner and a
university students who rallied multi-purpose cleaner, is filled,
behind ‘Rainbow Grandpa’, capped and labelled by hand.
successfully campaigning for
the village’s protection. The people with disabilities
who pack the products are also
The quirky village is now a the ‘face’ on each bottle, says
popular tourist spot. marketing coordinator Maya
Jaros. Profits from sales go
directly to creating more jobs
for people with disabilities.

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

MY STORY

Clancy enjoys getting
up to all sorts of tricks

Little Lamb Clancy PHOTO: SUPPLIED BY THE AUTHOR

A mysterious lamb of unknown origins gambols
his way into a family’s home and hearts

BY Carolyn Carvalho

Three months after my headed Dorper sheep on our
mother died, in March 2019, isolated property, along with a
I was taking the washing horse and chickens. All of them are
off the clothesline in the much-loved pets. It was impossible
backyard when I was startled to for the lamb to be one of ours as we
hear the undeniable sound of a had separated our rams from the
newborn lamb coming from the flock over a year ago. 
stables nearby. We have 21 black-
Had I heard right? I thought. Was

12 may 2020

My Story

it really a lamb? Heading towards small amounts of milk onto a spoon,

the stables, I heard the cry again. All slipping it into his mouth next to

the sheep were laying peacefully in my finger. Watching as he slowly

the stable, with the horse standing drank, I realised just how weak he

calm. I couldn’t see a lamb. Then was. Poor baby. I sat on the couch

I heard the little cry again, and a and snuggled him close to keep

tiny head popped up from among him warm as he slept after the feed.

the sheep. Not a black-head Dorper Would he survive? I hoped so but I

but a white-faced merino cross. Oh knew his chances were slim.

my! The little darling was so small. I rang my husband, Colin, who

Where on earth had this sweet lamb was at work and explained the

come from? It was like it had just situation and he arrived home that

been dropped from HE NEEDED MILK evening with bottles,
the sky. I scooped IMMEDIATELY IF teats and fresh
THERE WAS TO BE
it up, noting how ANY CHANCE OF lamb formula. We
terribly skinny it enquired around the
was and quickly area for a possible
identifying ‘it’ was owner but had no
HIM SURVIVING luck. He would
a ‘he’. The only
injury was a small have had to walk a

cut on his ear. He fair way from any

was so small, like a puppy. I knew neighbouring farms which seemed

he needed milk and he needed it unlikely given how tiny he was. So

immediately if there was to be any it was a mystery as to where he had

chance of him surviving the day. come from.

Luckily, I still had some lamb To my surprise and delight the

formula milk that I had purchased ‘little fella’ survived the night, and

long ago to supplement-feed one of so began a feeding regime day and

my own lambs. I had no bottle or teat night. I dressed him in a woollen dog

though. So, wrapped in an old towel, coat at night to keep him warm and

he suckled my finger as I dropped put lots of hay in his crate to snuggle

in to. He began to thrive and within a

Carolyn Carvalho and her husband Colin week he was stronger and I was more

enjoy living on their hobby farm in the confident that he would survive. My

Western Australian wheatbelt with their daughter, Lauren, helped out with
many animals, including Dorper sheep, feeding and Aussie, our fox terrier-
cats, Aussie the dog, a lovely old rescue Australian shepherd cross, took great
horse and Clancy the sheep. She has a son delight in licking the little chap all
Ray, daughter Lauren and a six-month-old
over. We decided that he needed a
baby granddaughter.

13

READER’S DIGEST

name and, after much debate, we Clancy continued to thrive. His

named him Clancy.  wool began to grow and get thicker,

While making my bed one his skinny belly turned plump and

morning, a few days after Clancy round and the bottle feeds were

appeared, I realised the stuffed toy eventually replaced by grain and

that I always sit on my bed was a hay. He has grown into a beautiful

white lamb. The well-loved white toy sheep. He loves to go for a walk with

lamb had been a gift MUM KNEW Aussie and me and
from my mother for follows like a dog. If

my birthday when I LOVED I call him when he is
I was a teenager. I LAMBS FROM in the paddock with
am in my 50s now, A YOUNG AGE the other sheep, he
so I have owned the will run over to me
toy for a long time. I at speed. He is quite

have moved houses a character and has

and countries many times over the brought so much joy to the whole

years and it has always come with family. He’s very affectionate and

me. It then dawned on me that even enjoys special treatment. I let him

as an adult, my mother had bought into the feed shed where he sticks

me three other stuffed toy white his head into the bag of oats and

lambs – which now stare down at me munches away. He has found his

from the top of my wardrobe. Mum forever home with us on the farm,

knew I loved lambs from a young and I am so grateful to have him.

age. She never bought me any other He came into my life out of the blue

stuffed toys as an adult. It was always and looking after him helped me get

a white lamb. I miss my mother, as through the loss of my mother.

we had always been very close, and

her passing had left a void in my life. Do you have a tale to tell? We’ll pay
Had Mum sent Clancy to me to look cash for any original and unpublished
after? To comfort me? I like to think story we print. See page 8 for details

she did. A final gift. on how to contribute.

Multiple Endings Story

Sri Lankan author Sybil Wettasinghe was awarded a Guinness World
Record after enlisting the help of the country’s children to write a
book with 1250 alt+ernative endings. Wettasinghe asked students
from across Sri Lanka to contribute stories, drawings and poetry to
complete her book, Wonder Crystal. UPI

14 may 2020

ONLINE PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK

FIND THESE UNIQUE READS AT

Your local RD website

FOOD

30 things TV chefs
won’t tell you

Reader’s Digest went behind the
scenes to hear from your favourite
chefs on TV to learn their dirtiest
kitchen secrets.

BEAUTY

12 hairstyle mistakes
that age your face

Ageing can be a beautiful fact of
life – but there’s no need to rush it.
Slow things down by choosing the

right hairstyle for you.

PETS

10 things your dog should be
doing every single day
As the proud owner of a cuddly pup,
you know that taking care of a fur
companion is no small feat. So, what
should a dog’s daily schedule be?

JOIN THE CONVERSATION!

