Bit of Alcohol May Benefit Aging Brain
Older People Who Drink in Moderation Appear to Have Less Dementia Than Nondrinkers, Study Finds..
A drink or two a day may help older people stay mentally sharp, but moderation is the key, a new study finds.
Researchers in Brazil asked people 60 and older about their use of alcohol and tested them for dementia and other age-related mental impairments.
Study participants who were heavy alcohol drinkers had higher rates of mental decline and dementia than elderly teetotalers. But mild to moderate alcohol consumption appeared to be somewhat protective.
The study is not the first to suggest that moderate drinking may benefit the brain as we age, but the researchers concluded that it is still too soon to recommend alcohol -- even in moderation -- to protect against age-related cognitive declines.
Duke University Medical Center geriatric psychiatrist Dan Blazer, MD, agrees.
Blazer studies alcohol use in the elderly but was not involved with the Brazilian study, which will appear in the April issue of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.
“I would certainly never recommend that an older patient who does not drink alcohol start drinking based on the research that is available today,” Blazer tells WebMD. “But that research does suggest that older people who drink moderately and who do not have difficulties associated with drinking derive some health benefits.”
Alcohol and the Aging Brain
Blazer’s latest research, published late last summer, suggests that binge drinking and other problem drinking behaviors are on the rise among the elderly.
The newly published study, reported by Marcos A. Lopes, PhD, and colleagues from the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil’s “Old Age Research Group,” included 419 elderly men and 726 elderly women living in Brazil.
For the purposes of the study, heavy alcohol use was defined as drinking 2 ounces of ethanol a day for men and 1 ounce of ethanol a day for women.
A 5-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce glass of regular beer, and a cocktail with 1 1/2 ounces of 80-proof liquor all have about 0.6 ounces of ethanol.
So men who consumed more than three alcoholic beverages a day and women who consumed more than 1 1/2 drinks were considered heavy drinkers.
Heavy alcohol consumption was highest among elderly men who had the lowest economic status and the least education.
Heavy Drinkers' Dementia Risk Greater
Overall, about 8% of the study participants reported heavy alcohol use, including 17% of males and 3% of females.
In addition:
A total of 42% of study participants drank alcohol but were not considered heavy drinkers, including 51% of males and 37% of females.
As a group, mild to moderate alcohol users were more highly educated and better off economically than nondrinkers.
About 19% of participants showed some evidence of cognitive and functional impairment and 6% were considered to have dementia.
Heavy alcohol use was found to be associated with more mental decline and dementia, especially in women, when compared to people who did not drink alcohol at all.
The protective effect of mild to moderate alcohol use was weaker than has been reported in many other studies, the researchers reported.
Blazer says alcohol dependence and abuse among the elderly is an under-recognized problem.
“There is evidence that alcohol, especially red wine, in moderation, may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, and even death,” he says. “But these potential benefits have to be weighed against the risks. Even one incidence of binge drinking can be life altering in a vulnerable older person if it leads to a fall.”
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Smart ways to reach your goal
Don't Self-Destruct! Adapt and Adjust!
Since you began your "I'm gonna get into better shape" journey, you've been learning how to integrate better nutrition and physical activity into your daily life. And I'll bet that you've come to realize that living healthfully in today's 24/7 grab-and-go world requires navigating countless minefields of tempting trash treats and hefty speed bumps every time you want to get in some physical activity. When men and women start a journey to improve their health, shed pounds, and become fit, the original enthusiasm begins to fade right around the fourth week of slugging it out. Red alert when you start to hear these words spill from your lips "I was doing just fine UNTIL ..." as you contemplate throwing in the towel. Go ahead and fill in the blank with the UNTIL___ stresses - my job has me traveling more; my boyfriend dumped me; I got a new micromanaging boss; I sprained my ankle; I'm suddenly financially strapped; I'm depressed and anxious about someone I'm care giving. The possibilities here are endless.
So the next step in your quest to become lean, healthier, and more fit is to learn how to manage these life stresses without reverting to old habits - eating your way through the stress, dropping the workouts, ceasing to do things that give you joy, and abandoning your self care.
