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Category: healthy aging

Published on Leave a comment on Egg Consumption Is Beneficial For Brain Health

Remember when health advice was to limit egg consumption, that they had too much cholesterol, and to only eat egg whites? Well.... studies in the last decade have proven that advice as being 100% wrong for a number of reasons. It turns out that eggs are a great source of a number of nutrients (e.g., choline) needed for brain health and memory function.

A recent study found that frequent egg consumption by persons (mean age 59 years at the start of the study) lowers the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). The researchers found that there was a 27% decreased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease among persons who ate at least 5 eggs a week, but even eating fewer eggs was beneficial. The participants were followed for 15 years.

Other studies have also found a decreased risk of AD in persons eating eggs frequently - with one study finding that more than one egg consumed per week reduced the risk of developing AD up to 47%.

Some key nutrients necessary for brain health that are provided by eggs are: choline, the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, tryptophan, phospholipids, and an omega-3 fat known as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). The researchers viewed the nutrients in eggs as being "neuroprotective" (protecting neurological function).

From Medical Xpress: Egg consumption associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease

Consumption of eggs is associated with a lower risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease for those 65 years and older, according to researchers at Loma Linda University Health. Eating one egg per day for at least five days a week reduces the risk of Alzheimer's by up to 27%, researchers found. ...continue reading "Egg Consumption Is Beneficial For Brain Health"

Published on Leave a comment on Hormone Replacement Therapy Associated With Glaucoma
Human eye Credit: Wikipedia

Vision loss is a serious concern for people as they age. Recent research found that any kind hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used by postmenopausal women is associated with a 36% higher risk of developing glaucoma.

The study was conducted with 6576 Finnish women aged 50 years or older. The researchers also found that the longer a women used HRT, especially estrogen only HRT,  the greater the risk for glaucoma. All 3 types of HRT (estrogen only, progestogen only, or combined estrogen-progestogen) were associated with a higher risk for developing glaucoma:

From Medscape: Postmenopausal HRT Tied to Glaucoma Risk in Women

In Finnish women aged 50 years or older, the use of any postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was linked to a higher risk for developing glaucoma, with estrogen-only therapy specifically associated with the risk for primary open-angle glaucoma. ...continue reading "Hormone Replacement Therapy Associated With Glaucoma"

Published on Leave a comment on Study Finds Popular Anti-Aging Supplement Could Also Fuel Cancer Growth

Many people load up on all sorts of supplements thinking it'll give them better health and perhaps even extend their life span. But researchers found that one popular anti-aging supplement (known as spermidine) thought to extend the life-span could also be fueling the growth of cancer. How can this be?

The researchers found that the effects of polyamines (including spermidine), which are in all living cells, can either promote healthy aging or can fuel cancer growth. The difference was in which protein they influenced, and whether the cells were healthy to start with. In healthy cells they support cellular maintenance and energy production but in cancer cells they help drive rapid growth.

From Science Daily:  Scientists reveal why a popular anti-aging compound may also fuel cancer

Polyamines are naturally produced molecules present in all living cells. They play a vital role in basic biological functions, including cell growth and specialization. In recent years, scientists have focused on these compounds, especially spermidine, for their potential to support healthy aging. Often described as 'geroprotectors,' they have been shown to stimulate autophagy, a cellular recycling process that clears out damaged components. This benefit largely depends on a protein called eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A1).

At the same time, researchers have repeatedly observed high levels of polyamines in many types of cancer, where they are linked to aggressive tumor growth. This contrast has created a scientific puzzle. How can the same molecules that appear to promote longevity also be associated with cancer?
...continue reading "Study Finds Popular Anti-Aging Supplement Could Also Fuel Cancer Growth"

Published on Leave a comment on A Daily Glass of Wine Is Associated With A Slower Rate of Aging

Several studies have recently been published that push back at the idea that all alcohol intake has negative health effects. Actual results are more nuanced. High alcohol intake is always harmful, but low to moderate intake appears to be protective for a number of health conditions. In fact, low to moderate intake appears to be better for health than totally abstaining from alcohol.

