Feb
Diversity of Nutrients Key to Healthy Aging
If we routinely find ourselves eating iceberg lettuce, try some new varieties, such as rocket or baby spinach. Instead of potato, try a different colour – maybe sweet potato or pumpkin.
Which phytochemical?
What are they good for?
Where from?
How much?
How to prepare?
Flavonoid:
Anthrocyanidins, especially Cyanidin
Very strong antioxidants, improve insulin sensitivity, anti-inflammatory in arthritis, protect against skin cancer from UV radiation
The skins of red-coloured berries,
apples, pears, peaches, plums,
dark chocolate
1 serve of 1 of these fruits daily.
30gm of good quality dark chocolate regularly
Yellow flavonoid:
Luteolin (a flavone)
Anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-allergenic, helps promote healthy glucose levels, reduces risk of cataracts and colon cancer
Celery, green peppers, parsley,
artichoke leaves, olive oil, rosemary, lemons, sage, peppermint, thyme
Mix all these greens in a salad and eat most days. Cook artichokes in water for 30 mins, cool, then mix oil/lemon vinaigrette. Pull off the leaves, dip and eat
Flavonoid:
Catechins
Anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, protects against cancer, skin cancer and atherosclerosis
Tea (particularly green and white),
chocolate, grapes, berries, apples
Drink green tea daily. serve of these fruits daily. 30gm of good
quality dark chocolate regularly
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Flavonoid:
Quercetin
Anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory, protects against cancer, prostatitis, asthma and bronchitis
Yellow onions, scallions, kale,
broccoli, apples, berries, tea
Red apples eaten with the skin are best – ‘an apple a day’
Tetraterpene:
Lycopene (a red carotenoid)
Anti-inflammatory, acts against cell damage
Tomato (raw, paste, sauce, puree, soup), watermelon, pink
grapefruit, baked beans
Tomatoes cooked with skins and some fat 3 times per week. 1/2 cup of these fruits 3 times per week
Isoflavones:
Daidzein and Genistein
Relieves menopausal symptoms, inhibits arteriosclerosis, protects prostate from cancer and enlargement, prevents
osteoporosis
Soy – beans, tempeh, miso, tofu, soy milk, soy yoghurt
Soy copes with processing so get your 1/2 cup from cooked, tinned or packaged soy products 3 times per week
Isothiocyanate
precursors:
Glucosinolates
Anti-tumour, anti-cancer, supports liver detoxification pathways
Bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, radish, rutabaga, turnip, watercress
2 serves per day from this list.
Cook but only ever so lightly – steam or a quick stir-fry
Stilbene:
Resveratrol
Anti-inflammatory, antiarteriosclerotic, anti-cancer and anti-aging actions. (These findings not in humans, but the research is promising)
Grapes, wine, grape juice, peanuts, berries of Vaccinum species, including blueberries, bilberries, cranberries
Red wine/grape juice – 4 glasses a week. 1 serve per day of any of the berries. 20 peanuts 3 times per week
Tetraterpenes:
Beta-carotene (orange
carotenoid)
Protects against cancer,
antioxidant, anti-aging, prevents Vitamin A deficiency
Pumpkin, carrot, sweet potato, spinach, kale, red pepper,
pawpaw
1 cup of root vegetables – cut, stir
fried and cooked with oil. Fruit is always best raw every day
Lignans:
Enterdiol
Protects against breast cancer, promotes ovulation, reduces pre/peri-menopausal symptoms,
decreases insulin resistance,
lowers cholesterol
Linseeds (flax) and sesame seeds
1 tablespoon of flax oil per day, or add ground flax to any meal.
Sprinkle sesame seeds or spoon tahini on salads
SLOW aging is about actively engaging with and savouring the aging process. We have content at the forefront of anti-aging and how to live longer in great health. Many of our articles are derived from our book Fast Living, Slow Aging which has been a bestselling book covering all aspects of ageing well.
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