Latest news with #Bergquist
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jerry Bergquist remembered for his dedication, work for Stutsman County
Apr. 30—JAMESTOWN — Gerald "Jerry" Bergquist is being remembered for his dedication, loyalty and hard work for the county and Jamestown community. "I don't think the county has ever had a more dedicated, loyal employee than Jerry Bergquist," said Mark Klose, who served on the county commission for 40 years. Bergquist, 72, Jamestown, passed away on Thursday, April 24, in SMP Health Ave — Ave Maria. He was serving as the Stutsman County Commission chairman when he passed away. "He was just one of those guys that loved our community and was involved in every aspect of it," said Scott Edinger, Jamestown chief of police. "Actually, he didn't just talk about how he'd like to make change. He went out and was constantly involved in making change." A post on Stutsman County's Facebook page on Monday, April 28, says everyone is "shocked and saddened" about Bergquist's death. "To honor Mr. Bergquist, and to allow County staff the opportunity to attend his funeral, all non-essential County offices will be closed all day this coming Friday, May 2nd, 2025," the Facebook post says. Bergquist was serving his first four-year term on the Stutsman County Commission. He was elected in November as a write-in candidate. Klose said Bergquist was doing a "great job" as a county commissioner. He said Bergquist was very knowledgeable about county government operations. "He was always wanting to know all sides before making a decision and he thought it out well," he said. Klose said Bergquist was well liked by many people in the community. "When we reorganized the commission, ... I think every one of the portfolios wanted him on their board because they liked the way he operated and had a way of getting things done," he said. Bergquist served as the Stutsman County emergency manager for 32 1/2 years before retiring in 2021. Klose was a member of the commission when Bergquist was hired as the first emergency manager and 911 coordinator in Stutsman County. Klose said Bergquist did a "very fine" job while he was employed by the county. "I always kidded him when I went to visit with him that he had so many damn many awards that they are going to have to build another wall to hang them all on," Klose said. "He was recognized quite a few times at the state level." After Bergquist was hired, he managed the process of establishing addresses for people living in the country, The Jamestown Sun reported in June 2021. That replaced the rural routes that previously served as addresses outside cities. The 911 system in Stutsman County was the second countywide system in the state when it became operational in 1990. Stutsman County Emergency Manager Jessica Moser said Bergquist was excited to help her in her new role and share his knowledge about emergency management. "There was no one who was more selfless and willing to serve the community and making sure we were on the right path as far as being proactive in safety, mitigation and preparedness," she said. Scott Cebula, Stutsman County Communications Center/911 supervisor, worked with Bergquist from 2005 to 2021. Cebula said Bergquist was an extremely hard worker who put in a lot of hours. "He's gonna be sorely missed," he said. "He had a wealth of knowledge that nobody else had concerning the county and 911 operations as a whole because he basically is the one who put together the 911 for Stutsman County way back in the day." Edinger said Bergquist did a great job working with all the agencies while he was employed by the county. "The guy knew everything that was going on," he said. "He was just really detail oriented, and was always looking to improve things and make sure he did the best for the community that he could." Edinger said Bergquist also was involved with different organizations and served on their boards as well. Bergquist's obituary says he served on committees and boards for the Jamestown Salvation Army, St. John's Academy (Foundation for Advancement of Christian Education), South Central Homeless Coalition, American Red Cross, Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce committees, emergency planning committees, land use and transportation planning, Central Valley Health District Board of Health, Stutsman County Weed Board, Jamestown Regional Airport Authority, Stutsman County Human Rights Coalition and was treasurer of the Jamestown Amateur Radio Club. "It's hard to find somebody that cares that much and is involved as deeply as he was," Edinger said. Bergquist was named the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2020, an award that was co-shared with Reuben and Clarice Liechty. He also received the chamber's Above and Beyond Award in 2009. When Bergquist was named the Citizen of the Year, he told The Jamestown Sun that the award "raises the bar" but it would not change the way he did his job and participate in the community. "Keep doing what I've been doing," he said. "Trying to make the community a safer and better place." Eddy Funeral Home is handling Bergquist's funeral arrangements. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. with a vigil service at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, at St. James Basilica in Jamestown. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 2, at St. James Basilica. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Washington Democrats abandon property tax hike
