Diet plays an important role in promoting longevity and the antiageing elements are present in food items like almond, apple, curd, garlic, honey, indian gooseberry, soyabean etc.
According to Dr. Edward Henderson, a past president of the American Geriatric Society, the age of one hundred is a realistic and conceivable goal. Dr. Thomas S. Gardiner, one of the founders of the National Foundation for Anti-ageing Research, believes that we have not even approached the normal span of years. He claims that most ageing is premature, and that body organs are designed to last six to seven times as long as it usually takes the average person to reach maturity. He believes that we could double the life span.
FACTORS THAT PROLONG LIFE
There are three most important factors, which determine the condition of our bodies and often the length of our lives. These are nutrition, activity and mental outlook. Nutrition is the most important factor contributing to good health and longevity. The entire body from heart to brain, from cells and tissues to bloodstream, depends for their survival upon the food we eat. The more important that help prolong life are described herein.
ALMOND
Almond is rich in all essential elements needed by the body. The medicinal virtues of almonds arise chiefly from pharmacodynamic action of copper, iron, phosphorus and vitamin B. These chemicals exert a synergetic action and help the formation of new blood cells, hemoglobin and plays a major role in maintaining the smooth physiological functions of brain, in strengthening the muscles and in prolonging life.
APPLE
This popular fruit is a disease fighting food and helps prolong life. It reduces cholesterol and helps to prevent cancer. It is the best fruit to tone up a weak and rundown condition of the human system. It is gifted with the qualities of removing all deficiencies of vital organs and making the body stout and strong. It tones up the body and the brain as it contains more phosphorus and iron than any other fruit or vegetable. Its regular consumption with milk promotes health and youthfulness and prolongs life.
CURD OR YOGURT
Curd or yogurt has been associated with longevity. Prof. Elie Metchnikoff, a noble prize-winning Russian bacteriologist at the Pasteur Institute, believed that premature old age and decay could be prevented by taking sufficient curd in the daily diet. He made an intensive study of the problem of old age in the early 1900s. He came to the conclusion that the body is slowly being poisoned and its resistance weakened by man’s normal diet and that this poisoning process could be arrested and the intestinal tract kept healthy by the constant and regular use of yogurt or some variety of acidophilus milk.
GARLIC (Read more about benefits of garlic )
In herbal medicine, garlic has been traditionally used for numerous ailments. Clinical experiments in recent times have confirmed several ancient ideas about healing value of this vegetable. Garlic lowers blood pressure, blood cholesterol, discourages blood clotting, fights cold and numerous other diseases, as well as helps prevent heart attacks. It contains multiple anti-cancer compounds and antioxidants. It also boosts immune system. Garlic is thus an all-round wonder drug, which builds up health, prevents and cures several ailments and prolongs life.
HONEY (Read more about benefits of honey )
Honey is one of the most splendid foods. It is an excellent source of heat and energy. It enters directly into the bloodstream because of its dextrin content and this provides almost instantaneous energy. Latest research indicates that the pollen in honey contains all 22 ammo acids, 28 minerals, two enzymes, 14 fatty acids and 11 carbohydrates. It thus builds up health, wards off several common aliments and prolongs life.
INDIAN GOOSEBERRY (Read more about benefits of INDIAN GOOSEBERRY )
This fruit, as a super food source of antioxidant vitamin C, contributes greatly towards good health and longevity. It is said that the great ancient sage, Muni Chyawan rejuvenated himself in his late 70’s and regained his virility by the use of Indian gooseberry. It has revitalizing effects and contains an element, which is very valuable in preventing ageing and in maintaining strength in old age. It improves body resistance and protects against infection. It strengthens the heart, hair and different glands in the body.
SOYABEAN
The Soyabean is one of the richest known sources of lecithin which is considered an amazing youth element. With sufficient intake of lecithin, cholesterol cannot build up against the walls of the arteries and veins. Besides reducing the cholesterol level in the blood, there is mounting scientific evidence to suggest several other benefits from lecithin. It has been suggested that its intake in sufficient amounts can help rebuild those cells and organs, which need it. Lecithin helps to maintain their health once they are repaired. It may mean that a deficiency or lecithin in the diet may be one of the causes of ageing and that its use may be beneficial in retarding and prolonging life.
