Berries for brain health
Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and other berry fruits have been shown to help the brain stay healthy and may even help prevent age-related memory loss.
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Cognitive abilities linked to diet and nutrients
Elderly people who had diets higher in levels of vitamins B, C, D & E and Omega-3 fatty acids did better on mental acuity tests and showed less brain shrinkage than those who ate a diet consisting of junk food, according to research by scientists from the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Ore., and the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.
Brain shrinkage is typical of Alzheimer’s disease. Previous studies hinted at the role that nutrition may play in staving off the disease, but this study, the first of its kind, measured 30 different blood nutrient levels, reflecting a much wider range of nutrients, and adds specificity to the findings.
“This approach clearly shows the biological and neurological activity that’s associated with actual nutrient levels, both good and bad,” said Maret Traber, a principal investigator with the Linus Pauling Institute and co-author on the study.
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Apples linked with keeping muscles strong into old age
A component of apple peels just might keep the doctor away. Ursolic acid, a natural compound found in the peel, is believed to correct gene signatures that lead to muscle atrophy, according to findings from the University of Iowa.
When ursolic acid was added to the food of normal mice for a period of weeks, their muscles grew. The animals also became leaner and had lower blood levels of glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides.
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Regular exercise provides anti-aging effect
In a study conducted by researchers from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, genetically-disadvantaged mice that were forced to run a treadmill for 45 minutes several times a week were noted to be more youthful and healthier than a control group of mice that didn’t exercise.
The startling anti-aging effects on the mice were noted in every part of the body, including the hair, skin, ovaries, testicles, spleen, kidneys, and liver. The control group had damaged musculature but it appeared normal in the exercising mice.
Both groups of mice were genetically engineered to age faster due to a defect in a gene; however, despite this genetic defect, the mitochondria – the part of the living cell which has its own DNA and is thought to accumulate mutations that lead to aging – appeared young and healthy in the exercise group.
“Many people falsely believe that the benefits of exercise will be found in a pill,” said Dr. Tarnopolsky, principal investigator of the study and a professor of pediatrics and medicine of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. “We have clearly shown that there is no substitute for the “real thing” of exercise when it comes to protection from aging.”
Adeel Safdar, lead author and a senior PhD student working with Tarnopolsky said: “I believe that we have very compelling evidence that clearly show that endurance exercise is a lifestyle approach that improves whole body mitochondrial function which is critical for reducing morbidity and mortality. Exercise truly is the fountain of youth.”
Optimism may ensure good health later in life
The notion that having a positive outlook can manifest long-lasting changes is often rejected as wishful thinking, but observations by one developmental expert are making it clear that optimism does have at least a positive effect on how we age.
“We all age. It is how we age, however, that determines the quality of our lives,” said Anthony Ong of Cornell University, author of a recent article that describes his review of data suggesting positive emotions may be a powerful preventive to stress, pain, and chronic illness later in life.
Ong says that people with a positive attitude tend to make healthier choices, such as sticking with an exercise regimen, getting adequate sleep, and avoiding unhealthy habits, such as smoking.
Stress, a common risk factor for many chronic diseases that develop as we age, can be avoided by having an optimistic attitude — studies have found that people with stronger positive emotions have lower levels of chemicals associated with inflammation related to stress. Also, by adopting a positive attitude people may even be able to undo some of the physical damage caused by stress.
Grape compound resveratrol increases beneficial fat hormone
Intake of resveratrol has been found to increase the beneficial hormone called adiponectin, a hormone derived from cells that manufacture and store fat, according to researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.
Both adiponectin and resveratrol display anti-obesity, anti-insulin resistance and anti-aging properties.
Other recent positive studies of resveratrol show that it has anti-inflammatory properties and suppresses free radicals, may prevent some blinding diseases, and may neutralize the toxic effects of proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Resveratrol is a compound produced naturally by several plants when under attack by pathogens such as bacteria or fungi, and is found in the skin of red grapes and red wine. It also is produced by chemical synthesis derived primarily from Japanese knotweed and is sold as a nutritional supplement.
Polyphenols in green tea protect against degenerative brain diseases and cancer
The polyphenols found in green tea have recently been shown to provide protection against Alzheimer’s, dementia, and cancer. They do so because of their neuroprotective properties, in which they bind with the toxic compounds, such as hydrogen peroxide and a protein known as beta-amyloid, and protect brain cells.
“What was really exciting about this study was that we found when green tea is digested by enzymes in the gut, the resulting chemicals are actually more effective against key triggers of Alzheimer’s development than the undigested form of the tea,” explains Dr. Okello, based in the School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development at Newcastle University.
They also found the digested polyphenols to be effective in stunting the development of tumor cells.
Dr. Okello explained how crucial it is to understand if compounds even work within the body once digested. “Just because the food we put into our mouths is generally accepted to contain health-boosting properties, we can’t assume these compounds will ever be absorbed by the body.”