Archive for December, 2009
Dynamic Combo Defeats Atherosclerosis
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The nutrition health literature is full of reports about the health benefits of drinking green tea. The polyphenols in green tea are known to contribute to cardiovascular health. Olive oil which is used in the Mediterranean diet is known to contribute to preventing cardiovascular disease. In a recent study olive oil and green tea polyphenols were used in lab tests to study the heart healthy effects of olive oil versus the effects of combining olive oil with green tea polyphenols. Earlier research had shown that consuming extra-virgin olive oil raised the level of the beneficial high-density lipoprotein (HDL) which benefits cardiovascular health by removing potentially harmful cholesterol from the bloodstream. Olive oil is known to produce a second heart healthy effect which is the reduction of lipid peroxidation.
In the study olive oil increased the removal of cholesterol by more than 40%. When the extra-virgin olive oil was combined with the green tea polyphenols the cholesterol removal was increased by more than 135% compared with a placebo. In terms of reducing atheriosclerosis, olive oil by itself reduced the size of the atherioschlerotic lesions by more than 10% and the dynamic combo of olive oil and green tea polyphenols achieved a 20% reduction.
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Staying in Shape and Having Fun
Although contact sports are clearly off limits, there are a number of games that can be played well into middle age and beyond. Tennis, for example, is often touted as a heart-healthy pastime that is one of many cardiovascular activities for seniors. A good doubles match can help you maintain your competitive edge while also indulging your social side. But don’t forget about one of the most important aspects of a solid tennis technique: flexibility.
It takes a considerable degree of flexibility to reach low volley and hit fast-paced serves. As such, you need to give your joints a high-quality workout, just as you would your heart and lungs. By incorporating some yoga flexibility training into your everyday fitness regimen, you can ensure that you’re in great shape when it comes time to hit the court.
Seniors Need More Vitamin B-12
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Recent research has identified a serious vitamin B-12 deficiency among many seniors. The researchers estimated that as many as 40% of Americans have low levels of vitamin B-12. Making matters worse some of the drugs used to reduce stomach acid tend to increase the deficiency. In fact more than 20% of seniors over the age of 65 suffer from severe B-12 deficiency. Unfortunately the symptoms of B-12 deficiency may go undetected, because they are subtle. B-12 deficiency has been identified as a link to age-related dementia, cognitive impairment, and depression. Even mild B-12 deficiency may be a contributor to Alzheimer’s disease. Getting adequate B-12 in their diet is obviously a preemptive aging measure that will contribute to senior health.
On the positive side B-12 plays a critical role in breaking down homocystene that contributes heavily to the development of a number of chronic diseases including heart disease, stroke, and rheumatoid arthritis. It turns out that B-12 works synergistically with folic acid to reduce high levels of homocystene. Getting absorption of adequate amounts of B-12 can be a problem for seniors, because of changes in the stomach linings of seniors. This absorption problem means that eating foods that contain B-12 such as meat, milk, and eggs will not help. Taking oral supplements of B-12 may not succeed either, because it is not adequately absorbed. Taking B-12 by injection has its own limitations. Two other approaches offer hope for achieving adequate absorption by seniors. B-12 can be taken sublingually or by one of the newer oral supplements.
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Olive Oil Completes the Mediterranean Diet
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The health benefits of the Mediterranean diet are well known and many folks have adopted the foods that are the basis for it. We know that it is loaded with fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Mediterranean diet is probably the ultimate diet necessary to benefit preemptive aging. What is not as well known is that the component that together with the other foods is the source of many of the Mediterranean diet’s health benefits. It turns out that particular compounds in olive oil, namely the olive oil polyphenols, contribute greatly to the diet’s health benefits.
The history of the Mediterranean diet stretches back thousands of years and its health benefits are well documented. This diet is rich in fresh vegetables and fruits, fish, wine, lean meat, whole grains and especially olive oil. The benefits have been documents over many years up to the present time. The health benefits include a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower incidences of cancers, and neurological disorders. Recent research has verified that the polyphenols in olive oil, combined with the omega-3 from fish and resveratrol from red wine work synergistically to produce the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet.
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Black Tea Aids Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
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The health literature is full of glowing reports about the many health benefits of drinking green tea, but what about the other tea, black tea? It turns out that it can provide a number of health benefits, too. Both types of tea contain polyphenols that are generally regarded as the substance that has been source of the teas’ historic ability to alleviate a wide range of medical ailments. Recent university research on nutrition reported that the polysccharides from black tea might moderate the spike in sugar levels that typically follow a meal. This report is good news for folks who are struggling to manage pre-diabetes or diabetes.
The researchers studied three types of tea including black, green, and oolong tea. All three were rich in polysaccharides, but they discovered that the black tea’s polysaccharides had a unique feature that made it better suited to support the body’s own function that reduces the spike in glucose levels in the blood after a meal. The lower molecular weight of the black tea’s polysaccharides is suspected to be the cause of its enhanced ability to lower the post meal spike in the glucose levels. Based on this research black tea has the potential to provide a natural glucose inhibitor against diabetes that will be a genuine benefit to senior health. For seniors drinking black tea after meals can provide a preemptive aging effect against diabetes.
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Nothing Fishy About This Healthy Food!
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For seniors who are concerned about eating foods that are healthy for them this particular food is a real powerhouse. It is just loaded with nutritional benefits including protein, potassium, coenzyme CoQ10, and a long list of other nutritional winners that energize senior health. It is one of the very best sources of the heart-healthy omega-3 oils that benefit the heart and the circulatory system as a first line of defense against cardiovascular disease. Additional advantages include providing anti-inflamatory benefits and nourishing healthy skin. Seniors who are concerned about maintaining healthy bones can depend on it, because it is rich in vitamin D and calcium.
The key to its anti-aging power resides in its rich source of anti-aging proteins called nucleotides that help our bodies repair and rebuild tissues. These nucleotides provide a substantial immune system boost as well. Foods that are rich in nucleotides include brewer’s yeast, anchovies, and oysters, but the food that is number one in anti-aging nucleotides is sardines. This is good news for seniors who are concerned about improving their health by eating the foods that have both high nutritional value and strong anti-aging benefits. The genuine sardines are caught in the Mediterranean waters. They make a tasty snack when served with lemon juice and olive oil according to the preferences of the folks consuming them.
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Strengthen Immune System
Most of us are all conscious of staying healthy enough to perform our responsibilities well. With flu season upon us, it is time to start taking extra measures to ensure our health. One of the best ways to do this is by taking supplements and medications when are first starting to feel sick, so we can get better quickly.
An immune system boost can be achieved by paying attention to these factors:
~A balanced, healthy diet
~Regular exercise and adequate sleep
~Vitamin and mineral supplementation
~Periodic medical checkups