For our top stories today, human longevity may have reached its upper limit. And next, is there a way to slow vision loss for millions battling advanced macular degeneration? And lastly, our plant-based burgers really better than beef. Welcome to the Daily News. First, for much of the 20th century human life expectancy increased steadily, adding about three extra years per decade in developed countries. But have we now reached the upper limit of longevity? Well, according to a new study covered by Scientific American, we just may have the study published in Nature. Aging by the University of Illinois analyzed life expectancy trends in the world’s longest lived nations such as Japan and Switzerland. It found that the pace of life expectancy improvements has slowed over the past 30 years, even in these top countries. Despite medical advances, researchers believe that we may not continue extending life at the same rate. The lead author explained, our bodies don’t operate well when you push them beyond their warranty period. The longer we live, the more diseases emerge, and at a faster rate, one geneticist agrees saying, there is really no evidence that survival to 100 will become a reality anytime soon. Experts now suggest focusing on improving health span the number of healthy years we live rather than extending lifespan. So what’s the takeaway point here? While radical life extension seems unlikely, improving the quality of life during our later years is a goal worth pursuing. A study published in ophthalmology found that a specific mix of vitamins and minerals could slow the progression of late stage dry a MD. This formula contains vitamin C and E, lutein, xanthin, zinc, and copper. The researchers discovered that these supplements may slow the expansion of the disease by about 55% over three years. The study showed that vitamin C and E showed the most effectiveness against disease progression, probably due to their antioxidant properties. These findings could change how doctors approach treatment for dry a MD in the future. For people worried about vision loss, this is promising news. Current treatments for advanced A MD include monthly eye injections, which can come with risks. One retinal expert says there’s no real risk we’re taking if we advise patients to take these supplements, so why not give it a try? The article notes that while the supplements won’t prevent macular degeneration or stop the progression entirely, they may offer a safer non-invasive option to slow the disease. As always, it’s best to speak with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplements, especially for something as serious as vision loss. For our last story, our plant-based burgers healthier than real beef. While a recent article says it depends on several factors, studies show plant-based meat substitutes can improve health, particularly by lowering LDL cholesterol, the type linked to heart disease. However, the benefits vary based on the brand and what you’re replacing in your diet. A Harvard Nutrition expert says Whole foods like beans are best, but plant-based meats can be a good alternative for reducing beef intake. The article cautions that many plant-based meats are ultra processed, but they could still be a better choice compared to processed meats like sausages. Plant-based burgers mimic real meat, making them appealing to people who don’t want to give up their favorite foods. Plus, studies suggest these products have a much lower carbon footprint than traditional meats, which is a big selling point. For many nutritionally plant-based burgers tend to have less saturated fat and more fiber than beef. One Stanford study found participants who ate plant-based meats had lower LDL cholesterol and slightly lower body weight compared to when they ate beef. However, the article raises concerns about the ingredients in many plant-based meats. They’re often highly processed and contain additives like oils, starches, thickeners, and preservatives, as well as high amounts of sodium. So while plant-based burgers can help reduce meat consumption, it’s important to read labels and watch out for these highly processed ingredients when choosing what’s best for your health. Those were our top stories for today. As always, thank you for joining us on The Daily News.
