Posts Tagged ‘Vitamin C’
Seniors Can Preempt Winter Colds & Flu.
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As seniors age the strength of their immune systems begin to decline from a number of causes including chronic stress, poor nutrition, and previous illnesses. A weakened immune system can render seniors susceptible to coming down with simple colds, but these colds can progress to more serious illnesses such as full-blown pneumonia. For example, pneumonia and influenza continue to be one of the leading causes of death among Americans 65 years of age and older. Along the same line a weakened immune system will make a senior over 60 years of age very susceptible to suffering from outbreaks of shingles. Suffering from shingles is not life threatening like pneumonia, but it is very painful while it is active so that it deprives seniors of the enjoyment of their senior years.
The good news for seniors is that there are ways to achieve an immune system boost against colds, flu and cold facilitated pneumonia. Unlike the flu vaccines that target specific flu viruses, other means are available for building immune system that can defend against any cold or flu virus. A polysaccharide called beta-glucan that is derived from yeast can provide a powerful immune system boost. Similarly vitamin C is one of the vitamins to boost immune system, because it replaces the vitamin C typically lost during infections. The mineral zinc is needed for building the immune system.
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Reduce Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
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Recent research in Europe and the United States has uncovered some results that are good news for seniors who are concerned about protecting their eyes by reducing their risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. In one study which involved over 4,500 high risk patients between the ages of 55 to 80 that was conducted by the National Eye Institute the researchers found that supplementing with several well-known anti-oxidants reduced the risk of developing advanced levels of macular degeneration. The supplements included the anti-oxidants beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and the minerals zinc and copper which balanced the zinc.
In other research reported in the American Journal of Ophthamology, researchers reported that that patients suffering from macular degeneration were very low in their blood levels of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). These same patients were also at a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality. The researchers are currently continuing their research in order to determine the importance of restoring optimal hormonal balance in addition to providing nutrients that foster healthy eyes. A positive result would very likely lead to a path that would prevent and possibly even reverse the progress of macular degeneration.
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Seniors Can Reduce the Risk of Diabetes
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A recent study in Europe reported that folks who had a higher level of vitamin C in their systems had a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study included more than 21,000 participants who began the study as nondiabetic participants. At the start of the study their vitamin C levels were measured and they answered dietary questionaires. At the end of the study which lasted lasted 12 years slightly more than 300 woman and 400 men had developed diabetes. In terms of the levels of risk of developing diabetes, those participants who ranked in the top 20% of the vitamin C levels had more than a 60% lower risk of developing diabetes when compared with those in the lowest 20%. In addition those with the higher intakes of fruits and vegetables showed lower risks of developing diabetes compared with those with the lower intakes of vegetables and fruits. The researchers concluded that the results of this study provides strong evidence of the benefits of vitamin C along with a high intake of fruits and vegetables for lowering the risk of developing diabetes. This is wonderful news for seniors who are concerned about fostering senior health by lowering their risk of developing diabetes.
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The Red Super Food
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It is well known that certain members of the berry family are super stars when it comes to nutrition. One member of that family stands out from the rest, because of its sheer potency for fighting a variety of diseases and health issues. The good news is that the popular strawberry provides such a variety of health benefits from improving heart health to combating inflammation. It is known to protect cognitive function which is so important for senior living. Strawberries can deliver these diverse health benefits, because of their dense phenol content. The bright red color of strawberries is due to the presence of phenols known as anthocyanins. The anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants that defend the organs of the body. Another phenol found in large amounts in strawberries are known as ellagitannin that has antioxidant and anti-proliferative poperties. Strawberries are high in vitamin C, folate and potassium which when combined with the ellagitannin and anthocyanins put them near the top of the list among fruits for antioxidants. The list for strawberries goes on to include flavonoids, querctin, and catechin which when combined with phenols and antioxidants makes them a top performer in terms of cancer-fighting and heart disease-fighting capability. This is good news for seniors who are looking for nutritional paths to take preemptive aging steps against cardiovascular disease.
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