Good nutrition and exercise vital to stay young and healthy

Oct 14 2009

Keeping fit at a young age may be one of the secrets to living a long and healthy life, according to new research co-authored by researcher Oscar Franco, MD, PhD, Assistant Clinical Professor in Public Health at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom.

The article was published in the British Medical Journal on September 30 and was based on data gathered since 1976 from more than 17,000 female nurses living in the United States.

The new research shows that obesity is a "significant factor" in predicting how long a person will live. The study found that women who were obese in middle age had 79% lower odds of healthy survival compared with women who kept their weight at a healthy level. Additionally, it linked weight gain between the age of 18 and middle age to lower odds of healthy survival; specifically, for every 1kg increase in weight gain since age 18, the odds of healthy survival decreased by 5%, the research concluded.

The study is available online at http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/339/sep29_1/b3796 .

"This new research confirms that good nutrition and exercise are a vital part of staying healthy and feeling young - especially for older adults," said Dr. Franco, whose previous research in nutrition and aging supports BeneVia's unique nutritional value. "Staying healthy is a lifelong process that includes optimal nutrition and exercise, which can help maintain a healthy weight profile and prolong life expectancy."

For more nutrition information from Dr. Franco, visit the HealthSpan Institute resources at www.gobenevia.com.

Exercise doesn't just mean going for a walk or riding a treadmill, Dr. Franco advises. The Centers for Disease Control recommend that adults over the age of 65 do muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week that work all of the major muscle groups. Building muscle mass increases coordination, balance and even reduce the risk of falls, according to the CDC. Increased muscle also helps to burn more calories so it also contributes to maintaining healthy weight, said Dr. Franco.

The other part of the muscle-building equation is nutrition, which can be a major hurdle for older adults who often don't have the appetite for protein-rich foods or creamy shake-based nutrition supplements.

"BeneVia's fruit juice formula was developed to be light and tasty, but packed with a proprietary protein blend - including the amino acid leucine - that helps build muscle mass four times more effectively than other protein sources," said Robert Wolfe, PhD, Professor of Geriatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and author of dozens of research articles on protein and aging.

The proprietary protein and amino acid blend available in BeneVia® outperforms weightlifting alone in building muscle. Together, though, simple weightlifting exercises and BeneVia® intake have been clinically shown to drive optimal muscle growth, which can help older adults maintain a healthy weight profile and stay healthy throughout life.

"BeneVia® has its roots in the world's best clinical nutrition research, so we're pleased that new research continues to reinforce our emphasis on physical activity and optimal nutrition," said John Troup, CEO of HealthSpan LLC, maker of BeneVia®.

"The recent research findings not only point to ways of improving healthy living, but also provide a guide as to how nutritional support can play an important role in managing our health as we age. BeneVia's Strength & Energy and Heart products provide a great tasting and convenient way to help achieve this benefit," he concluded.

BeneVia® is now on shelves and available nationally through online retailers. For more information about product availability, visit www.gobenevia.com.