Posts Tagged ‘Circulatory system’
Walk Frequently for Senior Health.
- Image by gretchichi via Flickr
The latest statistics show that about 50% of American adults to not engage in exercise despite the common knowledge that exercise is very beneficial for a healthy life. Seniors who are concerned about taking preemptive aging steps to foster their senior health need to take the big important step of exercising frequently. It turns out that one of the simplest exercises that many seniors can perform is walking. For seniors even walking slowly can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Obviously walking farther, faster, and more frequently will provide greater benefits for senior health. It turns out that walking is a generally ideal exercise for many seniors, because it can be tailored to each person’s ability and needs.
Walking at any level of exertion will increase breathing and heart rate which will improve the health of the entire circulatory system including the heart. Walking regularly will generally improve balance, coordination, and leg muscle strength. A recent study reported that very senior men who walked more than two miles a day reduced their risk of dying by 50% compared with those who walked less than a mile every day. It turns out that walking which improves cardiovascular health usually results in attaining a healthy weight, because obesity is the enemy of good health. Obesity is linked to cardiovascular disease and many cancers. Among the cancers that strike seniors breast cancer afflicts women and prostate cancer afflicts men. Walking can promote a healthy weight, prostate health in men, and breast health in women.
Why Black Beans Are a Super Healthy Food
- Image by gtrwndr87 via Flickr
Why have black beans which are a plain simple food been a staple in the diet of folks in Central and South America for more than 7,000 years? It turns out that the folks in those regions figured out long ago that this plain simple black bean is a nutritional powerhouse. They are sometimes called the ‘poor man’s meat’, because by combining them with rice or corn which are complementary grains you get a protein that is low-calorie, but it is basically fat-free and full of a large range of nutrients. For example the polyphenols in black beans assist in preventing the oxidation of cholesterol which short circuits artheroschlerosis. This is good news for seniors, because blocking artheroschlerosis is a prime requirement for preventing cardiovascular disease.
In addition to the polyphenols, black beans contribute magnesium that improves circulation of blood and oxygen to the entire body which is another plus for senior’s cardiovascular health. The high fiber content of black beans helps to prevent heart disease and heads off digestive disorders. Their high folate content also helps guard against heart attacks. Finally, another major contribution provided by black beans is their high concentration of cancer-fighting antioxidants. This is certainly good news for seniors who are trying to find preemptive aging means to improve their senior health.
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Nothing Fishy About This Healthy Food!
- Image via Wikipedia
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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Draino For Your Arteries
- Image by bardgabbard via Flickr
One of the major health hazards that seniors face is clogged arteries that reduce blood circulation and can result in heart attacks. Relief may be available by adding a green vegetable to your diet to improve your cardiovascular health. In a recent study in London that was funded by a British Heart Foundation researchers discovered that a compound found in broccoli provided protection against clogging of arteries. The compound that protected arteries from clogging is called sulforaphane.
Sulforaphane is found naturally in boroccoli. It turns out that sulforophane is capable of activating a key protein that prevents clogging of arteries. In the absence of sulforophane the key protein, Nrf2, is inactive which allows the part of the arteries that are vulnerable to become clogged. The sulforophane used in the research was a purified form that allowed the researchers to highlight the protective effect on arteries. The next stage of the research will be focused on determining the effect of the sulforophane as it is found naturally in vegetables such as broccoli.
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Can Vitamin B6 Lower Heart Attack Risk for Women?
- Image via Wikipedia
In a recent ongoing study of woman’s health the effect of vitamin B6 or the lack of it in the blood stream was found to correlate with heart attacks or myocardial infarctions. The study took into consideration age, smoking status and other factors. The blood tests of the women in the study revealed higher levels of the form of vitamin B6 found in circulation for those that did not have heart attacks. A quarter of all the women in the study that high the highest level had their risk of suffering a heart attack reduced by more than 75%. In the case of women over 60 years of age with the highest level their risk was reduced by more than 60% which is very encouraging for promoting cardiovascular health for senior women.
The researchers who conducted the study noted that their findings are consistent with previous studies that showed that vitamin B6 was a cofactor in converting homocysteine to cysteine. Reducing levels of homocysteine is known to be critical in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study is apparently the first to research the relationship of vitamin B6 levels with the risk of heart attack in postmenopausal women.
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