FEATURES
Wellness
WE CAN USE GOOD NUTRITION STRATEGIES TO BUILD OUR
FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH TO KEEP US ALERT, ENERGETIC AND
FIT SO WE CAN ENJOY LIFE RIGHT INTO OUR SENIOR YEARS.
VEGETABLE VIGOUR
Green vegetables keep our bodies
physiologically young and healthy as
we mature. Vegetables are rich with
nutrients that fuel energy production,
facilitate natural detoxification and
neutralize stress. They also alkalinize the internal environment of our
bodies so our blood can absorb more
oxygen, which helps us feel more
energetic. A more acidic state can
lead to bone deterioration, chronic inflammation and poor immune health.
Health Canada recommends approximately eight servings of
vegetables a day for adults where
one serving equals one half cup
cooked, or one cup raw. I often
keep it simple and recommend
that half the plate at lunch and
dinner consist of vegetables and
that a salad also be included.
The vegetables that are the most
nutrient dense and have the most
significant anti-aging properties are
non-salad greens like those in the
Brassica family (broccoli, cabbage,
cauliflower, collard greens, kale
etc.), as well as asparagus, bok choy
and Swiss chard. The anti-aging
effects are amplified for those who
eat a broad variety of vegetables.
62 | whiteoaksclub.com | fall 2013
WATER PREVENTS
WITHERING
GOOD FATS
FEED THE BRAIN
Our body is composed of about 70
percent water and we need a regular
intake of water to support our
internal reserves. Our skin integrity
is at its best when we drink plenty of
water and, though it seems counterintuitive, staying hydrated prevents
the puffiness and swelling associated
with water retention. Beverages that
dehydrate the body such as
sugary drinks, coffee and alcohol
also contribute to water retention
and won’t fuel your fountain of youth.
The ‘Low Fat Movement’ of the
1970s created a raging phobia
against eating foods that contained
fat. Thankfully, nutritionists today
have a revitalized understanding
of the importance of healthy fats.
Facilitating healthy detoxification
can slow the signs of aging and
drinking water is one of the easiest
ways to flush away impurities that
naturally accumulate in the body.
IT IS THE LITTLE
THINGS WE DO THAT
CAN SIGNIFICANTLY
IMPROVE OUR HEALTH
A lack of essent