Eat healthfully to age gracefully, experts say

(Yuri Arcurs)

Announced in a December 22 release, a new study evaluated the eating patterns of more than 2,500 adults in their 70s for 10 years. A diet full of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can extend your life, researchers say.

Published in the January 2011 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, US researchers discovered that seniors who subscribed to a healthful diet - higher intake of low-fat dairy products, fruit, whole grains, poultry, fish, and vegetables, and lower consumption of meat, fried foods, sweets, high-calorie drinks, and added fat - reduced their risks of illness and death compared to others who ate less healthfully. People who consumed a lot of high-fat dairy products increased their risk of mortality by 40 percent. Like desserts? Those who regularly indulged in sugary treats increased their risk by 37 percent.

By 2030, an estimated 973 million adults will be aged 65 or older worldwide, and the researchers aimed to understand how diet affects aging and to improve quality of life for the booming senior population.

This follows research announced on December 1 that exercise might be another fountain of youth. "Endurance exercises," such as a jogging or a spinning class, can make us look younger, Israeli researchers reported. The reason: exercise unlocks the stem cells of our muscles.

At press time, the article was not yet available online but look for it in the coming days. Title of article: "Dietary patterns and survival of older adults" at http://www.adajournal.org/.

Read more: http://scienceblog.com/41317/eating-healthier-means-living-longer/