When I wrote Fit to Live, I began the book with a quote from Charles Darwin. "It is not the strongest of the species who survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change." Scientists have known for years that survival is based upon the ability to be flexible, to modify habits as needed in response to life's ever changing environment. This is about regrouping when life throws you a curve ball and the two critical elements of regrouping involve the ability to adapt and adjust. I love to use them together as a verb I call "A²" or "A Squaring." The goal is to show that no matter what hits you in life, you can adapt and adjust without resorting to self destructive behaviors.
Adapt is a mental attitude that says "I'm facing a situation that I have to come to grips with." It's about accepting the situation - my boyfriend or girlfriend has left me - with as minimal negative effects on yourself - shame, guilt, anger, denial, dissociation, inertia, stress-eating - as possible. What you're doing is getting real and wrapping your head around whatever the stress is. You're accepting a new reality.
Adjust is the technical end of the regrouping equation. Now that you've mentally adapted to the new reality - I've gained 30 pounds - you're ready to map out a strategy to deal with this stress. It's about formulating a plan and implementing it.
Mastering the art of regrouping as soon as possible will affect everything you do in life, whether it's shedding weight and getting fit, or coping with a new baby, a change of career, or the loss of a loved one. Studies of the great centenarians have shown that a common characteristic of these amazing 100-year-olds is that they are "stress shedders." They fully experience a stress but don't allow it to paralyze and destroy them. They have an innate ability to A² fairly quickly and move on with life. You can, too.
Becoming a master of adapting and adjusting requires a lifetime of practice. Anything rewarding in life involves practice, from motherhood to great artistry. The great news is that it over time it does indeed become easier. For that matter, after a while, you can get pretty macho about this, and say "Go ahead, bring it on. I'll show you how I can adapt and adjust!" Upon returning from business travel that involved one delay after another, one of my patients proudly declared, "It didn't matter that I was stuck at that airport tired, hungry and surrounded by fast-food places. I just paid attention and made the right choices. For that matter, I even got up and walked around to get in some more steps for the day. It's a heck of a lot better than sitting on my butt at the gate!" Now, those are the words of someone who's mastering the A² mentality.
Now, let's go back to the "I was doing just fine UNTIL___" issue. Right now, make a list of your own unique "UNTIL's." Think back to the last 10 times you tried to shed some weight and get more fit and then it all fell apart when what happened? It's often an eye opener, as you start to see patterns. For instance, every holiday you blow it, or whenever you're in a hotel you become one with the mini bar, or you head to the fridge every time your boss criticizes your work. Once you identify the pattern, you can start building a strategy for dealing with that particular stressor so that you're prepared when it hits again.
Here are some easy steps for you to take the next time you hear yourself shouting "Oh no, incoming!" as these stresses start hitting you from every angle.
1. Acknowledge the new stress. Do not panic. Do not deny it. Let the reality sift through you. Take a deep breath and be with the new stress.
2. Adapt by wrapping your head around the new reality. For example, you hopped on the scale for the first time in six months and you're up 40 pounds. That's a reality. Let it sink in. Your cholesterol and blood sugars are up. Get the numbers. Take measurements. You'll need these to adjust to the reality.
3. Gather facts. As soon as the dust settles, make certain you have all the facts you need to address this new stress. This can be challenging so try not to get so emotional you become anxious and blind to reality.
4. Get support to help guide you. It often helps to find resources in your life to assist you as you begin to comprehend the new stress. Reach out and ask for help.
5. Adjust by formulating a strategy and plan. Once you can think more clearly and have accepted the new reality, hope is born from creating a way to manage and cope with the stress. That hope becomes your driving force.
6. Do not abandon your self care while learning how to adapt and adjust. You may have to shift your schedule and actions, but do not stop caring for yourself. You still have to nourish yourself and keep physically active, if not to just maintain your sanity while coping. For example, if you're spending time at a hospital supporting a friend or family member, you still eat healthy foods, and may find that some of your walks are around the hospital grounds instead of at the gym. That kind of flexibility is the foundation for optimal adapting and adjusting.
I will guarantee you that your ability to achieve your best body and healthiest lifestyle is based upon how well you can adapt and adjust to the stresses and challenges that threaten to derail your best efforts. Practice these simple steps every day and reap the benefits of an amazing transformational win win - your physical fitness and health transformation, as well as your transformation into a master of adapting and adjusting.
