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As I get older, so should the cheese I eat:

Probiotic (aged) cheese can help preserve and enhance the immune system of the elderly.

I know that eating nuts is good for me, and I try to eat a few every day – but this study makes me wonder if I should start eating more nuts – an awful lot of nuts – this study calls for 500 calories worth every day:

Eating Nuts = Better Cholesterol Levels

Participants in the trials consumed an average of 67 grams (about 2.4 ounces) of nuts per day. This was associated with an average 5.1 percent reduction in total cholesterol concentration, a 7.4 percent reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad" cholesterol) and an 8.3 percent change in ratio of LDL cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good" cholesterol). In addition, triglyceride levels declined by 10.2 percent among individuals with high triglyceride levels (at least 150 milligrams per deciliter), although not among those with lower levels.

I'm taking Vitamin D tablets and not slathering on quite as much sunblock these days:

Researchers recommend pregnant women take 4,000 IU vitamin D a day

New Vitamin D recommendations for older men and women - Key recommendations: 800 to 1000 IU/day.

Vitamin D protects against diarrhea and colitis

Low vitamin D levels may be associated with more advanced physical disability and cognitive impairment in persons with multiple sclerosis.

I'm doing lots of things to avoid bone loss (although none actually for that reason):

Protein May Reduce Hip Fractures in the Elderly

Seniors who consume a higher level of dietary protein are less likely to suffer hip fractures than seniors whose daily dietary protein intake is less.

Omega-3 May Help Reduce Bone Loss

NASA-sponsored studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may play a role in mitigating bone breakdown that occurs during spaceflight and in osteoporosis.

Exercise Can Forestall Osteoporosis

Eating plenty of phytonutrients from colorful fruits and vegetables is associated with better bone health.

Green Phytonutrients: EGCG, lutein/zeaxanthin, isoflavones
Key Food Sources: tea, spinach, soybeans
Red Phytonutrient: lycopene
Key Food Sources: tomatoes and tomato products
White Phytonutrient: quercetin
Key Food Sources: onions
Yellow/Orange Phytonutrients: beta-carotene, hesperitin, beta-cryptoxanthin
Key Food Sources: carrots, oranges and orange juice

I've had to skin cancers on my face, one on each side, but I don't do much long-distance driving:

More Left-Side Skin Cancer - From Driving

A study found that facial skin cancers were predominantly on the left-side, and especially in men.

I drink lots of tea, which is good for me in may ways:

Caffeine may help prevent cataract formation

Caffeine may slow Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, restore cognitive function, protect against Parkinson's, and improve mood.

I still eat oatmeal almost every day:


Diets rich in whole grain reduce risk of obesity and other diseases related to the metabolic syndrome e.g. type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

I eat dark chocolate almost every day:

Dark Chocolate May Guard Against Brain Injury From Stroke

I stopped taking C and E some time ago:

High doses of antioxidant supplements induce stem cell genetic abnormalities

High doses of antioxidant nutritional supplements, such as vitamins C and E, can increase genetic abnormalities in cells, which may predispose supplement-takers to developing cancer, according to a new study from the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute. .If you are taking 10 or 100 times the amount in a daily multivitamin, you may be predisposing your cells to developing cancer, therefore doing yourself more harm than good.

Not my wife's - only walking in major cities (NYC, Paris, London, Barcelona) benefits hers:

Just five minutes of exercise in a park, working in a backyard garden, on a nature trail, or other green space will benefit mental health.

I've been eating too much meat lately (still not a lot):

Animal Protein Intake Increases Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Animal protein represents a threefold risk of developing IBD in the highest intake group compared to the lowest group. Specifically, animal protein from meat and fish, not dairy, created an increased risk, while vegetable protein created no increased risk of developing IBD. The increased risk from animal protein intake were the same for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

But especially too much processed meat:

Eating processed meats, but not unprocessed red meats, may raise risk of heart disease and diabetes

In a new study, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) have found that eating processed meat, such as bacon, sausage or processed deli meats, was associated with a 42% higher risk of heart disease and a 19% higher risk of type 2 diabetes. In contrast, the researchers did not find any higher risk of heart disease or diabetes among individuals eating unprocessed red meat, such as from beef, pork, or lamb.

The results showed that, on average, each 50 gram (1.8 oz) daily serving of processed meat (about 1-2 slices of deli meats or 1 hot dog) was associated with a 42% higher risk of developing heart disease and a 19% higher risk of developing diabetes. In contrast, eating unprocessed red meat was not associated with risk of developing heart disease or diabetes. Too few studies evaluated the relationship between eating meat and risk of stroke to enable the researchers to draw any conclusions.

"To lower risk of heart attacks and diabetes, people should consider which types of meats they are eating. Processed meats such as bacon, salami, sausages, hot dogs and processed deli meats may be the most important to avoid," said Micha. "Based on our findings, eating one serving per week or less would be associated with relatively small risk."

But I've also kept up olive oil and nuts:

Olive, Peanut, and Grapeseed Oils May Protect Against the Development of Ulcerative Colitis

But not enough spicy food I guess:

Peppers May Help Lose Weight

There is growing evidence that the body-heat-generating power of peppers might even lend a hand in our quest to lose those extra inches accumulating around our collective national waistline. And fortunately for those of us who don't appreciate the "burn" of hot peppers, there are plants that make a non-burning version of capsaicin called dihydrocapsiate (DCT) that could have the benefits of peppers without the pungency.

Discouraging news:

1. No way to avoid Alzheimer's disease?

Many preventive measures for cognitive decline and for preventing Alzheimer's disease -- mental stimulation, exercise, and a variety of dietary supplements -- have been studied over the years. However, an independent panel convened by the National Institutes of Health determined that the value of these strategies for delaying the onset and/or reducing the severity of decline or disease hasn't been demonstrated in rigorous studies.

2. Restraining Calories Boosts Immunity

Volunteers who followed a low-calorie diet or a very low-calorie diet not only lost weight, but also significantly enhanced their immune response. The study may be the first to demonstrate the interaction between calorie restriction and immune markers among humans.

I hardly ever talk on my cell phone, and then only briefly:

World's biggest study on cell phones and brain cancer inconclusive

Cell-phone users had lower brain cancer risks than non-users. However, the study also found heavy users of cell phones appeared to be at a higher risk of brain tumors than non-users.

Unfortunately my aerobic exercise, biking and kayaking is weather and daylight dependent - and soccer, I'm told, isn't aerobic:

Benefits of aerobic training outclass those of lower-intensity walking programs

What to do: walk around the block or work up a sweat in an aerobic workout at the gym? If you're looking for the best health benefits from an exercise program, a traditional aerobic fitness program that gets your heart pumping beats a walking program hands down. But if you want to get moving, a walking program is easier to do, it's good for you, and you're more likely to stick with it.

I've stopped taking my statin substitute until I make sure my liver is OK 9 statins and niacin, which I have alo stopped taking, can do real damage in rare cases) , but I hope to resume soon:

Statins decrease risk of clot-related diseases

Individuals at risk for heart attack and stroke may benefit from taking common cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Connecticut.