Skip to content

Category: healthy aging

Published on Leave a comment on Herpes Simplex Virus and Alzheimer’s Disease

Over the past decade there has been as increasing amount of research suggesting that the herpes virus (cold sores!) is implicated in the development of Alzheimer's disease. (here, here, here).

A recent study suggests the same possibility - herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1) has a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease. And treating cold sores with antiviral therapy (antiherpetic medications) results in a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease - thus the antivirals are protective.

The researchers found that having herpes virus type 2 (genital herpes) and varicella zoster virus (chicken pox, shingles) also resulted in increased risk of later developing Alzheimer's disease. But infection with cytomegalovirus was not.

From Medical Xpress: Cold sore viral infection implicated in development of  Alzheimer's disease

Symptomatic infection with the virus responsible for cold sores around the mouth–herpes simplex 1, or HSV-1 for short—may have a key role in the development of Alzheimer's disease, suggests a large US study published in BMJ Open. ...continue reading "Herpes Simplex Virus and Alzheimer’s Disease"

Published on Leave a comment on Exercise, Insulin, and the Brain

Studies find that exercise or physical activity improves the functioning of the brain, including memory and overall cognition. In a recent study, almost two weeks of exercise by older adults improved brain insulin signaling - that is, it improved the abilities of insulin to act on the brain by increasing "neuronal extracellular vesicles".

The study found these beneficial effects on a group of sedentary adults (average age 60) with prediabetes, who are at higher risk for Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

The participants exercised twelve times (60 minutes per day) by using a stationary bicycle (cycle ergometry exercise) over a 13 day period. So quick and simple, but it resulted in health benefits for the brain.

From Science Daily: Exercise improves brain function, possibly reducing dementia risk

A study led by scientists at Rutgers University-New Brunswick has shown that specialized cells involved in how the body responds to insulin are activated in the brain after exercise, suggesting that physical activity may directly improve brain function. ...continue reading "Exercise, Insulin, and the Brain"

Published on Leave a comment on Exercise Boosts Brain Function At All Ages

Exercise boosts brain function at all ages. This means that for both young and old, it is worth it to get out and engage in physical activity.

A large study reviewed other studies (for a total of 258,279 persons) on effects of exercise on brain functioning. They found that exercise, even light exercise, boosts brain function (specifically general cognition and executive function) and memory. Executive function refers to mental processes (executive functioning skills) that help you solve problems, make plans, set and carry out goals, and manage emotions.

The researchers concluded that most forms of exercise appear effective, including light-intensity activities, and even yoga, Tai Chi, and walking. The positive effects were found at all ages, and in all groups studied. There seemed to be an especially strong effect in persons with ADHD

From Science Daily: Exercise of any kind boosts brainpower at any age

Whether it's an early morning jog, or a touch of Tai Chi, groundbreaking research from the University of South Australia shows that any form of exercise can significantly boost brain function and memory across children, adults, and older adults. ...continue reading "Exercise Boosts Brain Function At All Ages"

Published on Leave a comment on Exercise Is Beneficial For the Kidneys In Older Adults
MALE URINARY SYSTEM Credit: Wikipedia

Our kidneys are incredibly important for our health. Unfortunately, some conditions (e.g., diabetes) and just getting older results in a decline in kidney function. Let's face it - as we age, our organs age.

But there is some good news. A recent study found that moderate and high intensity exercise slows down the risk of rapid kidney function decline in older adults. Exercise actually helps preserve kidney function.

A large study randomly assigned older adults (aged 70 to 77 years) to one of three groups: 1) moderate intensity exercise (peak heart rate 70%) for 50 minutes twice a week, or 2) high intensity interval training (peak heart rate 90%) for four minutes 4 times per week (with first a 10 minute warm-up), or 3) a control group that just received education.

There was a dose response relationship over the 5 years - the more exercise, and the more vigorous exercise - the better kidney function was, and less of a decline from aging. Also, the more exercise, the better the oxygen uptake. There were no heart disease related events (cardiovascular events) during the supervised exercise sessions.

