Posts Tagged ‘Phd Director’

Antioxidants help delay aging signs

Eating or consuming antioxidant-rich foods can actually help delay signs of aging.

“Our cells use antioxidants to work against the effects of harmful environmental factors and free radicals that evade our body’s defenses and can cause internal breakdown and cellular aging,” says Dr. Miguel Ramos Jr., PhD, director of the Geriatric Center of St. Luke’s Medical Center and the president of the Philippine Society of Geriatric Medicine.

Foods rich in antioxidant include fruits, vegetables, nuts, certain meat products, and coffee. A study done at the University of Scranton showed that these foods are the number one sources of antioxidants in the US diet.

According to Dr. Ramos, while the body requires oxygen, it can also cause harm through the natural process called oxidation, which is said to be the primary catalyst for much of the damage associated with aging.

“This process produces potentially harmful by-products. In cells, these by-products are called oxygen free radicals, also known as reactive oxygen species,” he explains. (more…)

The bittersweet truth about chocolate and your health

by Tyrone M. Reyes, M.D.

Is there a health benefit to that Valentine chocolate treat?

Mounting evidence has indicated so, linking certain forms of chocolate to improved cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, enhanced glucose tolerance, and even stronger teeth. Candy-makers, as well as “health-oriented” companies, have even developed chocolate products they claim are good for you.

But not so fast, says Jeffrey B. Blumberg, PhD, director of the Antioxidants Research Laboratory at Tufts University’s Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) in Boston. He cautions that not all forms of chocolate have health benefits. Dark chocolate with a cocoa content of at least 70 percent has been shown to be most beneficial. And although Blumberg acknowledges the growing number of chocolate studies, and has participated in research that shows some healthful benefits of cocoa in the diet, he warns that it’s still important to consume the confection in moderation. (more…)

}