Eating Our Way To Old Age

My email in-box this week contained some real gems, a couple of easy to read dietary Research Papers.  Normally, humans view their diet as something to be slavishly followed when they want to look trim on that holiday in three weeks’ time, while other species take a longer term and ‘essentials only’ view of their diet. According to the World Health Organisation mental health issues have now overtaken physical ill health in their contribution to the total ‘burden of disease’ in developed countries. It seems that these non-genetic health burdens have a major dietary component, including excessive consumption of refined sugar, lack of dietary fibre, vitamin and mineral deficiencies – and an unhealthy balance of dietary fats. 
The brain is 60% fat, so dietary fat intake is critical to mental wellbeing and performance.  Some UK Schools have trialled introducing omega-3 fats (EPA and DHA found in fish and seafood) into children’s diets, to help improve their levels of concentration and sleep. Healthy diets certainly help us live longer too and our weekend dinner guest was well on that track.  At 83 and pill free he has a well-crafted plan to live to 105.  His mantra includes never have second servings of a main course, which he stuck to willingly and not through gritted teeth.