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READER’S DIGEST

SMART ANIMALS

Have ways of achieving their preferences

Trashing the Ashtrays gardening, I became concerned ILLUSTRATIONSS: GETTY IMAGES
when I heard the sounds of
JUDITH CAINE coughing coming from their
garden. Someone sounded very ill,
Some 20 years ago we lived next so l phoned later that day to see if
door to a family who owned a very I could do anything to help. To my
chatty and cheeky sulphur-crested surprise, I was told that everyone
cockatoo. When they were out, was fine, that it was just Cocky with
Cocky would be left in his large
cage in their shady garden, chatting You could earn cash by telling us
away to himself. When they were at about the antics of unique pets or
home, Cocky spent his time inside wildlife. Turn to page 8 for details
with the family, wandering around on how to contribute.
the house.

One summer day while I was

16 may 2020

Smart Animals

his newly perfected smoker’s cough. remained motionless for a few
It was explained to me that minutes with his eyes riveted on
the hay. Then, he abruptly turned
the family had a friend who was on his heels and vanished back the
a heavy smoker with a shocking way he had come.
smoker’s cough and Cocky was
mimicking it. Not only did they After about half an hour, much
hate that their friend would smoke to my amazement, he again
in the house when he visited, so trotted around the corner and
did Cocky. Every time this man repeated his previous behaviour.
came into the house and lit up, As before, turning on his heels and
Cocky would climb up on the coffee disappearing around the corner.
table, strut around with his yellow
crest feathers up and proceed to Much to my complete and
upend the ashtrays before hurling utter astonishment, he shortly
them onto the floor, all the while reappeared, but this time, he
accompanying his performance nimbly scrambled on to a garbage
with his grave smoker’s cough. It bin, leapt on top of a brick wall,
seems all those years ago, Cocky before finally balancing nimbly
was smart enough to know the on a ledge to gain access to the
dangers of smoking. bale of hay – on which he
chomped, seemingly, with relish.
No Silly Goat Was it possible I detected a grin
on his face?
KATHLEEN TUCK
Who said they are dumb animals
I attended a cashmere goat auction with no imagination?
in Victoria back in the 1980s,
intending to auction my CSIRO-bred
buck, MacDonald. While waiting my
turn in the grounds, I was surprised
to see an unattended black goat (a
real ‘no-no’ at such auctions). It was
even more of an unusual occurrence
because this was an auction of all
white cashmere stock.

Other than me, no one appeared
to take any notice of the animal.
The goat seemed to be gazing
wistfully at a bale of hay on the roof
of a nearby ramshackle building. I
watched with interest. The animal

17

READER’S DIGEST

PETS

Good Grooming

Taking care of your pet’s hygiene and cleaning

BY Dr Katrina Warren

NOT TOO LONG AGO OUR DOGS AND CATS were kept
primarily outdoors, so it didn’t really matter if they were
a bit dirty. More recently, they primarily live indoors,
and often in apartments and small spaces. Fortunately,
with new dietary, health care and grooming options
available, our pets are now healthier and cleaner than
ever before. Veterinarian Dr Katrina Warren shares her
tips on how to keep your pet looking terrific.

Our regular pet GROOMING YOUR CAT Cats are naturally very clean
columnist,
Dr Katrina Warren, and mostly self-groom, so they only rarely require
is an established washing. Coat length impacts the effect of shedding
and trusted animal in your home and influences how much grooming you
expert. must do. If you’re considering owning a cat you need
to be realistic about how much time you’re prepared to
spend grooming. Some cats, like the Devon Rex, have PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES
virtually no coat, little shedding and require hardly
any grooming, whereas long-coated breeds, such as the
ragdoll or Persian, will require brushing at least every
couple of days. Cats can be professionally groomed,
and this can be helpful for those cats that dislike being
handled and groomed.

GROOMING YOUR DOG Like cats, the coat has a

big impact on dog grooming requirements. Smooth-
coated breeds, such as whippets and French bulldogs,
generally don’t shed much hair. Some breeds, including

18 may 2020

Pets

the poodle and bichon pet’s grooming

frisé, hardly shed requirements. Services

at all. These breeds can extend from

do, however, require brushing, washing,

regular professional trimming and clipping

grooming and clipping through to ear

to maintain their coat, cleaning and nail or

as their coat just keeps claw trimming. Your

on growing. decision as to whether

you use professional

FREQUENCY assistance will likely

OF WASHING Dogs Find a brush or comb that depend upon the type
suits the length of coat of pet, how busy you
should not need to be

washed very often, and are and how much

generally not unless they’re dirty. money you’re prepared to spend.

A healthy dog that lives indoors and

isn’t swimming or rolling around GROOMING PRODUCTS

usually only needs to be bathed Shampoos, conditioners and

about once a month. Some owners other products often suit different

mistakenly believe their dog should conditions, such as sensitive skin

be washed every week but this or coats that easily tangle, and are

generally isn’t necessary. available for a variety of budgets.

Likewise, there are many excellent

PROFESSIONAL GROOMING new products to help manage fleas

Grooming salons, pet specialty and ticks – from topical applications

stores, mobile dog washers and to chewable tablets – making life

veterinarians all provide various easier and more comfortable for

services to help manage your both pets and owners.

5 TIPS FOR HEALTHY, GOOD-LOOKING COATS

A HEALTHY COAT should A GOOD DIET is essential
be soft and relatively for a healthy coat.
smooth, not greasy or dirty THICK UNDERCOATS on dogs
and not smelly. need to be groomed out
AN UNHEALTHY COAT is often frequently to avoid matting.
dry, brittle or patchy with DON’T OVER-BATH your pet
loose hair and an odour. as it can cause dry skin.

rdasia.com 19

HEALTH

Fighting
Fatigue

The first step is people report fatigue as the reason PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
observing yourself in for consulting their GP.
order to discover its cause
Often, fatigue is a normal response
BY Christina Frangou to things such as stress, a change in
sleep patterns or a heavy workload.
You don’t want to get out of Since we can’t always avoid these
bed and, once you finally do, things, Dr Tom Declercq, professor
you can’t find the energy to of medicine at Belgium’s Ghent
exercise. During the day, University, suggests giving yourself
you lack the ability to concentrate more rest than usual at these times
on anything. to restore energy levels. “It’s very
important to listen to your body when
Just like paper cuts and bad dreams, it’s asking for more sleep,” he says.
fatigue happens to everyone at some
point. As many as one-third of But here’s the tricky part: although
fatigue can often be resolved with
more rest and lifestyle changes, it can
also be a symptom of something more

