Category: Nutrition

1 in 10 Age Gracefully: Dietary Habits Matter

August 6, 2024

“Harvard research highlights link between midlife dietary habits and successful aging.

We all aspire to age gracefully, but a recent study reveals that fewer than 1 in 10 people can live free of disease while maintaining good physical, cognitive, and mental health past the age of 70. The study indicates that adhering to a healthy diet during midlife may boost your chances of achieving healthy aging.

In terms of particular foods, the researchers found that higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, unsaturated fats, nuts, legumes, and low-fat dairy were associated with greater odds of healthy aging, while higher intakes of trans fat, sodium, total meats, red and processed meats were associated with a lower odds of healthy aging.”

Read the full August 5, 2024 article at SciTechDaily.com

Healthy Banana Smoothie Recipe

August 5, 2024

Quick Banana Smoothie

The perfect no added sugar, easy solution to satisfy a sweet tooth. A healthy and nutritious snack for all ages.

Recipe Ingredients

  • 1 ripe medium size banana chilled
  • 1 cup cold reduced fat milk

Instructions

  • Peel banana. Discard skin.
  • Cut banana into small rounds.
  • Place banana into either a food processor or blender.
  • Add a small amount of milk to begin processing.
  • Slowly add remainder of milk.
  • Continue to process until mixture is thick and creamy.
  • Pour into tall glass or cup.

Calories

There are about 105 calories in 1 medium banana and 130 calories in 1 cup reduced fat milk. Total calories is approximately 235.

Note

For extra thickness add another banana. Be sure to use a ripe banana. If not, the smoothie will taste starchy instead of sweet. To lower the calorie count use nonfat milk instead. Vegan milk is also suitable.

Healthy Diet with Less Sugar Is Linked to Younger Biological Age/Study

August 5, 2024

Aging researchers are finally catching up with holistic medicine on the topic of the harmful effects of added dietary sugar.

William Dufty’s book, Sugar Blues released in 1975, is a dietary classic that discusses the prevalence of sugar in the American diet, and its deleterious effect on human health.

The bottom line is to avoid adding sugar to your food, or buying food with added sugar. You’ll have to read food labels and understand the various names for added sugar.

The best way to get sugar is to consume food in its natural state. An obvious example is eating ripened fruit such as a banana. If you combine a ripe banana with milk you’ve got a very sweet drink known as a smoothie. All the sweetener you need is provided by Mother Nature.

Read the entire July 29, 2024 article from UCSF.edu.

Longevity Advice for Older Adults From A Geriatric Specialist

August 2, 2024

Keys To Longevity for Older Adults: How To Age Well is an article appearing in UCHealth.org that discusses important medical advice not only useful for people over 50, but every adult who wants to attain healthy longevity.

Dr. Thomas Johnson, a specialist in geriatric medicine at the University of Colorado Seniors Clinic, encourages his patients to focus on the greatest quality of life during the years they have left.

Many of his patients want to live to one hundred. Dr. Johnson advises them to think of aging in a healthy and active way. He recommends exercise, fitness and the Mediterranean diet.

The article covers topics such as Blue Zones, the use of alcohol, nutritional supplements, and longevity drugs.

Read the entire August 1, 2024, article from UC Health.org.

Healthy Eating and Anti-Aging: The Sugar Connection

July 30, 2024

A recent study appearing the the journal JAMA Network Open found that middle-aged women eating a healthy diet had ‘younger-looking ‘ cells than women who consume processed foods high in added sugar.

Added sugars are sugars that are added to food during production, rather than natural sugars present in fruits, vegetables and dairy. The study concluded that excessive intake of added sugars limits healthy longevity.

Cutting the sugary goodies from your diet improves the odds of not only living longer, but living longer and healthier.

Read the entire article from July 30, 2024 LiveScience.com.