It’s generally accepted that the folks in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea live longer and suffer less than most Americans from cancer and cardiovascular ailments. The not-so-surprising secret is an active lifestyle, weight control, and a diet low in red meat, sugar and saturated fat and high in produce, nuts and other healthful foods. The Mediterranean Diet may offer a host of health benefits, including weight loss, heart and brain health, cancer prevention, and diabetes prevention and control. By following the Mediterranean Diet, you could also keep that weight off while avoiding chronic disease.
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Health Facts
Health facts giving you accurate advice for healthy living.
Longevity Tip
Consume More Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The long-chain omega-3 fats eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are as close to a fountain of youth the world has to offer. . . . In a study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, . . . individuals with the highest levels of EPA and DHA in their blood had the lowest rates of heart disease and the slowest rates of chromosomal aging. To reap the benefits, munch on fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, halibut, mackerel and sardines. Not a seafood fan? Take a fish oil supplement.
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Wellness Tip ~ Controlling Stress
Controlling Stress & Lowering Blood Pressure
Longevity Tip
Want to Age Well?
Eat a Rainbow of Fruits and Vegetables: People who eat a wide assortment of fruits and vegetables have lower rates of chronic disease, including hypertension, coronary disease, and stroke. They also maintain healthier body weights and live longer. Why should you taste the rainbow? The diverse colors of fruits and vegetables represent different nutrients and antioxidants, with properties that can fight aging from a number of angles.
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Longevity Tip ~ Balancing
Keep Your Bones and Muscles Strong
If your thigh muscles are weak, chances are you will become more frail as you age. So it’s time to strengthen those thighs to keep you young and agile.
Standing on one leg strengthens your thigh muscles. Every morning, stand on only your right leg for 10 seconds. Then switch to your left. Repeat three times on each leg for best results. Being able to balance will not only strengthen your thighs, but your brain as well!
Wellness Tip
To Help Weight Loss: Before eating breakfast, make a habit of drinking two glasses of water. Not only will the water help rehydrate you after not drinking overnight, but the water may also help you curb calories at your first meal. Several studies indicate that those who drink the most water have lower BMIs and gain less weight over time. A study published in the journal Obesity found that overweight individuals lost 44 percent more weight by simply drinking two glasses of water about 30 minutes before each of their three main meals. Despite being calorie-free, water helps enhance satiety.
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Longevity Tip
Want the secret to living a longer and healthier life? Scientists have found ways to prolong the healthy lifespans of worms, mice, and even monkeys. Their work has revealed exciting new clues about the biology of aging. But solid evidence still shows that the best way to boost the chance of living a long and active life is to follow the advice you likely heard from your parents: eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and stay away from bad habits.
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Wellness Tip ~ Practice Gratitude
How often do you feel thankful for the good things in your life? Studies suggest that making a habit of noticing what’s going well in your life could have health benefits. Taking the time to feel gratitude may improve your emotional well-being by helping you cope with stress. Early research suggests that a daily practice of gratitude could affect the body, too. For example, one study found that gratitude was linked to fewer signs of heart disease.
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Longevity Tip
If you want to live a long, healthy life, make sure you’re among the nonsmokers. Smoking contributes to heart disease, osteoporosis, emphysema and other chronic lung problems, and stroke. It makes breathing during exercise much harder and thus can make activity less enticing. It appears to compromise memory, too.
The news does get better. People who quit smoking can repair some, if not all, of the damage done. After a smoker quits, the risk of heart disease begins to drop within a few months, and in five years, it matches that of someone who never smoked.
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Wellness Tip
Drink 1 extra glass of water
There are health benefits to drinking more water. It helps keep your temperature normal, lubricates and cushions joints, protects your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues, and gets rid of wastes through urination, sweat, and bowel movements. You can also add flavor to your water to help up your intake.
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