Now that it’s safe to go back in the spinach patch, here’s a reason to stick your toe in.
Spinach and some other vegetables like sweetcorn, kale and broccoli are rich in a chemical called lutein, which, together with another carotenoid, zeaxanthin, form an oily, yellow substance at a central point of the retina known as the macula. This yellow oil, called macular pigment, is thought to protect the macula from age-related macular degeneration or AMD [snip].
Source: Disease Proof: Spinach is Back
“Consumers can now resume buying and eating fresh spinach, the Food and Drug Administration said”; this from William Yardley of The New York Times. Given the recent hubbub about tainted spinach, I decided to ask Dr. Fuhrman for his thoughts.
With the monkeys in the University of Wisconsin study now entering old age, the study is getting down to the nitty gritty. Soon we will know for sure whether calorie restriction extends lifespan in primates.
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Although there is now strong evidence that caloric restriction prevents diabetes in the primates (the disease is a major killer of captive rhesus monkeys), it’s still too early to assess the diet’s effects on their lifespan, according to Richard Weindruch, professor of medicine at the University of Wisconsin, who is heading up the study.But preliminary evidence suggests that the diet is preventing loss of muscle mass, arthritis, menstrual irregularities, and other signs of aging. “Over the next 10 years, survival differences will come out,” predicts Ricki Colman, a scientist on the study. Meanwhile, eight of the monkeys on a normal diet have died of age-related causes such as cancer and diabetes; five on the restricted diet have died of these causes.
I eat broccoli and tomatoes. Love them. Usually don’t eat them together, but this article may change my mind:
Eating Healthy: Tomatoes and Broccoli » iFitandHealthy.com
By now, one would think, that any self-respecting vegetable would have given up on us. Thankfully, they are still here fighting for our health. Individually broccoli and tomatoes offer a range of health benefits.However, did you know that eating them together could significantly slow down prostate cancer and reduce “bad” (LDL) cholesterol? In addition, they are a good source of fiber and low in carbohydrates.
Sounds like they may be the Wonder Twins.
Refrigerator Raid points to some Fun Ways To Try Healthy New Foods
If your diet is in a rut, it may be time to experiment with some new foods and recipes. By bringing unusual vegetables and fruits to your table, you may discover a new favorite! So try these tips for breaking free from your diet rut.
The details are on his blog.
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