REDUCE YOUR DNA DAMAGE

by Royce Bailey M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.C.

Make Dried Fruit A Habit

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD):

Estimates provided by the National Alzheimer’s Association indicate that 10% of the population over the age of 65 have AD and almost 50% of the population over the age of 85 have AD. People with AD live three to 20 years from the time of diagnosis.

NC Med J Jan/Feb 2005, vol 66, number 1:14.

Oxygen Radical Absorbence Capacity (ORAC)

The anti-oxidant effect of raisins (like dried plums/prunes) have a high Oxygen Radical Absorbence Capacity (ORAC). Simply, they have a strong ability to neutralize free radicals, reversing our bodies tenancy to “rust”out. Raisins given to athletes competing in triathlons before competition had an increase in their bloodstream antioxidant levels within 15 to 30 minutes. After 60 minutes, the antioxidants had moved from the blood stream into various tissues of the athletes’ bodies. Eating dried fruit before undertaking any type of strenuous activity can help prevent oxidative stress; in other words, stress induced DNA damage. This is the same type of damage associated with tissue aging, memory loss and loss of brain function.

Gene Spiller, Stanford University, presentation at the 43rd Annual American College of Nutrition.

Dried Plums

Using the Nutritional Density Index we can compare dried fruit to fresh fruit.

Ounce for ounce DRIED PLUMS have:

Antioxidants (Vitamin A&E) = 16x bananas Helps slow the aging process and helps protect your cells from cancer causing “free radicals”

Potassium = 8x apples Helps maintain healthy blood pressure and promotes muscle energy.

Vitamin B = 6x oranges Supports your nervous system, skin and eyes. It helps in the formation of antibodies.

Vitamin K = 83x bananas Helps protect against heart disease and osteoporosis. It helps regulates your blood sugar, slows aging and helps clotting factors.

Dietary Fiber = 5x apples Necessary for digestive health and helps fight heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

NO Cholesterol Has protein and carbohydrates but no cholesterol.

Low in sodium Can be eaten on a salt restricted diet.

Diabetic Exchange: 1 ½ fruit

For Your Snack Attack Try Dried Fruits

Everybody knows fruit is good for them. We just need to get into a habit of eating more antioxidant foods, like prunes and raisins. Next time you’re searching for a snack, keep in mind that just a handful of these dried fruits can pack a very powerful punch when it comes to helping you stay healthy by preventing DNA damage to our bodies and thus helping prevent AD.

Note: Try to limit sulfur containing dried fruit.