Bottom line: Exercise at all ages, including older adults in their 70s, is good for health, including the kidneys. Move, move, move!

From Medscape: High-Intensity Interval Training Reduces Risk for Kidney Function Decline in Seniors

Supervised high-intensity interval training (HIIT) over 5 years reduced the risk for rapid decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in community-dwelling adults aged 70-77 years. ...continue reading "Exercise Is Beneficial For the Kidneys In Older Adults"

Published on Leave a comment on Research Finds Lower Risk of Dementia After Receiving Shingles Vaccine

People are always looking for ways to lower their risk of dementia in their senior years. For a while now there has been research suggesting that older adults getting vaccines (e.g., annual flu shots) lower their risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. A recent study found that the shingles vaccine (herpes zoster vaccine) has a similar protective effect.

Adults in their 70s who received the shingles vaccine had a lower incidence of dementia. They were 20% less likely to develop dementia over the next 7 years. And the differences in rate of dementia among those who received or didn't receive the vaccine started within 1 1/2 years of getting the vaccine.

The study also showed that the protection against dementia was stronger in women than in men - that is, the shingles vaccine benefited women more than men.

By the way, one could view lower incidence of dementia as a non-target effect. The target was shingles, but other protective health effects are non-target effects.

Excerpts from Science Daily: Study strengthens link between shingles vaccine and lower dementia risk

An unusual public health policy in Wales may have produced the strongest evidence yet that a vaccine can reduce the risk of dementia. In a new study led by Stanford Medicine, researchers analyzing the health records of Welsh older adults discovered that those who received the shingles vaccine were 20% less likely to develop dementia over the next seven years than those who did not receive the vaccine.

The remarkable findings, to be published April 2 in Nature, support an emerging theory that viruses that affect the nervous system can increase the risk of dementia. If further confirmed, the new findings suggest that a preventive intervention for dementia is already close at hand.

...continue reading "Research Finds Lower Risk of Dementia After Receiving Shingles Vaccine"

Published on Leave a comment on Europeans Live Longer Than Americans At Every Income Level

It's a sad fact, but Americans, even the richest ones, have a shorter life-span than their counterparts in Europe. A large study found that over a 10 year period, people with more wealth tend to live longer in both the EU and the USA, but when comparing different economic levels - at each economic level they live longer in the European Union.

The most shocking finding was that the wealthiest Americans have survival rates at the same level as the poorest Europeans in western parts of Europe, such as Germany, France and the Netherlands. Hmmm... Europeans don't have to worry about paying for medical care (universal health care), while Americans do.

From Medical Xpress: Even the richest Americans face shorter lifespans than their European counterparts, study finds

Comparing wealth and survival rates in the U.S. with those in Europe, researchers found that over a 10-year period, Americans across all wealth levels were more likely to die than their European counterparts.

The findings were detailed in a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine by a team led by researchers at the Brown University School of Public Health. ...continue reading "Europeans Live Longer Than Americans At Every Income Level"

Published on Leave a comment on Health Benefits From Regularly Eating Eggs

Remember when for years eating eggs was viewed as unhealthy? And people were told to only eat egg whites? Well, well... how views have changed. Another recent study of 8756 older adults found that frequently eating eggs has health benefits - it is associated with a lower incidence of heart-disease related death and death from any cause.

How much lower? The study found a 29% lower incidence of cardiovascular disease death in relatively healthy older (70+ years) adults who ate eggs 1 to 6 times per week, when compared to adults who didn't eat eggs or ate them infrequently. The 1 to 6 times per week egg eaters also had a 17% lower rate of death from any cause, when compared to those who ate eggs infrequently or not at all.

Eggs are a great food. They are a good source of protein and essential nutrients, such as B vitamins, folate, unsaturated fatty acids, choline (very important for the brain!), selenium, fat-soluble vitamins (E, D, A, and K), and numerous other minerals and trace elements. A large egg is about 72 calories and 6 grams of protein.

Other studies have similar findings, as well as a lower risk of diabetes and a lower risk of hemorrhagic stroke in those consuming eggs frequently.

