Classic Halloween décor SCARES away early death?
The decorations that epitomize Halloween are plentiful.
From ghosts… to witches… to cobwebs…
But there’s one Halloween decoration you’ll probably see just about everywhere tonight.
And it could help you SCARE away the chance of an early death in the days and months ahead.
There’s nothing that “screams” Halloween like a pumpkin—especially when they’re carved.
But pumpkins are also packed with an antioxidant called alpha-carotene.
(Not to be confused with beta-carotene—which is synonymous with carrots…)
Alpha-carotene can help you live longer!
In one study, folks with the highest blood levels of alpha-carotene showed a 39% lower risk of dying from any cause on average, compared to those with the lowest levels.
That was among a HUGE group of people… more than 15,000 adults… over a long time period of 14 years.
That means some folks in the study OUTLIVED others by a GIANT margin!
And research shows that high alpha-carotene levels are also associated with a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Researchers attribute the life-extending qualities of alpha-carotene to its antioxidant action…
Which may also explain why it’s helpful in keeping certain types of cancers—especially lung cancer—at bay.
Eating bright, orange foods (like pumpkin, carrots and tangerines) are a great way to boost your alpha-carotene levels.
You’re not likely to find alpha-carotene on its own in supplement form, but look for it as an ingredient in “mixed carotenoids” capsules.
If you go the route of a supplement, be sure to follow the dosage on the product label.
Happy Halloween,
Cory Templeman
Senior Editor, eAlert
Sources:
Life Extension. “Longer Life Associated With Higher Alpha Carotene Levels.” https://www.lifeextension.com/newsletter/2010/11/longer-life-associated-with-higher-alpha-carotene-levels
JAMA Network. “Serum α-Carotene Concentrations and Risk of Death Among US Adults.” https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/226896
