 Daily folic acid may slow age-related hearing loss. True.
According to a study done in the Netherlands (Annals of Internal Medicine, January 2007), elderly men and women who took folic acid for three years had less low-frequency hearing loss than those who took a sugar pill. Foods in the Netherlands are not normally fortified with folic acid. In the U.S., on the other hand, "we get an extra boost of this water-soluble vitamin due to a Food and Drug Administration mandate that grains, cereals, and pasta be fortified," says Pam Mason, an audiologist at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. "Folate helps lower homocysteine levels which, when high, are associated with cardiovascular disease." Hardened arteries also thwart oxygen-rich blood flow essential to nourishing ear function. So hear this: Eat your spinach, cereal, and whole wheat pasta. "Good nutrition," Mason says, "makes a difference." If you feel you may not be getting adequate folic acid in your diet, talk with your doctor about a daily supplement.
Organic produce is grown with little or no fertilizer. False.
All plants require nutrients to flourish. Organic farmers deliver these nutrients using natural materials like compost and manure. To be allowable in organic farming, compost must be produced following the guidelines set forth in the USDA National Organic Program Standards.
Coffee causes dehydration. False.
Java may give you a buzz, but it's not likely to dehydrate you. "The water in coffee balances out the drying effect," says George Grossberg, M.D., geriatric psychiatry director at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. "One would have to drink 10 cups of coffee before a significant diuretic effect would be noted." On the other hand, there are some surprising offenders, including alcohol, asparagus, celery, cola, parsley, and some melons. These foods stimulate the kidneys and inhibit salt absorption, thus boosting urination. The risk of dehydration is highest in people who take a prescription diuretic or who sweat profusely and neglect to drink enough water to compensate. Warning signs of dehydration include extreme thirst, sunken eyes, rapid heartbeat, and lack of perspiration.
|
