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Healthwise 84 March 2007
Healthwise is a regular column written especially for laterlife.com members and visitors by Helen Franks, journalist and author. Welcome to healthwise 84. For previous articles in the healthwise series visit 'more healthwise'
New studies in memory research are providing exciting clues about memory loss and how to prevent it. One study shows that the short-term memory problems that generally accompany ageing are more a matter of an inability to filter out distractions than problems with focusing attention. Young adults aged 19 to 30 were compared with older adults aged 60 to 77, using a simple memory test that introduced irrelevant information. The tests were conducted while the subjects were being scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) so that activity in the brain could be pinpointed. While the younger subjects were able to suppress brain activity in areas that process irrelevant information, older adults were generally unable to suppress the distracting information. However, both groups had similar brain activity in the areas dealing with information relevant to the task. This could be the key to many cognitive problems accompanying ageing. Now that areas of the brain that are markers for focusing, and ignoring visual information have been identified, it may be possible to use this knowledge to better assess therapies designed to treat cognitive disorders.
In other memory-related news, scientists have demonstrated definitive proof
that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils can help protect the brain
against the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Folic acid is usually recommended for pregnant women, but it is now also recommended for the over 50’s to boost mental alertness, says a report in the Lancet. Swiss researchers enlisted over 800 people who had high concentrations of homocysteines in their blood. These are amino acids believed to be indicators of poor cognitive performance. Folic acid lowers homocysteines. The key daily amount of folic acid seems to be 800 microgrammes, the equivalent of 1.2kg of strawberries. The Food Standards Agency says it will consider the new evidence as part of its project for adding folic acid to flour.
Caffeine lovers protect themselves against Alzheimer's disease with 3 cups of coffee every day, says the Alzheimer's Society commenting on research in the Lancet. These findings add weight to the body of existing evidence suggesting long-term caffeine intake may have a protective effect against the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
It is too soon to say that our morning coffee or afternoon cup of tea is
anything more than a pleasant pick-me-up. It is important to now research
further how caffeine consumption impacts on dementia risk.
Type 2 diabetes is one of the commonest conditions in older people. Scientists from Britain and Canada reporting in the publication Nature say that 70% of people have a genetic background for the condition. A zinc transporter, SLC30A8, is the main culprit. This is involved in regulating insulin secretion, one of the signals for type 2 diabetes, the other being obesity. Predicting type 2 diabetes is a high probability now, with the possibility that those at risk will take measures to avoid this condition. How to lower your blood pressure with positive emotions Many studies have shown that positive emotions can help keep a person's chemical and neural responses in balance, and help people handle stress better. Latest findings suggest that improving people's emotional well-being could be an effective way to help control their blood pressure as well. A study of more than 2,600 Hispanic seniors, evenly divided among the sexes, showed that the higher a person scored on a questionnaire measuring positive emotions, the lower his or her blood pressure was. The effect was strongest among people who were not taking any drugs to lower their blood pressure. All of the subjects completed a questionnaire that ranked their degree of positive emotions on a scale of 0 to 12. Higher scores directly translated into lower blood pressure readings.
Osteoporosis (bone-thinning) affects almost 15% of women in their 50’s, and as many as 70% of women by the time they are over 80, so dentists taking routine dental X-rays would be ideally suited to check on this condition. Scientists at Manchester University have developed a technique to analyse the jaw in order to look for signs of this condition and hope that it becomes a routine procedure.
Screening at present is up to the GP and the symptoms of the patient, and is
not available widely in the UK.
www.prostate-research.org.uk: research on prostate cancer
IN THE PREVIOUS EDITIONIn edition 83:-
An ancient remedy is gaining new respect Do you suffer from corns, callouses or sore spots? A good passionate smooch burns up 28 calories per minute Why chocolate protects the heart Chocolate has a strange biochemical effect Provides information and education, support for carers, and quality day and home care What laser eye surgery can't do.. Those who hope that laser eye surgery will improve their vision if it's deteriorated with age will be disappointed Remedy for Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis Studies suggest that acupuncture and an extract of turmeric might offer pain relief to arthritis patients It's not genes or scientific advances that determine longevity, but solar cycles, according to a research group More useful health websites
The complete family health guide
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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