Throughout the world rice is the most commonly eaten grain. Here is the USA white rice is the most commonly consumed form. Its advantages are that it cooks up more quickly than the whole-grain forms of rice. It has a longer shelf life and it is usually less chewy, too. On the negative side white rice loses nutrients due to processing. To replace those nutrients white rice in the US is enriched with folate, iron, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin. By way of contrast whole-grain rice naturally contains all or even more of the vitamins and minerals used to enrich white rice. In addition whole-grain rice contains more soluble and insoluble fiber, more protein, and best of all it contains a range of phytochemicals that contain antioxidant compounds. These antioxidant compounds can make very important contributions to preemptive aging for seniors, because they protect against inflammation. Reducing inflammation is a key goal of improving senior health.
In terms of flavor whole-grain rice has a nuttier flavor compared with white rice. In terms of variety whole-grain rice comes in three different types identified by color. The three varieties of whole-grain rice are brown, red and black and they are all gluten free for folks who need that requirement. Whole-grain rice can be prepared in a wide variety of ways to please any palate. For example instead of cooking with water other liquids such as chicken stock or apple juice can be used. Adding herbs or spices in the preparation of whole-grain rice is another way to literally spice up its preparation. Before adding the rice to the cooking liquid simply mix up the herbs and spices in teaspoon of olive oil and after letting the mix infuse then add it to the cooking liquid.

The hardest substance in the human body is not skeletal bone, but tooth enamel. The enamel on teeth is a thin layer of calcified material that covers the crown of each tooth. This enamel is the defense against tooth decay, so it is important to protect it from damage. Folks who take good care to maintain their teeth by brushing after meals and flossing may still face serious tooth decay issues as they age. To prevent tooth decay seniors need to know what to look out for and what they can do to encourage an environment in their mouths that is friendly to the enamel of their teeth.
It turns out that the saliva in our mouths can provide an excellent defense against the acids and other chemicals found in what we eat and drink. In fact saliva is necessary to provide the repair function needed against the first stages of tooth decay. Saliva works to protect our tooth enamel by supplying high levels of calcium and phosphate particles to enhance the protection of the enamel. Both the phosphate and calcium help slow the loss of tooth enamel and aid in rebuilding it. The second player that can enhance the activity of saliva to protect tooth enamel is fluoride. Many tooth pastes contain fluoride which helps harden tooth enamel against decay. Adding fluoride toothpaste to daily dental hygiene can provide a real boost to the dental sector of senior health.

As we age our digestive systems begin to degrade gracefully or not so gracefully. This degradation of our digestive systems is partly due to a reduction in the beneficial probiotic microorganisms and digestive enzymes. With reduced enzymes and probiotics we can not complete the digestion of the food we eat. Symptoms of incomplete digestion include bloating, gas inflammatory conditions, and vitamin deficiencies. This age-related decrease in the enzymes produced in our stomach, pancreas, and intestines can result in reducing the amount of vitamins and minerals that our bodies need. These reductions can negatively affect our immune systems and our general health.
Age-related decreases in probiotics and enzymes that are friendly to our digestive system cause a second negative effect. Fewer friendly enzymes and probiotics upset the delicate balance in our digestive system between the beneficial and pathogenic bacteria. In order to reestablish the balance in our digestive systems, folks can supplement with good quality enzyme supplements taken with meals. Many who have taken this supplement path have found it to be effective in avoiding the negative consequences that result from the imbalance. In order to be effective a probiotic needs to meet several criteria. They must arrive alive, they must be able to survive in the digestive tract, and they must multiply once they reach the intestinal tract. The benefits of successful supplementing have improved the conditions of folks who were suffering from conditions including Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, and both kinds of arthritis. This is very good news for improving digestive health and providing an immune system boost.