Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Salt Intake Restrictions for Seniors, Others
Questioned by Institute of Medicine
Potential harm from too little salt? Lack of evidence
to support current guidelines
May 15, 2013 – Senior citizens have been well
warned by the American Heart Association and a number of other
authoritative sources that they should not consume more than 1,500 mg
per day of sodium. Now, the prestigious Institute of Medicine is
questioning this restriction and even the restriction for younger people
of 2,300 mg per day.
Read more...
Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
Large
Study Claims to Pinpoint Lower and Upper Safe Limits of Vitamin D
Supplement widely used by senior citizens but
safety limits have been unclear until this study on when risk of death
increases
April 30, 2013 – Vitamin D is widely used by senior
citizens - older women in particular - to maintain bone density and
prevent fractures but the recommendations on how much to take has been
confusing. A report today says the safe range of vitamin D levels with
respect to coronary morbidity lies between 20 to 36 ng/mL.
Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
Senior Citizens Live
Years Longer by
Consuming
Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Fish
Risk of dying from heart disease significantly
lowered: Seniors with highest blood levels of the fatty acids lived 2.2
years longer
April 2, 2013 – Older adults age 65
and up who have higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are
found almost exclusively in fatty fish and seafood, may be able to lower
their overall mortality risk by as much as 27% and their mortality risk
from heart disease by about 35%, according to a new study from Harvard
School of Public Health (HSPH) and the University of Washington.
Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
No Real Solutions from Task Force for Older Women on Vitamin D, Calcium to Avoid Fractures
Low dose not effective and larger dose may not
be either for postmenopausal women or men
Feb. 26, 2013 – Older women trying to prevent
the danger of fractures by taking vitamin D and calcium must be
scratching their heads today after a puzzling recommendation
yesterday from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. They said
that taking less than 400 IU of vitamin D3
and less than 1,000 mg of calcium is ineffective and the
evidence is inconclusive that higher doses are effective either.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
Crisis Looms for Senior Citizens as 'Coffee Rust'
Wipes Out Production of Their Favorite Drink
A survey of seniors years ago found most prefer
coffee to sex, but this devotion to caffeine may get challenged by an
expected jump in price due to wide-spread fungus attack blamed on
growing methods
Feb. 12, 2013 - Senior citizens may show little
concern when the price of gasoline goes through the roof, but there is a
price jump on the way that will make their gray hair, if available,
stand on end. There is a raging outbreak of “coffee rust,” a fungus,
that is sweeping through plantations in Central America and Mexico and
severely limiting production, which pushes prices higher.
Read more...
Dieting
Does Not Seem to Matter in Health of Obese Seniors Age 75 and Older
Reports
even suggest there may be survival benefits associated with overweight,
mild obesity among the elderly
Jan.
15, 2013 – Putting senior citizens age 75 and up – described as of
“advanced age” - on an overly restrictive diet to treat their excess
weight and other conditions appears to have little benefit, according to
researchers at Penn State and Geisinger Healthcare System.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Longevity & Statistics
Binge Drinking Under-Recognized Problem Among Women
and Girls; Few Senior Women are Abusers
Jan. 11, 2013 - A new
report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC)
report says nearly 14 million U.S. women and girls binge
drink about three times a month, but senior citizens do not
appear to be a big part of the problem.
Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements
Vitamin D Supplement Did Not Reduce Knee Pain,
Cartilage Loss in Seniors with Osteoarthritis
Older American men and women participated in study of
how to control age-related problem
Jan. 8, 2013 – Senior citizens taking vitamin D
supplements in hopes of finding relief from the pain of age-related knee
osteoarthritis should consider another option. A report on a two-year
clinical trial found a placebo did as much good as vitamin D in
relieving pain or saving cartilage.
Read
more...
Seniors See 35% Reduction in Cardiovascular Death Risk from Eating Heart Healthy
Diet
AHA Heart Healthy diet
offers significant protection for older people with cardiovascular problems from
recurring attacks
Dec. 6, 2012 – A new
study of senior citizens with cardiovascular disease has found those who
ate a heart-healthy diet significantly reduced their chances of future
cardiovascular events. And, their risk of dying from such an event was
reduced by 35 percent.
Read
more...
Fish Oil Helps Heal Bed Sores of the
Critically Ill
Tel Aviv University research finds a 20-25 percent
reduction in pressure ulcers with a fish oil enriched diet; maybe it has
a role in general pain management, too
Dec. 4, 2012 - Chock-full of Omega-3 fatty acids
and antioxidants, fish oil can help lower blood pressure, reduce
inflammation in the skin and joints, and promote healthy fetal
development. Now, a Tel
Aviv University researcher has found that it has a positive
effect on bedsores, too - a common problem in critically ill patients.
Read
more...
Low Vitamin D Level Increases Risk for Aging Women
of Alzheimer’s, Cognitive Decline
Women who developed Alzheimer’s disease had lower
vitamin D intake; low vitamin D among older women associated with global
cognitive impairment
Nov. 30, 2012 - Two new studies emphasize that
vitamin D appears to play a key role in protecting aging women from
Alzheimer’s disease and older women in particular from other cognitive
impairment. The studies appear in the
Journals of Gerontology Series A:
Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences.
Read
more...
Vitamin C
Eases Blood Pressure Increase During Exercise for PAD Patients
Older age is risk factor for P.A.D. Plaque builds up in
arteries as you age. About 1 in 20 Americans over the age of 50 has P.A.D.
Nov.
9, 2012 - Low antioxidant levels contribute to increased blood pressure
during exercise for people with peripheral arterial disease, according to
researchers at Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute. PAD and high
blood pressure are common among senior citizens.
Read more, see
videos...
Seniors Take Heed: How Much Salt Are Your Eating?
Beware of ‘Salty Six’ Foods
It’s National Eating Healthy Day and American Heart
Association puts focus on salt in our diets - take the salt test at
bottom of page
Nov. 7, 2012 - Eating too many salty foods can
create all sorts of health problems, including high blood pressure. But
did you know a lot of common foods are packed with excess sodium? It's
not just the french fries and potato chips you need to be careful with.
That's why on National Eating Healthy Day the American Heart
Association/American Stroke Association is increasing awareness of
sodium and the "Salty Six."
Read more...
Daily Multivitamin Does Not Protect Older Men from
Cardiovascular Disease
Taking a multivitamin
daily didn’t prevent heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death among
men 50 and older; slight reduction in cancer
Nov. 5, 2012 — For
older men - those 50 and over - taking a multivitamin a day does not
appear to prevent
heart disease . That’s the finding of researchers who presented
their late-breaking clinical trial today at the American Heart
Association’s Scientific Sessions 2012. Theirs is the first and only
large-scale, long-term clinical trial examining daily multivitamin use
and cardiovascular health. Other observational studies have netted
inconsistent results.
Read more...
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Genetically Engineered Tomatoes Do the Work of Good Cholesterol to Reduce Plaque
Mice that ate the freeze-dried, ground tomatoes had
less inflammation and reduced plaque build-up in their arteries
Nov. 5, 2012 — For the first time, genetically
engineered tomato plants produced a peptide that mimics the actions of
good cholesterol when eaten, researchers reported today at the American
Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2012.
Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements
Results from use of long chain omega 3 fatty acid
came from 38 studies involving nearly 800,000 individuals in 15
countries
Oct.
31, 2012 - Eating at least two servings of oily fish a week is
moderately but significantly associated with a reduced risk of stroke,
finds a study published on bmj.com. But, taking fish oil supplements
doesn't seem to have the same effect, say the researchers.
Read more...
Rutgers study finds moderate
consumption decreases number of new brain cells
By Robin
Lally
Oct.
25, 2012 - Drinking a couple of glasses of wine each day has generally been
considered a good way to promote cardiovascular and brain health. But a new
Rutgers University study indicates that there is a fine line between
moderate and binge drinking – a risky behavior that can decrease the making
of adult brain cells by as much as 40 percent.
Read
more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements
Herbal and Dietary Supplements Can Be Dangerous
Taken with Prescribed Drugs
Could be tip of the iceberg says editorial - most
endangered are those with cardiovascular, central nervous system
problems
Oct. 24, 2012 - A number of herbs and dietary
supplements (HDS) can cause potentially harmful drug interactions,
particularly among people receiving medication for problems with their
central nervous or cardiovascular systems, which is most often older
people. It is estimated that most people with chronic disease or cancer
take HDS.
Read more...
Multivitamin Offers Older Men Protection
from Cancer, Excluding Prostate
Modest but significant reduction in
cancer but doesn't seem to stop prostate cancer; what in
vitamin works is mystery
Oct. 17, 2012 – In a randomized trial
that included nearly 15,000 male physicians, long-term daily
multivitamin use resulted in a modest but statistically
significant reduction in cancer after more than a decade of
treatment and follow-up, according to a study appearing in
JAMA.
Read more...
Apple a Day Lowers Blood Chemical Linked to
Hardening of the Arteries
Apple industry group funded study finds apples
lowered blood levels of oxidized LDL -- low-density lipoprotein, the
"bad" cholesterol
Oct. 2, 2012 - Eating an apple a day might in fact
help keep the cardiologist away, new research suggests. In a study of
healthy, middle-aged adults, consumption of one apple a day for four
weeks lowered by 40 percent blood levels of a substance linked to
hardening of the arteries.
Read
more...
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Low Levels of Vitamin D Indicate Much Higher Risk
for Heart Attack, Early Death
Large study funded by Danish Heart Foundation used
blood samples from 10,000 Danes
Sept. 24, 2012 - Low levels of vitamin D are
associated with a markedly higher risk of heart attack and early death
in a large study that involved more than 10,000 Danes. The researchers
say those with the lowest levels of vitamin D have at least an 81
percent higher risk of death from heart disease than those with the
optimal levels. Read
more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
Non-Alcoholic Red Wine Does a Better Job of Reducing High Blood Pressure
More effective at lowering blood pressure than traditional alcoholic red wine or gin
Sept. 12, 2012 - Men with high risk for heart disease had lower blood pressure after drinking non-alcoholic red wine
every day for four weeks, according to a new study in the American Heart Association journal Circulation Research. And, that red wine
with alcohol does not perform as well in lowering blood pressure.
Read more...
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Does Not Lower Risk of Major Cardiovascular Disease Events
‘Our findings do not justify the use of omega-3 as a structured intervention in everyday clinical practice’ for
cardiovascular protection, says large review of published studies
Sept. 11, 2011 - In a study that included nearly 70,000 patients, supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty
acids was not associated with a lower risk of all-cause death, cardiac death, sudden death, heart attack, or stroke, according to an analysis
of previous studies published in the September 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Read more...
Senior Citizen Longevity & Statistics
Starving Yourself to Death Does Not Lead to Longer Life, But Maybe
Some Benefits
New NIA study of monkeys shoots down long-held theory that severe calorie restriction increasess longevity
Aug. 31, 2012 – An old
joke among seniors has been, “If you want to live a long life, you have to starve yourself to death.” It was based on a long-held theory that
severe diet restriction extended life – most of this testing had been on rodents. That theory just got deflated by a new study from scientists at
the National Institute on Aging who say this drastic diet does not add years to your life.
Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements
Eating Egg Yolks Almost as Bad as Smoking for Stroke, Heart Attack Risk
‘Eating egg yolk regularly should be avoided by those at risk of cardiovascular disease’
Aug. 13, 2012 - Eating egg yolks accelerates atherosclerosis in a manner similar to smoking cigarettes, according to a
researcher who surveyed more than 1200 patients. He says regular consumption of egg yolks is about two-thirds as bad as smoking, when it comes
to increased build-up of carotid plaque, a risk factor for stroke and heart attack.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
New Booklets to Protect Older Americans, Others Most Vulnerable to Food Poisoning
Will help at-risk feel confident about safety of foods they prepare, eat; helpful to physicians, health care providers to educate at-risk patients
Aug. 9, 2012 – A booklet – Food Safety for Older Adults – is one of six being published by the Food and Drug
Administration and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide food safety advice developed specifically for the needs of people most
vulnerable to food poisoning and those who prepare food for them. Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements
Eating Grapes May Help Protect Heart Health in Men with Metabolic Syndrome
Polyphenols in grapes appear to reduce blood pressure, improve blood flow and reduce inflammation
Aug. 9, 2012 - Consuming grapes may help protect heart health in people with metabolic syndrome, according to new
research published in the Journal of Nutrition. Researchers observed a reduction in key risk factors for heart disease in men with
metabolic syndrome: reduced blood pressure, improved blood flow and reduced inflammation.
Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements
Older Women Lose Weight Best with Journal, No Skipped Meals, Lunch In
Findings show with simple tools postmenopausal women –at greater risk for weight gain – can lose weight successfully
July 13, 2012 - Older women who want to lose weight should faithfully keep a food journal, and avoid skipping meals and
eating in restaurants – especially at lunch – suggests new research from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. The most important of these,
the researchers report, is the food journal. Read more...
Older Women Lower Osteoporosis Risk with Moderate Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol appears to behave similarly to estrogen in that it reduces bone turnover; moderate drinkers have a higher bone
density than non-drinkers or heavy drinkers
July 11, 2012 - Drinking a moderate amount of alcohol as part of a healthy lifestyle may benefit women's bone health,
lowering their risk of developing osteoporosis. A new study assessed the effects of alcohol withdrawal on bone turnover in postmenopausal
women who drank one or two drinks per day several times a week. Read
more...
Aging News & Information
Eating Disorders, Weight Concerns are Common in Older Women, Even Elderly
Study focused on women over 50 but problems also found in women over 75: weight or shape negatively impact their life
June 10, 2012 - Eating disorders are commonly seen as an issue faced by teenagers and young women, but a new study
reveals that age is no barrier to disordered eating. In women aged 50 and over, 3.5% report binge eating, nearly 8% report purging, and more
than 70% are trying to lose weight. Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements
Cognitive Decline in Seniors Not Slowed by Omega-3 Fish Oil in Short Term
But researchers say longer term effects of omega-3 on cognitive decline and dementia need to be explored; urge seniors
continue eating fish regularly
July
10, 2012 - Older people who take omega-3 fish oil supplements are probably not reducing their chances of losing cognitive function, according
to a new Cochrane systematic review. Based on data from studies lasting up to 3.5 years, the researchers concluded that the supplements
offered no benefits for cognitive health over placebo capsules or margarines, but that longer term effects are worth investigating.