20 may 2020

Health

serious. Dr Declercq recommends considered. Poor sleep hygiene –

people visit their doctor if they notice like dozing with a pet in your bed

any other physical changes along with or using screens late at night – can

feeling tired, or if their fatigue persists disturb your rest. Sleep apnoea is

for more than two weeks after making another common culprit; those with

lifestyle changes. this condition stop breathing for at

When speaking to a doctor, least ten seconds at a time during

describing your experience of their sleep.

exhaustion in detail is essential for Any amount of alcohol can

helping him or her to identify an worsen your sleep, but the more you

underlying cause. Although fatigue is consume, the greater its effect. While

generally defined as a lack of energy alcohol might help you fall asleep,

and motivation, this can manifest it interrupts circadian rhythms and

physically, mentally or both. Some thus is an obstacle to restorative rest.

questions you could ask yourself When does fatigue become chronic

before an appointment: FATIGUE fatigue syndrome (CFS)?
do you not feel refreshed PLAYS A ROLE There’s no specific
even after a long night’s diagnostic test for CFS

rest? Do you find it hard IN 10% (also known as myalgic
to focus on projects? Do OF ALL CAR encephalomyelitis
you tire quickly when ACCIDENTS or systemic exertion
physically active? intolerance disease),

Fatigue accompanied but the condition is

by a fever may indicate defined as a prolonged

infection, while dizziness could be a and profound fatigue that hangs

sign of anaemia. Laboured breathing around for at least six months

may be suggestive of heart disease. without an identifiable cause,

If you feel sadness or nervousness, impairs your cognitive function

depression or an anxiety disorder and leads to debilitating exhaustion

might be causing your fatigue, and even after minor physical or mental

it could be improved by taking an exertion. It’s unclear how many

antidepressant or starting cognitive people have CFS and what might

behavioural therapy. be behind it.

Fatigue that comes on suddenly, While not a cure, exercise might

persists and is associated with help with persistent cases. “When

unexpected weight loss or night people tend to have a chronic

sweats may be a red flag for cancer. fatigue problem, it’s not a good

Naturally, the quality and quantity idea to stay in your chair. It’s a lot

of sleep you’re getting should be better to move,” says Dr Declercq.

21

READER’S DIGEST

Sleep
Tricks

BY Lisa Marie Conklin

One of these tricks from BANANA TEA Bananas contain PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
sleep experts could prove
to be your answer for deep magnesium, which promotes
and restful sleep. relaxation, but the banana peel is
where it’s at for sleep. Sleep specialist
TRY TO STAY AWAKE “It sounds Dr Michael Breus created a recipe
for banana tea. “Take an organic
counterintuitive, but for those who banana, wash it, cut off the tip and
find it difficult to sleep because the stem, and then cut it in half,
they keep worrying about not leaving the fruit in and the skin on.
falling asleep, do the opposite,” Put it in boiling water for three to
says Dr Sujay Kansagra, director of four minutes, and drink the water
Duke University’s Sleep Medicine with a little honey.” The honey helps
programme. Falling asleep is usually regulate blood sugar throughout
an involuntary process, but if we’re the night, one cause of waking up
anxious, we do things like looking at during the night.
the clock and calculating how little
sleep we’re going to get, which causes ‘4-7-8 BREATHE’ This three-step
sleep performance anxiety. Think
about staying awake instead. technique helps if you wake up during
the night. First, breathe in deeply
TOASTY TOES Wearing socks to through your nose for four seconds.
Then hold your breath for seven
bed can decrease the amount of seconds. Exhale through your mouth
time it takes to fall asleep. “The best for eight seconds. Repeat this process
explanation is that warming the feet four times. This exercise allows the
causes blood vessels to dilate, and this lungs to become fully charged with
signals to the brain that it’s time,” says air, allowing more oxygen to circulate
sleep expert Dr Joseph Krainin. throughout the body.

22 May 2020

News From The

WORLD OF MEDICINE

PHOTO: ADAM VOORHES WHY SENIORS NEED A disease. Researchers gave mice a
SENSE OF CONTROL substance that blocked gut bacteria’s
production of TMAO. A single dose,
“In the past 24 hours, I spent my which reduced TMAI levels for three
time doing what I wanted.” In a days, was enough to lower the risk
recent study about the psychology of stroke, heart attack and blood clot
of ageing, on days when older formation.
adults agreed more with statements
like this one, they also tended to VACCINE BENEFITS Measles. Polio.
feel more youthful. This matters
because in seniors, feeling younger Tuberculosis. Thanks to vaccines,
“is associated with longer life these diseases have been mostly
expectancies, increased interest eradicated in industrialised nations.
in sexual activity and flourishing And it turns out that these live
mental health,” says lead author vaccines may protect against other
Jennifer Bellingtier. What’s more, diseases, too. For instance, a study
adds co-author Shevaun D. Neupert, showed that a typhoid vaccine also
a stronger sense of control over one’s appeared to protect against influenza,
life has itself been linked to “better yeast infections and tetanus.
physical health, emotional well-
being and cognitive functioning.” Earlier studies have demonstrated
that children who receive the measles
A GUT-BACTERIA INTERVENTION vaccine are less likely to die from
TO HELP THE HEART pneumonia and diarrhoea, as well as

When gut bacteria break from measles. Similarly,
down certain compounds when the live polio vaccine
found in high fat dairy and the bacillus Calmette-
products, egg yolk, Guérin (BCG) vaccine
liver and red meat, they for tuberculosis are
produce a chemical introduced in developing
called trimethylamine- countries, deaths from
N-oxide (TMAO), all causes go down.
which has possible Live vaccines may also
links to cardiovascular work to strengthen the
immune system.

23

READER’S DIGEST

Kindness

Pass it On!

