health briefs Reduce Cognitive
Decline with Tai Chi In good news for the 10 to 20 percent of people over age 65 that suffer with mild cognitive impairment, research from China’s Central South University, in Hunan, shows that practicing the gentle ancient martial art of tai chi can significantly improve memory, learning, mental speed and attention, the abil- ity to formulate abstract ideas, mental flexibility and visuospatial perception. The research analyzed data from 10 studies that included 1,061 people with symptoms such as forgetting conversations and names, and having difficulty with complex tasks. “As it emphasizes mental concentration, physical balance, full- body stretching and relaxation, and relaxed breathing, tai chi has a great potential for becoming widely inte- grated into rehabilitation interventions for various medical and psychological conditions,” write the study’s authors.
Eat More Citrus for
a Thinner Waistline Research published in the Phytother- apy Research Journal analyzed 13 studies from around the world involving 921 people. The studies showed that eating citrus fruits or their extract can sig- nificantly reduce body weight. The research data found that citrus and its extracts reduced body weight by an aver- age of 2.8 pounds per person and almost an inch of waist and hip circumfer- ence. It also reduced body mass index among those studied.
10 South Central PA
NaturalCentralPA.com Beyond Factory Farming
and Gut Health Seventy percent of our immune system is housed in the gut, where microorganisms including bacte- ria play a role not only in immunity, but also nutrition and metabolism. Prebiotics are non-digestible food components found in fruits and vegetables that assist with the growth of helpful bacteria in the gut. Fiber, which we also receive from pro- duce, helps to diversify the gut microbiome. A Western diet high in fat and refined carbo- hydrates, while low in fiber, can negatively affect the balance of the gut and create dysbiosis, a disruption in the gut microbiome and lead to the onset of many diseases. According to research- ers at George Washington University, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and other fiber-rich foods strongly influences the composition of the gut microbiome. This has been shown to positively impact conditions like obesity, depression and diabetes. The current research indicates that a long-term, plant-rich diet that is high in fiber is one of the best ways to promote gut health. With summertime in full swing, locally grown produce is in abundance at farmers’ markets, roadside stands and supermarkets. Locally sourced food is picked at peak which creates enhanced flavor, supports the local economy and provides a safer food supply because there are fewer steps between the grower and consumer. Incorporate locally grown fruits and vegetables such as berries, onions and tomatoes this summer and beyond to support the local community and gut health.
Charlotte Scheid, MEd, RD, LDN, is a nutritionist partner with the GIANT company. To learn about free virtual nutrition classes, including Produce Spotlight, where every Thur. at 4 p.m. they spotlight on a seasonal produce item and create a simple, affordable recipe, visit
TheGiantCompanyNutritionists.eventbrite.com. See Resource Guide listings, page 34.
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