http://www.age-well.org/age-well-blog.html The Age-well Blog contains additions and updates to the age-well.org web site, keeping you up-to-date with our most recent information on aging healthily. Subscribe here. en-us Age well Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:21:11 GMT Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:21:11 GMT age-well.org http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments.html new anti-aging developments -News Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:13:54 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-02.html anti-aging news, most recent developments in the field of anti-aging Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:03:27 GMT http://www.age-well.org/age-well-blog.html#Fish-Oil-May-Slash-Breast-Cancer-Risk Following up on a number of studies which suggested that fish oil supplements play a role in preventing chronic disease, Emily White, from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Washington, USA), led a team which surveyed 35,016 postmenopausal women who did not have a history of breast cancer on their use of non-vitamin, non-mineral "specialty" supplements and tracked the incidence of breast cancer during a six-year follow-up period. The team found that those women who regularly used fish oil supplements, which contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, had a 32 reduced risk of breast cancer, with the risk reduction limited to invasive ductal breast cancer, the most common type of the disease. (Source: http://www.worldhealth.net Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:57:32 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-07-2010-2.html Alpha-tocopherol, one of the more common forms of Vitamin E, has been widely studied for potential protective effects against the onset of Alzheimers Disease. A team led by Francesca Mangialasche, from the Karolinska Institutet (Sweden), studied 232 dementia-free octenigarians for six years, tracking the onset of Alzheimers Disease and measuring blood levels of all eight natural vitamin E components. Those subjects with higher blood levels of all these components were at a markedly reduced risk of developing Alzheimers Disease, as compared to subjects with lower levels. After adjusting for confounding factors, the team reports the risk reduction in those with the higher blood levels of all the vitamin E family forms was 45-54, depending on the vitamin E component. The researchers conclude that: The neuroprotective effect of vitamin E seems to be related to the combination of different forms, rather than to alpha-tocopherol alone. (Source: http://www.worldhealth.net). Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:39:54 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-07-2010-2.html Residents of lesser developed nations often are deficient in iron and zinc, because the bioavailability of both micronutrients is particularly low from plant foods. Krishnapura Srinivasan from the Central Food Technological Research Institute (India), and colleagues added garlic and onion to rice and sorghum cereals, and chickpea and green gram pulses, and found that iron uptake increased by 70 and zinc uptake rose by up to 160. It is thought that the high sulfur content in garlic and onion, may be integral to this mineral boosting effect, as sulfur-containing amino acids such as cysteine have previously been shown to boost iron and zinc status in lab animals. The team believe that this knowledge could be included in a food-based strategy to improve the bioavailability of trace minerals and hence contributes to the human health benefit. (Source: http://www.worldhealth.net). Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:39:54 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-07-2010-2.html A study conducted in the US to investigate the role of flavanols in the prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD) and other cardiovascular conditions has had positive results The study was led by Christian Heiss, from University of California/San Francisco (California, USA). Sixteen CAD patients between 61 to 67 years took part in the 30-day study and were randomly assigned a twice-daily beverage containing high flavanoid cocoa, or a low-flavanol drink. Those subjects that consumed the beverage containing high flavanoid cocoa were found to have doubled the number of circulating angiogenic cells (CACs) in the blood, which improved blood vessel function improved by 47. Earlier studies have shown that CACs have vessel repair and maintenance functions, which can contribute to healthy blood vessels. They have also been associated with a decreased risk of death from cardiovascular diseases. (Source: http://www.worldhealth.net). Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:39:54 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-07-2010-2.html Tai Chi and Qigong, ( get a better definition here) two Chinese wellness practices, have been associated with a variety of physical and mental health benefits. A team led by Linda Larkey, of Arizona State University ( USA ) conducted a meta-analysis of 77 peer-reviewed journal articles reporting on the medical benefits associated with the two disciplines. Assessing data on the 6,410 men and women involved, the team found that subjects showed a significantly improvment according to devices which measured cardiopulmonary fitness, immune function and bone density, and also reported a better quality of life, as compared to sedentary counterparts. The researchers concluded that the two disciplines appeared to have similar positive health benefits. (Source: http://www.worldhealth.net). Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:39:54 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-07-2010-2.html Following up on a number of studies which found that antioxidants have the potential to prevent atherosclerotic damage, a team led by Reuven Zimlichman, from Tel Aviv University (Israel) evaluated the effects of prolonged antioxidant treatment on arterial elasticity, inflammatory and metabolic measures in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. The team enrolled 70 patients from a hypertension clinic, who were randomized to receive either antioxidants or placebo capsules for six months. Tests at the beginning of the trial, after three months and at the six month mark revealed that the patients in the antioxidant group had more elastic arteries (a measure of increased cardiovascular health) and better blood sugar and cholesterol profiles. (Source: http://www.worldhealth.net). Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:39:54 GMT http://www.age-well.org/age-well-blog.html#Trash-the-Transfats The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is calling for major changes in food production and marketing and said drastic cuts in fat and salt levels were needed to halt the scourge of heart disease. According to the NICE, Trans fats do little more than prolong shelf life and should be banned from all food, saturated fat levels should be cut drastically and average salt intake more than halved by 2025. If these changes were implemented, they said, around 40,000 early deaths could be prevented each year in Britain alone and millions of people could be spared the suffering of living with the effects of heart disease and stroke. Of course, you dont have to wait till 2025 for that to happen. If you ditch the trans fats you will eat less of the junk that clogs your system and leaves you feeling sluggish, tired, and bloated. In the long-term you can also stave off high cholesterol. If youre not sure how to recognise foods that contain trans fats, look on the labels in the ingredients list for the words hydrogenated fats. If you see them, don't buy!!! Leave them on the shelf!!! (Source: Dr Marilyn Glenvilles Health Digest Natural News for Women'). Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:25:48 GMT http://www.age-well.org/conditions.html conditions which are age-related and how to avoid them Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:45:06 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments.html Black pepper should not be sneezed at as a health food. New research suggests that it has a wide range of benefits, from lowering cholesterol to fighting infections. According to a report from the Central Food Technological Research Institute in India, it also helps with digestion, speeds up the natural processing of food by the body and helps keep the liver healthy. One of its main beneficial effects is that it works as an antioxidant, protecting healthy tissue from damage. The researchers say that it may also offer some protection against cancer, through its active ingredient, piperine. <i>(Source: Free Health Tip from Dr Marilyn Glenvilles Health Digest Natural News for Women </i>) Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:04:57 GMT http://www.age-well.org/aging-process.html The aging process is natural and can be slowed down if you know how Mon, 05 Jul 2010 19:08:57 GMT http://www.age-well.org/cherries.html The Potential of Cherries Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:45:10 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-07-2010.html Anti-aging Developments - July 2010 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 05:22:57 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-06-2010.html Anti-aging Developments - June 2010 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:06:30 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-06-2010-2.html Anti-aging Developments - June 15 - 30 2010 Sun, 27 Jun 2010 23:59:34 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-06-2010-2.html Peaches and plums are high in antioxidants and phytonutrients, and contain phenolic compounds that yield the fruits distinctive aromas, tastes, and colors. In lab tests conducted by Luis Cisneros-Zevallos, from Texas AgriLife Research (Texas, USA), and colleagues, breast cancer cells including the most aggressive type -- died after treatments with peach and plum extracts, while the normal cells were not harmed in the process. The team reports that two phenols present in the fruits exerted the protective effect, writing that: We [confirm] that phenolic acids present have potential as chemo--preventive dietary compounds because of the relatively high growth inhibition exerted on the estrogen-independent breast cancer cell line and low toxicity. (Source WorldHealth.Net - Read the full story by copying and pasting this link into your browser: http://www.worldhealth.net/news/anti-cancer-potential-peaches-and-plums-revealed/) Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:48:35 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-06-2010-2.html Within the next 20 years the number of people affected by depression is expected to increase to such an extent that it will become the leading health condition worldwide. Researchers from Rush University Medical Centre (Illinois, USA have been trying to establish a connection between B-Vitamin deficiencies and depression. They collected data on 3,500 Chicago-area men and women, ages 65 years and older, surveying their dietary habits and assessing for symptoms of depression, following the subjects for an average of 7.2 years They concluded that those men and women with increased intakes of vitamins B6 and B12 had a decreased likelihood of depression. Specifically, for every 10 milligram increase in the intake of vitamin B6, and for every 10 microgram increase in vitamin B12, the risk of developing symptoms of depression were decreased by 2 per year, respectively. Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:48:35 GMT http://www.age-well.org/male-pattern-baldness.html male pattern baldness Sun, 20 Jun 2010 09:02:11 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-06-2010.html Have you always wondered why women generally live longer than men? Well here is a study which merits inclusion in this page on anti-aging developments which my just anser this question as it suggests that housework can help you live longer. An intriguing study has examined the relationship between physical activity and a range of variables involving urban residents' homes and neighborhoods, finding that the inside of study subjects' homes had more to do with higher physical activity levels than the sidewalks, lighting and other elements considered. Nicole Keith, from Indiana University-Purdue University (Indiana, USA), and colleagues assessed data collected on 998 African Americans, ages 49 to 65 years, enrolled in the African American Health longitudinal study. Sat, 19 Jun 2010 13:40:40 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-06-2010.html This is another anti-aging development which will increase quality of life - Nature can boost vitality and therefore helps keeps you young Previously, researchers in the field of experimental psychology have associated spending time in a nature setting with increased energy and heightened sense of well-being, and have even reported that the activity of simply recalling outdoor experiences increases feelings of happiness and health. Richard M. Ryan, from the University of Rochester (New York, USA), and colleagues conducted a series of five studies, involving 537 college students, to assess the effects of being outdoors on subjective vitality. Across all study situations, subjects consistently felt more energetic when they spent time in natural settings or imagined themselves in such situations. The researchers found that exposure to the outside nature setting for as little as 20 minutes in a day was sufficient to significantly boost vitality levels.. Sat, 19 Jun 2010 13:40:40 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-06-2010.html While capsaicin has been studied for potential benefits in fighting obesity, the underlying molecular mechanism by which the chili pepper compound has been observed to decrease calorie intake, shrink fat tissue, and lower fat levels in the blood has not been elucidated. Jong Won Yun, from Daegu University (Korea), and colleagues engaged an animal model of obesity, and fed high-fat diets with or without capsaicin to the study animals. Sat, 19 Jun 2010 13:40:40 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-06-2010.html While it is commonly accepted that exercise provides numerous and wide-ranging beneficial effects, the underlying biochemical changes have remained elusive. Robert Gerszten, from Massachusetts General Hospital (Massachusetts, USA), and colleagues developed a set of comprehensive plasma metabolite signatures characterizing the metabolic changes associated with exercise. Sat, 19 Jun 2010 13:40:40 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-06-2010.html Here is an anti-aging development which is guaranteed to put a smile on your face; Across all major objective markers, people seem to become happier as they get older, finds researchers from Princeton University (New Jersey, USA), who compiled data resulting from a 2008 Gallup Survey of 340,847 Americans, ages 18 to 85 years. The general pattern of emotional well-being appeared to feature stress and anger on steep decline beginning in the early 20s, worry elevating through middle age and then declining, and sadness remaining essentially flat throughout life. Sat, 19 Jun 2010 13:40:40 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-12-2009.html anti-aging developments - december 2009 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:04:59 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-05-2010.html Anti-aging Developments - May 2010 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:59:58 GMT http://www.age-well.org/healthy-eyes.html Tips for Healthy Eyes Mon, 14 Jun 2010 08:17:30 GMT http://www.age-well.org/dry-eye-syndrome.html Dry Eye Syndrome Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:26:52 GMT http://www.age-well.org/eyecare.html Eye care - how to take care of our eyes Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:23:45 GMT http://www.age-well.org/minerals.html#Calcium Including dairy in your diet is a great way to get calciuma bone-strengthening mineral that most of us dont get enough of. EatingWell recommends low- or nonfat dairy to limit intake of the saturated fats that boost risk of heart disease. You wont miss out on milks nutritional boons either: per cup, all varieties deliver about one-third of the recommended daily value for calcium and at least 20 percent of the daily value for vitamin D. Plus, new research suggests that replacing full-fat dairy with low-fat dairy may also help lower blood pressur Sat, 12 Jun 2010 22:39:21 GMT http://www.age-well.org/weight.html It's getting hot outside and we're ready for some backyard partying! Barbeque/Grilling is a great way to cook in the summer and there are tons of low fat ways to do it. Here are some tips to keep you on track with your weight loss goals. 