A healthy diet is the way to prevent disease.  I’m so thankful the media communicated this when they reported earlier this week about the results of the latest study on taking vitamin and mineral supplements.  The Iowa Woman’s Study shows a significant percentage of older women who reported taking certain supplements died earlier of diseases like heart disease and cancer than those who did not take these supplements.   Over the 19 years of the study, the women increased their supplementation, reflective of the growing popularity of taking vitamins and pills in general, particularly in the aging population.  Here’s more about the study:  http://abcnews.go.com/Health/diet-supplements-harm-older-women-study/story?id=14706684

As we age and become more vulnerable to disease, it is even more important to consume nutrient-dense, whole plant foods because hormones are changing, cells and tissues are weakening, metabolism is slowing down and stomach acid and digestive enzymes are decreasing.  Whole plant foods provide natural sources of fiber, a lack of which leads to constipation, a common problem in the aging population.   We now know that naturally occurring food substances called phytochemicals, such as lycopene in tomatoes and flavanoids in fruit, prevent disease, particularly cancer.

By consuming a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and herbs on a regular basis, our bodies will be stronger because we will be getting a variety of phytochemicals working synergistically to protect us from disease.  You cannot get this in a pill or supplement.  No matter what your age – “The best offense is a good defense” and it is never too late to begin your journey to better health by improving your diet.