Seeds for Cultivating Aging Health

Aside from their use in gardening, seeds have incredible health benefits and prevent diseases in aging adults if consumed regularly.

Seeds With Significant Benefits to Aging Health

Nutritionists, dietitians and physicians advise both the old and young to include healthy food containing amino acids, healthy fats and minerals in their diet. Older adults, including vegans, can find these nutrients in common seeds like sunflower, chia, flax and mustard seeds.

Grains have numerous benefits, including the provision of vitamins, phytochemicals and dietary fibers that elevate aging health. Furthermore, the consumption of seeds generally controls appetite, blood sugar levels and the status of the cardiovascular, digestive and immune systems.

Benefits of Chia Seeds to Aging Health

During aging, the density of bones decreases over time, predisposing them to osteoporosis. Weak and brittle bones that are susceptible to fractures comprise notable characteristics of osteoporosis and bone-breaking that is usually painful. However, chia seeds contain essential nutrients that can prevent such conditions from occurring and promote good aging health. The seeds carry a high concentration of essential minerals like calcium, ensuring healthy bones.

Chia seeds contain significant levels of fiber and amino acids that improve seniors’ overall health. The high protein content is advantageous for older adults desiring to increase or maintain their muscle strength. Research indicates that chia seeds have profound effects on the management of diabetes in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus. The studies established that a daily diet of chia seeds in the morning dramatically decreased inflammatory markers in blood by approximately 40 percent.

According to a study, consuming chia seeds significantly decreased the blood pressure of subjects well above and below the physiological readings. Additionally, chia seeds contain potassium, which plays a vital role in the nutrition of nerves and controlling a person’s heartbeat. The grains are rich in active compounds with marked antioxidant activity comparable to blueberries. Apart from containing calcium, chia seeds have other essential minerals like phosphorous, manganese and magnesium.

Minerals manganese and magnesium assist the bodies of older adults fight diseases. Manganese protects bones from damage, promotes collagen formation in bones and improves overall bone health. Trace elements found in chia seeds are notable for strengthening bones, boosting mineral density and forming connective tissue in bones.

Pumpkin Seeds

Native Americans and ancient Greeks previously used pumpkins as medication and a source of nutrients beneficial to the brain, heart and bones. Pumpkins improve aging health, especially the heart’s condition since they contain monounsaturated lipids. Monounsaturated fat promotes the accumulation of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) that are cardiac protective and lowers low-density lipoproteins (LDL).

Pumpkin seeds contain high L-tryptophan levels that help seniors get enough sleep and minimize the occurrence of depression. Additionally, they contain vitamin Bs that nourish and promote optimal functionality of nerves. The seeds have been used for generations to manage enlarged prostate in older males and decrease frequent urination. Their high mineral content aids in managing osteoporosis and inflammatory joint ailments like rheumatoid arthritis.

Flax Seeds

Flax grains are notable for containing high levels of phytoestrogens essential for aging health. The seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids that protect the brain, heart and other vital organs from diseases that promote inflammation. Additionally, flax has active constituents that prevent the formation of blood clots, which might be fatal. Furthermore, flax seeds contain lignan, which decreases blood sugar and promotes satiety in diabetic patients, thus effectively fighting obesity and diabetes.

The seeds’ phytoestrogens significantly help menopausal and post-menopausal women by alleviating aggressive symptoms related to the physiological transition. Phyto-estrogens have antioxidant characteristics that prevent the detrimental effects of free radicals on a person’s skin. Eating flax seeds helps remove and avoid wrinkles and skin sagging and spotting.

Sunflower Seeds

Apart from being a snack, sunflower seeds are rich in nutrients essential in maintaining optimum health. The seeds contain a nutrient called betaine that helps people over 40 years of age digest food. Betaine plays an indispensable role in the digestion and absorption of other food nutrients. Furthermore, sunflower seeds’ high fiber content promotes discharging toxins and preventing constipation in the elderly.

Sunflower seeds help the brain and heart maintain optimum physiological function because they contain high vitamin E levels. Research indicates that high consumption of food with vitamin E aids in preventing the early onset of cognitive diseases, such as Alzheimer‘s disease. Moreover, vitamin E reduces the progression of mental illnesses, aside from protecting the brain and heart cells against free radicals’ damage.