Antioxidants Reduce the Likelihood of Hip Fractures
By Guest Contributing Author Kathy Wytec, M.S., R.D., D.C.
We have known for a while that antioxidants protect us against certain types of cancers. They reduce DNA damage and ‘replication errors’ as we make new cells. More recently, findings in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research reveal these same cancer fighting antioxidants, such as lycopene, carotenoids and lutein, carry a one-two punch by combating more than cancer!
The 17-year long study, involving 946 individuals, 576 Caucasian women and 370 Caucasian men with an average age of 75, found participants with the highest average intakes of all carotenoids had significantly lower risk of hip fractures, lycopene linked to the lowest risk of hip fracture and non-vertebral fracture; NutraIngredients reports.
In the past, other antioxidants found in plants, such as flavonoids, have been associated with heart health and blueberries, which are packed with nutrients like tannins, anthocyanidins and polyphenols help to prolong mental health and prevent cancer.
As a side bar, it seems that there is so much attention paid to the ratio of the energy producing macronutrients in our diets, ie., how much fat, carbohydrate and protein. It is this author’s humble opinion that perhaps we should focus less on these macronutrients and much more on the micronutrients, such as phytochemicals - the only nutritional components proven to combat killer diseases.
June 1st, 2009 at 7:37 am
I agree…the big ‘Diet Wars’ seems like much a do about nothing as it’s much more important to measure the quality of calories and not the quanity. I like using Fuhrman’s ANDI Scoring system - aggregate nutrtient density index - each food’s nutrient denity and content is carefully analysized and then given a point value…following this it becomes apparent that it is the path to nutrtional excellence and best possible health.
June 1st, 2009 at 8:41 am
I thought that lycopine and lucopine were the only 2 worth looking out for in your diet? There’s MORE!?!?!?
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:50 am
I agree - and it’s true that fruit and vegitables are the best source of cancer fighting phytochemicals. And, BTW, I beleive that there are THOUSANDS of them…many of which are yet to be discovered!
Rock On!
Kevin