A new study has revealed that gender plays a major role in determining which diet is better at promoting increased reproductive success - at least in crickets.
Australian researchers are conducting long-term studies on Australian black field crickets. They have discovered that the lifespan of both males and females is maximized on high-carbohydrate, low-protein diets, and reported this finding in the latest issue of Current Biology. But reproductive success differs dramatically between the sexes when the carbohydrate-protein balance is changed. Males have the greatest reproductive success with a diet that favors carbohydrates to protein by eight-to-one. Females have greatest success when the ratio is just one-to-one.
Human beings aren’t crickets, but researcher Rob Brooks pointed out that “Men and women invest differently in reproduction, a difference that is even more marked than that between male and female crickets. Think of the tremendous amounts of energy and protein required of a mother in carrying a baby to term and breastfeeding.”
More research is clearly needed, but I’m hopeful that the time will come when diets can be individualized - so we’ll know, specifically, what men and women need, and how those needs might change in the course of a lifetime. In the meantime, the best course is to follow the anti-inflammatory diet, which is based on principles that have been shown to promote longevity and reproductive health in both genders throughout a whole lifespan.
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Herbs and Spices for Better Health
The regular use of certain herbs and spices could reduce your risk of diabetes and may even slow the physical effects of aging. A study from the University of Georgia suggests that the benefits of the seasonings come from antioxidants called phenols. These substances can block the formation of reactive compounds that trigger inflammation and promote the tissue damage associated with both diabetes and aging. The Georgia researchers tested extracts of 24 herbs and spices in test-tubes for their ability to block the formation of harmful compounds called AGE (for advanced glycation end products). Some spices, such as cinnamon (tested earlier in mice) have been shown to lower blood sugar. Overall, cloves, ground Jamaican allspice and cinnamon were the most potent spices tested, while the most efficacious herbs were sage, marjoram, tarragon, and rosemary. The researchers reported that extracts of powdered ginger and bay leaf were less effective than expected, and that black pepper was more useful than predicted. They concluded that herbs and spices are an easy, flavorful, no-calorie way to boost the nutritional quality of meals. The study was published in the June 1, 2008 issue of the Journal of Medicinal Foods.
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Be Happy, Live Longer
Happy people live longer, but until now, scientists haven’t been able to explain exactly why. A new analysis of 30 studies found that while happiness doesn’t prolong the life of the seriously ill, it does seem to protect against getting ill in the first place. The review from Erasmus University in the Netherlands found that the effect of happiness on longevity is pretty powerful - the researchers said its positive impact on health is as potent as the negative effect of smoking. They suggested that chronic unhappiness leads to stress, which in turn reduces immune response. Another possibility is that happiness might enhance the chances of adopting a healthy lifestyle, which would lead to a longer life. Until now, the results of long-term follow up studies of the effect of happiness on health have been contradictory - some showed that happiness increases longevity, others found no such effect and a few even showed earlier death among happy people. The new review was published in the September 2008 issue of the Journal of Happiness Studies.
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Pancakes and Waffles
The aroma and taste of homemade pancakes or waffles is irresistible. The batter makes feathery light pancakes, or light and crispy golden waffles. You'll definitely want to make these for a breakfast or brunch with friends or family, or on that free weekend morning.
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Healthy Aging Tip
Courtesy of Dr.Weil on Healthy Aging
Seasonal Food: Celery. A biennial plant, celery is in the same family as carrots, dill and fennel. It is an excellent source of vitamins K and C, and its active compounds, pthalides, may help lower blood pressure. Celery has long been associated with dieting due to its natural diuretic effects (and its low calorie count). This crunchy green is also rich in potassium and sodium - important in regulating fluid balance and stimulating urine production. Always seek out organically grown celery, as pesticides are commonly used on conventionally grown varieties.
Featured Discussion:
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My sister sent me a website about …using bar soap to clean teeth instead of (tooth)paste, which contains fluoride… I never heard of this …wouldn't it taste awful!? I brush with peroxide and water several times a week. This is an old remedy to prevent decay. I'd like to use baking soda instead of (tooth)paste, but have heard it's too abrasive on enamel. Opinions, please?
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