The Caring Corner®
Anti-Aging Healthcare Tips for Chapel Hill from a Nobel Prize Winning Biologist
There are many ways to improve your healthcare. One recent study has been lead by Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn, a biologist and Nobel Laureate. She and a team of researchers have found three effective ways to stay young. Their research focuses on protecting your DNA to prevent aging. They study telomeres which are an essential part of human cells that affect how our cells age. Telomeres are the caps at the end of each strand of DNA that protect our chromosomes, like plastic at the end of shoelaces. Shoelaces will become frayed without this valuable protection on the end and without telomeres, DNA strands become damaged and cells can’t do their job. The doctor believes giving your telomeres the care they require will help to prevent gray hair, wrinkles, exhaustion and illness.
The researchers have found that avoiding high sugary, processed foods will prevent aging. What we eat affects our telomeres and a healthy diet encourages them to lengthen, keeping us young and healthy. Refined sugar is one of the worst foods for DNA. It is best to avoid soda, cakes, cookies and candy. Try to have a diet high in fiber and protein.
It is a good idea to pay attention to your body shape more than your weight. The researchers found that a waistline bigger than the hips can lead to faster aging. The hourglass and pear shapes age more slowly because they have slim waists and big bottoms and thighs. Fat stored in limbs or just under the skin is more protective than fat stored around the belly, liver or muscles deep inside us.
Lastly, try to eat a healthy diet on a daily basis. A diet high in fiber, vitamins and nutrients will keep you healthy. Eat whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, vegetables and fruits. The Mediterranean diet offers a good source of carbs, dairy and fats. Additionally, it is very beneficial for your telomeres!
If you need an in home care giver for your elderly loved one in Chapel Hill or Durham, we can help. Care givers are screened and go through rigorous background checks.