Since you began your "I'm gonna get into better shape" journey, you've been learning how to integrate better nutrition and physical activity into your daily life. And I'll bet that you've come to realize that living healthfully in today's 24/7 grab-and-go world requires navigating countless minefields of tempting trash treats and hefty speed bumps every time you want to get in some physical activity. When men and women start a journey to improve their health, shed pounds, and become fit, the original enthusiasm begins to fade right around the fourth week of slugging it out. Red alert when you start to hear these words spill from your lips "I was doing just fine UNTIL ..." as you contemplate throwing in the towel. Go ahead and fill in the blank with the UNTIL___ stresses - my job has me traveling more; my boyfriend dumped me; I got a new micromanaging boss; I sprained my ankle; I'm suddenly financially strapped; I'm depressed and anxious about someone I'm care giving. The possibilities here are endless.
So the next step in your quest to become lean, healthier, and more fit is to learn how to manage these life stresses without reverting to old habits - eating your way through the stress, dropping the workouts, ceasing to do things that give you joy, and abandoning your self care.
When I wrote Fit to Live, I began the book with a quote from Charles Darwin. "It is not the strongest of the species who survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change." Scientists have known for years that survival is based upon the ability to be flexible, to modify habits as needed in response to life's ever changing environment. This is about regrouping when life throws you a curve ball and the two critical elements of regrouping involve the ability to adapt and adjust. I love to use them together as a verb I call "A²" or "A Squaring." The goal is to show that no matter what hits you in life, you can adapt and adjust without resorting to self destructive behaviors.
Adapt is a mental attitude that says "I'm facing a situation that I have to come to grips with." It's about accepting the situation - my boyfriend or girlfriend has left me - with as minimal negative effects on yourself - shame, guilt, anger, denial, dissociation, inertia, stress-eating - as possible. What you're doing is getting real and wrapping your head around whatever the stress is. You're accepting a new reality.
Adjust is the technical end of the regrouping equation. Now that you've mentally adapted to the new reality - I've gained 30 pounds - you're ready to map out a strategy to deal with this stress. It's about formulating a plan and implementing it.
Mastering the art of regrouping as soon as possible will affect everything you do in life, whether it's shedding weight and getting fit, or coping with a new baby, a change of career, or the loss of a loved one. Studies of the great centenarians have shown that a common characteristic of these amazing 100-year-olds is that they are "stress shedders." They fully experience a stress but don't allow it to paralyze and destroy them. They have an innate ability to A² fairly quickly and move on with life. You can, too.
Becoming a master of adapting and adjusting requires a lifetime of practice. Anything rewarding in life involves practice, from motherhood to great artistry. The great news is that it over time it does indeed become easier. For that matter, after a while, you can get pretty macho about this, and say "Go ahead, bring it on. I'll show you how I can adapt and adjust!" Upon returning from business travel that involved one delay after another, one of my patients proudly declared, "It didn't matter that I was stuck at that airport tired, hungry and surrounded by fast-food places. I just paid attention and made the right choices. For that matter, I even got up and walked around to get in some more steps for the day. It's a heck of a lot better than sitting on my butt at the gate!" Now, those are the words of someone who's mastering the A² mentality.
Now, let's go back to the "I was doing just fine UNTIL___" issue. Right now, make a list of your own unique "UNTIL's." Think back to the last 10 times you tried to shed some weight and get more fit and then it all fell apart when what happened? It's often an eye opener, as you start to see patterns. For instance, every holiday you blow it, or whenever you're in a hotel you become one with the mini bar, or you head to the fridge every time your boss criticizes your work. Once you identify the pattern, you can start building a strategy for dealing with that particular stressor so that you're prepared when it hits again.
Here are some easy steps for you to take the next time you hear yourself shouting "Oh no, incoming!" as these stresses start hitting you from every angle.
1. Acknowledge the new stress. Do not panic. Do not deny it. Let the reality sift through you. Take a deep breath and be with the new stress.
2. Adapt by wrapping your head around the new reality. For example, you hopped on the scale for the first time in six months and you're up 40 pounds. That's a reality. Let it sink in. Your cholesterol and blood sugars are up. Get the numbers. Take measurements. You'll need these to adjust to the reality.