24 May 2020

INSPIRATION

A poignant Twitter conversation reveals
the power of random acts of decency

As she walked onto the packed compassion soon saved the day, and
plane holding her tiny infant – you then some. A flight attendant not only
know, the kind that cries for entire helped Cliffe by helping to hold and
flights – Nicole Cliffe must have comfort her baby but also lent the
known she was a candidate for least frazzled mother a pair of yoga pants
popular passenger. And that was to change into. “I firmly believe that
before her baby got sick and vomited she will go to heaven no matter what
all over her jeans and seat cushion. she may do in the rest of her life,”
Cliffe wrote.
“They had to BRING THE PLANE
BACK to replace the seat and seat Bitten by the kindness bug, Cliffe
belt, and everyone hated me,” she tweeted her story and asked others
later tweeted. But a simple act of to share their own tales of exceptional
and unexpected kindness on her
PHOTOS: DG-STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK (TICKET) Twitter feed. Those appreciations, in
turn, inspired others to respond with
more personal stories, as well as with
simple notes of support and
gratitude. The result is a wonderful
dialogue for our times – an antidote
to the idea that our digital
conversations are inevitably
tarnished by raised and angry voices.
In this story, niceness wins.

I was grocery shopping afford it because Daddy lost I’m inspired
with my three year old and his job. A man came up and to be more like this
he really wanted some said “You dropped this,” man. Thank you.
gummy treats. I explained and handed me a $50 note.
to my son that we couldn’t @rukidding
@Tiana_Smith
melolz

25

READER’S DIGEST I’ll always remember the
woman who gave me tissues
I was a single mother, just laid off, when I was crying on the train. I
and really hurting for cash. Then my was trying so hard to keep it
engine went. A friend of a friend together. Everyone else looked
heard about me, and GAVE ME A away but her. She handed me
CAR, a Ford Escort. She saved me. the tissues and said, “We’ve all
I will never forget you, Marilyn. been there, crying on the train.
It sucks.” As she was getting off,
@SusieMadrack she added, “Whatever’s wrong,
it will get better. That doesn’t
She gave you a car?! mean anything right now, of
I strongly respect this stranger... course. But it really will.” She
was this regular business-casual
@RubyBrook lady, but she was a hero to me.
Also, she inspired me to always
I was eight years old and at a carry a little pack of tissues in
public swimming pool when some case I see someone crying.
boys began making fun of me for
being fat. As I walked away crying, @danielleiat
this gorgeous university-age
woman sprung to my defence and
got them kicked out. She then had
me hang out with her gorgeous
friends. They were so sweet –
sharing their Tab and their trashy
magazines. They even painted
my nails blue. Best of all, they told
me I was pretty.

@madamradams

I love them. @librarianjess

A repeat customer at the
supermarket where I work found
out that we both had Crohn’s
disease. He knew I’d been very
sick and that my healthcare hadn’t
kicked in yet and that I didn’t have
a regular doctor. He sent me to
his doctor and gave me $300 to
pay for both the visit and the
medicine I would need.

@thedoorgal

26 May 2020

Kindness Pass It On

Why I always carry a spare that man. That story comforts
(CLEAN!) handkerchief! me so much to this day.

@sesmith @TweetChizone

I spent most of this past summer All of these stories are amazing,
crying on the train to/from work but this made me sob and call
after my dad unexpectedly died. my mother.
Even though you’re alone on a train,
it’s such a weirdly vulnerable place @jenneraustin
to cry ... and now I’m crying on the
train thinking about this again and Oh, my goodness!
your kind stranger. Tell your mother I said hi!

@IrishBelle07 @TweetChizone

Wish I was on the train to I ran cross-country. I was on the
give you my packet of tissues! brink of being on the team headed
They have ducks on them. for the regional championships.
This race decided it. A girl on my
@danielleiat team was just ahead of me.
I couldn’t catch up. She slowed,
I can’t even tell this story and not grabbed my hand, pulled me in
cry. I used to manage an LGBT front, and jettisoned me across
bookstore. One night, a caller says the finish line so I could go instead
he thinks he might be gay and is of her. @jmh278
considering self-harm. We were not
a crisis centre! But as long as we’re 27
talking, he’s safe, right? So I talk to
this guy and I answer questions, and
I try to be encouraging, and I’m
maybe sounding a little frantic, and
I’m definitely ignoring the customers
in the store. Suddenly, this angel of
a woman puts her hand on my
shoulder and asks for the phone.
“My turn,” she says. And she, this
50-something lesbian, talks to this
stranger on the phone. And a LINE
FORMS BEHIND HER. Every
customer in that store knows that
call, knows that feeling, and every
person takes a turn talking to

READER’S DIGEST A customer
gave me $300
I once walked by a burly to pay for the
construction worker who called out, doctor visit and
“That colour really works on you!” the medicine
I would need
@bananafitz
Gave me a liver. @thockman64
One time I was driving without
a seat belt, which I often did. Each account is compelling,
I pulled up at a traffiç light and an but the ones where people don’t
older man in the car next to me speak the same language but
motioned for me to put my seat are clearly communicating
belt on. He pressed his hands compassion to each other are
together and said please. I always especially touching.
wear a seat belt now.
@norlaskan
@theaudreyshore
Dude in a truck beeped his horn
I fainted on the train once. at me at an intersection while I
A kind elderly woman, who spoke waited for an older woman to cross
no English, held my hand and fed
me grapes while we waited for
the paramedics. When they finally
came, she patted my hand three
times and put my hand on her
heart before leaving.

@laurenarankin

It was my first semester of
journalism school and I was second-
guessing my decision to pursue a
writing career. One day, I handed my
debit card to the barista at the coffee
shop. He looked at my name and
said, “That sounds like the name of
an author.” Almost cried on the spot.

@beccabeato

28 may 2020

Kindness Pass It On

the street. I gave him the finger. and waiting for an update, I got to
He beeped again. I repeated the chatting with a guy who was in the
gesture. He proceeded to follow me Army and headed home to see his
to a parking lot and block my car. little girl for Christmas. Then came
I got out ready to throw punches. the announcements. A bunch of
He got out. HUGE MAN. I thought, people got seats for the next flight,
I’m dead. He put out his hand to but not me. My tired daughter was
shake. He explained that he beeped crying and I was barely keeping it
but noticed his error when he saw together when the airline rep called
the woman. So he honked again my name and gave me a ticket.
to say sorry. He followed me to That Army guy gave up his seat for
personally apologise so he wouldn’t me. I insisted he take the ticket and
ruin my day. We shook hands. see his family. He refused, saying,
Changed me forever. And I was “Any military husband would do
glad he didn’t waste me. the same for my wife.”

