Saturday, October 18, 2014

Getting older is not much fun—and the symptoms and ailments that come with aging are no fun at all. But physicians and nutritionists told Grandparents.com there are a few simple, lesser-known food cures that can help alleviate some of the most common problems as we age:

• Avocado for high cholesterol – It may seem odd that a fatty fruit can help lower cholesterol. But studies have found that avocado, which is high in healthy monounsaturated fats and beta-sitosterol, a natural substance proven to lower cholesterol, lowered the levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL), while raising “good” cholesterol (HDL). Aim for half an avocado a day, plain, in salads, or mashed into guacamole.
• Lemon for kidney stones – Anyone who’s ever passed a kidney stone will tell you the pain is akin to childbirth. But a proven deterrent is lemon or lime juice, which is high in citrate. The juice helps keep kidney stones at bay by preventing calcium from combining with other stone-forming materials in the body. Make lemonade or limeade with four ounces of juice a day. Use sugar substitute, though, because too much sugar can up your risk for kidney stones.
• Cherries for joint pain – When dealing with stiff or painful joints, upping your intake of cherries or berries may help, according to the Arthritis Foundation. The red and blue pigment in cherries, raspberries and blueberries contain high levels of anthocyanin, an anti-inflammatory that helps reduce swelling. Try a handful a day or 10 ounces of tart cherry juice. .
• Beans for heartburn – While heartburn trigger foods vary from person to person, ½ cup a day of pinto, kidney or any other type of beans added to soups or salads can significantly reduce symptoms of acid reflux for most sufferers.
• Raisins for high blood pressure – Recent studies show that a handful of raisins several times a day helped to lower blood pressure in a significant number of responders. High levels of potassium in raisins are the most likely factor.
• Popcorn for constipation – While laxatives can have unpleasant side effects, popcorn provides a whole grain, low-calorie way to get fiber, which is known to relieve constipation. Skip added butter and salt and stick to air-popped or plain microwave versions.

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