Sept 13, 2024 – Remove poor-quality oils, alternatives to dairy, and the longevity of optimism
Happy Friday! Each week, I’m sharing two nano health habits, a lesson, and an inspirational quote to ponder on your health journey.
No one’s yet discovered the elixir of youth. There is no one fix for a longer, healthier life. What we do have, though, are nano or micro habits that together make all the difference.
Two Nano Health Habits
Remove poor-quality oils: One easy way to improve our health is to look at the oils we use in our kitchen.
Cheaper oils like canola oil, extracted from rapeseed, have about twenty per cent omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are inflammatory. The standard western diet is already high in omega-6s, so we want to keep those as low as possible. Chemical extraction of the oil can also create trans fats.
In comparison, avocado oil is almost seventy per cent monounsaturated omega-9s. The amount of omega-6s is relatively small. Avocado oil also has a high smoke point, so it’s great for cooking. Extra virgin oil is good for salads, as it has a lower smoke point.
Consider alternatives to dairy: About sixty-eight percent of us are lactose intolerant, meaning we’re unable to fully digest the sugar in milk. You may notice you feel uncomfortable after consuming dairy products; and that could be even two or three days afterwards. How about trying soy or coconut milk instead?
And just check the label for added sugars. There shouldn’t be any! Flavored milk means added sugars, so it’s best to leave the vanilla on the shelf and go for unsweetened.
One Lesson
Optimists live longer: Having a positive outlook about aging adds years to your life. Seven and a half years to be exact.
A study of 660 people aged fifty and above found that positive perceptions of aging added extra years, irrespective of age, gender or wealth.
One Quote
“Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.” Erma Bombeck
