Simple Suggestions For Healthier Living

By Health Reporter Bonnie Jean

Now more than ever, due to education and research, prompted by an ever increasing public awareness of the importance of good health, our lives are in our own hands rather than in our genes, our luck, or the stars. 70% of the factors influencing life expectancy can be attributed to thoughtful, healthy lifestyle choices. Following is a list of suggestions given by notable doctors and researchers, studying aging, exercise and nutrition. These doctors are also incorporating this advice into their own lives.

Try to maintain the weight you were at 18 (assuming it was a healthy weight)

Leaness is important as fat cells can be damaging in many ways. They can produce hormones that can raise the risk of Type 2 diabetes. They also make substances known as cytokines that cause inflammation and may increase stiffening arteries of the heart and other organs. Walter Willett, MD chair of the department of nutrition at the Harvard school of public health explains, "Next to not smoking, this is probably the most important thing we can do to stay healthy and live longer" Try to aim for a body mass of about 23.5 Willett dutifully adheres to the BMI of his youth.

The Dynamic Duo

Bruce N. Ames, PhD, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of California, Berkeley, swears by his "dynamic duo" of supplements- 800 mg. of alpha lipoic acid and 2,000 mg. of acetyl-L-carnitine. "These increase the energy output of mitochondria which powers our cells" says Ames. Mitiochondrial decay has been linked to diseases such as Alzheimers and diabetes. Clinical trials are currently underway with human subjects and results look promising.

Double up on your D

Surprisingly, doctors and researchers have found that no other nutrient is so widely deficient in the U.S. than Vitamin D. Dr. Meir Stampfer, MD, chair of the department of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health states, "Unless you eat a lot of fish, you will have to take a supplement." Dr. Stampfer takes 1,800 iu daily in winter and 800 to 1,200 daily the rest of the year. Vitamin D is made in the skin when exposed to sunlight. A lack of D raises the risk of osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis and various cancers. According to the American Journal of hypertension, Dr. Robert Scragg of the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and colleagues found as blood levels of the vitamin drop, blood pressure increases. Vitamin D levels can easily be increased by a modest increase in sun exposure or Vitamin D supplementation.

Get a pet

Pet ownership increases survival rate after a heart attack , wards off depression, and can also protect against high blood pressure, says James Serpell Phd, director of the Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society at the University of Pennsylvania. Studies in women have shown that the presence of a dog had more of an effect on lowering blood pressure than the presence of humans. Some dogs can be specially trained to recognize the onset of seizures in people with diseases such as epilepsy. Often anxiety is reduced and dopamine and serotonin are released with the pleasure and love an animal brings. Choose carefully, there's nothing relaxing about a pet who will damage your home or create havoc.
http://www.peteducation.com

Dine on Curry

Turmeric, the spice that gives curry it's yellow color is loaded with curcumin, a chemical with potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It's been proven to ease the pain of arthritis, and certain digestive orders. It is widely used in East Asia for health care, food preservation, even as a yellow dye for textiles. Since the time of Ayerveda (1900 B.C.) numerous therapeutic activities have been assigned to turmeric. In India, it is often smeared on bandages to help heal wounds. In Okinawa Japan, turmeric tea is commonly drank, and there they have the longest life spans in the world. You can take curcumin supplements of 500 mg.-1000 mg. if you don't care for the taste.

Look out for your eyes

Foods or supplements rich in omega 3's may help ward off age-related macular degeneration. Plant anti-oxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin ( found in green leafy vegetables) are also helpful. Good supplements to take for healthy eyes are 500 mg. Vitamin C, 400 mg. Vitamin E, 80 mg. zinc, 15 mg. beta carotene and 2 mg. copper. This according to John Paul SanGiavanni, ScD a staff scientist at the National Eye Institute.

Here are the top 7 steps for a healthier you

* Take brisk walks
* Keep your waist trim
* Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables
* Strength train a few times a week
* Get enough sleep (7 -8 hours nightly)
* Manage your stress
* Keep a positive outlook

These are just a few simple but potentially life changing additions that could help make the world a better place, 1 person at a time, starting with you.

Nutraceutical Research

A growing body of evidence shows how nutraceuticals may offer many advantages for the future of medicine.

• Carotenoids
• Colostrum
• Cranberry
• Elderberry Extract
• Fucoidans, Alginates, Laminarines
• Glyconutrients
• Lo Han Kuo
• Lotus Seed
• Polyphenols

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