Tips for Healthy Aging

Every second of every minute is precious. Every hour of every day will only happen once. Time is ticking, and whether we like it or not, aging is inevitable. So if this is true, why are so many of us treating our bodies poorly? Why do we take better care of our cars than ourselves? When was the last time you visited your doctor for a health screen?

According to the American Medical Association, the average American is living longer. Statistics show that as environmental factors are changing around us, our lifespan increases. Studies show that more and more Americans are turning to alte
ative care to combat and prevent diseases of the body. People are now using preventative methods such as Chiropractic and Acupuncture to avert pathology.

As a physician who practice alte
ative medicine, there are many questions I am confronted with. One of the most vital questions I encounter at our Chicago chiropractic clinic is what fruits are the best to eat? A recent study in the British Medical journal of 11,000 subjects for 17 years reported that fruit was the only food associated with a decrease in mortality. Those who ate fruit regularly had a "24-percent reduction in deaths from heart disease, a 32-percent reduction in deaths from strokes, and a 21-percent reduction in deaths from all causes.

The fruits highest in glutathione, a master antioxidant associated with longevity are avocados, watermelons, grapefruit, strawberries, oranges and cantaloupes. These fruits should not be cooked, but rather raw or frozen.
According to nutritional expert Jean Carper, high levels of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant, predict both good health and a longer life. The opposite is true for people with low levels of glutathione.

For the most part, fresh and frozen fruits are high in this "master antioxidant," as are carrots, tomatoes and raw tomato juice, spinach, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli.

Consider adding soy beans to your diets as well. In one study soy protein extended the life span of animals by 13 percent. Other studies show that it appears to lower LDL, the bad cholesterol, and triglyceride levels by at least 10 percent. But soy sauce or soybean oil won't do it. You must eat the protein. Best sources: soy milk, tofu, soy nuts, miso, tempeh. Also, you must eat soy protein every day because the beneficial chemicals, such as genistein and diadzein, remain in the body only 24 to 36 hours at most.

We know that we just gave you a lot of information to think about. But take a list of these items with you the next time you go to the grocery store. These fruits and vegetables are ones that we usually pass bye. Try adding avocado to your next salad, or turkey sandwich. Try raw carrots, broccoli and cauliflower in a light ranch dip. Get the antioxidants you need by having fun with your food.
For more information on healthy aging and other wellness tips please visit us at advancedphysicalmedicine.org