3. Gather facts. As soon as the dust settles, make certain you have all the facts you need to address this new stress. This can be challenging so try not to get so emotional you become anxious and blind to reality.
4. Get support to help guide you. It often helps to find resources in your life to assist you as you begin to comprehend the new stress. Reach out and ask for help.
5. Adjust by formulating a strategy and plan. Once you can think more clearly and have accepted the new reality, hope is born from creating a way to manage and cope with the stress. That hope becomes your driving force.
6. Do not abandon your self care while learning how to adapt and adjust. You may have to shift your schedule and actions, but do not stop caring for yourself. You still have to nourish yourself and keep physically active, if not to just maintain your sanity while coping. For example, if you're spending time at a hospital supporting a friend or family member, you still eat healthy foods, and may find that some of your walks are around the hospital grounds instead of at the gym. That kind of flexibility is the foundation for optimal adapting and adjusting.
I will guarantee you that your ability to achieve your best body and healthiest lifestyle is based upon how well you can adapt and adjust to the stresses and challenges that threaten to derail your best efforts. Practice these simple steps every day and reap the benefits of an amazing transformational win win - your physical fitness and health transformation, as well as your transformation into a master of adapting and adjusting.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Heart Attack Symptoms: Is it same for men and women?
Women and men may come from Venus and Mars, but Heart Month should remind us all that we have more in common sometimes than we might think - particularly where our hearts are concerned. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in women and men worldwide.
The statistics are eye-opening – one in three women will develop cardiovascular disease, and 1 in 17 women in the U.S. will have a heart attack or hospitalization for heart disease before age 60. For men, the numbers are similarly sobering – more than one in three adult males have some form of heart disease.
We are used to thinking about the telltale signs of heart attacks based upon many years of research and clinical observation of what men have experienced – chest discomfort, arm and back pain, and shortness of breath top the list. But more recently, doctors and their patients are recognizing that women may experience heart attacks differently.
Women may certainly experience chest pain, but they should also be on the lookout for less obvious symptoms, like nausea, indigestion, and palpitations in addition to shortness of breath and back pain,. In fact, nearly half of the women in one study had no chest pain at all during their heart attack. Fatigue and shortness of breath were the most common symptoms.
Whereas chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue are the most typical symptoms for men, these heart attack warning signs for women should be considered carefully.
Major symptoms prior to heart attack Major symptoms during the heart attack
•Unusual fatigue •Shortness of breath
•Difficulty sleeping •Weakness
•Shortness of breath •Unusual fatigue
•Indigestion •Cold sweat
•Anxiety •Dizziness
Cardiologists have a saying: "Time is muscle." The sooner that we identify a heart attack, the quicker we can treat it, preserve heart function, and increase the likelihood of a healthy recovery. But the clock starts ticking with you. If you notice symptoms that are new, increasing in frequency, getting worse, or occurring when you are at rest, seek medical attention and remind your health care provider that statistics unfortunately don’t lie.
Women and men may come from Venus and Mars, but Heart Month should remind us all that we have more in common sometimes than we might think - particularly where our hearts are concerned. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in women and men worldwide.
The statistics are eye-opening – one in three women will develop cardiovascular disease, and 1 in 17 women in the U.S. will have a heart attack or hospitalization for heart disease before age 60. For men, the numbers are similarly sobering – more than one in three adult males have some form of heart disease.
We are used to thinking about the telltale signs of heart attacks based upon many years of research and clinical observation of what men have experienced – chest discomfort, arm and back pain, and shortness of breath top the list. But more recently, doctors and their patients are recognizing that women may experience heart attacks differently.
Women may certainly experience chest pain, but they should also be on the lookout for less obvious symptoms, like nausea, indigestion, and palpitations in addition to shortness of breath and back pain,. In fact, nearly half of the women in one study had no chest pain at all during their heart attack. Fatigue and shortness of breath were the most common symptoms.
Whereas chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue are the most typical symptoms for men, these heart attack warning signs for women should be considered carefully.
