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Written by Toun Cryer   
Thursday, 29 April 2010 20:51

　

DID YOU KNOW…that post-Industrial Revolution in the countries with the highest life expectancy, the average life span has grown at a rate of 2.5 years per

Decade – which equates to around 6 hours per day? This has occurred because better and more widespread availability of medical technology lowers the rate at which biological damage accumulates. Prevention of chronic infectious disease, for example, falls into this category: disease applies a damage load that damage reduces the mean time to failure of bodily systems. We're living longer because people are reaching old age in better health, therefore deterioration, instead of being stretched out, is being postponed.

　

Snack Happy!

The next time you hit a mental and/or physical slump and find yourself reaching for a biscuit or can of cola, take a deep breath and pick one of the following instead:

Walnuts:

Walnuts are packed with omega-3s. They also provide your body with mood-boosting tryptophan and folate, Just a few nuts is all it takes you make you feel satisfied.

Bananas:

Bananas have long been recognised as a fruit that can improve mood – the fructose gives you an uplifting boost and the fibre content prevents you from crashing afterwards (as happens with processed sugary snacks).　 Bananas also contain Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, iron, potassium and tryptophan, which is converted into mood-enhancing serotonin.　

Sunflower Seeds:

Contain calming folate and magnesium, the latter often recommended for depression and anxiety. 　Plus fibre and folate, which is known to improve depression and irritability.

Dark Chocolate:

Mood-enhancing phenylethylamine, tyramine, tryptophan and magnesium are all found in chocolate, but note this only applies to dark chocolate with a high cacao content (typically 70% or more).　 Cocoa is full of antioxidants that boost oxygenation in the brain, allowing us to feel and think better.　 The fact that it tastes good too also helps!

Eggs:

The humble egg also has mood improving benefits.　 As well as protein and omega-3s, eggs also　contain Vitamin B12 or riboflavin, which produces energy and fights depression (one egg contains more than 20% the RDA of tryptophan).　 But make sure your eggs are organic and free-range.　 According to a US study, organic eggs have three times the level of omega-3 over regular eggs, while the yolks of organic eggs also have more Vitamin E and Vitamin A. A hard-boiled egg is an easily transported snack that will fill you up when healthy food is not readily available.

　

Deeside Beauty Boost

Tom Cruise drinks it and models and health professionals are supporting it as a natural beauty product that can reverse the signs of ageing – with clinical evidence to prove it. So what makes Deeside Mineral Water the hottest 2010 beauty trend? The water first made headlines in 1996 when clinical studies showed it reduced the effects of rheumatoid arthritis; now a recent study at Leeds Skin Centre has found it increases skin hydration by 23 % compared with tap water in a group of women aged 18-52 and reduced wrinkles by 17% over 12 weeks. Three separate studies also found it has antioxidants that protect cells in the body from the harmful effects of free radicals, one of the causes of ageing. These benefits are the result of minerals and natural characteristics found only in Deeside Mineral Water, which flows from a spring near Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands. Long enjoyed by Royals - Queen Victoria was a fan – Deeside Mineral Water is available from major supermarkets and costs just 80p a two-litre bottle, which also makes it one of the least expensive beauty products. For more info visit www.deeside-water.co.uk