From Medical Xpress: Regularly eating eggs supports a lower risk of cardiovascular disease-related death, finds study

Regular consumption of eggs is associated with a 29% lower risk of cardiovascular disease-related death in relatively healthy older adults, new research from a Monash University-led team has found. ...continue reading "Health Benefits From Regularly Eating Eggs"

Published on Leave a comment on Eating Nuts Daily Associated With Lower Risk of Dementia

Many people to this day avoid eating nuts because they view them as high calorie and high fat (umm...probably because the medical establishment said that for years). However, studies in the past decade repeatedly found that frequent nut consumption has health benefits.

A recent study found that high consumption of nuts is associated with a lower risk of dementia (about 12% lower risk than in those not consuming nuts). The researchers found that the protective effect was strongest in those who consumed up to a handful of unsalted nuts daily, especially if they were unsalted. However, consuming more than a handful of nuts per day did not have additional benefits.

From the science news website PsyPost: Can a handful of nuts a day keep dementia away? Research suggests it might

A new study, published in the journal GeroScience, highlights a promising link between nut consumption and a reduced risk of dementia. The findings suggest that middle-aged and older adults who regularly consume nuts have a 12% lower chance of developing dementia compared to non-consumers. This protective effect was particularly strong for those who consumed up to a handful of unsalted nuts daily, which appeared to yield the most significant cognitive benefits. ...continue reading "Eating Nuts Daily Associated With Lower Risk of Dementia"

Published on Leave a comment on Some Pesticides Are Linked to Prostate Cancer

Pesticides are once again in the news as being linked to cancer. A recent study found that 22 pesticides show direct associations with prostate cancer in the US, and 4 of these pesticides are associated with death from prostate cancer.

The Stanford Univ. researchers also found that the more these pesticides were used in a county-wide area, the greater the association with prostate cancer. They analyzed a total of 295 pesticides across US counties. One of the pesticides associated with prostate cancer is 2,4-D, which is commonly used on lawns as a weed-killer, for example in Feed and Weed products. [Note: it was also one of the 2 pesticides in Agent Orange).

Earlier studies also found a link with some of the pesticides and prostate cancer, including 2,4-D. But this study found a link with 19 more.

The four pesticides associated with death from prostate cancer are three herbicides (trifluralin, cloransulam-methyl, and diflufenzopyr) and one insecticide (thiamethoxam). But of these, only trifluralin is classed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a "possible human carcinogen". (Yes, current studies used to evaluate pesticides are inadequate)

Bottom line: Avoid the use of pesticides as much as possible. Organic methods or least toxic integrated pest management (IPM) is best. On lawns - embrace diversity and view weeds as wildflowers, and your lawn a bee habitat.

From Medical Xpress: Study reveals links between many pesticides and prostate cancer

Researchers have identified 22 pesticides consistently associated with the incidence of prostate cancer in the United States, with four of the pesticides also linked with prostate cancer mortality. The findings are published in Cancer. ...continue reading "Some Pesticides Are Linked to Prostate Cancer"

Published on Leave a comment on Persons With Multiple Sclerosis Don’t Get Alzheimer’s Disease

Something surprising: People with multiple sclerosis don't develop Alzheimer's disease - even if it runs in the family. New research suggests that multiple sclerosis may protect a person from Alzheimer's disease.

The researchers found that the more typical the multiple sclerosis development and symptoms in the person, the less likely they were to have amyloid plaque accumulation in the brain. Amyloid plaques in the brain are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.

Accumulation of plaques is generally viewed as the first step that leads to cognitive decline and ultimately Alzheimer's disease.

From Futurity: Multiple Sclerosis May Protect Against Alzheimer's Disease

People with multiple sclerosis are far less likely than those without the condition to have the molecular hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research.

The discovery suggests a new avenue of research through which to seek Alzheimer’s treatments, says Matthew Brier, an assistant professor of neurology and of radiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the study’s first author. ...continue reading "Persons With Multiple Sclerosis Don’t Get Alzheimer’s Disease"