(Photo by) The property tax battle of 2025 is over in the Washington state Legislature. Democrats are ending their bid to repeal a voter-approved limit on property tax growth, excising one of the most controversial revenue-raising ideas they've pursued this session. The proposal, embedded in House Bill 2409, seeks to allow an increase in the growth factor from the current 1% cap to the combined rate of population growth plus inflation within a taxing district, not to exceed 3%. This would apply to the state's common schools levy and for cities and counties, as well as special purpose districts. A fiscal analysis projected that uncapping the state property tax would net an additional $200 million for public schools and potentially $236 million for local governments in the next budget. The bill passed the House Finance Committee on Saturday and is expected to be voted on by the House today. But Rep. Steve Bergquist, D-Renton, the bill's sponsor, filed an amendment Sunday to remove sections on the growth limit, effectively ending Democrats' pursuit of the change. 'It's my understanding we don't have a three-corners agreement on those provisions,' Bergquist said Monday morning. Three-corners refers to the Democratic leadership of the House, Senate and Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson. Without the property tax change, the bill will be focused on education funding and providing school districts with the ability to collect more revenue from voter-approved local levies. From the outset of the session — now just six days from ending — Democrats' desire to increase the limit has been fiercely opposed by Republican lawmakers and taxpayers who warned the measure would drive up living and housing costs. A year ago, Senate Democrats pushed to erase the cap solely for cities and counties. It too ran into a buzzsaw of opposition, forcing the majority party to set it down. This is a developing story
CNN
01-04-2025
- Health
- CNN
5 tips to harness the power of good stress
Summary Not all stress is bad for you, and certain types actually benefit your overall health. Good stress releases dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, which mitigate cortisol and build resilience. Challenge yourself beyond comfort zones without being overwhelmed to find the stress 'sweet spot'. Recovery periods are essential; without them, even good stress can become harmful. Building physical stress resilience through exercise and healthy eating also helps develop mental note: The podcast Chasing Life With Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the medical science behind some of life's mysteries big and small. You can listen to episodes here. (CNN) — 'Stress is bad for your health' is one message we consistently hear. And it's true: stress can be detrimental, and lead to a whole host of ills, especially when it becomes chronic, unrelenting. But, it turns out, certain types of stress can lead to growth opportunities and, according to one doctor and author of the new book, 'The Stress Paradox: Why You Need Stress to Live Longer, Healthier, and Happier,' the right amount of it may actually be crucial to our wellbeing. 'Yes, too much stress harms us, but not enough is actually just as harmful,' Dr. Sharon Bergquist told CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta recently, on his podcast Chasing Life. Related video We were never designed to handle this much stress. Here's help Bergquist, an assistant professor at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, and the founder and director of Emory Lifestyle Medicine & Wellness, knows a thing or two about stress. As a child, she lived through the Iranian Revolution and ultimately her family was forced to flee. 'We were the last plane to leave before (Iranian leader Ruhollah) Khomeini came,' she recalled. 'The airport was incredibly packed. I remember the whole process of trying to get through security and just the mass of people that were there and how we got onto the runway — every step of it.' Her family fled to England, and eventually they settled in the United States. But life wasn't exactly stress-free in the West either. 'In eighth grade I could not write a paragraph in English without a lot of struggle. It would take me all night,' she said. Yet she managed to prosper, graduate as her high school's valedictorian, attend Yale University as an undergraduate and then Harvard Medical School. Bergquist's childhood experiences planted the seeds for her interest in stress. 'Ultimately it triggered this obsession for me of, why is it that some people grow and thrive from these experiences? And others don't?' she said. She said she became really interested in the question of whether all stress is harmful. According to Bergquist's research, it turns out that it depends on the type and amount of stress a person's exposed to. 'I work with a lot of professionals (who) are very driven, but are also so passionate about what they do,' she said, noting that they lead what can be considered 'stressful' lives. She counts herself among them. 