Read more...
Moderate Coffee Drinking Good for Your Heart; Favorite Senior Drink Wins Again
Good news may warrant changes to current heart failure prevention guidelines of American Heart Association that say coffee drinking
may be risky for heart patients; bit of bad news - excess coffee bad!
June 27, 2012 - If
you drink coffee regularly in moderation, you could significantly reduce your risk of heart failure, according to new research in the American
Heart Association's journal Circulation Heart Failure. But there may be serious problems for those who drink too much. This adds to the
growing number of research reports concluding coffee is good for your health, including one last month declaring coffee drinkers live longer.
Read more...
Seniors May Find Relief for Spine Damage with Omega-3, Curry Spice Diet
Diet minimized disease-related changes and repaired damage to the spinal cord of UCLA lab rats – preserved walking
June 26, 2012 – New research indicates that combining a popular omega-3 fatty acid, derived from fish oil, with an
ingredient of curry spice may offer millions of older people some relief from cervical myelopathy, the most common spine-related walking
problem for people over age 55, and other spinal damage. Read more...
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Fish Oil Lowers Inflammation
in Overweight Older People
New study adds another check mark for fish oil
as an effective defender against illness
June 20, 2012 – Give another check mark beside omega-3 fatty acid fish oil - new research shows the omega-3 supplements
can lower inflammation in healthy, but overweight, middle-aged and older adults, suggesting that regular use of these supplements could help
protect against and treat certain illnesses. Read more...
Senior Citizens Live Longer Taking Vitamin D with Calcium: Large Study
Increased longevity for elderly won’t happen with vitamin D alone says largest study ever
June 15, 2012 – More senior citizens taking vitamin D and calcium will reduce the death rate among the elderly and
increase life expectancy. The study results emphasize these benefits are not found in taking vitamin D with the calcium.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
FDA Issues Alert on Reumofan Plus; Dietary Supplement Used for Pain Relief
Health officials in Mexico order recall based on potentially harmful pharmaceutical ingredients
June 8, 2012 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers that Reumofan Plus, marketed as
a “natural” dietary supplement for pain relief and other serious conditions, contains several active pharmaceutical ingredients not listed on
the label that could be harmful. Read more...
Aging News & Information
Cutting Calories Adds Years to Life by Helping Heart Adapt to
Challenges
People of any age who
practice calorie restriction have hearts that look and function like they are years younger
By Jim Dryden
June 6, 2012 - People who restrict their caloric intake in an effort to live longer have hearts that function more like
those in people who are 20 years younger. Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
Alcohol May Trigger Dangerous Palpitations in Atrial Fibrillation Patients
No clear associations between age as a trigger, but study group was small; problem named ‘holiday heart syndrome’ in 1978
June 1, 2012 — A new study of a clinical group with an average age of 59 builds a stronger link between alcohol consumption
and serious heart palpitations in patients with atrial fibrillation, the most common form of arrhythmia. A study in 1978 first discovered such
patients experiencing a common and potentially dangerous palpitation after excessive drinking.
Read more...
Senior Citizens Need More Vitamin D to Prevent Loss of Mobility
Low vitamin D indicated 30% increased risk of mobility; almost a two-fold higher risk of mobility disability
May 29, 2012 - Older adults – seniors age 70 to 79 in this study - who don't get enough vitamin D from diet, supplements
or sun exposure may be at increased risk of developing mobility limitations and disability, according to new research from
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Mobility limitation was defined as difficulty
in walking several blocks or climbing a flight of stairs. Disability was determined by the inability to do these things.
Read more...
Does Coffee Deserve Credit for Boom in Senior Citizen Population?
Massive study declares coffee drinkers have lower risk of death; seniors have declared coffee more important that sex -
see video
May 17, 2012 – No wonder the U.S. is being over-run by old people. Research from the National Cancer Institute and AARP
says the senior citizens that drink coffee - caffeinated or decaffeinated - have a lower risk of death. Combine that with earlier research
that says seniors had rather give up sex than coffee drinking and you have a an explosion of older people.
Read more, see video...
Popcorn Has More Healthful Antioxidant Than Fruits and
Vegetables
Popcorn may be the perfect snack food. It's the only one that is 100% unprocessed whole grain
March
25, 2012 — Popcorn's reputation as a snack food that's actually good for health popped up a few notches today as scientists reported yesterday
that it contains more of the healthful antioxidant substances called "polyphenols" than fruits and vegetables.
Read more...
Study Finds Regular Chocolate Eaters Thinner Than Those Who Don’t Partake
|
Study explained in video |
Study of adults up to age 85 – average age 57 – finds those who ate chocolate more often did not eat fewer calories - they
ate more - see video
March 26, 2012 - Katherine Hepburn famously said of her slim physique: “What you see before you is the result of a
lifetime of chocolate.” New evidence suggests she may have been right.
Read more, see video...
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Antioxidants Used as Anti-Aging Treatment May Also Kill Cancer Cells;
Be Better Than Chemo
Three antioxidants - resveratrol, genistein and baicalein - are used or studied as anti-aging treatments and to treat
heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteopenia and osteoporosis and chronic hepatitis; resveratrol found in red wine is in 44 clinical trials as
potential treatment for even Alzheimer’s disease
March 20, 2012 - Antioxidants have long been thought to have anti-aging properties,
primarily by protecting a person's genetic material from damaging chemicals. The story, however, now appears to be much more complicated.
Read more
Women Consuming Moderate Amount of Alcohol Significantly Lower Stroke Risk
Ischemic stroke risk 21% less in women drinking up to 15 grams of alcohol per day
March 15, 2012 – A study of female nurses over 26 years has led to the conclusion that women drinking light-to-moderate
amounts of alcohol significantly reduce their risk of have ischemic stroke.
Read more...
Eating Red Meat Linked to Increased Death Risk of
Cardiovascular, Cancer
Estimate 9.3% men, 7.6 % women dying during follow-up would be alive if they consumed fewer than 0.5 servings per day of red
meat
March
12, 2012 – Eat more red meat and you increase your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and cancer. But, if you eat fish, poultry or some
other foods instead of the red meat your death risk goes down. Read more...
Trans Fat Increases Stroke Risk in Older Women; Aspirin Reduces Risk in Study
Those who ate the most trans fat were 66% more likely to have an ischemic stroke
March 1, 2012 -Older women whose diets include a substantial amount of trans fats are more likely than their counterparts
to suffer an ischemic stroke, a new study shows. However, the risk of stroke associated with trans fat intake was lower among women taking
aspirin, according to the findings from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers.
Read more...
Overeating May Double Risk of Memory Loss for Seniors, Earlier Study Suggests Opposite
Study released today seems in conflict to one from last month concerning senior citizens, being over-weight and memory
loss
Feb. 13, 2012 – New research suggests that consuming between 2,100 and 6,000 calories per day may double the risk of
memory loss, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), among senior citizens age 70 and older. It seems to conflict with research released last
month suggesting that weight loss or a low body mass index (BMI) later in life may be an early warning sign of mental decline.
Read more...