@MrPaulBae @twoscooters

I was in the middle of a silent panic I really wish I wasn’t reading
attack while waiting on a flight. this while on the train ...
Another passenger’s assistance BUT I CAN’T STOP! So now I’m
dog evidently noticed my condition just quietly weeping.
and pulled its person to come by
me. That dog put its head on my lap @caitlyngranath
for 20 minutes until I felt better.
Wow. This is what healthy
@JudgeYouHarshly communities are made of.
Just beautiful.
Awww.
What kind of dog was it? @Jessa McLeanNDP

PHOTO: REBECCA SIMPSON STEELE @zoe_samuel

A good dog.

@IsaacBetty

I was flying across the country
with my year-old baby. It was
Christmas, and my then-husband
was deployed in the Middle East.
I was tired and depressed – just a
mess. The flight got delayed, then
cancelled. Sitting around the gate

29

FAMILY PHOTO: BAILEY REBECCA ROBERTS

Reunited by

Millions of people have used
commercial DNA tests to
trace their family trees.
For some, the results have
been life-changing,
introducing them to relatives
they had lost long ago
– or never knew existed

BY Claire Nowak

30 may 2020

Lifelong friends Alan
Robinson (left) and
Walter Macfarlane

unknowingly took the
same DNA tests. The
results showed they
were related

rdasia.com 31

READER’S DIGEST

alter Macfarlane, 76, and Alan Robinson,
74, have been friends for more than
60 years. They grew up a few kilometres
away from each other in Honolulu and

W met in sixth grade. They played football
together in high school. They are so close,
they’re Uncle Walter and Uncle Alan to each other’s
kids. So imagine their surprise when they discovered
they were in fact biological brothers.

“It did feel natural,” Walter says of Cindy logged on to ancestry.com to
the revelation. “We knew each other check the results, she saw that a user
so well.” named Robby737 and her dad shared
enough DNA to be half siblings. When
It came about, as so often happens, Cindy asked her parents whether they
by accident. Walter, a retired maths knew anyone who could have that
and physical education teacher, knew username, her mother immediately
that he had a complicated family tree. thought of Walter’s friend, Uncle Alan.
His mother had been young and un- His nickname was Robby, and he used
married when she gave birth to him to fly 737s for Aloha Airlines.
during World War II, and because
she couldn’t raise him on her own, Could that really be possible? Wal-
the family pretended that his grand- ter wondered. He spent ten minutes
mother was his mother and his moth- trying to get his friend on the phone.
er was his sister. Walter didn’t learn When Alan finally answered, he con-
the truth until he graduated from firmed to Walter that his username
high school. Even then, his mother was Robby737.
never told him (or anyone else) who
his father was. “I’m trying to act cool,” Walter says.
“But I’m so excited inside, I’m going
So in 2016, when commercial to burst out. I think I said, ‘Oh, I think
DNA-testing kits were starting to take we’re brothers,’ in just a casual man-
off, Walter’s daughter, Cindy Macfar- ner. Then he said, ‘Yeah, sure. OK,
lane-Flores, suggested he try a cou- Walter’.”
ple. Millions of people in the US and
Europe have sent samples of their “I was in denial,” Alan says. “We’ve
saliva to commercial labs in hope of known each other for so long, I
learning something new about their thought he was just joking around.”
personal health or heritage. When
But Alan knew it was possible.
He had been adopted as a baby by

32 May 2020

Reunited by Science

COURTESY CINDY MACFARLANE-FLORES (FOOTBALL), MATTHEW COHEN (BORDER) When Walter (left) and Alan played football together in high school,
they had no idea they were actually related

Norma and Lawrence Robinson. it never happened: their mother.
Several years before, Alan had taken Walter knew his mother’s name was
the same DNA tests that Walter did Genevieve K. Paikuli, but Alan’s birth
to learn more about his ethnicity and certificate lists his mother as Geral-
medical background. But he’d never dine K. Parker. The identical initials
talked to Walter about it. in the name listed as Alan’s mother
led the men to believe that Genevieve
Soon after the phone call, the men had used a pseudonym when she
compared their test results on 23and- gave Alan up for adoption. Alan also
me.com and found that they shared believes that his adoptive parents,
several identical X  chromosomes, the Robinsons, knew Genevieve was
meaning they had the same moth- his birth mother and didn’t tell him
er. “If I wasn’t in that database, this out of respect for her wishes.
never would have happened,” Alan
says. “It was meant to happen.” Neither brother knows why no one
ever told them they were related, but
However, one person apparently they attribute it to the era’s social
worked very hard to make sure that

33

READER’S DIGEST

norms and the turbulent times sur- holiday season, and a half brother.

rounding the attack on Pearl Harbor “It’s mind-boggling,” Walter says.

and the war, which was still being Now that their family searches have

fought when both men were born. come to a close, Walter and Alan just

“We don’t know what transpired, want to make up for lost time. They

but [we have] no bad feelings,” Walter had fallen out of touch after high

says. “At that time, you school, and although

had your own reasons “WE DON’T they eventually recon-
why you did what you KNOW WHAT nected, they still didn’t
did.” see much of each oth-

But they have TRANSPIRED, er because they were
gained much more BUT [WE HAVE] busy raising their kids.
than they lost. Thanks “If we had known
to their DNA test re- NO BAD sooner we were broth-

sults and research by FEELINGS” ers, we would have
Cindy, they learned been contacting each

who their fathers other all the time,”

were – both were mil- Walter says. They are

itary men from the now. Both still live

US mainland who had been stationed in Honolulu, about eight kilometres

in Hawaii. apart, just like when they were kids.

Those discoveries led to more: Wal- They talk on the phone weekly and go

ter found out that he has four more to lunch regularly. They’re even plan-

half brothers and has since travelled ning to take a holiday together.

to California to meet them in per- “Our mother lived to be 92,” Walter

son; Alan has two half sisters, who says. “We have a few more years,

plan on visiting him over the coming hopefully. We have good genes.”

On a Roll

An Australian family who attempted to order 48 rolls of toilet
paper online instead ended up with 48 cardboard boxes of
bathroom tissue. “When it asked for quantity, I put 48, thinking
that would be a box of 48 rolls,” Haidee Janetzki of Toowoomba told
7News. “The courier man turned up at the door with two pallets
of toilet paper instead of one box.” Janetzki said she checked
her credit card statement and it confirmed she had shelled out
$2153.78 plus shipping for the massive haul of paper. UPI.COM

34 may 2020

QUOTABLE QUOTES

Work eight hours In the spring,
and sleep eight at the end of
hours, and make the day, you
sure they are should smell
not the same
eight hours. like dirt.

