Healthy Heart Nutrition Beverages

Even as a medical student, Dr. Sinatra was taught that the average diabetic ages 15 years quicker than the average non-diabetic. We watched that dire prediction come true for Dr. Sinatra’s diabetic mother, as well as our diabetic patients.

But it makes sense—if you have problems with sugar metabolism, you’re going to age quicker, and we know now that it’s because the sugar and proteins create glycolated proteins in the body, and these cause accelerated aging.

Now we have another recent finding to support what we observed, but specifies yet another possible root cause: PHOSPHATES.

An investigator from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine teamed up with a colleague from the Department of Pathology at Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Japan to perform provocative animal research with three groups of mice. Their bottom line finding was that phosphates—the “fizzy” part of sodas that we have cautioned our family, friends, and patients to avoid—may accelerate the aging process in humans as well as their rodent counterparts.

Even though the exact physiology of phosphate toxicity is not yet known in mammals, lead researcher Dr. Razzaque reports that phosphates represent a culprit behind the prevalence of age-related medical problems and complications such as cardiovascular problems, kidney disease, and weakened skin and muscular structures.

So, for an alternative to those sugary summery drinks, consider something equally cold and refreshing, but much more nutritious. Green tea over ice with zesty lemon and a slice of lime is one of our favorites. You can also try natural mineral water sweetened with flavored liquid stevia or mixed with a puree of your favorite fruit. I am particularly partial to watermelon or strawberries!

For more information on general or cardiovascular nutrition and other great heart-healthy recipes, visit Dr. Sinatra’s Web site.