1. Fill your plate just once and choose wisely. Barbecued chicken, lean meat, fish and vegetables are all great choices but remove the skin from chicken drumsticks or thighs and cut off any fat on chops or pieces of meat. 2. Sausages, hotdogs and hamburgers are high in fat and calories so limit yourself to just one and make sure your metabolism retraining reflects more activity to make up for your higher fat and calorie consumption. Another good idea is to bring along some Healthy Choice hotdogs to share-you can stay on your plan and share the health! =) 3. If you're in charge of preparing food, marinate meat and fish in fat-free marinades or use a barbecue seasoning rather than oil. 4. Beware of chips and dips that are always at barbecues. Many dips are made with mayo, oil or sour cream and so are packed with calories. If available, stick to tomato or yogurt-based dips. And dip cherry tomatoes <i>(Source: Camp Shane Newsletter)</i> Sat, 12 Jun 2010 22:39:21 GMT http://www.age-well.org/minerals.html#Calcium Including dairy in your diet is a great way to get calciuma bone-strengthening mineral that most of us dont get enough of. EatingWell recommends low- or nonfat dairy to limit intake of the saturated fats that boost risk of heart disease. You wont miss out on milks nutritional boons either: per cup, all varieties deliver about one-third of the recommended daily value for calcium and at least 20 percent of the daily value for vitamin D. Plus, new research suggests that replacing full-fat dairy with low-fat dairy may also help lower blood pressur Sat, 12 Jun 2010 22:18:37 GMT http://www.age-well.org/dementia.html A review of epidemiological studies and research in animal models has led scientists to conclude that caffeine could be used to prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease. Gary W Arendash and Chuanhai Cao studied the effects of caffeine on a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Results showed that mice given caffeine in their drinking water from young adulthood into old age suffered less memory impairment and had lower brain levels of amyloid-?, the abnormal protein that is thought to play a key role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Further studies revealed that just 1-2 months of treatment with caffeine restored memory and reduced brain levels of amyloid-? in "aged" cognitively impaired mice. The authors concluded: "These results indicate a surprising ability of moderate caffeine intake (the human equivalent of 500 mg caffeine or 5 cups of coffee per day) to protect against or treat Alzheimer's disease in a mouse model for the disease and a therapeutic potential for caffeine against Alzheimer's disease in humans." (Source: World Health Net) Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:16:58 GMT http://www.age-well.org/dementia.html Researchers in Boston have established a link between Downs Syndrom patients and patients with Alzheimers which may lead to early detection of the latter disease. Downs Syndrome patients often develop symptoms of Alzheimers Disease before they reach 30. Lee Goldstein, from Boston University School of Medicine (Massachusetts, USA), and colleagues have found that the specific Alzheimers brain protein, amlyoid beta, develops at a very early stage in the eyes of Downs Syndrome patients, with the protein then leading to the formation of cataracts. Explaining that the lens of the eye provides a window to the brain, the team suggests that the same amyloid beta protein that accumulates in the brain may also collect in the eye tissue of Downs patients Moreover, these findings confirm increased [amlyoid beta ] accumulation as a key pathogenic determinant linking lens and brain pathology in both [Downs Syndrome] and [Alzheimers Disease]. The researchers are hopeful that a technology to scan the eye to measure amyloid beta protein levels may lead to a method of reliably detecting Alzheimers Disease at an early stage. (Source: World Health Net) Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:16:58 GMT http://www.age-well.org/oralhygiene.html Building on previous research which linked gum disease with heart problems, Richard Watt, from University College London (United Kingdom), and colleagues studied whether toothbrushing behavior is associated with cardiovascular disease and markers of inflammation. The team analyzed data collected on 11,869 men and women, mean age 50 years, enrolled in the Scottish Health Survey. Over the eight-year long study period, the subjects self-reported their frequency of daily toothbrushing, while the researchers assessed hospital records to estimate the risk of cardiovascular disease events or death according to oral hygiene. Accounting for factors that contribute to heart disease risk, the team found that those subjects with the worst oral hygiene were at 70 increased risk of developing heart disease, as compared to those who brushed their teeth twice a day. In addition, the subjects with poor oral hygiene tested positive for increased levels of blood markers of inflammation, namely C-reactive protein and fibrinogen. (Source: World Health Net) Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:16:58 GMT http://www.age-well.org/age-well-blog.html#How-to-improve-your-posture Here's how to improve your posture: Pull your shoulder blades back slightly