'I call that good stress, which I think has a very different effect on our bodies than the harmful stress that has become almost synonymous with what people describe as 'stress'' she said. 'I think I can now say with a comfortable level, that (the good) type of stress releases a biochemical profile that is actually health promoting: we release, for example, dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin.' The dopamine is from the reward for doing something meaningful, she explained. The serotonin is from the joy that comes from accomplishment and the oxytocin is from contributing to the greater good. She said 'bad' stress is unpredictable, unavoidable, and not brief or intermittent but rather chronic. Our biochemical response to that type of stress is to release cortisol which eventually leads to the harmful downstream effects on our bodies, such as high blood pressure. That trifecta of chemicals released when we take on good stress 'mitigates our cortisol level. It literally builds our resilience to stress,' she said. Resilience is like a muscle: It is dynamic and needs to be challenged to get stronger. 'The key, really, is that our stress responses are there to help us. They're there to help us adapt to our world,' she said, noting that for the entirety of human history that is how humans have survived and thrived. 'But the things that help us activate those stress responses have been removed from the fabric of our lives,' she said. No longer do we have to face environmental stressors such as food scarcity and exposure to extremes of heat and cold. 'The introduction of a lot of these comforts has removed our connection with the natural environment that we live in,' she said. Consequently 'we are essentially handicapping ourselves because we are not allowing our bodies to do what they are so capable of doing.' What can you do to introduce good stress into your life? Bergquist has five tips. Search out the Goldilocks zone 'Challenge yourself to go outside your comfort zone without feeling overwhelmed,' said Bergquist via email. 'Good stress is medicine. And like any medicine, the dose determines the response,' she explained. 'Growth from stress happens when stress is in a hormetic, or Goldilocks, zone — a just right amount that's not too much or too little.' In other words, push yourself to get in the water and swim, but don't let yourself drown. Tune into self-integrity 'Are you challenging yourself in ways that align with your beliefs? Or conflict with them?' Bergquist asked. 'Your heart and mind know the difference,' she said. 'Persevering in situations where you feel stuck or disconnected from your values can become a harmful form of stress.' 'Good stress is not about simply positively reframing the stress in our lives,' she said. 'But instead, deliberately taking action with meaningful and purpose-driven challenges as an antidote to the chronic stressors that we can't control or avoid.' For example, she said, it could involve accepting or creating a job opportunity that aligns with your values or learning a skill that you find rewarding. Be strategic about recovery 'To grow from stress, you have to make time for rest and recovery,' Bergquist said. 'Under stress, your body switches into a mode where you conserve energy and do internal housekeeping,' she said. 'When you recover, your brain and body remodel and build new connections that better prepare you for future challenges.' Recovery, Bergquist said, is just as important as good stress to gain benefits. 'Even good stress can build up to becoming harmful without recovery.' Lean into the connection between your mind and body 'Physically stressing yourself can help build mental resilience and vice versa,' Bergquist said. 'It's a remarkable process called cross-adaptation. 'When you experience good physical or psychological stress, you repair and regenerate your cells, which makes every part of your body healthier and stronger,' she explained. You can build mental resilience, for example, by physically stressing yourself (in a good way) by doing things like 'eating plant-based foods with stress resistance-building phytochemicals, exercising vigorously, briefly exposing yourself to heat and cold, and fasting intermittently through time-restricted eating,' she said. 'We have many tools for managing stress and lessening its harm.' Trust that you were made for some stress Experiencing stress is not a glitch— it's a feature. 'Our human history is one of overcoming stress — and becoming stronger because of it,' Bergquist said. 'Through repeat cycles of stress and recovery, we summon our natural capability. It's a gift we have inherited in our DNA,' she said. 'Resilience is a muscle we can all build no matter where we are or what we are facing. It's okay to have fears. And it's okay to want to avoid challenges. 'Trust and do it anyway. The result can be life-changing,' she said. We hope these five tips help you use stress to your advantage. Listen to the full episode here. And join us next week on the Chasing Life podcast when we discuss an often-forgotten domain of health as we age: mobility. CNN Audio's Grace Walker and Kyra Dahring contributed to this report.
