Ra 4 Food - Health and Nutritional Tips

For those of you who would quite like to live to 90, this diet is for you. The British Nutrition Foundation have come up with this anti-aging plan, commenting that now more than ever, we must watch what we eat.

In the next 50 years, the average life expectancy is predicted to go up a decade from 80 to 90. However, scientists remind us that living to such an old age will not be particularly appealing if we are to deteriorated
to enjoy it. Their report, which will be published today, advises us of easy changes we can make to improve life quality and prevent disease, such as diet changes and a brick 30 minute walk each day.

Chairman of the BNF’s Healthy Ageing task force, Professor John Mathers of Newcastle University advised that there were important nutrients that should be incorporated into our diets at an early age to really reap the benefits for the future. Of course it is never too late to change.

Here are a sample of some of the most important foods to eat in order to live to a ripe old age, rather than a decrepit one.

Eyes

The report reveals that eye problems in the older generation is a common problem, with one in eight people over 75 having severe vision problems. To battle the loss of good eyesight, we need lutein and zeaxanthin, which is found in kiwi fruit, grapes, spinach and broccoli.

Brain

A worrying one in 20 people over 65 cope with some form of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease or significant cognitive problems. To boost your brain juice, you need folate, vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids. Find folate in leafy vegetables, fruits such as oranges and breakfast cereals (where folate is added). Eat fish, meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products for your intake of vitamin B12 and oily fish for omega-3 fatty acids.

Bones

A massive one in three women and one in 12 men over the age of 55 have problems with osteoporosis (thinning of the bones), so it it vital that we get calcium (from milk) and vitamin D (from the sun) into our diet. However, us Brits have a significant lack of vitamin D between October and April as the sun is too low in the sky, but we can top it up by eating eggs and oily fish. A deficiency in the nutrient has links with cancer, so many feel, including Dr Susan Lanham-New, one of the report’s writers, that foods like flour should be fortified with it.

Heart

Approximately 94,000 people die every year from a heart related disease. To get a healthy heart, start chowing down on omega-3 fatty acids, vegetable oils, soluble fibre like oats, folate, vitamin B12 and potassium, root vegetables, and bananas. In addition, whole grain foods, nuts and soya are also beneficial to contribute to a happy heart.

However,  Professor Paul Dieppe of Oxford University reminds us that no supplement provides and “easy answer” to a better diet, “There is a lack of evidence for a beneficial effect of many supplements,” he said. “People should look to get the nutrients they need to keep themselves healthy from the foods they eat. Supplements can’t replace the benefits of a healthy balanced diet.”

So, you heard him, there is no better substitute than good food itself. So get healthy eating and we’ll see you at your 90th birthday party!