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Fasting Slows Cancer Growth, Spread; Makes Chemo More Effective
Short fasting cycles work as well as chemotherapy in fighting cancer in mice, finds NIH backed study
Feb. 8, 2012 - Man may not live by bread alone, but cancer in animals appears less resilient, judging by a study that
found chemotherapy drugs work better when combined with cycles of short, severe fasting. Even fasting on its own effectively treated a
majority of cancers tested in mice, including cancers from human cells.
Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
Red Wine a Day Produces Differing Heart Protection for Different People
One red wine daily may offer heart protection but death risk climbs after one
Jan. 31, 2012 – One of the most often discussed topics among wine drinkers is the widely held belief that a glass of red
wine a day helps protect against heart disease. It is also one of the most researched of the health questions pertaining to alcohol
consumption. Now, Canadian researchers think they have new insight to the answer.
Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
Milk Drinkers Up to Age 98 Scored Better on Memory, Brain Function Tests
Regardless of age those who drank at least one glass of milk daily had advantage in mental performance tests
Jan. 30, 2012 Researchers have found that adults up to the age of 98 with higher intakes of milk and milk products scored
significantly higher on memory and other brain function tests than those who drank little to no milk, according to a news release from the
Milk Processor Education Program funded by the nation's milk processors.
Read more...
Aging Brains May Stay Sharp, Avoid Shrinkage, Alzheimer's with Proper Diet
Good choices Bs, C, D, E & omega 3; also diets high in trans fats more likely to produce brain shrinkage, lower scores on
thinking, memory
|
"...exciting to think that people could potentially stop their brains from shrinking and keep them
sharp by adjusting their diet,” Gene Bowman |
Jan. 4, 2012 – A new study suggests that people can potentially stop their brains from shrinking, avoid Alzheimer’s
disease and stay mentally sharp just by adjusting their diet. Read
more...
Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health
Eating Baked, Broiled Fish Wards Off Cognitive Decline, Alzheimer’s Disease
Senior citizens nearing danger zone of cognitive problems should eat fish weekly
Dec. 6, 2011 - You can reduce your risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by eating fish
that is baked or broiled every week, according to a study presented last week at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting.
Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
Coffee Antioxidant Properties May Protect Women Against Uterine Cancer
Drinking more than four cups of coffee daily cut risk by 25%; coffee fast-emerging as protective against a number of
diseases- see video
Nov. 28, 2011 - Long-term coffee consumption may be associated with a reduced risk for uterine (endometrial) cancer,
according to an extensive study of almost 65,000 women. The lead researcher sees coffee, the favorite drink of senior citizens, emerging as a
protective agent in cancers that are linked to obesity, estrogen and insulin.
Read more, see video...
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Low Vitamin C Levels Appear to Increase Risk for Heart Failure Patients
Heart failure patients who don’t eat enough vitamin C-rich foods have more inflammation and a higher risk of cardiac
complications and death
Nov.13, 2011 - A study presented yesterday at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2011, claims a new
study is the first to demonstrate that low vitamin C intake is associated with worse outcomes for heart failure patients.
Read more...
Aging News & Information
Senior Citizens Lose Ability to Distinguish Between Odors: Can Be Dangerous
Smells blending together pose hazards from poor nutrition, dangerous chemicals, researchers find
Nov. 10, 2011 – Most senior citizens are aware that their sense of smell is not as good as it once was. A new study finds
older people – beginning at about age 60 – have difficulty in distinguishing specific smells. It is not a laughing matter, however. The
researchers say it puts senior citizens a greater risk from dangerous chemicals and poor nutrition.
Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
Low Levels of Alcohol Consumption Linked With Small Increased Risk of Breast Cancer
Study also confirms drinking two drinks a day jumps risk 51% - See video
Nov. 1, 2011
- Consumption of 3 to 6 alcoholic drinks per week is associated with a small increase in the risk of breast cancer, and consumption in both
earlier and later adult life is also associated with an increased risk, according to a study in the November 2 issue of the Journal of the
American Medical Association (JAMA). It also confirmed, however, that women
drinking two drinks a day had a 51 percent increased risk of breast cancer. Read
more, see video...
Coffee, Favorite Drink of Seniors, Provides Protection from Basal Cell Carcinoma
Women get almost twice as much protection as men among 3-cup a day drinkers - see video
 A senior, Karen Teaser, shares her story on You Tube of how she was diagnosed and treated
at Mayo Clinic in Arizona for a basal cell carcinoma. Also, she offers tips on how to protect yourself against skin cancer. |
Oct. 26, 2011 – Anytime caffeine is found to have a positive effect on health, it is good news for senior citizens –
coffee is by far the favorite drink of older Americans. The latest good news comes from a large study finding that drinking coffee provides
protection from basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Read more, see video
Light Alcohol Drinking Decreases Cancer Risk; More Frequency Jumps Cancer Death Rate
Large study of cancer victims investigates alcohol consumption and cancer mortality - see Q&A by CDC on alcohol
consumption below story
Oct. 20, 2011 - Light to moderate alcohol consumption does not appear to increase the risk of cancer, says a new study
from the National Institutes of Health. In fact, light drinking was shown to result in a significant decrease in cancer risk. But, as the
quantity of alcohol consumed increased from 1 drink to 3 or more on drinking days, risk of cancer mortality increased by 22% among all
participants. Read more...
My Aching Knees Seemed to Be Cured by Omega-3, New Study Says It May Be True
UK researchers find omega-3 fatty acids slow down osteoarthritis, at least in guinea pigs; I think it worked for me!
By Tucker Sutherland, editor, SeniorJournal.com
Oct. 17, 2011 – As an active
– well very active – tennis player for many years, when I turned 70 I was worried my playing days might end due to my aching knees. I never
took the court without wearing the latest in knee protection devices. Then, shortly after I increased my daily regimen of fish oil pills, the
knee pain disappeared. I was convinced my joints were now better “oiled.” New research says there may be something to this.
Read more...
Massive Study Finds Vitamin E Increases Death Risk of Prostate Cancer in Older Men
50% of 60 years or older take supplements with vitamin E, 23% are taking at least 400 IU despite a recommended daily
allowance of just 22.4 IU - see video
|
Watch video
|
Oct. 12, 2011 - In a trial that included about 35,000 men, those who were randomized to receive daily supplementation
with vitamin E had a significantly increased risk of prostate cancer, according to a study in the October 12 issue of the Journal of the
American Medical Association (JAMA). Read more, watch video...
New Warning of Deadly Danger of Dietary Supplements for Senior Women
‘We cannot recommend the use of vitamin and mineral supplements as a preventive measure…’ - danger from iron increases with
age
Oct. 10, 2011 – Taking dietary supplements, often on the encouragement of physicians, has been a growing trend in
American, in particular among senior citizens. A new study warns, however, that at least for older women, the risk of death increases with the
consumption of multivitamins, folic acid, iron and copper, among others.
Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
Three-Quarters of Cancer Patients Lack Enough Vitamin D; Lowest Levels, Worst Cancers
‘There are various levels of evidence to support that vitamin D has a role in either the prevention or the prediction of
outcome of cancer’
Oct. 3, 2011 - More than three-quarters of cancer patients have insufficient levels of vitamin D (25-hydroxy-vitamin D)
and the lowest levels are associated with more advanced cancer, according to a study presented on yesterday at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). Read more...
