Healthwise    August 2009      

Healthwise is a regular column written especially for laterlife.com members and visitors. Welcome to healthwise 113.

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

 NEWS AND VIEWS

1. The fight against macular degeneration

Age related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the over 60s in the western world. Now a surgeon from King’s College in London has developed a laser technique that could delay the onset of the condition.

Professor John Marshall is the senior ophthalmologist at the college who pioneered laser eye surgery to sure short-sightedness. His new technique for macular degeneration could prevent millions from going blind in their senior years and Prof.Marshall said he hoped the treatment would be available within two to five years.

2. The taste of low blood pressure

The flavour-enhancing chemical that gives vegetables their savour and sometimes slightly bitter taste could help to lower blood pressure.

A study by Professor Jeremiah Stamler of Northwestern University in Chicago, America, says that “savoury” vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage are high in a chemical that creates the taste, glutamic acid. Results of research show that the same chemical can have a beneficial effect on blood pressure. Other sources include beans, whole grain rice, breads and cereals, durum wheat and soy products.

3. Beware those walking sticks

More news from America – over there nearly 50,000 older people are treated in emergency departments every year for injuries sustained from falls involving walkers using walking aids including walking sticks and canes.
Here in the UK, while no recent statistics on this have been published, reports indicate there are also a high number of injuries from similar causes.
It is not just older people that use walkers and sticks to assist everyday walking. More and more people in the 50 plus age group are taking up walking as a good form of exercise, and taking a walking stick with them is becoming more popular, especially when the route involves unmade up roads and paths.
Simply tripping over the stick appears to be one of the main causes of injury; so it is worthwhile being aware that when you set out for that healthy walk over a slippery rocky path, your walking stick could become a hazard instead of a help.

4. Better cancer treatment

A new way to treat cancer has been unveiled by a group of scientists in Sydney, Australia, involving a bacterially-derived nano cell. Nano means literally a thousand-millionth, so we can take it this is very small.

Cancer cells can be resistant to traditional treatments. These new nano-cells penetrate the cancerous cells and then release ribonucleic acid molecules (siRNA) which switch off the production of proteins that make the cancer cell resistant to chemotherapy treatment.

Once the cancerous cells are disarmed, the treatment is then followed up with a second wave of nano-cells which this time release chemotherapy drugs. Because the first wave of treatment has reduced the cancer cells resistance, this second treatment involving chemotherapy drugs works without resistance and kills the cancer cell.

Results have been extremely successful and full trials on humans are due to start within a few months.

5. Working out

A new study from Indiana University in America says older people should do specific exercises to build muscle well into their eighties.

The report concludes that working out two or three times a week, preferable with small weights or elastics, could help to counter the natural wasting away of muscles. It said the risk of injury was low and muscle strength can be improved significantly, even at later ages.

By having enough strength to do more jobs easily such as carrying shopping could help make life a lot easier for the older age groups, it said.

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

Hope for arthritis sufferers
Reports of good results from a new drug

Music soothes the heart
Music can help recovery for heart attack or stroke patients

Cancer drug fights ageing
More benefits to chemotherapy

Coffee can be good for you
Coffee may have a number of health benefits

Exercise in front of the mirror
Watching your reflection as you exercise helps co-ordination

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