AGEE R ASE RS
Breaking News on Staying YouKng THE MAGIC OF VITAMIN K One of the keys to a long life is having good insulin sensitivity (meaning your body doesn’t produce wild swings in blood sugar after you eat, a condition that leads to diabetes). New research from Tufts University found that vitamin K—a nutrient found in brussels sprouts, broccoli, and dark, leafy greens—helps keep insulin levels in check. The researchers recommend eating five or more servings of these vegetables a week.
SMART MOUTH
People with gum disease have worse mental functioning than those whose gums are healthy,
according to a U.K. study. The researchers had 6,693 adults in their twenties through seventies
take cognitive performance tests. They found that, regardless of age, those with bleeding gums or
tooth problems caused by inflamed gums scored worse. This finding suggests that system-wide
inflammation due to gum disease causes damage to white matter in the brain, resulting in deficits
in mental function. Flossing every day will help keep your gums healthy and your mind sharp.
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A Longevity Mystery
Recent research reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reveals that there
are other ways to increase your omega- 3 levels without downing more fish-oil pills or
loading up on sardines. The study, known as IMMIDIET, was funded by the European
Union and tracked the diets and health of 1,600 people from Italy, Belgium, and the U.K.
The researchers found that people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol (i.e., two
drinks a day for men) have higher concentrations of omega- 3 fatty acids in their blood,
independent of their fish consumption. The mechanism isn’t clear, but the researchers
did find that the association is strongest for wine drinkers, so the antioxidant properties
of wine’s polyphenols might have something to do with it.
Nature’s Viagra
Good news for the
18 million American
men who suffer from
erectile dysfunction:
There’s a natural
alternative to Viagra.
Studies and clinical
trials show that
most prescription
ED drugs can cause
side effects such as
headache, facial
flushing, upset
stomach, vision
problems, and
priapism (an erection
that won’t go away).
But a new study
in the Journal of
Natural Products
found that horny
goat weed targets an
enzyme that controls
blood flow to the penis
more precisely than
Viagra does.
56 Percentage increase in your risk
of metabolic syndrome (a collection of
symptoms that puts you at greater risk for
diabetes and heart disease) if you eat less
than t wo servings of dairy a day, according
to a study of 5,000 people reported in the
American Journal of Health Promotion
50 Percentage reduction in hay-fever symptoms if you are treated with
acupuncture, according to a new study
published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma,
and Immunology
fish oil
56 Percentage increase in your risk of
stroke if you binge drink (consume six or
more drinks in one session), according to
new research reported in the journal Stroke
Protecting Against a Silent Killer
Oftentimes, brain damage manifests itself
in the form of slurred speech or memory
loss, but sometimes there are no symptoms.
Doctors call this silent brain damage. Possibly
caused by migraines, head trauma, or anemia,
these tiny areas of dead brain tissue can lead
to stroke or dementia over time. A recent study
published in the journal Neurology found that
people who eat at least three servings of tuna
or other fish a week have a 26 percent lower
risk of these dangerous infarcts than those
who don’t eat fish at all. Those who eat fish
once or twice a week experience a 13 percent
decreased risk. The exception: Eating fried fish
does not produce any added health benefit.
The study authors recommend eating fish that
are high in omega- 3 fatty acids to reap the
most benefits. Try tuna, salmon, or mackerel.
Edited
by Tyler
Graham
