Bottoms Up For Your Bones

Move over, milk: One study of men and post-menopausal women found those who drank one to two glasses of beer or wine daily had bones that were up to 8% more dense than those of teetotallers. Lead researcher Katherine Tucker of Tufts University says beer is very high in silicon, a trace mineral that promotes bone formation, and wine's full of resveratrol, an antioxidant shown in animal studies to protect against bone loss. But remember: Excess alcohol can harm your bone - and the rest of you.

Don't Like Fish?

It's a top source of omega-3 fatty acids, which studies show can reduce blood pressure and the risk of heart attack - but what if you don't like the flavour of fish?

A study from England suggests that you may get nearly as much benefit from plant foods that contain alpha-linolenic acid, a substance that your body converts into omega-3. Blood tests on women who eat fish and those who don't suggest that fish-avoiders become more efficient at converting alpha-linolenic acids into omega-3, boasting and omega-3 count only 10% lower than fish-eaters. The best sources of this acid? Canola and soybean oils, walnuts, tofu and flaxseed.

Simple Tips for Better Vision

Our eyes are two of our most precious possessions yet, all too easily, we can take good eyesight for granted. Protect your peepers with these low-effort actions:

1. Always wear eye protection when swimming or doing carpentry.

2. Aim your car vents down at your feet, not at your eyes. Air-conditioned air, which is dry, sucks moisture out of the eyes like a sponge, so direct the airflow away from your face. Serious dryness can lead to corneal abrasions and even blindness

3. Eat fish twice a week. Fish are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids proven to reduce the risk of dry-eye syndrome. If you can't stand fish, try fish-oil supplements.

4. Cook with red onions, not yellow. Red onions contain more quercetin that is thought to protect against cataracts.

5. Wear a large hat or cap along with your sunglasses. A wide-brimmed hat will block roughly 50 percent of UV radiation and reduce the UV rays that may enter your eyes from above or around the shades.

 6. Put on sunglasses when ever you leave the house. Not only will they block out the harsh glare of the sun, but they'll also protect your eyes from the drying effects of wind.