Healthwise    May 2009     

Healthwise is a regular column written especially for laterlife.com members and visitors. Welcome to healthwise 109.

For previous articles in the healthwise series visit 'more healthwise'

GETTING RID OF THOSE WRINKLES

A scientific study says it has clinical proof that face creams with certain new ingredients really do work to reduce wrinkles and smooth skin.

A team at the University of Manchester conducted a study of 60 men and women between 45 and 60 years of age, all who had typical signs of sun-damaged skin. Half the volunteers were given a cream which contained peptides, retinyl palmitate and white lupin extract; the other half received a basic moisturiser without these ingredients.

The creams were used daily for six months, and at the end each volunteer had their skin tested. 43% of people using the cream with the special ingredients were found to have extra clinical improvement in their wrinkles compared with 22% of people using a basic moisturiser.

The report says the cream with the special ingredients increased fibrillin production (a substance that predicts the formulation of collagen).and smoothed out wrinkles.

The trial was run in conjunction with high street shop Boots and the actual cream used in the trials was its No 7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum. However, there are other products with similar ingredients on the market.

HOSPITAL INFORMATION

Hospital choice can be important, but even when we have to go into a designated hospital, it can be useful to find out as much as we can about it beforehand.

There is now an excellent site…www.drfosterhealth.co.uk….. which gives a mass of information on UK hospitals, consultants, where you can go to for specific procedures and most importantly, MRSA infection rates and also waiting times. The site covers a lot of useful information such as number of wards and beds plus lots of sundry information such as how many cars the car park will take and the parking fee. The site can also be very useful to find out more about any procedure you are likely to have.

IT DOES IT FOR RATS

It may not be all bad news for fatty foods. A study from America says that eating fatty foods could help to boost your memory.

The team, from the University of California, have published a report that shows that oleic acids from fats are converted into a memory-enhancing agent in the gut.

The team was lead by Dr Daniele Piomelli who found that oleoylethanolamide, or OEA. causes memories to be laid down by activating memory enhancing signals in the amygdale, the part of the brain that is involved with recalling emotional events.

When OEA was given to rats, it improved their memory retention in two different tests, running through a maze and avoiding an unpleasant experience. When their absorption of OEA was blocked, their performance declined.

The work is still in very early stages and continuing research is underway to determine whether the chemical plays a similar role in humans. The Alzheimer's Research Trust says that while this is fascinating research, a healthy balanced diet is still the best advice for reducing the risk of developing dementia.

DREAMING ABOUT THE FUTURE

A Professorial Fellow at Roehampton University in London has come up with a new theory about dreams. Professor Allan Hobson is a leading psychiatrist from Harvard who pioneered research into Rapid Eye Movement sleep, the time when we are near to waking up and also the time when we dream the most.

Now Professor Hobson believes that dreams are a system to help the brain prepare for scenarios which might occur during the following day. He says that bad dreams account for the majority of dreams, and these provide the worst case scenarios; a dress rehearsal for the mental and physical challenges of the day ahead.

If in any doubt about any of the information covered in healthwise articles and it's relevance for you, consult your GP.

IN THE PREVIOUS EDITION

Eczema cause

Too much washing with soap may lead to eczema

Help for Dementia sufferers

A special new camera is being developed which could help boost the memory of dementia sufferers

Cold comfort

After a sprain or a strain, it is now common practice to teach RICE – rest, ice compression and elevation

In the saddle

A urology consultant at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London says that male cyclists are at risk if they use the wrong saddle.

The complete family health guide

Essential medical reference that's a must for every home. Published in association with the BMA, it includes comprehensive coverage of every important aspect of health and medicine, as well as user-friendly charts for at-a-glance information and easy reference. Also lists the best medical websites...

Maximise your memory

This work provides detailed instructions, illustrations and sample exercises that show the reader how to build a system of personalized frameworks for storing and recalling information on demand.