Similar to research reported in the last post, another recent study looking at alcohol consumption found that low to moderate alcohol consumption has beneficial health effects (is protective). Again, a J curve finding that low to moderate intake best delays biological aging (as measured by biomarker measurements), then alcohol never or rarely consumed, and finally that high intake was harmful - it canceled any alcohol protective effects. In other words, low to moderate alcohol consumption slows down aging.

The most beneficial effects were at 1 to 2 glasses of wine per day. These associations were predominantly in men, and these effects went hand in hand with eating a Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet is eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, beans, and olive oil. The researchers thought that compounds such as polyphenols in wine could play a role in why low to moderate alcohol consumption was beneficial.

From Medical Life Sciences News: Moderate wine intake tied to slower biological aging in men

A large Italian cohort study suggests that moderate wine intake, as defined within a traditional Mediterranean diet, may be associated with slightly slower biological aging in men, whereas total alcohol intake showed a different, less favorable pattern. ...continue reading "A Daily Glass of Wine Is Associated With A Slower Rate of Aging"

Published on Leave a comment on Some Wine With Dinner Can Have Health Benefits

It seems that in the last few years all alcohol intake has been demonized, with warnings that any alcohol can increase the risk of cancer. What is not typically mentioned are the studies finding health benefits from consuming low to moderate levels of alcohol. Especially wine consumed with a meal.

Studies for years have found a J curve in health effects - with low to moderate levels of alcohol consumed best for health, and no alcohol or rarely consumed a little worse,  and high levels of alcohol consumption having the most negative health effects. In other words, low to moderate alcohol consumption (e.g., 1 glass wine daily) can be protective for certain health conditions.

The following study found that consuming low to moderate levels of wine is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, in older adults (mean age 68 years). Best was consuming between half a glass and one glass per day of wine - a 50% lower chance of cardiovascular events.

From Science Daily: New evidence on the relationship between moderate wine consumption and cardiovascular health

Light and moderate consumption of wine is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular complications, according to a multicenter study. The study is based on the analysis of a biomarker of wine intake -- specifically, tartaric acid, present in grapes. It was carried out in 1,232 participants in the PREDIMED project, a major scientific epidemiological study in nutrition on the effects of the Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular health. ...continue reading "Some Wine With Dinner Can Have Health Benefits"

Published on Leave a comment on High-Dose Flu Vaccines Lower the Risk of Developing Dementia
Human brain Credit: Wikipedia

The risk of developing dementia increases as a person ages. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) the risk of dementia was 4% by the time a person is 75, and 20% by age 85, and even higher after 85 years of age. Thus the interest in ways to prevent the onset of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.

One way to lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease is getting vaccinated, including the shingles and flu vaccines, after the age of 60. A recent study found that getting vaccinated with high dose flu vaccines in adults 65 years and older (instead of standard dose) reduces the odds of developing Alzheimer's disease even more.

A possible reason for the protective effect of the flu vaccine, especially the high-dose vaccine, is that vaccination strengthens immune defenses and reduces inflammation. Inflammation is thought to play a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Excerpts from CIDRAP: High-dose flu vaccine tied to lower Alzheimer’s risk in older adults

Receiving a high-dose flu vaccine is associated with a significantly lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease than a standard-dose vaccine in adults aged 65 and older, according to a large observational study published in Neurology. The findings add to a growing body of evidence linking vaccination, and possibly immune system activity, to reduced dementia risk. ...continue reading "High-Dose Flu Vaccines Lower the Risk of Developing Dementia"

Published on Leave a comment on Consuming Coffee Or Tea Daily Associated With Lower Risk of Dementia
Cup of coffee Credit: Wikipedia

Once again, a recent study found that daily consumption of coffee has health benefits.

Recent research found that drinking a moderate amount of coffee (2 to 3 cups of daily) or 1 to 2 cups of tea daily was associated with a lower risk of dementia and better cognitive function. Decaf coffee appeared to have no effect on risk of dementia or cognitive functioning.

