For Older Adults, Good Nutrition and Exercise
Are Key To Staying Healthy & Active
New Research Links Weight Gain to Reduced Life Expectancy
LITTLE ROCK – October 13, 2009 – Keeping fit at a young age may be one
of the secrets to living a long and healthy life, according to new research co-authored
by researcher Oscar Franco, MD, PhD, Assistant Clinical Professor in Public Health
at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom.
The article was published in the British Medical Journal on September 30 and was
based on data gathered since 1976 from more than 17,000 female nurses living in
the United States.
The new research shows that obesity is a “significant factor” in predicting how
long a person will live. The study found that women who were obese in middle age
had 79% lower odds of healthy survival compared with women who kept their weight
at a healthy level. Additionally, it linked weight gain between the age of 18 and
middle age to lower odds of healthy survival; specifically, for every 1kg increase
in weight gain since age 18, the odds of healthy survival decreased by 5%, the research
concluded.
The study is available online at
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/339/sep29_1/b3796.
“This new research confirms that good nutrition and exercise are a vital part of
staying healthy and feeling young – especially for older adults,” said Dr.
Franco, whose previous research in nutrition and aging supports BeneVia’s unique
nutritional value. “Staying healthy is a lifelong process that includes optimal
nutrition and exercise, which can help maintain a healthy weight profile and prolong
life expectancy.”
For more nutrition information from Dr. Franco, visit the HealthSpan Institute resources
at www.gobenevia.com.
Exercise doesn’t just mean going for a walk or riding a treadmill, Dr. Franco advises.
The Centers for Disease Control recommend that adults over the age of 65 do muscle-strengthening
activities on two or more days a week that work all of the major muscle groups.
Building muscle mass increases coordination, balance and even reduces the risk of
falls, according to the CDC. Increased muscle also helps to burn more calories so
it also contributes to maintaining healthy weight, said Dr. Franco.
The other part of the muscle-building equation is nutrition, which can be a major
hurdle for older adults who often don’t have the appetite for protein-rich foods
or creamy shake-based nutrition supplements.
“BeneVia’s fruit juice formula was developed to be light and tasty, but packed with
a proprietary protein blend – including the amino acid leucine – that
helps build muscle mass four times more effectively than other protein sources,”
said Robert Wolfe, PhD, Professor of Geriatrics at the University of Arkansas for
Medical Sciences and author of dozens of research articles on protein and aging.
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The proprietary protein and amino acid blend available in BeneVia® outperforms
weightlifting alone in building muscle. Together, though, simple weightlifting exercises
and BeneVia® intake have been clinically shown to drive optimal muscle growth,
which can help older adults maintain a healthy weight profile and stay healthy throughout
life.
“BeneVia® has its roots in the world’s best clinical nutrition research, so
we’re pleased that new research continues to reinforce our emphasis on physical
activity and optimal nutrition,” said John Troup, CEO of HealthSpan LLC, maker of
BeneVia®.
“The recent research findings not only point to ways of improving healthy living,
but also provide a guide as to how nutritional support can play an important role
in managing our health as we age. BeneVia’s Strength & Energy and Heart products
provide a great tasting and convenient way to help achieve this benefit,” he concluded.
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BeneVia® amplifies the effect of resistance exercise (weightlifting) on muscle
anabolism.
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BeneVia® is now on shelves and available nationally through online retailers.
For more information about product availability, visit
www.gobenevia.com.
About BeneVia®
BeneVia® is a balanced nutrition drink with the essential vitamins and minerals
for healthy aging.
The varieties of the BeneVia® product line contain nutrients which have been
tested to aid in managing the four most common health conditions faced by aging
consumers:
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• Strength & Energy – With ViaLeuPro™ protein blend and leucine
for balanced and fortified nutritional support for healthy weight and energy.
• Heart Health – With ViaLeuPro™ protein blend with leucine and Phytosterols
for balanced and fortified nutritional support and healthy weight management
Other products also available:
• Memory & Focus – With Omega3 DHA and Lutein
• Immune Protect – With Omega3 DHA and Amino Acids
BeneVia® is a naturally flavored fruit juice drink that tastes better and
is less filling than creamier “shake-based” nutritional drinks. BeneVia®
is fat free and approximately half the calories of other beverages in the adult
nutrition category.
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Fruit-based protein beverage BeneVia® comes in four varieties that address common
health conditions faced by aging consumers. BeneVia® is fat free and about half
the calories of other beverages in the adult nutrition category.
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Note to editors: Product photos, samples and peer-reviewed research articles
are available upon request.
