4 Super High Antioxidant Foods That Should Be a Part of Your Anti-Aging Diet

Antioxidant has become one of the most important buzz words of the decade. It seems that every time you peak up a health related magazine there’s more news about the health benefits of an antioxidant diet. These free radical scavengers which mop up the damage caused by the effects of toxins and the natural aging process on the body play a key role in preventing chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer as well as slowing down the effects of aging on the body and the brain. Unfortunately, most people don’t get enough high antioxidant foods in their diet, particularly if they eat a typical American diet consisting mostly of processed foods.

One way to increase your blood level of antioxidants is to choose those foods which are the highest in antioxidant levels. Most of these foods consist of fruits and vegetables with four foods being particularly high in antioxidant levels. In fact, these foods are considered to be some of the highest antioxidant foods known. Antioxidant levels are measured by using a scale called the ORAC or oxygen radical absorbance capacity which gives a value that allows you to compare the antioxidant potential of one food with another. Here are four foods that measure the highest on the ORAC scale:

High antioxidant food: Cranberries

These brilliantly red berries that grace the table at Thanksgiving celebrations do more than just dress up the turkey. They’re a rich source of proanthocyanidins, a class of antioxidants which appear to have an anti-aging effect on brain cells, most likely related to its ability to protect brain cells from oxidative damage. It appears to help offset the loss of memory and coordination that occurs with advancing age and may play a role in protecting against certain neurological diseases associated with aging. If you can’t appreciate the tart taste of these berries, there are cranberry supplements available at most health food stores.

High antioxidant food: Blueberries

Blueberries are another high antioxidant food that are though to help preserve brain function due to their high anthocyanidin content. A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience showed that blueberries appears to offset age related short term memory loss and loss of coordination associated with aging in rats. With a measured ORAC value of 8,963, it’s not surprising that blueberries pack a potent antioxidant punch. Blueberries also have powerful antioxidant properties which helps to reduce the effects of photoaging and preserve the collagen support structure of skin.

High antioxidant food: Beans

It may surprise you to learn that beans measure high on the antioxidant scale. Three types of beans with a particularly high antioxidant potential are the small red bean (ORAC = 13,272), the red kidney bean (ORAC = 13,259), and the pinto bean (ORAC = 11,864). In general, darker colored beans are associated with higher levels of flavonoids and thus have a higher antioxidant potential. Beans are a simple, inexpensive way to add extra antioxidant power to your diet.

High antioxidant food: Aronia black chokeberry

This small, dark berry with its rich, purple coloration has an ORAC value of 16,062, one of the highest known for any fruit or vegetable. This puts it in a class by itself in terms of antioxidant potential. Studies are currently ongoing to determine the potential of the chokeberry to prevent a host of age-related disease such as cancer and heart disease. Like the blueberry, they’re a rich source of anthocyanidins and have anti-inflammatory activity which plays such a critical role in aging. Expect to hear more about this amazing berry in the future. In the meantime, you may want to add more of these small berries to your diet.

Antioxidants appear to play a key role in slowing down the aging process and adding these four foods to your diet can be a simple and inexpensive way to protect yourself against age related diseases.

All About Botox for Eye Wrinkles

When Botox made its initial debut, it was heralded as the perfect final solution for troublesome skin wrinkles. However; as people began to learn more about Botox, they learned that it really wasn’t the magic bullet that it was originally touted to be. One thing that most people know by now is that Botox only works on wrinkles that are caused by the involuntary “flexing” of skin muscles. So what about eye wrinkles? Will Botox have any effect on them?

Powerful New Anti Wrinkle Creams and Serums Zap Crows Feet

The answer to that question is “yes and no”. Botox will diminish eye wrinkles that are on the outside regions of the eye that are due to involuntary “squinching” of skin muscles muscles. However; it will have absolutely no effect on eye wrinkles that are the result of aging or over exposure to the suns harmful rays. The good news though is that there are now powerful anti wrinkle eye creams and serums available that can zap crows feet wrinkles.

Botox and Blank Facial Expressions (Frankenstein Face)

If you are considering undergoing the “needle” with Botox treatments, there are a couple of things that you should know first. To begin with, Botox treatments aren’t cheap and can cost on average between $350-500 per session. Secondly, Botox injections work well on the brow and outside regions of the face, but can cause a side effect known as “Frankenstein face” when used on the interior region of the face. This odd side effect received its name from the deadening of facial expressions due to facial muscle paralysis.

The Nose Knows

Here’s an anti-aging and/or health-stimulating tool you may not have thought of: your sense of smell. Alan Hirsch, MD, a neurologist and psychiatrist, has spent his career helping people overcome smell and taste disorders, and he’s got some interesting ideas about how to make yourself more healthful and energized using common smells. Here are few of the most unique.

• Good and Plenty candy plus cucumber or banana to increase libido in women. He recommends smelling the candy and one of these foods at the same time. No joke!

• Green apple, banana or peppermint: Smell these aromas to reduce food cravings (slice the apple for best results.) Alternate nostrils three times by closing one nostril with your finger, inhaling deeply, and then repeating on the other side. To help bust through weight loss plateaus, try alternating fragrances monthly.

• Lavender has been used by herbalists to help induce slep, and Hirsch recommends using the fresh or dried herb, or an essential oil to increase alpha brain waves that promote relaxation, reducing anxiety.

(Note: Hirsch suggests holding the food, flower or essential oil or other item about ½ inch away from your face and level with your lips. Effect is strongest if you inhale for three minutes, then take a break for five and repeat up to 24 times.)

While there is only preliminary scientific evidence to suggest that aromatherapy and scent-ual therapy is effective, it’s a cheap solution to try for yourself.

Read more information at my Anti-Aging blog.

Have a Little Health With Your Meal

Not all anti-aging processes have to do with creams and facewashes. An anti-aging treatment can be anything from a special spa treatment to buying different products at the grocery store, and now, even ordering speciall-themed foods at restaurants.

The association recently asked more than 1,200 professional chefs in the United States to list the trendiest items on their menus. Out of almost 200 items, pomegranate was 16th, fresh fruits were 61st and scallops were 100th - these are all foods rich in antioxidants.And these preferences aren’t confined to your favorite dining destination. More and more restaurants are springing up with the purpose of being a healthy body-mind haven. The chef at a spa cafe called Sprouts in Arizona believes diners are drawn to the pomegranate salad for its sweet taste and the health benefits.

Even if you’re not indulging in a spa-themed meal, you can still integrate anti-oxidants into your daily diet.

Read more at my Anti-Aging Blog.

Chime in for Chives!

Here’s a possible “super food” you don’t hear a lot about – Chives. They may have health benefits similar to garlic and onions, as they contain mild versions of sulfur compounds that can reduct your risk of cancer.

And they’re tasty, too – and sometimes easier to eat than their garlicy and oniony relatives! Chives go well with cream cheese, cottage cheese, cream sauces, butter sauces, fish, chicken, broths and cream soups such as potato or asparagus soup.

If you’re growing them yourself, you can cut and freeze chives. Before the plant blooms, cut the plant down to about three inches. Chop up and freeze the greens for later use. The plant will soon grow back.

The power of foods to prevent and cure disease is truly amazing, and often something taken for granted. Those anti-cancer compounds found in foods in the garlic and onions family have the unique power to protect against cancer. Chives can enhance almost any savory dish with their delicate flavor, while potentially making your healthier at the same time.

I’m a huge advocate for the idea of anti-aging from the inside out. Foods and vitamins are a great way to do this, and I talk about many other ways in my anti-aging Report.

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