Body Boosters

Eat For Your Eyes

According to a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology, people who ate two servings of fish weekly benefited from an almost 50 percent decrease in the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), says Emily Chew, MD, deputy director of the division of epidemiology and clinical research at the National Eye Institute. Eggs, leafy greens, broccoli, winter squash, and Brussels sprouts all contain the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin (both associated with eye health), as well as vitamins C and E, zinc, and beta-carotene.

Scientists are still investigating how these foods promote eye health. Observational studies show they likely reduce the risk of AMD, Chew says. No one knows exactly what lutein and zeaxanthin do for the eye, but it’s thought they filter damaging light and support cell structure. Expect more answers in 2012, when Chew and colleagues hope to publish research on the effects of lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids from a study following 4,000 patients for five years.

View Recipe: Orange-Cranberry Wheat Germ Muffins

Build Better Bones

Calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus work together to build strong bones. Even though green leafy and cruciferous vegetables (like spinach and broccoli) contain calcium, the body absorbs it best from dairy products, says Joan Lappe, PhD, RN, a bone health researcher and professor at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Dairy products offer a package deal: they are abundant in phosphorous, and vitamin D added to milk and dairy products aids in calcium absorption. Some nondairy foods high in calcium include canned salmon, sardines, and calcium-fortified firm tofu.

Greens are still good bone foods, however. Broccoli, kale, and bok choy may provide little calcium, but they offer plenty of vitamin K. Research is showing promise that vitamin K―or some antioxidant or phytochemical in foods high in the vitamin―boosts bone mineralization. Research published last year in Osteoporosis International followed postmenopausal women for three years, and found that those taking supplemental vitamin K maintained or enhanced bone strength, compared to those on a placebo.

View Recipe: Butterscotch Pudding