| "While healthful eating is important regardless of life stage, eating well is increasingly important for older adults. Wise food choices and a balanced diet are key elements to a healthy lifestyle. " "Adults tend to eat less as they age and may have conditions such as arthritis or difficulty chewing that prevent them from preparing and enjoying foods they used to enjoy regularly. As a result, it is important to make calories count. Eating nutrient-dense foods is essential -- metabolism may be slowing down, but the body's requirements for vitamins and minerals do not! In fact, there may be increased need for certain vitamins. " "Researchers continue to find evidence linking a healthful diet to the prevention of disease. Recent studies show that eating well may help reduce the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer, arthritis, and even Alzheimer's disease. With the number of cases of Alzheimer's in the U.S. expected to triple by 2050, the relationship between lifelong healthy eating habits and health becomes important. In fact, recent studies suggest that vitamin-rich foods may be more beneficial than vitamin supplements. " "Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and important antioxidant that helps protect cells from everyday damage. For instance, it boosts the immune system and may reduce the risk of cataracts. Vitamin E is also vital for healthy skin and hair. Foods naturally rich in vitamin E include nuts, such as almonds, vegetable oils, seeds, wheat germ, spinach and other dark, green leafy vegetables. There are actually eight forms of vitamin E, however, the alpha-tocopherol form is the one used by the body, according to the National Academy of Sciences. " "Vitamin E in the diet may help reduce the risk of some of the most common diseases, such as heart disease and Alzheimer's disease. Normal cell function results in byproducts known as free radicals. Free radicals can "attack" other cell substances, causing damage to the cell wall, metabolic machinery, and genetic material (DNA). Cells have natural defenses against this damage, including the antioxidants vitamins C and E, but with age some of these defenses decline. Brain cell damage caused by free radicals may play a role in Alzheimer's disease. " "Getting adequate amounts of vitamin E from food is an important part of a healthy lifestyle for aging adults. Two studies reported in the June 26, 2002 issue of the" ") demonstrated the association between dietary vitamin E and decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The first study found that the risk of developing Alzheimer's was 70 percent less among people consuming the most vitamin E foods compared with those consuming the least amount of vitamin E. The second study found that high dietary intake of vitamin E and vitamin C may lower the risk of Alzheimer's. " "What You Need: For adult Americans, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin E is 15 milligrams of the alpha-tocopherol form of vitamin E per day. A physician may recommend a higher intake with vitamin supplements. " "This smoothie combines two classically complementary ingredients -- almonds and raspberries. For variety, strawberries work well with almonds, too, as do blueberries, blackberries, or a combination of berries. " "Combine almond milk, frozen raspberries, bananas, honey and almond extract in a blender; whirl until smooth. Pour into 4 tall glasses and garnish with whole almonds and raspberries. " "*Almond milk is available in most supermarkets in a sealed,
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