Prolong Life By Eating Fruit and Vegetables
A new 14-year study confirms what many nutritionists, and others, have been saying all along...
eating fruit and vegetables; foods rich in antioxidants, helps the body fight off disease and might just prolong life.
Researchers found that those with the highest concentration of alpha-carotene in their blood had a 39% lower risk of death from any cause (things like heart disease and cancer) than those who had the lowest.
Enjoying these good-for-you foods is a simple, natural thing you can do to keep your body healthy and disease free.
Earlier work has shown us that eating more fruits and veggies is linked to a lower risk of disease; yet no research has been done on any of the specific carotenoids that might be involved.
Experts know that carotenoids are produced by both plants and microorganisms, and in the body act as antioxidants able to counter the damage done by free radicals and other harmful substances.
Alpha-carotene is one of this group of antioxidants, one of the most commonly found in the typical Western diet.
The other well-known members of the family are beta-carotene and lycopene.
Veggies such as the yellow orange variety like carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and winter squash are good sources.
Dark green vegetables like broccoli, green beans, green peas, spinach, spring greens and lettuce are other options.
Some of the fruits high in this nutrient include tangerines, kumquats, cantaloupe, mango, white grapefruits, apricots, raspberries and bananas.
In this study, the team looked at the relationship between blood levels of alpha-carotene and the risk of death in 15,318 participants over age 20.
The subjects went through a medical examination and provided blood samples between the years 1988 to 1994, and were followed until the end of 2006.
Over the follow up period, just under 4,000 participants died, but the risk of dying was consistently lower in those with higher levels of alpha-carotene in their bloodstream.
What's more, as the blood levels went up, the protective effect did too.
Higher levels of the antioxidant were also linked to a lower risk of dying from heart disease or cancer, as well as from any other cause.
Alpha-carotene is similar in its chemical make-up to beta-carotene, but may prove to be more effective at protecting the cells of the brain, liver and skin.
You may need more of this beneficial nutrient if you smoke or regularly drink too much alcohol or eat an extremely low fat diet.
Some medical conditions like pancreatic enzyme deficiency, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, gall bladder disease, liver disease, cystic fibrosis, or surgical removal of part or all of the stomach can also cause deficiencies.
If you're thinking of getting the longevity benefits of this nutrient through supplements, think again.
While they are available (usually combined with beta-carotene), the National Academy of Sciences does not recommend taking high dose carotenoid supplements.
Today there is no recommended dietary intake, with the Institute of Medicine concluding that the evidence is not yet sufficient to support creating a carotenoid intake level.
Natural sources are always best.
Aim for five servings when you're eating fruit and vegetables, as a completely natural way to get some impressive benefits for your body, and perhaps prolong life.
eating fruit and vegetables; foods rich in antioxidants, helps the body fight off disease and might just prolong life.
Researchers found that those with the highest concentration of alpha-carotene in their blood had a 39% lower risk of death from any cause (things like heart disease and cancer) than those who had the lowest.
Enjoying these good-for-you foods is a simple, natural thing you can do to keep your body healthy and disease free.
Earlier work has shown us that eating more fruits and veggies is linked to a lower risk of disease; yet no research has been done on any of the specific carotenoids that might be involved.
Experts know that carotenoids are produced by both plants and microorganisms, and in the body act as antioxidants able to counter the damage done by free radicals and other harmful substances.
Alpha-carotene is one of this group of antioxidants, one of the most commonly found in the typical Western diet.
The other well-known members of the family are beta-carotene and lycopene.
Veggies such as the yellow orange variety like carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and winter squash are good sources.
Dark green vegetables like broccoli, green beans, green peas, spinach, spring greens and lettuce are other options.
Some of the fruits high in this nutrient include tangerines, kumquats, cantaloupe, mango, white grapefruits, apricots, raspberries and bananas.
In this study, the team looked at the relationship between blood levels of alpha-carotene and the risk of death in 15,318 participants over age 20.
The subjects went through a medical examination and provided blood samples between the years 1988 to 1994, and were followed until the end of 2006.
Over the follow up period, just under 4,000 participants died, but the risk of dying was consistently lower in those with higher levels of alpha-carotene in their bloodstream.
What's more, as the blood levels went up, the protective effect did too.
Higher levels of the antioxidant were also linked to a lower risk of dying from heart disease or cancer, as well as from any other cause.
Alpha-carotene is similar in its chemical make-up to beta-carotene, but may prove to be more effective at protecting the cells of the brain, liver and skin.
You may need more of this beneficial nutrient if you smoke or regularly drink too much alcohol or eat an extremely low fat diet.
Some medical conditions like pancreatic enzyme deficiency, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, gall bladder disease, liver disease, cystic fibrosis, or surgical removal of part or all of the stomach can also cause deficiencies.
If you're thinking of getting the longevity benefits of this nutrient through supplements, think again.
While they are available (usually combined with beta-carotene), the National Academy of Sciences does not recommend taking high dose carotenoid supplements.
Today there is no recommended dietary intake, with the Institute of Medicine concluding that the evidence is not yet sufficient to support creating a carotenoid intake level.
Natural sources are always best.
Aim for five servings when you're eating fruit and vegetables, as a completely natural way to get some impressive benefits for your body, and perhaps prolong life.
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