Persons with the highest intake (2 to 3 cups or more daily) of caffeinated coffee had an 18% lower risk of dementia compared with those who drank little or no caffeinated coffee. The large study followed people for as long as 43 years.

From Medical Xpress: Consuming 2–3 cups of coffee daily associated with lower dementia risk, better cognitive function

A new prospective cohort study by investigators from Mass General Brigham, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard analyzed 131,821 participants from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS), finding that moderate consumption of caffeinated coffee (two to three cups a day) or tea (one to two cups a day) reduced dementia risk, slowed cognitive decline, and preserved cognitive function. ...continue reading "Consuming Coffee Or Tea Daily Associated With Lower Risk of Dementia"

Published on Leave a comment on Physical Activity Slows Down Kidney Function Decline That Occurs With Aging
MALE URINARY SYSTEM Credit: Wikipedia

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing problem globally, especially in aging populations. As people age, their kidney function declines - and this is a normal part of aging. A recent study found that physical activity slows this kidney function decline.

The study followed healthy individuals (aged 50 to 64 years at the start), who had varying physical activity levels, over an 11 year period. The researchers found that there is a dose response effect from physical activity - more active persons had a slower annual kidney function decline, as well as a much lower risk of accelerated kidney function decline.

The slowest level of kidney decline was in persons who were physically active almost every day (at least 5 days a week) and who engaged in more intense exercise. Note that physical activity is not just doing exercises - it's physical activity of all sorts. Yes, walking counts.

The researchers viewed physical activity as having reno-protective effects - in both the general population and in persons with CKD. This is because it lowers the risk of developing CKD, but it also slows kidney function decline. By the way, other studies have also found physical activity or exercise beneficial in slowing down the kidney function decline that occurs with aging.

From Medscape: Physical Activity May Slow Kidney Function Decline

Increased physical activity was associated with a substantially lower risk for kidney function decline, with the strongest effects seen with higher frequencies and intensities of activity, according to a new longitudinal study. ...continue reading "Physical Activity Slows Down Kidney Function Decline That Occurs With Aging"

Published on Leave a comment on The EPA Now Values Human Life At Zero Dollars

Very depressing news. The EPA plans to NOT take into account of the value of human life any more when making rules and setting policy regarding air pollutants (e.g., fine particulate matter and ozone). Meaning that the value of a human life is zero dollars. Instead, the only thing that will be considered is the cost to businesses of pollution regulations.

In other words, no more estimates of the dollar value of lives saved in the cost-benefit analyses for new pollution rules. People dying will just be a side-effect of business - eh, move on, nothing to see here.

This means that the cost to society (of human suffering and deaths) from pollutants just doesn't matter. Businesses obviously do not/will not want regulations that cost money.  Yes, this will mean dirtier air and the environment going forward. Very depressing...

Excerpts from NY Times: Trump’s E.P.A. Has Put a Value on Human Life: Zero Dollars

Government officials have long grappled with a question that seems like the purview of philosophers: What is the value of a human life?

Under both Democratic and Republican administrations, the answer has been in the millions of dollars. The higher the value, the more the government has required businesses to spend on their operations to prevent a single death.

But for the first time ever, at the Environmental Protection Agency the answer is effectively zero dollars. ...continue reading "The EPA Now Values Human Life At Zero Dollars"

Published on Leave a comment on Coffee and Liver Health

The health benefits of regularly drinking coffee keep increasing. A recent study confirmed that consuming coffee on a regular basis reduces the incidence of liver disease and slows the progression of several liver diseases.

The study authors write that coffee contains a number of bioactive compounds (e.g., caffeine, polyphenols, diterpenes) which have "anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifibrotic, and anticancer properties".

In other words, enjoy your daily coffee. It's good for you!

Excerpts from Medscape: Regular Coffee Drinking Can Protect and Restore Liver Health

TOPLINE: Several bioactive compounds in coffee exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and metabolic effects that reduce the incidence and progression of liver diseases. ...continue reading "Coffee and Liver Health"