Uh oh… this will be my second blog on a similar subject in barely a month… And yes, I am a vegetarian and have been for a good 45 years, so the topic is important to me.

Here goes (I’ve just copied and pasted the first few paragraphs from Medical News Today, an e-letter that always seems well-researched)…

• A new study found that women who include enough protein, particularly plant protein, in their diet are likely to remain healthy as they age.
• Healthy aging is not just about adding years to the lifespan but living healthily without chronic conditions.
• A diet high in minimally processed, whole foods is recommended for maintaining physical and mental health during older age.

An estimated 15% of the population in the United States is currently older than 65, but that percentage is expected to increase to almost 25% by 2060.

In 2018, around 27%Trusted Source of people over 65 had multiple chronic health conditions, and by 2050, research suggestsTrusted Source the majority of people 50 and older will have one or more chronic health conditions.

The risk of chronic conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitusTrusted Source, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)Trusted Source, and coronary heart disease, can be mitigated through diet and lifestyleTrusted Source changes.

A new study from Tufts University in Boston suggested that including more protein, particularly plant protein, in a dietary pattern during midlife is linked to healthier aging in females.

The study, led by researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA), was published January 17 in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Kelsey Costa, a registered dietitian nutritionist and nutrition consultant for the National Coalition on Healthcare, not involved in the study, commented on the findings to Medical News Today:

“There is a strong connection between protein consumption during midlife and the probability of aging healthily. The research indicates that plant protein is the most effective in promoting healthy aging and maintaining a positive health status.”

For the rest of the article, please go here.

Categories: Health Concerns, Medical Concerns

Tags: females and health, healthy aging, Heritage Health Services, Medical News Today, older women, plant protein, protein, Tufts, vegetarian