Hoping for good mental and physical health in your senior years? It may be as simple as A-B-C—or rather, C, D and E! These three vitamins are the focus of two recent studies on how we can head off common health issues associated with aging. At Harvard Medical School,...
aging
Lutein shines in aging vision trials
Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in aging Western societies. Cataracts occur when protein in the eye lens becomes damaged, clouding vision. Two recent studies indicate that lutein, a type of carotenoid, can actually help...
Older women need calcium and D
Deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D are common in older individuals, particularly those who live in nursing homes. These deficiencies increase the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. Recent studies show supplementation can decrease this risk and provide...
Anti-aging Essentials: the top three
Oxidation, or free-radical damage, is the main force behind what we call aging. It wrinkles our skin, clouds our vision and may even clog our arteries. It can also lead to diseases such as arthritis, cataracts, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and cancer. Free radicals get...
Fish Oils a Smart Choice: Study shows omega-3 keeps IQ sharp in old age
Want to stay smart into your old age? Consider eating more oily fish or taking fish oil supplements, suggest researchers from Scotland. They found that people who eat oily fish or take fish oil supplements score 13% higher in IQ tests and are less likely to show early...
Curb Cancer Risk: Nine guidelines to help older women avoid disease
Post-menopausal women who follow recommended dietary and lifestyle guidelines may reduce their risk of developing and dying from cancer, say researchers. Conversely, those women who followed one or none of nine recommended guidelines for diet and lifestyle had a 35%...
Action and Antioxidants to help avoid Alzheimer’s
Our improved understanding of how to maintain normal brain health is providing tantalizing clues about what may prevent or reduce the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), according to Marilyn Albert, PhD, a leading authority on risk factors and AD. "The...
Think Ginkgo: Longer-term study shows memory benefits from herb
Researchers at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute found significant improvement in verbal recall among a group of people with age-associated memory impairment who took the herbal supplement ginkgo biloba for six months when compared with a group that received a...
Help for Cataracts: Lutein supplements prove beneficial yet again
Lutein is a naturally occurring plant pigment found in a number of plant foods, including corn, spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, peas, leeks and collard greens. When we ingest lutein, whether through foods or supplements, it concentrates in a section of the eye called...
Fountains of Youth? Key ingredients in Mediterranean diet can extend life
Scientists from Harvard Medical School and Biomol research laboratory in Philadelphia report that two natural substances may hold the key to why those who eat a “Mediterranean diet” seem to be healthier and to live longer. Resveratrol is a polyphenol abundant in red...