Healthwise    November 2009      

Healthwise is a regular column written especially for laterlife.com members and visitors. Welcome to healthwise 116.

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

 NEWS AND VIEWS

3 CUPS A DAY MIGHT HELP
OFFSET DIABETES

Drinking coffee can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes according to a new study published in Diabetologia, a journal published on behalf of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.

Analysis of data from a cohort of over 40,000 participants showed that the consumption of three cups of coffee or tea per day reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by approximately 42%. This is regardless of the levels of caffeine in the drink.

There are currently over 2.5 million people with diabetes in the UK, so any help to get the numbers down is good news.

RESEARCH TO HELP US ALL
REACH OUR 100th BIRTHDAY

Leeds University are spending £50 million to research new ideas to help keep people alive and active until they are 100

Scientists at the university say centenarians with the bodies of 50-year-olds will one day be possible thanks to a new range of medical solutions including own-grown tissues and durable implants.

Most of us know hips, knees and heart valves can be replaced these days, but many of these have a limited life. Scientists at the university’s Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering are looking at producing longer lasting replacements. They have already made a hip transplant that should last for life rather than the 20 years maximum currently expected from artificial hips thanks to a new combination of cobalt-chrome metal alloy socket and a ceramic ball.

The team is also looking at ways to help the body enhance itself by making its own transplantable tissues and eventually organs which will help to eliminate the problem of rejection.

THE BENEFIT OF
GREEN SPACES

Living near a park, woods, or another green space may improve your mental and physical health. Recent research shows that living close to green spaces is associated with less depression, LESS anxiety and a reduction in other health problems.

According to researcher Joland Maas of Amsterdam’s VU University, people need to live within a kilometre (0.6 miles) of green space to gain the most benefit. The research was undertaken by examining the health records of over 350,000 patients from medical practices across the country and comparing the patients’ addresses with proximity to open green space.

BARKING TECHNOLOGY

Robotic pets are a new technology that could help older people to live at home for longer. This is according to a study from York University who have been looking at the way technology can assist older people. Robotic pets, or robopets, can offer companionship and also be used for safety purposes, perhaps as fire and gas alarms. Other technology that the researchers looked at included a talking walking frame that would remind older people where they were going.

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

New genes in Alzheimer's
Three new genes have been identified as having links with Alzheimer's

Melon Calming
Melon is the latest in the big list of 'wonder' foods

Never too late
It's never too late to start exercising

Hope from Cancer drug
Using the diabetes drug Metformin on top of chemotherapy could be a more effective treatment for breast cancer

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