T. BOONE PICKENS, MARGARET ATWOOD,
BUSINESSMAN AUTHOR

NOTHING IF YOU GO THROUGH LIFE WITHOUT
LOOKS CONNECTING TO PEOPLE, HOW

BETTER IN MUCH COULD YOU CALL THAT A LIFE?
YOUR 50S
TOM HIDDLESTON, ACTOR
THAN
SUNSCREEN If you’re one of
those people who
IN YOUR
20S. says, “Please,
no gifts on my
JENNIFER GARNER, birthday,” you
ACTOR and I are very
different. I like
PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES gifts. I demand I HAD TO TAKE MY
them. I’ll make SON’S PHONE FROM
you feel awkward HIM, WHICH IS THE
if you don’t get WORST THING TO DO
TO A CHILD. HE BROKE
me one. DOWN. HE SAID, “TAKE

JOHN KRASINSKI, ACTOR MY LEG INSTEAD.”

KEVIN HART, COMEDIAN

35

36 May 2020

HEALTH

Osteoporosis:
An Epidemic of

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK It is easier than ever to prevent
and treat osteoporosis, but the number

of cases is on the rise. How can you
avoid becoming a victim?

BY Sari Harrar

37

READER’S DIGEST

t age 53, Lisa Rustin slipped on a footpath
and fractured her arm. A bone-density scan,
recommended by her gynaecologist because of
her family history of thinning bones, revealed
osteoporosis. She threw away her high heels,

Aoverhauled her diet to include more calcium-rich
foods, and started walking with a backpack filled
with books – weight-bearing exercise is an important way
to strengthen your bones. Rustin also began taking calcium
and vitamin D supplements and a bisphosphonate drug, the
most commonly prescribed osteoporosis treatment.

She considers her fracture to be – Nearly 75 per cent of all hip fractures
well, something of a lucky break. “My occur in women and about 25 per
mother had broken her hip in the cent of hip fractures in people over 50
past, when there was no treatment occurs in men. Of them, 40 per cent
for her osteoporosis,” says Rustin, won’t walk again without assistance.
who is now 58. “After I broke my One in five will die within a year. Os-
arm, she fractured her shoulder. By teoporosis doesn’t just break bones. It
the time I got the news about my smashes lives.
bone-density test, my mother had
passed away due to complications By 2050, the worldwide incidence
from her shoulder fracture. That was of hip fracture in men is projected
my wake-up call.” to increase by 240% in women and
310% in men.
Osteoporosis – the term means
‘porous bone’ – arises when bone What makes osteoporosis even
cells that break down are not re- more tragic is that in the past 25 years
plenished by new ones. That causes it has become highly treatable and
bones to break more easily and take even preventable. Dual-energy X-ray
longer to heal when they do. absorptiometry (DXA) scans, which
measure the calcium and other min-
It is estimated that worldwide erals in your bones, are accurate
approximately 200 million people enough for the World Health Organ-
are affected by osteoporosis, result- ization to use them as the criteria
ing in a fracture every three seconds. for diagnosing osteoporosis and its
One in three women over age 50 will precursor, which is called osteope-
experience osteoporotic fractures, nia. DXA scans are also effective in
as will one in five men aged over 50. predicting risk of fracture.

38 May 2020

Osteoporosis: An Epidemic of Broken Bones

ILLUSTRATIONS BY HARRY CAMPBELL Bisphosphonates and other drugs Bisphosphonates and other
that treat low bone density can drugs can reduce fractures by
reduce the risk of fractures by 40 per
cent in women and up to 67 per cent 40%
in men.
in women and up to
But despite these advances, frac-
tures are becoming more common, 67%
not less. According to a US 2018 study, in men
after a decade of declines, the num-
ber of broken hips rose 2.5 per cent in in 12 countries found more startling
women aged 65 to 69 and 3.8 per cent results. The International Osteopo-
in women aged 70 to 74 between 2013 rosis Foundation (IOF) showed 90
and 2015. Dr E. Michael Lewiecki, the per cent of all adults were unaware
lead researcher, estimates that 11,000 of how common fractures are in men.
hip fractures and 2000 deaths in the
US could have been prevented over “We have our blood pressure
those three years. checked regularly and our cholester-
ol levels measured, but too many of
How is this increase in fractures us ignore screening for bone health,”
possible? A lack of knowledge and Dr Lewiecki told newsmax.com.
deep misunderstandings about what
really affects our bones, overblown If you want to avoid becoming a
fears about bone-building drugs, victim, keep in mind these important
and the ‘I feel healthy, so I must be medical findings.
fine’ hubris of ageing people, have all
combined to put our bones at risk. Bone-Density Scans Are Key

The level of awareness among men The only way to tell whether you
who are most at risk of osteoporosis have osteoporosis or osteopenia is
is also ‘deeply concerning’, according with a bone-density test. DXA scans,
to a leading expert in bone health.
“A recent survey from Osteoporosis
Australia showed alarming numbers
of young men thought osteoporosis
was rare in men – about 40% of 18-
24 year olds. But more worrying is the
number of men 65 and over who had
the same view – almost a fifth (19%),”
says Professor Peter Ebeling, medical
director of Osteoporosis Australia.