toward each other and down away from your ears. Lift your chest up and out. Pull your head back just enough to keep it in line with your spine. Position your pelvis or hips to create or maintain a natural arch in your lower back. Pull your belly button in toward your spine without changing or tilting your hips or losing the arch in your lower back. (Source: Realage, June 2010) Fri, 11 Jun 2010 07:38:33 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-01-2010.html Anti-aging Developments - January 2010 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 01:03:18 GMT http://www.age-well.org/anti-aging-developments-02-2010.html anti-aging Developments -February 2010 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:44:26 GMT http://www.age-well.org/skincare.html A little tomato paste every day can do more for your skin than investing hundreds of dollars in facial creams. NOT only will it save you money according to a new study, it may protect you from wrinkles and cancer. In the study the participants supplemented their diets with 2.5 tablespoons of tomato paste mixed with two teaspoons of olive oil every day for ten weeks, while a control group took the olive oil alone. The volunteers also sat under a sun lamp three times a week. By week ten the group ingesting the tomato paste had 40 percent less sun-damage than the control group. This is due to the high levels of lycopene, an antioxidant which protected the skin from sun damage, in tomatoes, Other foods which offer sun protection are spinach, blackberries, pomegranates and dark chocolate. These foods do not mean you no longer need to protect your skin with a reliable sunscreen and controlled sun exposure. (Source: Realage website) Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:59:12 GMT http://www.age-well.org/skincare.html A medication for facial spasms, Dysport, has recently also been approved for aesthetic as well as therapeutic use. Although it was developed as a neuromuscular blocking agent in the treatment of cervical dystonia.itkmj has also been found to temporarily improve the appearance of wrinkles giving the patient amore youthful and relaxed appearance. Dysport is injected directly into the skin around deep wrinkles and expression lines temporarily relaxing and paralyzing the muscles that cause them. It could be described as a poor womans boot as it is less expensive than its better-known competitor and fewer injections are required to have the desired effect. Another is the fast acting effects of the products even though like botox it only paralyses muscles temporarily. However there are some problems associated with the product as the solution which is injected into the skin is less concentrated than botox and can more easily spread from the injection site. Other side effects when using dysport as an anti-aging agent are nose and throat irritations, headache, pain around the site of t he injection upper respiratory tract infections, swollen and/or drooping eyelids, nausea and inflammation of the sinuses. (Source; ivanhoe Women's Channel - First reported 30 March 2010) Tue, 01 Jun 2010 04:32:10 GMT http://www.age-well.org/age-well-blog.html#New-Treatment-targets-pigmentation-as-well-as-improving-skin-tone Another new anti-aging treatment on the market is called broadbank light. It is a light based technology to treat aging and sun-damaged skin. By targeting haemoglobin and melanin and encouraging the production of elastin and collagen, which smoothes and firms skin making it look younger? Photo-thermal energy released during the procedure also reduces redness, and targets freckles, age spots and any unsightly pigmentation. For several weeks after treatment the treated skin can be darker and flake, before positive effects are revealed. (Source; ivanhoe Women's Channel - First reported 30 March 2010) Tue, 01 Jun 2010 04:32:10 GMT http://www.age-well.org/skincare.html Another injectable, non-surgical treatment for deep wrinkles and expression lines is a poly-L-lactic acid called Sculptra. It was seen to produce natural looking results lasting up to two years in a random study of patients in whom it had positive results in correcting the first signs of facial aging. It contains a biocompatible, biodegradable, synthetic material used by the medical profession for many years already. Temporary side effects include swollen, red, tender skin, bruising, itching and even bleeding. Bumps and lumps have also been recorded but these too only last temporarily and were resolved without treatment. (Source; ivanhoe Women's Channel - First reported 30 March 2010) Tue, 01 Jun 2010 04:32:10 GMT http://www.age-well.org/disease-prevention.html Disease Prevention - How to prevent age-related diseases Sun, 30 May 2010 00:20:21 GMT http://www.age-well.org/supplements.html Information on Anti-aging supplements and antioxidants Sat, 29 May 2010 12:32:00 GMT http://www.age-well.org/antioxidants.html Antioxidants in the fight against cell aging Sat, 29 May 2010 12:26:47 GMT http://www.age-well.org/stay-well.html Stay well by following our advice on the prevention of age-related diseases Sat, 29 May 2010 11:58:12 GMT http://www.age-well.org/cancer.html Exploring the connection between cancer and aging Sat, 29 May 2010 11:48:36 GMT http://www.age-well.org/skincare.html Skin care to prevent aging Thu, 20 May 2010 02:49:50 GMT http://www.age-well.org/osteoporosis-4.html More strategies to prevent osteoporosis Thu, 20 May 2010 02:27:53 GMT http://www.age-well.org/eat-well-resources.html Some resources on how to eat well Thu, 20 May 2010 02:25:27 GMT