Recent research has shown that several substances in green tea, known as polyphenols, may help protect men from prostate cancer. Of particular interest is a polyphenol known as polyphenon E, which acts as a powerful antioxidant inhibiting the growth of cancer.
In order to protect oneself from prostate cancer, in addition to drinking several cups of green tea every day, I would also recommend making sure that several servings of fruits and vegetables are included in your daily diet.
One of the most important things we can do to help maintain health, particularly as we age, is to increase our intake of antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that help protect the cells of the body from free radicals. Free radicals are atoms with unpaired electrons, and thus very unstable, capable of damaging the cells of the body. Antioxidants donate an electron to the free radical, thus making it a more benign substance. Free radicals can be formed in the body through natural processes like burning calories, or through exposure to ionizing radiation from sun exposure, and also as a byproduct of radiation therapy. Unfortunately, these damaged cells can later form cancer cells or simply die, leading to advanced aging.
Some vitamins, such as vitamins A, C, E, and selenium, act as antioxidants. Furthermore, there are pigments in plants, known as bio-flavanoids, that help protect the body from free radicals. We are just beginning to understand the relationship between a whole foods diet and cancer prevention.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8108831.stm
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Keeping Our Eyes Healthy As We Age
One of the challenges we face as we age is the risk of degenerating eyesight. Three main types of eye problems can occur. The first is presbyopia, or farsightedness. This is where objects are hard to see close up and special glasses have to be prescribed, especially for reading. The second challenge is cataracts. One of the best ways to protect the eyes from cataracts is to simply use prescription sunglasses when outdoors in bright sunlight.
Additional measures to protect the eyes include introducing more fruits and vegetables into the diet. Antioxidants like selenium, vitamin C, Vitamin E and fish oil can also help reduce the oxidative stress produced by sun exposure. A third condition we see in aging is known as macular degeneration. In the case of macular degeneration, a part of the eye known as the macula, which is responsible for central vision, begins to degenerate leading to severe vision impairment.
Supplementation with lutein, along with antioxidants and fish oil, has also been found to be effective in the prevention of this disease. With a few simple changes in diet and lifestyle, we can do much to protect our eyes from degenerative diseases.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8088860.stm
Additional measures to protect the eyes include introducing more fruits and vegetables into the diet. Antioxidants like selenium, vitamin C, Vitamin E and fish oil can also help reduce the oxidative stress produced by sun exposure. A third condition we see in aging is known as macular degeneration. In the case of macular degeneration, a part of the eye known as the macula, which is responsible for central vision, begins to degenerate leading to severe vision impairment.
Supplementation with lutein, along with antioxidants and fish oil, has also been found to be effective in the prevention of this disease. With a few simple changes in diet and lifestyle, we can do much to protect our eyes from degenerative diseases.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8088860.stm
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