Older Women See Depressions Go Down as Coffee Drinking
Goes Up
Depression is
chronic and recurring condition affecting twice as many women as men; includes about 1 of every 5 U.S. women
Sept. 26, 2011 –
In a survey of senior citizens several years ago, most of those participating said they would rather give up sex than drinking coffee. A new
study indicates it may be more than the flavor enticing seniors to caffeinated coffee. The risk of depression appears to decrease for older
women with their increase in coffee consumption. Read more...
Dieting Beats Exercise for Diabetes Prevention in Older Women, Combo Is Best
Strengthening exercise appears to have greater benefits for insulin resistance than aerobic exercise
By Carl Sherman, Health Behavior News Service
Sept. 2, 2011 - Lifestyle changes that include dieting to lose weight and exercise can help prevent type 2 diabetes, but
researchers were uncertain which element contributes more. A new study suggests that, in postmenopausal women at least, dietary weight loss
alone is effective while exercise alone is not effective, and both together are best of all.
Read more, see video
Breast Cancer Risk, Tumor Size in Mice Cut in Half by Eating Walnuts Regularly
Study indicates increased consumption of walnut could… ‘reduce risk for cancer in future generations’ - see video
Sept. 1, 2011 - The risk of breast cancer dropped significantly in mice when their regular diet included a modest amount
of walnut, Marshall University researchers report in the journal Nutrition and Cancer. And, when cancer did develop, the tumors were
half the size. Read more, see video...
Beyond Pills: Cardiologists Examine Alternatives to Reduce High Blood Pressure
Growing number require a large number of drugs to control blood pressure and look for something to help
August
30, 2011 - An increasing number of people battling hypertension – many of them senior citizens - show up at their doctor’s office with a bag
full of “natural” products” that they hope will lower their high blood pressure. In an effort to help these patients and their doctors, two
physicians have published a wide review of products most often used in efforts to reduce blood pressure.
Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
Diet of Cholesterol-Lowering Foods Beats Low-Saturated Fat Diet in Lowering LDL
Supports the ideas of dietary strategies to lowering cholesterol; value of using recognized cholesterol-lowering foods
Aug. 23, 2011 - People with high cholesterol who received counseling regarding a diet that combined cholesterol-lowering
foods such as soy protein, nuts and plant sterols (natural plant alcohol) over 6 months experienced a greater reduction in their unhealthy
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) than individuals who received advice on a low-saturated fat diet, according to a new study.
Read more...
Processed and Unprocessed Red Meats Increase Risk of Type 2 Diabetes; Nuts Lower Risk
One hot dog or sausage or two slices of bacon – processed red meat - associated with a 51% increased diabetes risk
Aug. 18, 2011 – A new study of over 400,000 participants by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers finds a
strong association between the consumption of red meat - particularly when the meat is processed - and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes,
which strikes over 1 out of 4 senior citizens. The study also shows that replacing red meat with healthier proteins, such as low-fat dairy,
nuts, or whole grains, can significantly lower the risk. Read more...
Fish Oil Supplements Appear to Help Older People Think Better, Save Brains
There was clear association between fish oil supplements and brain volume
Aug. 17, 2011 – The evidence from a recent study of older people indicates that consuming fish oil supplements has a
positive impact on brain health and aging. The researchers report better cognitive functioning as well as a difference in brain structure
between people taking fish oil supplements and non-users. Read more...
Vitamin D Acts as Protective Agent Against the Advance of Colon Cancer
Study by VHIO researchers confirms lack of vitamin D increases the aggressiveness of colon cancer
Aug. 16, 2011 – Vitamin D, the current star of the vitamin supplement world and frequent hero of clinical studies for
fighting cancers, is back in the news today with research results indicating it plays a role in slowing the growth of colon cancer cells.
Read more...
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Vitamin D Appears Linked With Risk of Skin Cancer, Although Relationship Complex
Study looked at vitamin D level in senior citizens with non-melanoma skin cancers
Aug. 15, 2011 – Skin cancer, like most other cancers, plague older people. Most seniors are well aware of the dangers of
the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation for increasing the risk. A new study, however, finds that a high level of vitamin D also may increase the
risk of the non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC). Read more...
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Healthy Living by Women Dramatically Cuts Risk of
Sudden Cardiac Death
SCD kills within an hour and accounts for more than
half of all cardiac deaths; watch video below
July 7, 2011 - Adhering to a healthy lifestyle,
including not smoking, exercising regularly, having a low body weight
and eating a healthy diet, appears to dramatically lower the risk of
sudden cardiac death in women. Women abiding by all four lifestyles
lowered their risk by 92 percent, compared to women following none of
the four. Read
more, watch video...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
MyPlate Replaces Government’s MyPyramid as Icon for
Healthy Eating
Not much being mentioned on new web site as
specifically important to senior citizens; First Lady Michelle Obama
joins kickoff
June 2, 2011 – The Department of Agriculture kicked
the long-used MyPyramid off the stage today and introduced in its place
as the government’s food icon MyPlate. It is a new generation icon with
the intent to prompt Americans to think about a healthy plate at meal
times, according to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, who introduced MyPlate
with the help of First Lady Michelle Obama.
Read more...
Media Reports May Have Distorted Risk of Niacin in
Halt of Clinical Trial
Government agencies advise seniors to not stop
taking niacin until they have talked to their doctor
By Tucker Sutherland, editor, SeniorJournal.com
June 1, 2011 – Many senior citizens are concerned
and confused by news reports about the decision of the National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to halt a clinical trial involving
niacin (vitamin B3). An impression left by many media reports was that
this vitamin may be dangerous, because one of the reasons the trial was
halted was “a small and unexplained increase in ischemic stroke rates”
among those taking the niacin. What too many reports failed to emphasize
was the “significant” risk of a cardiovascular event to those in the
test group and that this was a very high dose of niacin, in addition to a
statin drug.
Read
more...
Coffee Drinking Fights Off Prostate and Breast
Cancer: Happy Older Americans Month
Senior citizens say they will give up sex before coffee;
must be delighted with latest news on how it protects both sexes from most
prominent cancers
May 19, 2011 - The results of two recent studies
may make this the best Older American’s Month in history for senior
citizens men and women. A new study indicates drinking coffee regularly
lowers the risk of prostate cancer. This follows a report earlier this
month saying women coffee drinkers have less breast cancer. The news
cannot get much better than that for seniors, who long ago declared
coffee their favorite drink.
Read more...
Most Americans are Health Conscious but Senior Citizens Make Healthiest Choices
Healthy eating habits differ the most between the
old and the young
April 27, 2011 - When purchasing food and
beverages, most U.S. adults are aware of basic nutritional facts of
these products and how to manage their weight. As Americans age,
however, they develop stronger purchasing preferences and habits with
regard to healthier choices. Senior citizens (66+ years old), called
“Matures” in this study, are the most likely of all generations to pay
close attention to nutritional facts and translate their health
consciousness into behavior, possibly because they are more likely to
need to follow a diet with specific restrictions, such as with low salt
and sugar.
Read more...
Most Americans Fail in Knowing Effects of Wine and
Sea Salt on High Blood Pressure
Senior citizens most knowledgeable about wine
consumption but least likely to drink it
April 25, 2011 – Senior citizens did well in a new
survey by the American Heart Association when it came to testing their
knowledge about the recommended limits for wine consumption, but about
the same as others when questioned about sea salt. Both substances are
receiving increased attention as High Blood Pressure Awareness Month is
about to kickoff on May 1.
