Posts filed under 'antioxidants'
Little did I know growing up that I was being raised by a woman of subtle, soft spoken genius. When I grew up and discovered that vegetables didn’t all come from a can, I was sure I had been short changed not only from a taste standpoint, but my long term health as well.
The truth is that she probably fed me plenty of fresh veggies as I grew and I probably reacted with one of my show stopping gagging noises and then when she would give up on that species, I would conveniently remove it from my memory, leaving only the canned stuff. Maybe I really liked the canned stuff?
I’ve talked a lot about antioxidants and their health virtues. Just the word immediately pops up blueberries in my mind. For others, things like chocolate or a glass of wine might fill the bill. Now a Cornell University study throws a whole new light on the antioxidant picture of health poster. How about a can of cooked corn? Yum!
But it seems that corn, which is chock full of antioxidants, is a little greedy about sharing those with whoever devours it as close to the source as possible. If what this study indicates is true the cows, who eat their corn raw and unprocessed, are getting very little benefit from the available free radicals. The prize goes to those who cook it the longest and hottest. Go figure! The processing process is what releases the antioxidants.
Bottom line. When it comes to who is likely to get the best life insurance rates, don’t bet on the cows. And let’s hear for those moms who knew what was best for us and pulled a can from the cupboard rather than serving up fresh, crispy veggies. Thanks Mom!
July 15th, 2008
And they all said………….DUH! I’ve gone on “ad nauseum” about the impact that heart issues can have on life insurance and how to approach getting life insurance at the best possible rates after a cardiac occurrence, so this week I am making an effort to be proactive. So, my advice is just don’t have that heart attack!
A friend of mine used to say that I talked and wrote in word salads. Never did figure out what that meant so I just keep rattling on. If I lose you, hang in there until the end and there is a better than 40% chance that I will make some relevant point. Obviously it makes sense that not having a cardiac event is a good way to ensure better life insurance rates, so how do we accomplish that? In a post yesterday I brought up the antioxidant idea. A little wine, a little dark chocolate, etc.
Today Reader’s Digest lays out the whole game plan. We know that fit versus fat is a good thing. Not smoking and exercising regularly are good things. But, as only Reader’s Digest can, they offer a condensed version of 30 ways to avoid blowing up and splattering heart parts all over.
From a life insurance underwriting point of view this game plan and avoiding a heart attack is going to put you into the home run life insurance rate category, the rates I wish I was paying. But also consider that underwriters would look more favorably on an applicant who had cardiac issues and started following these guidelines. They truly like to see and reward those who take what has happened seriously and change their lifestyle.
Bottom line. Life is so much more enjoyable when you have been and are taking care of yourself. Part of the enjoyment comes each time you pay that lower life insurance premium.
June 25th, 2008
A lot has been made over the years about diet and exercise being key components of a successful battle with hypertension or high blood pressure. But from the fringes we keep hearing snippets about drinking a glass of wine a day, eating dark chocolate and other things that seem oddly out of place.
Diet and dark chocolate! Diet and dark chocolate! Almost seems oxymoronic. I know from my experience that when I’m munching down dark chocolate, the word diet is secretly deleted from my brain during that moment. Maybe that is the power of antioxidants. Maybe they aren’t really good for you, they just erase guilt from your mind so, a little wine, a truffle….life is good.
But such is not the conclusion of studies that show that antioxidants actually do lower high blood pressure. This happens through a process of antioxidants inhibiting something called free radicals (sounds like something out of the 60’s).
This ability to inhibit free radicals can have far reaching effects, staving off high blood pressure which can prevent strokes and helping to prevent some of the big boys like heart disease and cancer.
So, will you get lower life insurance rates if you explain on your application that you eat blueberries or dark chocolate or (yum), dark chocolate covered blueberries from Harry and Davids, daily? Well, not from the mere mention of the fact you won’t, but a healthier you is a better life insurance risk and that should lead to lower rates.
Bottom line. Do what your mom told you. Eat chocolate and drink wine….and eat your vegetables. Science is on her side.
June 24th, 2008
Some weeks I feel like I’ve been a bit rough with the reality thing, so I thought I would end the week on a lighter, more upbeat reality note.
One of the common threads out there for the “right thing to do” for your health, especially when it comes to avoiding high blood pressure and heart disease, is intake of antioxidants. Sounds a bit like something you would clean your toilet with, but the truth is that they are tasty and fun.
From a glass of good wine to a chunk of dark chocolate, pecans and yes, blueberries, antioxidant loaded foods and spirits are loaded with health benefits. You can have a good time and drive your life insurance rates down.
Bottom line. Have a good weekend. Drink some wine, but don’t drink and drive. Eat some chocolate covered blueberries and don’t share with the kids.
May 30th, 2008