Major symptoms prior to heart attack Major symptoms during the heart attack
•Unusual fatigue •Shortness of breath
•Difficulty sleeping •Weakness
•Shortness of breath •Unusual fatigue
•Indigestion •Cold sweat
•Anxiety •Dizziness
Cardiologists have a saying: "Time is muscle." The sooner that we identify a heart attack, the quicker we can treat it, preserve heart function, and increase the likelihood of a healthy recovery. But the clock starts ticking with you. If you notice symptoms that are new, increasing in frequency, getting worse, or occurring when you are at rest, seek medical attention and remind your health care provider that statistics unfortunately don’t lie.
Green Tea Extract cures Uterine Fibroids
Green Tea Extract May Treat Uterine Fibroids
Study Shows EGCG May Reduce Size and Weight of Uterine Fibroids
An extract from green tea may be useful in treating uterine fibroids, a condition that affects 25%-30% of U.S. women, new research indicates.
Fibroids of the uterus, a condition called uterine leiomyoma, can be debilitating, leading to excessive vaginal bleeding, anemia, and fatigue.
Dong Zhang, MD, and colleagues from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., say they've found that an extract of green tea could kill uterine fibroid cells in test tube studies and reduce the size and weight of fibroids in mice.
Their work is published this week in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The researchers injected 20 mice with fibroid cells. Ten mice were given epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) mixed with their water, and 10 mice were given plain water. EGCG is a polyphenol in green tea and is a compound found in vegetables and fruits.
The mice were followed for up to eight weeks. At both four weeks and eight weeks after treatment, fibroid growths were smaller and weighed less. The researchers note that one mouse in the EGCG group had no tumor seen at the end of eight weeks.
In test tube studies with rodent fibroid cells, cells treated with EGCG grew more slowly and were smaller after 48-72 hours. EGCG also prompted fibroid cell death. The researchers write that it is "highly encouraging that, in our work, a relatively modest dose of EGCG ... that was delivered in drinking water was successful in inducing a dramatic and sustained reduction in fibroid tumor size up to eight weeks after treatment."
The researchers say their study suggests that EGCG "might be particularly useful for long-term use in women with a low fibroid tumor burden to arrest tumor progression and avoid the development of severe symptoms that necessitate major surgery."
Ayman Al-Hendy, MD, PhD director of Clinical Research at Meharry, says in the news release that women who suffer from uterine fibroids may lose time from work, have higher medical bills, and might need advanced treatment in order to become pregnant.
The condition disproportionately affects African-American women, who are four times more likely to have fibroid tumors than women from other ethnic groups.
The researchers say they are now recruiting participants for human trials.
Study Shows EGCG May Reduce Size and Weight of Uterine Fibroids
An extract from green tea may be useful in treating uterine fibroids, a condition that affects 25%-30% of U.S. women, new research indicates.
Fibroids of the uterus, a condition called uterine leiomyoma, can be debilitating, leading to excessive vaginal bleeding, anemia, and fatigue.
Dong Zhang, MD, and colleagues from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., say they've found that an extract of green tea could kill uterine fibroid cells in test tube studies and reduce the size and weight of fibroids in mice.
Their work is published this week in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The researchers injected 20 mice with fibroid cells. Ten mice were given epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) mixed with their water, and 10 mice were given plain water. EGCG is a polyphenol in green tea and is a compound found in vegetables and fruits.
The mice were followed for up to eight weeks. At both four weeks and eight weeks after treatment, fibroid growths were smaller and weighed less. The researchers note that one mouse in the EGCG group had no tumor seen at the end of eight weeks.
In test tube studies with rodent fibroid cells, cells treated with EGCG grew more slowly and were smaller after 48-72 hours. EGCG also prompted fibroid cell death. The researchers write that it is "highly encouraging that, in our work, a relatively modest dose of EGCG ... that was delivered in drinking water was successful in inducing a dramatic and sustained reduction in fibroid tumor size up to eight weeks after treatment."
The researchers say their study suggests that EGCG "might be particularly useful for long-term use in women with a low fibroid tumor burden to arrest tumor progression and avoid the development of severe symptoms that necessitate major surgery."
Ayman Al-Hendy, MD, PhD director of Clinical Research at Meharry, says in the news release that women who suffer from uterine fibroids may lose time from work, have higher medical bills, and might need advanced treatment in order to become pregnant.
The condition disproportionately affects African-American women, who are four times more likely to have fibroid tumors than women from other ethnic groups.
The researchers say they are now recruiting participants for human trials.
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