Read more...
High Level of Omega-3 in Blood of Older Men Hikes
Risk of Aggressive Prostate Cancer
Study leader says beneficial effects of eating fish
to prevent heart disease still outweigh any harm related to prostate
cancer risk
April 25, 2011 – It appears
too much of a good thing can equal trouble. A new nationwide study finds
that older men with the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acid – that
highly recommended supplement gulped my millions of senior citizens
seeking better health – are much more likely to develop aggressive,
high-grade prostate cancer.
Read more...
Vitamins & Supplements: What You Need to Know Before You Dive In
What Are Dietary Supplements and How Are They Regulated?
By
Health Behavior News Service
April
5, 2011 -
Vitamins, herbs and other dietary supplements are sold as natural
alternatives to pharmaceuticals and many people turn to them in an
attempt to improve their health. Others seek supplements to lose weight
or after hearing that they can help with serious medical conditions.
These products are now used at least monthly by more than half of all
Americans—and their production, marketing and sales have become a $23.7
billion industry, according to the Nutrition Business Journal.
Read
more...
Women Reduce Risk
of Age-Related Macular Degeneration With Fish, Omega-3 Fatty Acid
Women who ate the
most fish did the best at reducing the risk of this leading cause of
blindness in senior citizens
March
15, 2011 – The regular consumption of fish and omega-3 fatty acids found
in fish is associated with a significantly reduced risk for women of
developing age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision
loss in senior citizens. The fish eaters – consuming mostly tuna –
lowered their risk the most (42%).
Read
more...
Heavy Liquor
Drinking May Increase Risk of Death from Pancreatic Cancer
Significant risk associated with 3 drinks daily for men, 4 for women;
risk not noted for wine or beer
March 14, 2011 –
Alcohol consumption – at least in moderation – has been enjoying a run
of studies finding benefits for the consumers, senior citizens in
particular. There is bad news today, however, with a finding that
drinking three or more glasses of liquor a day increases the risk of
death from pancreatic cancer.
Read
more...
Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health
Alcohol Consumption
by Elderly Reduces Risk of Dementia, Alzheimer’s
Most studies of
senior citizens in last 31 years show association between moderate
alcohol consumption and better cognitive function and reduced risk of
dementia
March
7, 2011 - The evidence is
growing more convincing – even for senior citizens aged 75 and older -
that alcohol consumption reduces the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s
disease. A study released today found elderly drinkers had approximately
30% less overall dementia and 40% less Alzheimer dementia than did
non-drinking subjects. The report is online in Age and Ageing,
published by Oxford University Press for the British Geriatrics
Society.
Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
New Dietary Guidelines Have Advice for Older Americans on Theme of
Preventing Obesity
USDA
and HHS issued latest advice to help Americans make healthier food choices,
exercise
Jan. 31, 2011 – The
2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans were released today by the
Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. Although there is
not a special section of the report focusing on senior citizens, it does
contain some pin point advice for older Americans, particularly in line with
the emphasis of the guidelines on better control of obesity.
Read more...
Heart Association
Urges All Americans Limit Sodium Intake to 1500 mg, Not Just Seniors
Too much salt a
major health risk – 90% of U.S. population will develop hypertension
Jan. 14, 2011 -
The American Heart Association yesterday issued a call to action for the
public, health professionals, the food industry and the government to
intensify efforts to reduce the amount of sodium (salt) Americans
consume daily to 1500 milligrams. This was already the level recommended
by most health groups for senior citizens – those most endanger of high
blood pressure.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Longevity & Statistics
Contrary to What
Many Seniors Think, Growth Hormone May Not Be Good Way to Slow Aging
New research
says ‘un-growth hormone’ increases longevity; could lead to new way to
fight aging
Dec. 24, 2010 –
A new study indicates that senior citizens who take growth hormone in
hopes of extending their lives may be doing more harm that good. A
compound which acts in the opposite way as growth hormone can reverse
some of the signs of aging, the researchers say.
Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
Vitamin D Helps
Build Bone But Evidence Lacking That It Lowers Risk of Other Disease
IOM sets new dietary
intake levels for calcium and vitamin D: Aging senior citizens,
especially women, need more than others
Nov.
30, 2010 – In an effort to clarify the hype for increased consumption of
vitamin D that has developed in recent years, the Institute of Medicine
has issued a new report concluding
the evidence supports a role for these nutrients in bone health but not
in preventing other diseases. The committee found that the majority of
Americans and Canadians are receiving adequate amounts of both calcium
and vitamin D, and warns there is emerging evidence that too much may be
harmful.
Read
more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
Regular Consumption
of High Cholesterol Diet May Lead to Alzheimer’s Disease
New study used
rats to show brain damage produced from 5% cholesterol-enriched diet
Nov. 24, 2010 –
A new study indicates that regularly consumption of a high fat
cholesterol diet may lead to Alzheimer’s disease. The research using
adult rats is from the Laboratory of Psychiatry and Experimental
Alzheimers Research at the Medical University Innsbruck and was funded
by the Austrian Science Funds and published in Molecular Cellular
Neuroscience.
Read more...
High Levels of
Antioxidant Alpha-Carotene from Fruits, Vegetables Found to Extend Life
Higher
alpha-carotene concentration lowers risk of dying from cardiovascular
disease or cancer and all other causes
Nov.
22, 2010 - High blood levels of the antioxidant alpha-carotene – most
often acquired from eating fruits and vegetables - appear to be
associated with a reduced risk of dying over a 14-year period, according
to a report posted online today that will be published in the March 28
print issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives
journals.
Read more...
Eating Beets Is A
Safeguard Against Dementia Developing As Senior Citizens Age
Specialists in
healthy foods for senior citizens say beet juice increases blood flow to
brain
Nov.
8, 2010 - Seniors should add beets to the list of superfoods vital to
their diet, say researchers specializing in the study of foods that are
beneficial to people as they age. Their new study shows that a daily
dose of beet juice boosts blood flow to the brain, keeping your mind
sharp and potentially creating a safeguard against dementia as you age.
Read
more...
Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health
Omega-3 Fish Oil
Does Not Slow Cognitive or Functional Decline in Alzheimer's Disease
New study indicates
DHA supplementation not useful for those with mild to moderate AD -
watch JAMA video
Nov. 3, 2010 –
There had been some indications that taking omega-3 fatty acid
supplements could reduce the rate of mental and functional decline in
patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. A new study,
however, dashes the hopes of many senior citizens with evidence that it
does not work.
Read more,
watch video...
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Even Senior Citizens Can Reduce Cancer Risk with
Plant-Based Diet, Exercise Says New Study
‘It’s Never Too Late to Lower Your Risk’ is new
campaign by American Institute for Cancer Research (see video)
Oct. 21, 2010 -
Citing projections that by 2030, America’s senior population will reach
20 percent of the population – 78 million people – and new survey
information showing that Americans feel increasingly helpless about
their personal cancer risk as they grow older, the American Institute
for Cancer Research (AICR) today highlighted the emerging research
showing that even in later life, many cancers can be delayed or
prevented through regular physical activity and a plant-based diet.
