Cameron Diaz has just written a book that every woman should know about – The Longevity Book: The Science of Aging, the Biology of Strength, and the Privilege of Time. Diaz, now 43, spoke about her new book to a sold-out crowd in Santa Monica at a Live Talks LA event on April 11. She was interviewed by noted film director and writer Nancy Meyer, who directed Diaz in The Holiday. The Longevity Book is a personal, practical, and authoritative guide that examines the art and science of growing older and offers concrete steps women can take to create abundant […]
We hear the term “processed foods” all of the time. “Don’t eat processed foods; eat whole foods” is what is commonly touted by nutritionists, fitness experts, and wellness coaches, including me. But, what are processed foods anyway? Technically, any food that has been changed from its natural state is a processed food. Read on for some critical distinctions you may not have considered that will help you pick the healthiest options for you and your family. Minimally Processed Foods Even fresh foods are processed. Let’s take lettuce, for example. There are two categories of lettuce: head lettuce and leaf lettuce. […]
While we knew B vitamins can help fight mental decline in older people with memory problems, new research suggests adding omega-3s to the formula can boost the brain-saving effects. An international team of researchers studied more than 250 people with mild cognitive impairment at Oxford in theU.K. MCI describes a condition in which the brain functions at a lower level than what is normally expected for a person’s age, but not low enough to interfere with daily life. It can often progress to dementia, according to a release about the research from the University of Oxford. The placebo-controlled study included 250 […]
Elderly people who follow a Mediterranean-style diet may benefit from better brain health and a lower risk for cognitive impairment later in life, according to a new US study. “It suggests that a healthy dietary pattern and specific dietary components have impact on biomarkers of brain pathology,” senior researcher Rosebud Roberts of the Mayo Clinic’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in Rochester, Minnesota, told Reuters Health by email. A Mediterranean-style diet includes fish, lean meat, legumes, nuts, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats. The diet has been linked to better heart and bone health. Roberts and colleagues analyzed data from […]
For those of us who grew up in Southeast Asia, big, savory breakfasts were the norm. A popular breakfast staple was smoked fish with scrambled eggs and tomato salad. Fried rice, fried eggs, sausages called longaniza (a bit like Spanish chorizo), and rice porridge with fish or meatballs were also regularly on the menu in most homes, but not in mine. My father, who was a physician and very health-conscious, always ate plain oatmeal, and he insisted we eat it, too, without berries, bananas or raisins. We reluctantly complied, but today I am grateful for all of my father’s health […]
When reading Dr. Eric R. Braverman’s book, Younger (Thinner) You Diet, I was impressed by how much space he devotes to eating foods that promote brain health. I’ve known for years that eating the right antioxidant-rich, organic foods can keep your body young and healthy. But I didn’t realize how much our diet can affect our brains. Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for feeding the brain, which needs fat to produce neurotransmitters. This means ingredients such as: Salmon – Salmon is an excellent source of heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, which can also help improve cognition. Fresh produce – One study found that seniors who ate close to […]
Herbs have been used in traditional and folk medicines for centuries for treating illness. People throughout the ages also had something on their minds that we still do today…longevity. Some herbs do in fact have research indicating they help with healthy aging for a variety of reasons. Whether an herb is improving sleep, lowering stress, or boosting antioxidant status, they are likely working against biological processes that cause the body to age. DNA damage, free radical damage and dysfunction of the body on a cellular level all may contribute to aging issues including disease of the heart, neurological system, or […]
The secrets of an Italian village have long fascinated scientists from around the world. Scientists from Rome’s Sapienza University and the San Diego School of Medicine spent six months looking into why residents of Acciaroli and nearby tiny communities enjoy such extraordinary longevity—while also seeming to be largely immune from dementia, heart disease and other chronic conditions associated with ageing in most of the Western world. Acciaroli is part of the Cilento coast, a largely industry-free area that now has national park protected status. It was in Cilento that the late U.S. nutritionist Ancel Keys first established convincing evidence of […]
When trying to live a healthy lifestyle, every day can feel like a battle. Forces are destroying our bodies and our minds. The standard American diet is making us sick; we are constantly bombarded by a fear-mongering news media; and we’re hypnotized by technical gadgets that keep us from our loved ones. Even our own genes can seem like they’re out to get us. But you can win the war. You can live your life to the fullest, be your best, and feel your greatest, and the key to victory rests between your ears. Your brain runs your life. When […]
Before the age of modern medicine, a healthy dose of sea air was considered enough to heal myriad ailments. And while science may have altered the vast majority of go-to therapies, there is still much to be said about the health benefits of being outdoors. A 2009 study from the Netherlands revealed that living within one kilometer of green space led to a lower incidence of 15 diseases. The relation was strongest for anxiety disorder and depression, the researchers found. Other conditions included diabetes, migraines and asthma. One of the key benefits of being outdoors is the production of vitamin […]