Who would have thought that eating healthy, saying “thank you” and focusing on the good could pave the way for living into your 80s, 90s or even 100s?
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There is solid science behind the power of certain foods to protect your brain from oxidative damage and improve cognition and memory, according to Newsmax. What you put into your body — aka eating healthy, whole foods — makes a huge difference when it comes to keeping your brain healthy and can even potentially delay the symptoms of aging and dementia, the report said.
Most American diets are deficient in certain vitamins, minerals and other compounds that play a prominent role in helping you live longer.
The value of vitamins A, C, D, E and K, as well as minerals like calcium, copper, iron, magnesium and zinc, cannot be overstated when it comes to good health and a long life. And, the best way to get these vital minerals and vitamins is from the food you eat.
However, there’s something just as important as a healthy diet for helping you enjoy a happier, longer life, and that’s gratitude and a positive attitude. These two attributes are uniquely important to your psychological well-being.
It’s true. Simply by looking on the bright side and being thankful for the big and little things in life, you can live a longer and more fulfilling life. Practicing gratitude has been scientifically proven as a way to boost happiness and life satisfaction.
Gratitude simply means acknowledging the good in your life and recognizing its sources. It’s the understanding that life owes you nothing, and that the good things in your life are gifts that cannot be taken for granted.
How does being thankful affect your life span? For starters, gratitude lowers stress, helps lessen depression and improves your ability to bounce back during emotional turmoil.
By the year 2050, the number of people who will live to be 100 is expected to pass 1 million. Centenarians have 60% lower rates of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, yet scientific explanations for their health and longevity remain elusive. One thing scientists do know, however, is that most centenarians are happy and optimistic and have extremely low rates of depression and other psychiatric problems.
If you want to live to be 100, there are four key nutrients important for overall brain health, helping prevent dementia and cognitive decline: vitamin D, DHA, folate and magnesium.
- Vitamin D — Your skin produces vitamin D in response to ultraviolet light, so sensible sun exposure is the preferred method of boosting your vitamin D. If you take supplemental vitamin D3, you also need to make sure you're getting enough vitamin K2, as these two nutrients work in tandem to ensure calcium is distributed into the proper areas in your body.
- DHA — You can boost your DHA by eating more fish, such as salmon and sardines, but so much of the fish today is contaminated with mercury and other toxic compounds that a high quality omega-3 fat supplement such as krill oil may be a better option if you can’t find certified contaminant-free fish.
- Folate — Foods rich in folate include egg yolks, sunflower seeds, asparagus, avocados, broccoli, cauliflower, basil, parsley and greens such as romaine, turnip, collards and spinach.
- Magnesium — Good sources of magnesium are whole organic foods, especially dark green leafy vegetables, seaweed, dried pumpkin seeds, unsweetened cocoa, flaxseed, almond butter and whey.