Read more,
watch video...
Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health
New Study Finds
Vitamin B12 May Reduce Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease, Memory Loss
Most recent studies
have pointed to folate (B9) as best guard against Alzheimer's - see
report below news story that folate-B12 work together to improve memory
Oct. 19, 2010 –
A new study indicates the vitamin B12 may offer protection from
Alzheimer’s Disease, while the researchers found adding folate to the
diet did not appear to raise or lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
These results appear to counter studies in recent years that have
indicated an AD preventive power in folate, also known as B9, rather
than B12.
Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
Vitamin D
Deficiency Rampant in Patients for Orthopedic Surgery, Damaging Recovery
People undergoing procedures
involving bone or muscle should correct their vitamin D if they want an
earlier faster, better, result
Oct. 6, 2010 -
Almost 50 percent of patients undergoing orthopedic surgery have vitamin
D deficiency that should be corrected before surgery to improve patient
outcomes, based on a study by researchers at Hospital for Special
Surgery (HSS) in New York City. Vitamin D is essential for bone healing
and muscle function and is critical for a patient's recovery.
Read more...
Fish Oil Used by Senior Citizens to Fight Heart
Disease Linked to Colon Cancer in Mice
High
doses of fish oil caused tumors in mice in just four weeks, say Michigan
State researcher, who wants to see guidelines on dosage
Oct. 5, 2010 -
Fish oil - long encouraged for seniors by doctors as a supplement to
support heart and joint health, among other benefits - induced severe
colitis and colon cancer in mice in research led by Michigan State
University and published this month in the journal Cancer Research.
Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
Moderate Drinking – Especially Wine – Results in
Better Cognitive Function in Senior Citizens
Women
did best on testing if they consumed at least 4 or more in two weeks;
worst performers drank none
Aug. 18, 2010 – A very large study involving
thousands of senior citizens reports, as have so many other studies,
that moderate wine consumption results in better cognitive performance.
And, this research indicates the highest risk of poor cognitive
functioning tended to be among teetotalers.
Read
more...
Moderate Chocolate Consumption Linked to Lower Risks
of Heart Failure for Senior Women
Chocolate eating older women have less heart
failure but experts warn of excess calories, fat
Aug. 18, 2010 – Middle-aged and elderly Swedish
women who regularly ate a small amount of chocolate had lower risks of
heart failure risks, in a study reported in Circulation: Heart
Failure, a journal of the American Heart Association.
Read more...
USDA Pushes Ahead on Research of B Vitamins and
Their Impact on Aging Brains
Ongoing research takes a closer look at role these
nutrients may play in preventing decline in brain function of elderly;
depression in women
Aug. 17, 2010 - B vitamins–B-6, B-12 and folate–all
nourish the brain. Ongoing research indicates lower levels of these B
vitamins may enhance dementia, cognitive decline and even depression in
senior citizens.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
Consumer Reports Finds 'Dirty Dozen'
Supplements; Lack of Government Oversight
FDA says hidden drugs or steroids found in more
than 170 products marketed as supplements since 2008
Aug. 3, 2010 - A new investigation reported in the
September issue of Consumer Reports describes a striking lack of
government oversight for the bustling $26.7 billion dietary supplement
market and identifies a "dirty dozen" list of supplement ingredients
that have been linked by clinical research or case reports to serious
adverse events, such as cancer, coma, heart problems, kidney damage,
liver damage, or death.
Read
more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
Your Risk of a Stroke Doubles for an Hour After
Drinking Any Alcoholic Drink
Moderate alcohol consumption (less than two drinks a
day) appears to be protective over the long-term - may outweigh this
temporary immediate risk
July 28, 2010 - Call it the not-so-happy hour. And,
many senior citizens who enjoy an evening drink will certainly call it
bad news. The risk of stroke appears to double in the hour after
consuming just one drink — be it wine, beer or hard liquor — according
to a small multi-center study reported in Stroke: Journal of the
American Heart Association.
Read more...
Older People Eating Vitamin E Rich Foods Less
Likely to Suffer Dementia, Alzheimer’s
New tests indicated high levels of the sun vitamin,
D, and now E, both help older people preserve their memory
July 13, 2010 - Consuming more vitamin E through the diet appears
to be associated with a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease,
according to a report in the July issue of Archives of Neurology,
one of the JAMA/Archives journals. A report in SeniorJournal.com
yesterday shows new testing has also found that higher levels of vitamin
D also seem to protect against these memory-robbing diseases.
Read more...
Low Vitamin D in Senior Citizens Signals Cognitive
Decline; Higher Parkinson’s Risk
An estimated 40 to 100% of seniors in U.S. and Europe
are deficient in vitamin D: linked to fractures, various chronic
diseases and death
July 12, 2010 - Senior citizens with low levels of
vitamin D are likely to experience declines in thinking, learning and
memory over a six-year period, according to a study in the July 12 issue
of Archives of Internal Medicine. Low levels of the vitamin may
also increase the risk for Parkinson's disease, according to a finding
that people with
higher levels of vitamin D appear to have a reduced risk of developing
Parkinson's disease.
Read
more...
Aging Women Lower Their Risk of Cataracts with
Healthy Diet: More Vitamins, Minerals
Adherence to U.S. dietary guidelines more strongly
related to the lower occurrence of nuclear cataracts than any other
modifiable risk factor
June
14, 2010 – Cataracts, thefishvisual impairment that becomes more common as
people age, could be less prevalent among women if aging women ate more
foods rich in vitamins and minerals, says a new study reported in the
June issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives
journals. By age 80, half of all Americans – male and female – have
experienced a cataract.
Read
more...
More Evidence
that Coffee Protects from Diabetes;
Caffeine Probably the Cause
Encouraging
news for seniors who are major targets of diabetes and love coffee
June 8, 2010 - Several studies have indicated
that drinking coffee tends to offer protection from type 2 diabetes. A
new study shows that caffeine is probably the ingredient largely
responsible for this protection. It is great news for senior citizens,
the major targets of diabetes, who rate coffee as their favorite drink.
Read more...
'Fountain of Youth' Steroids Could Protect Against
Heart Disease, Suggests Study
Steroids made naturally in the body, but levels
decline rapidly with age creating market in synthetic
steroids, such as pregnenolone and DHEA
May 17, 20101 - A natural defense mechanism against heart disease
could be switched on by steroids sold as health supplements. University
of Leeds biologists have identified a previously-unknown ion channel in
human blood vessels that can limit the production of inflammatory
cytokines – proteins that drive the early stages of heart disease.
Read more...
New Study Says Caffeine Slows Alzheimer's, Other
Dementias, Restores Cognitive Function
Positive impact of caffeine on cognition and memory
performance, other benefits of caffeine in special supplement to the
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
(Amsterdam) May 17, 2010 - Although
caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive drug worldwide and a
particular favorite for senior citizens who thrive on coffee, its
potential beneficial effect for maintenance of proper brain functioning
has only recently begun to be adequately appreciated. The latest
research says caffeine may be protective against the cognitive decline
seen in dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Read more...