CNN
01-04-2025
- Health
- CNN
5 tips to harness the power of good stress
Summary Not all stress is bad for you, and certain types actually benefit your overall health. Good stress releases dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, which mitigate cortisol and build resilience. Challenge yourself beyond comfort zones without being overwhelmed to find the stress 'sweet spot'. Recovery periods are essential; without them, even good stress can become harmful. Building physical stress resilience through exercise and healthy eating also helps develop mental note: The podcast Chasing Life With Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the medical science behind some of life's mysteries big and small. You can listen to episodes here. (CNN) — 'Stress is bad for your health' is one message we consistently hear. And it's true: stress can be detrimental, and lead to a whole host of ills, especially when it becomes chronic, unrelenting. But, it turns out, certain types of stress can lead to growth opportunities and, according to one doctor and author of the new book, 'The Stress Paradox: Why You Need Stress to Live Longer, Healthier, and Happier,' the right amount of it may actually be crucial to our wellbeing. 'Yes, too much stress harms us, but not enough is actually just as harmful,' Dr. Sharon Bergquist told CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta recently, on his podcast Chasing Life. Related video We were never designed to handle this much stress. Here's help Bergquist, an assistant professor at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, and the founder and director of Emory Lifestyle Medicine & Wellness, knows a thing or two about stress. As a child, she lived through the Iranian Revolution and ultimately her family was forced to flee. 'We were the last plane to leave before (Iranian leader Ruhollah) Khomeini came,' she recalled. 'The airport was incredibly packed. I remember the whole process of trying to get through security and just the mass of people that were there and how we got onto the runway — every step of it.' Her family fled to England, and eventually they settled in the United States. But life wasn't exactly stress-free in the West either. 'In eighth grade I could not write a paragraph in English without a lot of struggle. It would take me all night,' she said. Yet she managed to prosper, graduate as her high school's valedictorian, attend Yale University as an undergraduate and then Harvard Medical School. Bergquist's childhood experiences planted the seeds for her interest in stress. 'Ultimately it triggered this obsession for me of, why is it that some people grow and thrive from these experiences? And others don't?' she said. She said she became really interested in the question of whether all stress is harmful. According to Bergquist's research, it turns out that it depends on the type and amount of stress a person's exposed to. 'I work with a lot of professionals (who) are very driven, but are also so passionate about what they do,' she said, noting that they lead what can be considered 'stressful' lives. She counts herself among them. 'I call that good stress, which I think has a very different effect on our bodies than the harmful stress that has become almost synonymous with what people describe as 'stress'' she said. 'I think I can now say with a comfortable level, that (the good) type of stress releases a biochemical profile that is actually health promoting: we release, for example, dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin.' The dopamine is from the reward for doing something meaningful, she explained. The serotonin is from the joy that comes from accomplishment and the oxytocin is from contributing to the greater good. She said 'bad' stress is unpredictable, unavoidable, and not brief or intermittent but rather chronic. Our biochemical response to that type of stress is to release cortisol which eventually leads to the harmful downstream effects on our bodies, such as high blood pressure. That trifecta of chemicals released when we take on good stress 'mitigates our cortisol level. It literally builds our resilience to stress,' she said. Resilience is like a muscle: It is dynamic and needs to be challenged to get stronger. 'The key, really, is that our stress responses are there to help us. They're there to help us adapt to our world,' she said, noting that for the entirety of human history that is how humans have survived and thrived. 'But the things that help us activate those stress responses have been removed from the fabric of our lives,' she said. No longer do we have to face environmental stressors such as food scarcity and exposure to extremes of heat and cold. 'The introduction of a lot of these comforts has removed our connection with the natural environment that we live in,' she said. Consequently 'we are essentially handicapping ourselves because we are not allowing our bodies to do what they are so capable of doing.' What can you do to introduce good stress into your life? Bergquist has five tips. Search out the Goldilocks zone 'Challenge yourself to go outside your comfort zone without feeling overwhelmed,' said Bergquist via email. 'Good stress is medicine. And like any medicine, the dose determines the response,' she explained. 'Growth from stress happens when stress is in a hormetic, or Goldilocks, zone — a just right amount that's not too much or too little.' In other words, push yourself to get in the water and swim, but don't let yourself drown. Tune into self-integrity 'Are you challenging yourself in ways that align with your beliefs? Or conflict with them?' Bergquist asked. 'Your heart and mind know the difference,' she said. 'Persevering in situations where you feel stuck or disconnected from your values can become a harmful form of stress.' 'Good stress is not about simply positively reframing the stress in our lives,' she said. 