Today’s complex techno-world is full of man-made processed foods, synthetic medicines, and artificial replicas of just about everything. Yet, there are 4 of Nature’s superpower anti-aging seeds that you can still turn to for good health, especially as you get older. Here’s what they are…
Super Seeds: 4 of Nature’s Best Anti-Aging Seeds and Health Boosting Foods
It’s hard to find one man-made super food, let alone 4, that offers protection for your heart, brain, bones, joints, and keeps your skin looking ageless to boot. Yet, that’s exactly what these 4 super seeds do. If you haven’t added at least 1 of them to your diet, you’re missing out on some of Nature’s best nutrients for very little money. Here’s what you should know about these 4 power seeds:
1. Pumpkin seeds
The first on our list of anti-aging seeds are pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds have long been regarded as a potent medicine since the days of the ancient Greeks. And, they’re still used as medicine today by Native Americans. They’re chock full of nutrients that offer significant health benefits to your heart, brain, and bones.
Heart: Pumpkin seeds are high in monounsaturated fatty acids which help lower LDL “bad” cholesterol and raise HDL “good” cholesterol. Because they’re alkaline in pH, they also cool down vascular inflammation which leads to heart disease.
Brain: High in the amino acid L-tryptophan, pumpkin seeds help fight depression as well as help you sleep. Studies show that lack of sleep leads to daytime depression and aging changes of the brain. Also high in the B vitamins which support nerves and all their functions.
Bones/Joints: Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc, a crucial mineral that older people are commonly deficient in. Zinc helps prevent osteoporosis that affects older people, especially post menopausal women. Their anti-inflammatory properties also help turn off the pain of joint conditions like arthritis.
Prostate: Pumpkin seeds have long been used to help treat frequent urination from an enlarged prostate that can affect older men.
2. Flax seeds
Anti-aging seeds number 2, Flax seeds are one of the best multi-tasking nutrients around.
Heart: First, they’re high in Omega-3 fatty acids which protects your heart, brain, and your entire body from disease promoting inflammation. They also prevent blood platelets from clumping together and forming dangerous clots.
Hormonal Aging: Secondly, flax seeds are a natural phytoestrogen which greatly benefit older women in relieving the symptoms of menopause and post menopause. Phytoestrogens are plant estrogens that the body can convert to use as it needs. They also have major antioxidant properties that fight free radical damage in skin. You see this damage on your skin as brown spots, lines, wrinkles and sagging.
Diabetes: Third, flax seeds help lower blood sugar levels and fight obesity. Because of their high lignan oil content, they help dampen hunger. Flax seeds can be added to the diet easily by adding 1 tablespoon to cereals, stir-frying with vegetables, or blending with smoothies.
3. Sunflower seeds
These easy anti-aging seeds are really powerhouse nutrients disguised as a cheap snack.
Digestion: They’re full of betaine, an important digestive nutrient, which everyone over 40 could use a little more of. Betaine helps you break down the nutrients in your food so that your body can absorb them better. They also contain fiber which helps sweep toxins from the colon.
Heart/Brain: They’re also full of Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that keeps your heart and brain healthy. Recent studies published in several medical journals have shown that higher intakes of Vitamin E may not only help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, but also help slow the progressive decline of already established Alzheimer disease.
4. Chia seeds
Last but not least on our list of anti-aging seeds that can benefit your health are Chia Seeds! Many people don’t realize these are much more than seeds to grow those crazy “chia pet” plants with. Chia seeds are one of Nature’s best kept nutritional secrets. They are loaded with antioxidants – some nutritionists say even more than blueberries; they’re high in fiber which makes the little carbs they contain almost nil; they’re also high in important minerals like manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium which helps build strong bones. They’re also a good source of potassium which helps regulate your heartbeat and keep your nerves functioning properly.
Studies on patients with type 2 diabetes have also shown that eating chia seeds for breakfast lowered inflammatory blood markers (C-RP) by 40%. In addition, they lowered blood pressure by several points in the upper and lower readings. Chia seeds can also be an easy added source of protein for older people concerned with maintaining muscle strength. Because they don’t need to be ground before eating, they’re very easily added to your diet. Sprinkle a 1 ounce serving on salads, in stir-fry vegetables, or roasted with meats.
It’s hard to believe that such simple and basic foods like these anti-aging seeds could have such profound effects on your health and longevity. If you’re looking for some simple ways to protect your health and fight aging, adding more of these delicious seeds to your diet can help.
Stay Well,
Mark Rosenberg, M.D.
- Pumpkin Seeds, http://tipsabouthealthyliving.com/8629/pumpkin-seed-nutrition-health-benefits-of-pumpkin-seeds/
- Flax Seeds, http://www.budwigdvds.com/articles/flax-seed-anti-aging-divine-food.htm
- Vitamin E in Aging, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22422715
- Nine Super Fruits and Seeds, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150312173532.htm
Images:
- Pumpking seeds: https://www.instagram.com/trinetraphotography_official/
- Flax seeds: https://www.instagram.com/DelphineHourlay/
- Sunflower seeds: https://www.instagram.com/annetteaigner/
- Chia seeds: https://www.instagram.com/castorly_stock/
