Diet and Lifestyle Determine Longevity More Than Genetics

Though genetics is one factor that determines longevity, diet and lifestyle play a bigger role, says Dr. Joseph Mercola.

... Death is surely inevitable, but I do believe you can live far longer than the average life expectancy, which, in the US, is around 78. Genetics may play a role, but is NOT the final determining factor for whether you'll live a long healthy life.

Barring an accident, your lifestyle has everything to do with your longevity. It's already been established that diet can override genetic predispositions for disease, for example, so don't fall into the trap of believing your health and longevity is somehow the inevitable result of what's in your gene pool.

Please understand that the list in the summary above is from US News and World Report and it is THEIR concept of what contributes to aging. Of course you don't get the newsletter for their views so I am going to use their list as a springboard to provide you with my thoughts on the topic. Read more

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Posted in: anti-aging,diet,exercise,longevity

Give Your Body a Clean Sweep

Fiber is an inexpensive essential for good health, says Margaret Durst. She explains how much you need and the best places to get it.

Fiber is essential to good health. It is the bulk that helps move food and waste through our digestive tract. It acts like a broom in sweeping our digestive system clean, and it also acts like a sponge in absorbing toxins, hormones, cholesterol and bile salts so that they will not be reabsorbed by our body.

In addition to keeping things moving through our digestive systems, fiber nurtures healthy bacteria in our gut that balances pH, keeps harmful bacteria in check, and detoxifies chemicals in the gut that can cause cancer or other problems. Lack of fiber, seems to be the precursor to some common complaints such as diverticular disease, bowel cancer, appendicitis, and hemorrhoids. All of these diseases are virtually unheard of in cultures that consume plenty of fiber. Read more

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Posted in: diet,digestion,fiber,nutrition

6 Reasons You Should Avoid Dairy at All Costs

Dairy is nature's perfect foods, but only if you're a calf. Plenty of people think milk is perfectly healthy to drink, and advertisements would have you eating dairy all the time. However, it may not be as healthy as you think.

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Posted in: dairy,diet,nutrition

Which Fruits and Vegetables Are Most Effective against Cancer?

Preventing cancer isn't the only reason for eating fruits and vegetables, but if it's one of your reasons, David Servan-Schreiber discusses which ones are most effective.

We've known for many years that consuming copious amounts of certain specific fruits and vegetables reduces our risk of developing various types of cancer. But a recent study reminds us that this protective effect is not linked to all fruit and vegetables. Some foods contain larger amounts of anticancer molecules. Thus we need to be attentive to our choices.

Lifestyle and Cancer:
Cancer is not a disease whose origin is principally genetic, as many people continue to believe. It is a pathology that is closely linked to a range of lifestyle factors, particularly smoking and obesity (which stems from our sedentary habits and our dietary choices). Several studies have shown a direct link between the regular consumption of certain fruits and vegetables and a reduction in risk of developing various types of cancer. Read more

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Posted in: cancer prevention,diet,fruits and vegetables,nutrition

Health Heresy: 7 Reasons to Eat More Saturated Fat

Tim Ferriss, author of The Four Hour Work Week, has posted an exclusive excerpt from Drs. Michael and Mary Eades’ newest book The 6-Week Cure for the Middle-Aged Middle. The Eades note that one piece of the medical establishment's nutrition advice remains constant no matter what diet is being promoted: “You should sharply limit your intake of saturated fats.” But do saturated fats really increase your risk of heart disease? Actually, no. Humans need saturated fats, and here are seven reasons why:

I’ve invited Dr. Michael Eades and Dr. Mary Dan Eades, two of my favorite bariatric (obesity treatment) doctors in the US and the first to introduce insulin resistance to the mainstream, to explain the facts and benefits of increased saturated fat intake…

The sub-headings are mine, and a few edits have been made for space and context. Please see Dr. Michael Eades’ references and responses to questions in the comments. Read more

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Posted in: diet,Michael and Mary Eades,nutrition,saturated fat

8 Super Food Swaps for Longevity

We all want to live to a ripe old age, but we hate changing our habits to do it. Dr. Maoshing Ni suggest eight simple changes that you can make to improve your health that you won't even notice after a time.

Trying to change your habits and routines can be daunting, even when you know the changes are for the better. Try these 8 simple switches below to slim down and live a long and healthy life.

1. Swap green tea for coffee
For many people, the first thing they reach for in the morning is coffee. Caffeine acts as a CNS (central nervous system) stimulant, causing you to experience stress, anxiety, a racing mind, and even insomnia. For a calmer energy boost, cut the coffee and go for green tea. Read more

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Posted in: anti-aging,diet,long life,longevity,nutrition

Australian research has found that prolonged poor eating habits are capable of permanently altering our DNA, .

Human genes remember a sugar hit for two weeks, with prolonged poor eating habits capable of permanently altering DNA, Australian research has found.

A team studying the impact of diet on human heart tissue and mice found that cells showed the effects of a one-off sugar hit for a fortnight, by switching off genetic controls designed to protect the body against diabetes and heart disease. Read more

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Posted in: diabetes,diet,DNA,sugar