An international survey of adults

39

READER’S DIGEST

MEN in Australia are treated or investigated
AGE 50+ for osteoporosis, so under-treatment
is extremely common.
are more likely to
have an osteoporosis- “After a heart attack, people are
related bone break than evaluated and put on a plan with
medication and lifestyle changes to
prostate cancer prevent another one. The same thing
should happen after a fracture,” says
the gold standard, are recommend- Dr Bart Clarke, the president of the
ed by the US National Osteoporosis American Society for Bone and Min-
Foundation (NOF) for women age 65 eral Research.
and older; men age 70 and older; and
as early as age 50 for those with at- If you’re younger than 40 and have
risk bones, such as postmenopausal risk factors for osteoporosis, it’s not
women, smokers, and anyone who is too early to talk with your doctor
underweight, drinks more than two about getting tested. Anyone 40 or
alcoholic drinks a day, has a fam- older, meanwhile, can estimate his
ily history of osteoporosis, or has or her fracture risk with the on-
previously broken a bone. But don’t line Fracture Risk Assessment Tool
wait for your doctor to order a scan. (FRAX) at sheffield.ac.uk/frax. FRAX
If you’ve had one broken bone, re- doesn’t replace a bone scan, but
search shows that your odds for an- it is a good way to help you decide
other increase as much as ninefold. whether you need one or are at risk
of a fracture in the next ten years.
However, only a minority of patients
with minimal trauma fractures are be- TMeesnteSdho(SuoldmAelYsoouGnegter
ing either investigated or treated for People Do, Too)
osteoporosis. Fewer than 20% of pa-
tients with a minimal trauma fracture Osteoporosis isn’t just a woman’s
disease. Don, now 74, a retiree, was
diagnosed with osteoporosis at age 44
despite an active lifestyle that includ-
ed daily walks and 65 kilometres of
weekly bicycling. “I had strained my
back, and X-rays of my spine showed
that it was deteriorating,” he says.
“It runs in my family, though I think
I’m the only man who inherited
osteoporosis.”

40 May 2020

Osteoporosis: An Epidemic of Broken Bones

Scientists don’t know why, but men over 70, a 2018 University of Nevada
have a higher risk for death after a study found that the average densi-
hip fracture caused by osteoporosis ty of the femurs of people as young
than women do. So it’s especially as 30 was much lower in 2014 than
important for men to get scanned in 2005.
and treated if necessary. Don’s DXA
scan results improved after a year of Too much sitting and too little
bisphosphonate treatment. “I had activity are likely the top reasons
stomach problems with daily pills, for the decline, the researchers
but a weekly pill was OK,” he says. concluded. But there are other sur-
“Now I focus on healthy eating, take prising risk factors. These include
vitamins D and K and calcium, and weight-loss surgery, diabetes, breast
walk every day. My bone density is cancer and air pollution. All are as-
staying stable.” sociated with bone problems, as are
androgen-deprivation therapy (used
Don’s stor y also demonstrates to treat prostate cancer) and corti-
that younger people are at increas- costeroids (used to treat rheumatoid
ing risk. While osteoporosis is most arthritis).
common in women over 60 and men
SAurepnp’lteEmneonutgshAlone

If you've had one broken A study found that about three in
bone, your chances ten postmenopausal women believe
of having another are that simply drinking milk or taking
calcium supplements will prevent
9x broken bones. But research on cal-
cium and its sidekick, vitamin D, is
higher. Ask your doctor mixed. Two recent large reviews of
about a bone-density scan well-designed studies suggest calci-
um and vitamin D don’t reduce frac-
ture risk. But a 2018 study showed
that a higher intake of dairy foods
is associated with higher bone-min-
eral density and vertebral strength
in men.

For now, most experts suggest
getting 1000 to 1200 mg of calcium
and 400 to 4000 IU of vitamin D a
day from food and drinks. (A glass

41

READER’S DIGEST

of milk has 30 per cent of the recom­ Take Bone-Protecting
mended calcium and 25 per cent of DRerucgosmImf Yeonudrs DTohcetmor
the vitamin D.) There is calcium in
cruciferous vegetables such as kale Bisphosphonates, including alen­
and broccoli, canned sardines with dronate (Fosamax) and risedro­
bones, and fortified cereals; salmon, nate (Actonel) reduce the risk of a
tuna and egg yolks have vitamin D fracture by slowing the breakdown
and calcium. of bone cells. They are the most
commonly prescribed drugs for
If you can’t get enough through osteoporosis because they work.
food, Dr Clarke recommends a sup­ Yet these drugs are often a hot topic
plement of 500 mg of calcium, plus for the wrong reasons when new­
600 IU of vitamin D for people under comers join osteoporosis support
70, and 800 IU after age 70. “It’s also groups such as Bone Boosters of New
important to have an overall healthy Mexico. “People are terrified,” says
diet with enough protein and not Marge Peterson, 77, a retired teacher
to overdo alcohol, caffeine, sugary who started the group. “They’ve seen
drinks, or refined carbohydrates,” so much negative publicity and mis­
he adds. information online or have been
scared by other people about side
The average density of effects.”
the femurs of people
There are certainly occasional
AS side effects: bone, joint and muscle
YOUNG pain; nausea; heartburn; and gastric
AS 30 ulcers. More rarely, the drugs can
lead to an erosion of the jawbone;
decreased between one in 10,000 patients may experi­
2005 and 2014 ence a femur fracture. But the risks,
says Dr Andrea Singer, chief medical
officer of the NOF, “are very low, far
lower than the risk for a fracture in
untreated osteoporosis.” Your doctor
might recommend trying ‘drug holi­
days’ or alternative medications.

Some of the newer treatments
show great promise. A game­chang­
ing 2018 study of 2000 women
with osteopenia found that the

42 May 2020

Osteoporosis: An Epidemic of Broken Bones

abaloparatide work differently; they
actually help build new bone.

Even a Little Exercise Helps

30 MINUTES High-impact exercises such as danc-
ing, jogging and jumping rope help
twice a week of high- keep bones strong, but so does walk-
intensity exercise improved ing or using an elliptical machine or
bone density, structure and stair-stepper. Muscle-strengthening
strength in postmenopausal moves work, too, as can yoga.
women with low bone mass
People with osteoporosis used to
bisphosphonate zoledronate (Aclas- be warned against high-impact ex-
ta) reduced the risk of a fracture ercise because of the risk of falls and
by about one third. Raloxifene fractures. But a 2017 study found that
and denosumab (Prolia) are alter- only 30 minutes twice a week of high-
natives to bisphosphonates that intensity exercise improved bone
also help slow the breakdown of density, structure and strength in
bone. Teriparat ide (Forteo) and postmenopausal women with low
bone mass, without adverse effects.
And a recent review found that com-
bining exercise with bone-building
drugs works better than either strat-
egy alone to boost bone density in
people with osteoporosis.

Want to avoid breaking a bone?
One of the best things you can do is
go break a sweat.