When Nut Consumption Goes Up, Cholesterol Level Goes
Down, Heart Health Improves
Blood cholesterol levels improve after eating nuts:
bad cholesterol drops 7.4%, ratio improves 8.3%, 5.1% drop in total
cholesterol
May 10, 2010 – A new study reported today in the
Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals,
further confirms previous research findings that eating nuts improves
blood cholesterol levels, which reduces the risk of coronary heart
disease. A large Penn State study in 2001 (reported below) reached the same
conclusion, as have many other studies in recent years.
Read more...
Green, Red, Black Grapes Reduce Risk for Senior
Problems of Heart Disease, Diabetes
Grapes lowered blood
pressure, improved heart function and reduced risk factors for metabolic syndrome;
second study shows how to increase phytonutrients by food choice
April 26, 2010 – Could eating grapes slow what's
for many aging Americans a downhill sequence of high blood pressure and
insulin resistance leading to heart disease and type 2 diabetes?
Scientists at the University of Michigan Health System are finding the
answer is “yes” and it’s due to the effects of phytochemicals. This is
one of two new studies praising phytochemicals in grapes and other
friuits.
Read more, Watch video...
Senior Citizens with Highest Levels of Vitamin D
Show Most Vitality as They Age
New study does say participants with better
physical function may have higher vitamin D simply because they go
outside more often
April 26, 2010 – We are living longer than ever,
but increasingly senior citizens are learning that the quantity of years
is not as important as the quality. A myriad of consequences result from
aging and among the most common are painful bone and joint diseases that
make simple movement a challenge. New research was released yesterday
showing seniors with higher levels of vitamin D demonstrate more youth
and vitality as they enjoy longer life spans.
Read more...
Claims Appear Fishy that Fish Oil Supplements
Improve Cognitive Ability of Senior Citizens
Largest study ever of older people and fish oil finds
no improvement in brain power after two years
April
21, 2010 – Senior citizens have been among the millions that flocked to
the lure of maintaining a health body and mind through consumption of
fish oil supplements. A new study focused on older people has found,
however, there is no evidence they can improve the cognitive ability of
older people.
Read more...
Sugar May Be Culprit in Senior Citizens Losing
Battle Against Cholesterol, Triglyceride
JAMA report: increased sugars associated with
‘important cardiovascular disease risk factors,’ lower HDL-C, higher
triglyceride, higher triglycerides to HDL-C
|
 “It’s hard for me to resist any kind
of sugar,” JAMA Video |
April 20, 2010 – Millions of senior citizens battle
cholesterol and high triglycerides and sugar may play a key role in this
battle. Consuming a higher amount of added sugars in processed or
prepared foods is associated with lower levels of high-density
lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, the "good cholesterol") and higher
levels of triglycerides, which are important risk factors for
cardiovascular disease.
Read
more, Watch video
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Vitamin K May Protect Against Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma:
Strikes Mostly Senior Citizens
Findings add to data supporting a diet that
includes plenty of green leafy vegetables in order to prevent many
cancers as well as other diseases
April 20, 2010 - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of
the immune system and most common hematologic malignancy in the U.S., is
primarily is diagnosed in senior citizens. New research from the Mayo
Clinic in Minnesota has found that people with higher intakes of vitamin
K from their diet have a lower risk of developing this cancer.
Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
NIH Panel Examines Lactose Intolerance; Concerned
Too Many Skipping Diary Products
Generally thought that this problem increases as we
age due to bodies producing fewer lactase enzymes
Feb. 25, 2010 – It sometimes seem there are at
least a million bad things that happen to people as they pass from
middle age to becoming senior citizens and one of those is becoming
lactose intolerant. That’s when consuming dairy products changes from an
enjoyable and healthy experience to one of stomach gas and cramping.
But, a panel of experts gathered by the National Institutes of Health
says eliminating these nutrient-rich foods may not only be unnecessary -
it could negatively impact diet and health.
Read more...
Remember Magnesium If You Want to Remember at Any
Age
Study finds new synthetic supplement improves memory
and staves off age-related memory loss
Feb.
22, 2010 - Those who live in industrialized countries have easy access
to healthy food and nutritional supplements, but magnesium deficiencies
are still common. That's a problem because new research from Tel Aviv
University suggests that magnesium, a key nutrient for the functioning
of memory, may be even more critical than previously thought for the
neurons of children and healthy brain cells in aging adults.
Read more...
Possible Relief for Senior Citizens from Glaucoma, Eye Diseases with
Green Tea
Study
indicates green tea consumption could benefit the eye against oxidative
stress - powerful antioxidant properties
Feb. 19, 2010 - Scientists have confirmed that the
healthful substances found in green tea — renowned for their powerful
antioxidant and disease-fighting properties — do penetrate into tissues of
the eye. It is encouraging news for the millions of senior citizens battling
glaucoma and other eye diseases.
Read
more...
Senior Citizens with High Levels of Vitamin D at
Less Risk of Heart Disease, Diabetes
Review of 28 studies finds the vitamin associated
with a substantial decrease in cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes
and metabolic syndrome for seniors and middle aged
Feb. 16, 2010 - Middle aged and elderly people with
high levels of vitamin D could reduce their chances of developing heart
disease or diabetes by 43%, according to researchers at the University
of Warwick. Read
more...
Just a Couple of Sodas a Week May Double the Risk of
Pancreatic Cancer
No association was seen between fruit juice
consumption and pancreatic cancer
Feb. 8, 2010 - Consuming two or more soft drinks
per week increased the risk of developing pancreatic cancer by nearly
twofold compared to individuals who did not consume soft drinks,
according to a report in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a
journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Read
more...
Fractures that Plague Senior Citizens Can be Reduced
by Taking Calcium with Vitamin D
Large study supports growing consensus that combined
calcium and vitamin D is more effective than vitamin D alone in reducing
fractures
Jan. 14, 2010 – The risk of bone fractures, a major
cause of disability, loss of independence and death for senior citizens,
can be reduced for people of any age and any sex by taking calcium with
vitamin D supplements on a daily basis, according to a study of nearly
70,000 patients.
Read more...
Vitamin C Cures Fast Aging Mice from Cancer,
Diabetes, Heart Failure, High Cholesterol
Clearly indicates that healthy individuals do not
require a large amount of vitamin C in order to increase their lifespan,
scientist says
Jan.
4, 2009 – Vitamin C has been found to cure mice from abnormalities
caused by Werner syndrome (accelerated aging) gene, including cancer,
obesity, diabetes, heart failure and high cholesterol in new research
published in the FASEB Journal.
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more...
Ginkgo Biloba Fails to Slow Cognitive Decline in
Study of Senior Citizens
Study previously found it was not effective in
reducing the incidence of Alzheimer dementia or dementia - see video
Jan. 2, 2010 – The idea that a simple herbal
supplement – Ginkgo biloba - could slow the rate of cognitive decline
has long attracted the attention of senior citizens. The final blow to
that possibility seems to have been struck by a study reported in the
December 23/30 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association
(JAMA).
Read more...see Video
Dec. 16, 2009 - A diet rich in methionine, an amino
acid typically found in red meats, fish, beans, eggs, garlic, lentils,
onions, yogurt and seeds, can possibly increase the risk of developing
Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study by Temple researchers.
Read more...
Oct.
7, 2008 – Moderate drinking of red wine may lower the risk of lung
cancer in older men, particularly if they are smokers, according to a
report in the October issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers &
Prevention¸ a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