'But instead, deliberately taking action with meaningful and purpose-driven challenges as an antidote to the chronic stressors that we can't control or avoid.' For example, she said, it could involve accepting or creating a job opportunity that aligns with your values or learning a skill that you find rewarding. Be strategic about recovery 'To grow from stress, you have to make time for rest and recovery,' Bergquist said. 'Under stress, your body switches into a mode where you conserve energy and do internal housekeeping,' she said. 'When you recover, your brain and body remodel and build new connections that better prepare you for future challenges.' Recovery, Bergquist said, is just as important as good stress to gain benefits. 'Even good stress can build up to becoming harmful without recovery.' Lean into the connection between your mind and body 'Physically stressing yourself can help build mental resilience and vice versa,' Bergquist said. 'It's a remarkable process called cross-adaptation. 'When you experience good physical or psychological stress, you repair and regenerate your cells, which makes every part of your body healthier and stronger,' she explained. You can build mental resilience, for example, by physically stressing yourself (in a good way) by doing things like 'eating plant-based foods with stress resistance-building phytochemicals, exercising vigorously, briefly exposing yourself to heat and cold, and fasting intermittently through time-restricted eating,' she said. 'We have many tools for managing stress and lessening its harm.' Trust that you were made for some stress Experiencing stress is not a glitch— it's a feature. 'Our human history is one of overcoming stress — and becoming stronger because of it,' Bergquist said. 'Through repeat cycles of stress and recovery, we summon our natural capability. It's a gift we have inherited in our DNA,' she said. 'Resilience is a muscle we can all build no matter where we are or what we are facing. It's okay to have fears. And it's okay to want to avoid challenges. 'Trust and do it anyway. The result can be life-changing,' she said. We hope these five tips help you use stress to your advantage. Listen to the full episode here. And join us next week on the Chasing Life podcast when we discuss an often-forgotten domain of health as we age: mobility. CNN Audio's Grace Walker and Kyra Dahring contributed to this report.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
9 Foods You Should Eat Daily For Longevity, According To Experts
What if the secret to a longer, healthier life was on your plate? The right foods do more than satisfy your hunger—they protect your brain, strengthen your heart, and help guard against disease. We asked longevity experts, including registered dietitians and doctors, to share the foods they recommend eating daily to extend lifespan and enhance healthspan. While these foods are all nutrition powerhouses, they work best in combination with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management. Related: Sign up to receive delicious recipes, expert advice, and shopping tips in your inbox! Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are some of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. Loaded with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber and antioxidants, they support everything from bone health to blood pressure regulation. 'Regularly consuming leafy greens has been associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline,' explains Dr. Sharon Bergquist, author of The Stress Paradox. 'One study found that individuals who consumed about one serving per day had cognitive abilities comparable to those who were 11 years younger than people who rarely ate them.' Beyond boosting brain health, leafy greens help combat oxidative stress. Their vitamins C and A fight free radicals, helping to protect your cells from premature aging. Whether you toss them into a salad, sauté them, or blend them into a smoothie, leafy greens are an easy and delicious way to promote longevity. Related: 8 Healthy Spinach Recipes That Use Up the Whole Bag Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are another must-have for a longevity-focused diet. They contain vitamins, fiber, and bioactive compounds that support overall health and aging. 'Cruciferous vegetables are particularly beneficial for promoting longevity,' explains Dr. Bergquist. 'A key component of these vegetables is their ability to activate the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway, which plays a crucial role in cellular defense mechanisms.' This pathway triggers detoxification processes and stimulates the production of antioxidant enzymes, helping to reduce cellular damage and promote healthy aging. Adding cruciferous vegetables to your meals—whether roasted, steamed, or tossed into salads—can help protect your body from harmful substances and oxidative stress. Related: 10 Best Air Fryer Broccoli Recipes Small in size but mighty in benefits, berries pack a huge punch when it comes to promoting longevity. From blueberries to blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries, these vibrant fruits are loaded with antioxidants, fiber, and flavonoids that support overall health and may slow the effects of aging. 'Berries contain antioxidants that may protect your cells from damage,' explains Dr. Chris Mohr, Fitness and Nutrition Advisor at BarBend. 'They're also rich in fiber, which supports heart health and digestion. Studies suggest that regular berry consumption can reduce inflammation and improve brain health.' Registered dietitian nutritionist Shelley Balls adds, 'Flavonoids may slow mental decline associated with aging and protect against disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Anthocyanins are known for their anti-inflammatory effects and may help improve memory, which is a bonus when aging.' Adding berries to your diet is as simple as tossing them into smoothies, on oatmeal, or enjoying them as a simple snack. Related: 3 New Ways to Use a Bag of Frozen Blueberries Eating a rainbow of colorful fruits and vegetables isn't just visually appealing—it's a key strategy for promoting longevity. Different colors represent different phytonutrients, compounds that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. These phytonutrients protect against cancer, reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, and support cardiovascular and cognitive health. Consuming them daily has been shown to positively influence your healthspan, helping you not only live longer but also live better. Dr. Amy Myers, a functional medicine physician, highlights the benefits of orange and yellow produce. 