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Healthwise is a regular column written
especially for laterlife.com members and
visitors by Helen Franks, journalist and author.
Welcome to healthwise 79.
For previous articles in the
healthwise series visit
'more
healthwise'
Helen Franks
Helen has specialised in writing about health and
ageing and is a member of the Guild of Health Writers. She has
written for a variety of newspapers and magazines including the
Guardian, Times, Observer, Woman, Family Circle, Vogue and
Choice.
Helen has also written several books including
Getting Older Slowly Your Guide to Successful Ageing and
Bone Boosters
co-authored with Diana Moran of TV Green Goddess fame.
Don't forget to take a look at Helen's separate
talkback
page too.
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Further advice on prevention of Alzheimer’s
Following on from findings about exercising
three times a week to avoid Alzheimer’s disease, new research
from the American Journal of Medicine reveals that
another protection is to drink at least three glasses of fruit
or vegetable juices a week. This, researchers say, reduces risk
of Alzheimer’s by a dramatic 76%.
The trial in Japan and the US followed almost
2000 volunteers over 10 years, with results as above. The reason
for the protection could be that juices contain polyphenols,
powerful antioxidants, that might curtail biological
deterioration in the brain.
And then there is curry
Curcumin, the chemical found in the curry spice
turmeric, could both boost brain power and help prevent the
onset of Alzheimer's disease, says the American Journal of
Epidemiology.
A study tested the brain power of more than
1000 Asian people aged between 60 and 93, using a standard test
called the Mini Mental State Examination. Those who ate curry
even just once every six months had better results than those
who said they "never or rarely" ate it.
Previous research has suggested that curcumin
inhibits the build-up of the harmful protein deposits called
amyloid plaques that occur in the brains of Alzheimer's
patients. Curcumin is also reputed to have antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties that are still
being investigated.
The Bristol Approach
The Bristol Cancer Help Centre has transformed
attitudes to cancer, providing a combination of emotional,
physical and spiritual support for people with cancer and those
supporting them. Relaxation, meditation, imagery, nutritional
advice, along with residential courses are provided by this
unique service.
There’s a new starter pack containing a DVD
on The Bristol Approach to Living with Cancer and a new
CD, An Introduction to Self HelpTechniques, plus free
healthy eating guidelines and advice on supplements. Price is
£12.50 plus £2.50 for postage and packing. To order, visit
www.canhelpnow.com .
If you want to know more, there’s also a
helpline open weekdays from 9.30am – 5pm, or email for a 24-hour
service at:
helpline@bristolcancerhelp.org . The website is:
www.bristolcancerhelp.org .
Protection for prostate cancer
New research undertaken by scientists at the
University of California has shown that drinking pomegranate
juice daily can affect the blood levels of PSA – a protein
produced by prostate cancer growth -- which could help slow down
the development of prostate cancer, extending the life
expectancy of many cancer sufferers
Consuming just one glass of pomegranate juice
a day was found to significantly slow the rate at which PSA
levels increased, with the doubling time extended from an
average of 15 months to 54 months.
If you don’t want the hassle of dealing with
pomegranate seeds, a new supplement from Canadian-based company
AOR could provide a solution. Each capsule of AOR Pomegranate,
delivers 150mg of ellargic acid, a compound derived from
pomegranate as well as from raspberries, strawberries and
blueberries.
Early studies seem to indicate that ellargic
acid acts as a “scavenger”, binding with potentially harmful
chemicals in the body and rendering them inactive. Each pot of
AOR Pomegranate contains 90 (one month supply) and retails at
£14.25, and is available in the UK from independent health food
stores (tel: 0800 169 1231 ) or on-line from various sites.
Highly stressed? Don’t worry about it
Highly stressed, driven people (known as ‘type
A’ personalities) can breathe easy. They won’t shorten their
lives by being hyper, as previously thought, says a ten-year
study in the Public Library of Science.
A team followed over 6000 closely-related
people to investigate any links between personality and health.
Early results reveal that height is 80% genetic, cholesterol
around 40%, and behaviour traits 20%. And type A
characteristics, said to contribute to heart disease, strokes,
cancer? No links noted.
Websites of interest
Info on 5 fruit and veg a day:
www.5aday.nhs.uk
Free meditation download:
www.meditainment.com/bodysoul
Everything you want to know about arthritis:
www.arthritiscare.org.uk
…and asthma:
www.asthma.org.uk
 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
In edition 78:-
Taking
exercise can cut Alzheimer's & dementia
Light exercise three times a week helps say scientists
Ginkgo Biloba & alzheimer's
Studies suggest some benefits
You need veg for your eyes
Eating certain vegetables can guard against AMD
NICE
approves psoriasis treatments
Backing given for two biological treatments.
New complementary treatment for psoriasis
Exorex helps control this condition
Fish oils and exercise
Taking fish oils along with exercise has benefits
New rheumatoid arthritis drug
has been licensed for certain adults
Websites of interest
Some useful health websites
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.
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