Casket Chase

It has all the hallmarks of an only-in-Los Angeles crime: a thief stole
a hearse – with a body inside – then went on a wild ride in March

this year, ending with a police chase and a crash on a busy freeway.
Authorities reported they found the body undisturbed inside a

casket and charged James Juarez, 25, after the crash, which closed
the 110 Freeway during the morning commute.

APNEWS.COM

43

READER’S DIGEST

LIFE’S LIKE THAT

Seeing the Funny Side

Too Many Pastabilities A few blocks later, it hit me: CARTOON BY JON CARTER. ILLUSTRATIONS: GETTY IMAGES
I had the wrong spaghetti sauce.
After I paid for my items in “You’re welcome” is prego.
an adorable Italian shop, the
salesperson smiled and said SUBMITTED BY THERESA TURCOTTE
“Grazie”, which is the Italian for
thank you. Soil Brothers

My Italian isn’t very good, but When I was a young boy, I had a rare
I knew that the Italian word for disease that required me to eat dirt
“you’re welcome” was the same as and grass three times a day in order
the name of a spaghetti sauce. So to survive. It’s a good thing my older
I confidently replied “Ragú!” and brother told me about it.
walked out of the shop.
onelinefun.com
44 may 2020

Life’s Like That

Not as Bad As It Steams THE GREAT TWEET OFF:
DRIVING EDITION
Over dinner, I could sense
something was bothering my Before you get behind the wheel, fuel
mother, so I asked if anything was your laughter with these tweets.
wrong. “Yes,” she admitted. “What’s
all this I hear on the news about Never get into a lane-merging game
banning baking products?” of chicken with a person who has a
garbage bag for a car door window.
I patted her hand reassuringly
and said, “That’s vaping products.” @M E LV I N O F YO R K

SUBMITTED BY JOSEPH MCLAUGHLIN The worst thing about
parallel parking is witnesses.
Weigh to Go
@ARMYVET1972
Something tells me I need to lose
some weight. During a recent trip to How is it that a parking spot gets
visit my son and his family, I stopped paid more per hour than I do?
off at a bakery to pick up dessert.
After scanning the display case, I @MARKEDLY
settled on a dozen cupcakes. The
bakery assistant’s pleasant response: Now that I’ve removed my
“Is that to eat here or to go?” windshield wipers I shouldn’t be
getting any more parking tickets.
SUBMITTED BY MIKE COWAN
MARIAH SCARY
BETWEEN FRIENDS
Somebody actually
I love overhearing pet owners complimented my driving today.
talking to their dogs. Recently,
I was petting a puppy who seemed They left a little note on the
happy until he suddenly growled windshield that said ‘parking fine’.
at me. Alarmed, I got up and left.
@AADIL
As I turned a corner,
I heard his owner 45
quietly reproach
him: “You always
do this, Oscar.
You drive away
all your friends.”

@juliagalef

READER’S DIGEST

ATHE

FACTOR

46 May 2020

ADVENTURE

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES; AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC DIVISION Jane Allen
(left) and

Jesse
Blackadder

Setting a TV series in the frozen realm of Antarctica
requires authenticity. So script writers Jane Allen
and Jesse Blackadder spent three months there

BY Ceridwen Dovey

FROM INNER WORLDS OUTER SPACES

No murders and no monsters. why would you have to manufacture
This was the rule that writers drama where there’s so much psycho-
Jane Allen and Jesse Blackad- logical, emotional stuff going on as it
der set for themselves as they is? A group of people forced to live for

plotted out a TV drama set at Mawson many months in close quarters. And

Station in Antarctica, where they’ve nobody can leave.”

just spent three months as Australian Allen and Blackadder now know

Antarctic Arts Fellows. Much of the firsthand how that feels. The fort-

storytelling inspired by other extreme night-long journey from Hobart

environments – such as the Arctic – aboard the Aurora Australis as it

relies on “contagion, beasts or govern- rammed its way through the pack ice

ment conspiracy”, they told me. “But helped transition them to a simpler

47

READER’S DIGEST

way of life: lingering over meals, night- study the Adélie penguins. The group

ly rounds of board games. A group of was skewed towards early middle age;

around 70 was headed to Davis Sta- most were in their 30s and 40s, with

tion, another permanent Australian a few (like Allen and Blackadder) in

outpost; from there, the smaller Maw- their 50s. Everybody had their own

son crew was transported in groups by bedroom, but bathrooms were shared;

light plane, over the ice plateau, to the cleaning duties were rostered. There

edge of Horseshoe Harbour. was a microbrewery and a bar, a mess

When they arrived at Mawson’s for meals, a living area for evening

‘Red Shed’, Allen and Blackadder darts or card games, and a small cin-

could sense how jarring it was for the ema where each Tuesday night they’d

13 people who’d been living together watch episodes of The Americans.

for nine months to have “this boxful Though it’s the windiest continent

of exuberant puppies” joining them. on the planet, Allen and Blackadder

There were minor issues as they all could look outside – onto a pale-blue

adapted: the new- “JUST A SENSE OF ice cliff, the frozen
comers soon became harbour, icebergs

aware how loud they THIS GREAT BIG dotted on the hori-
seemed to the win- TIMELESS PLACE, zon – and see not a
terers, who at first AND STILLNESS” thing moving. “Just
kept mainly to them- a sense of this great

selves; the use of a big timeless place,

favourite armchair and stillness.” But the

had to be renegotiated. They quickly 24-hour sunlight was disorientating;

learned to avoid letting the heavy fire everybody sleeps badly in summer.

doors slam shut – a pet peeve of Maw- Soon the new arrivals were initiated

son veterans. into the most joyful aspects of station

In the 29-person team of summer life: the warmth and pageantry of the

residents there were 21 tradespeo- social gatherings. At the welcome bar-

ple – carpenters, plumbers, diesel becue, held outdoors, there was lamb

mechanics, electricians – because on a spit, beers chilling in the ice, a

keeping the station running and pow- badminton tournament and people

ered is such a huge task. Allen and (ill-advisedly) wearing shorts.

Blackadder expected more scientists Another surprise was the food. The

but much of the science at Mawson chef was up at 3.30am daily, baking

is done remotely. Only seven of the fresh bread. She created delicious

team were women, among them the dishes like vegetarian risotto and pro-

chef, the doctor, the station leader fiteroles in spite of the challenges: no

and one of the two scientists there to resupplies for the whole season, and

48 May 2020