'Carrots, sweet potatoes, and other colorful fruits and veggies are rich in beta-carotene. This antioxidant boosts T-cell and antibody production, which helps your immune system fight against pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and other foreign invaders. They also slow down cellular aging and promote more youthful energy.' Pomegranates, with their vibrant red hue, offer unique benefits for aging well. 'A significant longevity benefit of pomegranates is due to urolithin A, a metabolite formed when gut bacteria break down pomegranate compounds called ellagitannins,' explains Dr. Bergquist. 'Urolithin A has been shown to enhance mitochondrial function, which is crucial for energy production and muscle health—both of which are vital factors in the aging process.' To incorporate more colorful fruits and vegetables into your diet, aim to include a variety of shades at every meal. Toss sweet potatoes into a grain bowl, snack on pomegranate seeds, or blend carrots and spinach into smoothies for an easy and nutritious boost. Related: 11 Pomegranate Recipes That Make The Most of This Colorful Fruit Nuts are a simple and satisfying addition to your diet, offering numerous health benefits that support longevity. 'Nuts like almonds or walnuts are a good choice for their protein, fiber, vitamins (especially vitamin E), minerals, and antioxidants,' says Dawn Menning, a registered dietitian with Nutu App. 'They provide healthy monounsaturated fats for heart health and, combined with their fiber content, help keep you full and energized longer, which can help with weight maintenance.' Dr. Chris Mohr highlights pistachios as a standout option. 'Eating some daily can help lower bad cholesterol, improve heart health, and provide sustained energy throughout the day. One study found that two daily servings of pistachios in adults with diabetes lowered vascular constriction during stress.' Adding a handful of nuts to your diet is easy. Sprinkle them on oatmeal, toss them into salads, or enjoy them as a snack. Related: 12 All-Day Recipes That Make the Most of Nuts and Seeds Legumes, including beans, lentils, and chickpeas, are versatile pantry staples with impressive health benefits. 'They are rich in fiber and essential nutrients like magnesium and potassium,' explains Dr. Mohr. 'They help stabilize blood sugar, reduce cholesterol levels, and support gut health.' Lentils, in particular, stand out for their polyphenols—plant-based compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. 'Lentils have been associated with improved heart health, digestive health, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases,' says Menning. 'They're also a good source of protein for people who eat a vegan diet.' Add legumes to soups, salads, or grain bowls to reap their wide-ranging health benefits in a hearty and satisfying way. Related: 10 Incredibly Delicious Ways To Turn a Can of Chickpeas Into Dinner Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation, support heart health, and improve brain function. 'Including fatty fish in your diet two to three times a week has been linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases,' explains Dr. Mohr. Balls highlights the importance of fatty fish as we age: 'Adequate protein intake while aging can help retain muscle mass and strength, and help prevent falls and injuries. Omega-3 intake can help protect against cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia, and have a positive effect on gradual memory loss linked to aging.' For those who prefer plant-based options, omega-3 fats can also be found in flaxseed oil, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and walnuts. Related: 6 Fatty Fish Recipes To Get More Omega-3s in Your Diet Probiotic-rich foods support a healthy gut microbiome, which plays a critical role in overall health and longevity. 'Your gut is the gateway to your health,' explains Dr. Myers. 'Nourishing your gut microbiome with prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic foods supports an optimal balance between beneficial and non-beneficial microbes. Probiotics also strengthen immune function and support mood.' Incorporate a variety of fermented foods and beverages into your daily routine to reap these benefits. 'Aim to consume probiotic-containing foods and beverages at least three times per day,' suggests Balls. 'You can find probiotics in yogurt, fermented vegetables, kefir, kombucha, natto, kimchi, and more.' Related: 9 Recipes with Both Pre and Probiotic Ingredients for a Happy Gut Green tea is a powerhouse beverage that offers a host of health benefits. 'Green tea contains a type of polyphenol called catechins,' explains Menning. 'This is an antioxidant that may reduce the risk of inflammatory-based diseases, such as cancer. It may also help reduce the risk of heart disease, boost brain health, help with weight loss, improve mood, and help manage blood sugar levels.' Related: The 5 Amazing Health Benefits of Drinking Green Tea Eating for longevity doesn't require drastic changes. Start by adding one or two of these foods to your routine and build from there. Over time, these small, intentional choices can have a profound impact on your health and well-being. The goal isn't just to live longer—it's to live better. These foods can help you do just that. Read next: 7 Blue Zone Foods That Help Increase Longevity The post 9 Foods You Should Eat Daily For Longevity, According To Experts appeared first on Clean Plates.
