Plant Foods for Preserving Muscle Mass

Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals and fiber that are key to good health. Now, a newly released study by Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-funded scientists suggests plant foods also may help preserve muscle mass in older men and women. Maintaining muscle mass while aging is important to prevent falls and fractures.

The study was led by physician and nutrition specialist Bess Dawson-Hughes at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston, Mass.

The typical American diet is rich in protein, cereal grains and other acid-producing foods. In general, such diets generate tiny amounts of acid each day. With aging, a mild but slowly increasing metabolic “acidosis” develops, according to the researchers.

Acidosis appears to trigger a muscle-wasting response. So the researchers looked at links between measures of lean body mass and diets relatively high in potassium-rich, alkaline-residue producing fruits and vegetables. Such diets could help neutralize acidosis. Foods can be considered alkaline or acidic based on the residues they produce in the body, rather than whether they are alkaline or acidic themselves. For example, acidic grapefruits are metabolized to alkaline residues.

Their conclusion is that higher intake of foods rich in potassium, such as fruit and vegetables, may favor the preservation of muscle mass in older men and women.

Using the Light Switch Self Hypnosis technique is an easy way for you to use hypnotherapy to change your eating behaviors ending your cravings from meat and dairy and increasing your desires for vegetables, fruit and whole-grains.  Watch Light Switch Self Hypnosis and find out how easy self hypnosis is. You can also watch these videos on Power Minutes: Power Minutes, How To Use Power Minutes, Written Suggestions and  Orange Blossom. Use hypnosis several times a day, every day.

Dr. John McDougall‘s Total Health Solution has a chapter titled Five Dietary Myths. This is an excellent resource of information dispelling old myths about healthy eating.

Are you still eating too much animal protein? Do you still think carbs are bad for you? Write to me about it?

Your Hypnosis Health Info Hypnotic Suggestion for today: