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Healthnotes Newswire (June 28, 2007)—Vitamin D might prevent age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over age 60, a new study shows.

Macular degeneration is a progressive disease of the eye that causes destruction of the macula, the part of eye responsible for central vision. Damage to the macula results in blurred vision or a blind spot in the center of the visual field. Because this is the part of the eye responsible for straight-ahead vision, tasks such as reading, driving, recognizing faces, and doing detailed work become difficult.

People with a family history of the disease, seniors, women, people with light-colored eyes, smokers, and people with cardiovascular disease are at higher risk for developing macular degeneration. Certain nutritional deficiencies have also been linked to a higher disease risk, while the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, and zinc seem to help protect against it.

Healthnotes Newswire (May 3, 2007)—The message is clear: eating more fruits and vegetables helps cut disease risk. So what can be done to ensure kids get the recommended daily amounts of these foods? One answer may lie in hands-on learning. A new study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association shows that growing a garden inspires children to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Garden tending—the new trend in nutrition education

A new movement in nutrition education is sweeping the nation: garden tending is making its way into schools as a way to encourage children to eat more healthfully. Because eating habits are established early in life and carry into adulthood, researchers from Idaho State University sought to measure the effects of a garden-based nutrition education program on fruit and vegetable consumption in sixth-grade students.

Try as we might, it is hard to outdo nature. Supplements are a great way to get antioxidants, but the best way to increase antioxidants in your body is through diet. A recent USDA study listed red beans, pinto beans, artichokes, prunes, and berries (including blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, and raspberries) as having the highest levels of antioxidants.

”The amount of antioxidants in your body is directly proportional to how long you will live."
- Dr. Richard Cutler, former Director of the National Institute of Aging, Washington

That frozen dinner may be vegetarian and lowfat, but is it truly healthy in the long run?