Today’s blog centers around the idea of expiration. Let’s face facts. Everything in existence will eventually expire. Everything from a food item, medication, a job, a contract, and although tough to think about, the people we love as well as ourselves, will all one day expire. What exactly is that date of expiration?
EEEOOOWWW
Recently John and I returned home from a short trip. After unpacking, I opened the fridge to see what the dinner possibilities were. Eeeooowww! I nearly passed out from the stench emitting from the fridge. After opening every container, I discovered leftover fried rice has a shorter shelf life than I recall. Who knew?
EXPIRED FOOD
After doing a little research, I found out the expiration date or “sell by” date (which incidentally is a guideline for stores to switch their inventory) on any given food items are actually just guidelines. Like everything else, there are exceptions to every rule. Most food is perfectly good past their expiration date. It is suggested that perhaps we should stop wasting so much food simply due to an expiration date. Check your items carefully. I read that the FDA says that food is not necessarily dangerous past their “sell by” date or their “best used by” date. It is merely a suggestion.
WHAT ABOUT MEDICINE?
Interestingly, I read that medication can still be taken even after its expiration date. I did some research and found the FDA added expiration dates back in 1979 to be 1-5 years beyond the date of manufacture. Taking it before the date of expiration guarantees 100% potency. I confess to taking medication past the expiration date and am alive to tell about it. Taking medication beyond the expiration date, (if stored in a cool dry place) is thought to not be unsafe and only slightly less effective. Consider there is probably a change in chemical composition that could prove dangerous. Heed what the FDA has to say then decide if you should take Advil from the jumbo jug you bought at Costco 10 years ago!
THINGS THAT DO EXPIRE
Your body changes daily. As the matter of fact, I read that by the time you finish reading this sentence, 50 million of your cells will have died and been replaced by others. Why are fat cells so stubborn? If you were given a glowing report of good health in the past, don’t assume that is true for all time. That report will change and expire. Even those with the best of intentions who try to be health conscious, eat reasonably well, and exercise may not be granted good health from one year to the next. There is a reason yearly physical exams are recommended.
HDD
It is important to have your overall health monitored and have those exams and testing done to be on the safe side. Early detection saves lives. Remember that diagnostic ultrasound can detect things that lie beneath the surface. If ultrasound is indicated call at 505-363-8489.