1) Diet plays a major role in triggering many diseases and health problems in every individual, regardless of age. In order to live a long and healthy life, one must realize that the dietary habits of today and the past will have a considerable impact on long-term health status in the future; it is therefore essential to integrate healthy eating habits into everyday life. One of the main prevention measures against widespread diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and cancer is to adopt a balanced “anti-aging” diet. In today's fast-paced "microwave" society, a well-balanced diet can be a challenge as it is seen as time-consuming, expensive and impractical. However, prioritizing the health benefits we seek to gain from our diet while maintaining the balance between health and a demanding life will make it easier to develop a healthy and enjoyable nutritional regimen. Free radical theory predicts that decreasing the extent of free radical damage and oxidative stress in the body has positive effects on immune function, cognition, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. Free radicals are reactive oxygen and nitrogen compounds that attack proteins, nucleic acids and lipids, impairing the function of the body's cells and tissues. Studies have established that antioxidants, phytochemicals and vitamins help the metabolism fight, reduce and prevent damage caused by free radicals, thereby delaying aging and extending life (1). Functional foods known to provide these benefits include vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin A, copper, zinc, magnesium, phytochemicals, polyphenols, and omega 3 fatty acids. Some food products that provide good sources of antioxidant vitamins and minerals are green leafy vegetables, green tea, red wine, soybeans, olive oil, citrus fruits...... middle of paper ..... . disease prevention. Journal of Medicinal Food 12.5 (2009): 925+.Academic OneFile. Internet. February 17, 2011. Rivlin RS. Keeping young and old people healthy: is it too late to improve our health through nutrition? AJCN, 2007 Bales CV. Ritchie CS. Sarcopenia, weight loss and nutritional fragility in the elderly. Annual Review of Nutrition (ANNU REV NUTR), 2002; 22: 309-23 (88 ref). Full text CINAHL. Internet. February 15, 2011 Miurah H, Kariyasum M. Yamasaki K. Arai Y. Assessment of chewing and swallowing disorders in frail community-dwelling elderly people. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation 2007 34; 422-427. Full text CINAHL. Internet. February 14, 2011. Martin C. Kayser-Jones J. Stotts N. Porter C. Sivarajan E. Risk of low weight among community-dwelling older adults. Clinical Nurse Specialist: The Journal for Advanced Nursing Practice. July/August 2001. Volume 21. Number 4. Pages 203-211.