Top Foods To Help You Live Longer

1 DARK FRUITS: Red or purple fruits, black grapes, blueberries, black cherries, black berries and bilberries contain much vitamin C and flavonoids.

2 WHOLE-GRAINS: They include brown rice, wholemeal bread and porridge, all keeping bowels regular and efficient to prevent toxins, that have been processed by the liver and sent to the intestines, from re-entering the blood. Whole-grains are also rich in vitamins E and B, which keep your nervous system healthy. Brown rice contains methionine, which forms enzymes that fight free radicals.

3 CABBAGE FAMILY: All members of the cabbage family, especially broccoli, Brussels sprouts and spring and winter greens are rich in chemicals that help the liver break down cancer-causing toxins and pollutants. They are also rich in carotenes, more agents against free radicals. The cabbage family helps prevent osteoporosis, as it is an excellent source of vitamin K, needed for bone formation and repair.

4 OILY FISH: The omega-3 oils found in oily fish, particularly mackerel, herring and sardines, may help prevent red blood cells from clumping and blocking blood vessels. Oily fish are also rich in zinc, which helps prevent prostate problems in older men.

5 SOY BEANS: Recent research has shown that soy beans contain materials that can be converted by digestions and fermentation to genistein and daidzein, which help prevent breast cancer and prostate cancer and also forms a natural hormone replacement therapy for those in the menopause. Referred to as ?plant oestrogen?s?, there are, in fact, a type of flavonoid which is a good oestrogen?s balancer. To receive all the benefits soy has to offer, eat tofu, soy yoghurt, soy flour and soy milk, but more especially fermented soy products such as miso and tempeh.

6 BRAZIL NUTS: Selenium is found in Brazil nuts, which are actually one of the very few good sources for this mineral, needed in the body to make the antioxidant enzyme called glutathione peroxidase, which helps prevent free-radical damage to your cells. Studies continue to show that people who eat selenium-rich food greatly reduce their risk of developing cancer and heart disease. Research also indicates that selenium helps the kidneys to clean toxins from the body more efficiently. Other sources include whole-grain cereals, seafood and seaweed.

7 CELERY JUICE: Meat eating can cause over-acidity which, can lead to illnesses such as osteoarthritis. Celery juice, made with an extractor or juicer, will help reduce acidity. It is credited with being one of the best treatments for the prevention of osteoarthritis. Drink 1-2 glasses daily, even more if it seems to be helping.

8 SESAME SEEDS: Although bones obviously need calcium to remain strong and healthy in later life, they also need the osteoporosis-fighting nutrients magnesium and zinc. Sesame seeds are rich in both and contain levels of calcium. Mix them with other foods or use tahini (sesame seed paste) instead of butter.

9 ORGANIC LIVER: Liver is rich in vitamin A and zinc, which are both in the anti-ageing nutrient list and help prevent hormone deficiencies. Liver also contains folic acid and other B vitamins, which could help prevent heart attacks and Alzheimer?s. Furthermore, it contains chromium, which helps keep blood sugar levels down. Not everyone likes to eat liver; those who prefer not to but who are happy to eat meat can buy desiccated liver tablets, though they are quite difficult to find in organic forms. Vegetarians need to eat a varied diet and take vitamin A (up to 10,000 i.u.), or safer beta-carotene which is converted to vitamin A (but not readily diabetics), and mineral supplements. It is not advisable for pregnant women to eat non-organic liver as it has high retinol content. 10 WATER: Dehydration goes unnoticed in too many people. Stimulants, such as tea, coffee and alcohol, increase our need for water as they cause dehydration and thus increase the potential of kidney problems and damage. The average adult must drink at least 8 glasses of water daily to flush out toxins, maintain good health and adequate hydration. People who exercise a lot must drink more.

Tony TT is an author for the health information site http://www.healthadel.com