Dementia Alert for Smarty-Pants Seniors

Written by Kathryn Savage

Back in April, Blue Zones reported on research by James Smith, a health economist at the RAND Corporation, who determined education plays a key role in longevity. Dr. Smith, along with numerous researchers, has determined a few extra years of school, and continued education into adulthood, improves mental and physical health, decades later.

Now, scientists are debating if there are any risk-factors associated with all that brain power. Specifically, are seniors less likely to be diagnosed properly with early warning signs of dementia, and sent for further testing by their doctors, if they have a higher IQ? Evidently, yes.

A recent report finds that college graduates may have a bigger “cognitive reserve” and that means when being screened for dementia, they may “mask symptoms” and appear to function normally. I think of it like this - I’m bad at math, don’t ask me to file my own taxes, do long division, or help you figure out the tip. If you’re testing my math skills against an engineering professor, guess whose got a bigger brain power reserve? Exactly. Or more to the point, think about muscles, if you pump iron every morning, you’re going to out-perform a five year old when it comes to heavy lifting. The brain, like biceps, is stronger when it’s toned. And all this brain power is good, but it may prevent doctors from properly diagnosing patients with early symptoms of dementia.

The test under investigation is the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), that assesses cognitive functioning. Traditionally, if you score 24 or below, further testing is necessary to rule out, or rule in, dementia.

Based on new research, that looked at 1,141 seniors enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer Disease Research Center and Alzheimer Disease Patient Registry,
published in the July issue of the Archives of Neurology, patients who are college educated, are encouraged to receive additional testing if their MMSE score is less than 27.

Protect those braincells...
If you’re well educated, and you’re going to receive an MMSE exam soon, request additional testing if your score is 27 or below. This could mean earlier detection of dementia and a more positive treatment course.

Happiness is a State of Mind

Written by Kathryn Savage

Numerous studies suggest that happiness in old age might have more to do with attitude than health. In a study examining 500 Americans between the ages of 60 and 98 who were independent and had lived with a range of age related diseases (cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental health conditions and a host of other ills), the participants rated their happiness on average 8, on a scale of 1-10, (10 being the best). Research led by Dilip Jeste of the University of California at San Diego, discovered that optimism and “effective coping styles” were the most important factor in happiness in aging. Not perfect health and undisturbed wellness.

Similarly, in a recent Washington Post report, a number of studies suggest that aging does contribute to overall happiness. Despite America’s tendency to champion youth with it's speedy metabolism and sag-free skin, more and more studies are supporting the notion that the golden years really are golden. When you’re talking overall contentment and happiness, elderly people tend to win. The recent findings stems from a General Social Survey that interviewed 50,000 Americans year after year to see how they change with age. The results? Like a fine wine, evidently...

In an interview with The Washington Post, Tom W. Smith, of the University of Chicago and director of the General Social Survey, asserts that “people who were biologically older are happier than younger adults,..”

Is this a generational thing?
Not really. The article asserts it’s not that older adults were taught by their parents to be more grateful and appreciative. Contentment in old age appears to have less to do with lessons taught by previous generations and more to do with less societal stress that may come from getting older - less financial stress, less interpersonal stress, less job stress etc.Though young people are often in better physical health, the stress of careers, kid’s, and daily life appear to weigh on overall levels of happiness and contentment.

What Can We Learn From A 114 Year Old Man?

Written by Kathryn Savage

Studies suggest that seventy percent of longevity is up to us; whether we workout regularly, what we eat, how happy we are, what our stress levels are etc. So what can we learn about healthy aging from a Greek man who recently passed away at age 114, and who spent his life on a small, Mediterranean island?

Exercise
Until age 102, he rode a bicycle every day and worked in his family’s orchards.

Good genes are not everything
He has a centenarian brother whose two daughters, age 81 and 77, and nephew age 85, all live in a small town on the Spanish island of Minorca. Adolfo Díez Pérez of Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, who researched the whole family to look for genetic mutations that are associated with long life and healthy bones, (the KLOTHO gene, associated with longevity, and the LRP5 gene, linked to healthy bones), to see if genetic mutation may explain part of this families collective old age, did not find traces of such mutations. This family is undoubtedly doing something right. But for now, winning the genetic lottery does not seem to be this families recipe for longevity.

Family matters
His sibling and extended family all live on the same Spanish island.

That Mediterranean lifestyle...
Who wouldn’t want to live forever on a beautiful Greek island - no pollution, low stress - does this play a factor in longevity? Absolutely. Stress leads to bodily inflammation and may contribute to hypertension.

Healthy diet
While scientist have yet to say, "eat this and you’ll live forever," a healthy diet has a multitude of benefits. A healthy diet, 1) regulates digestion and provides nutrients, 2) keeps weight in a healthy range, 3) balances hormones and sleep patterns. Eating healthy is something we can all do. If you have amazing genes great, you won't be hurting your body, and you may be helping yourself live longer. If you’re suffering from a disease, a chronic condition, maybe a healthy diet will help your body get better, faster.

Taking good care of your body may not add years to your life, but it will add life to your years!

How to Look 40 Years Older

Written by Kathryn Savage

No, this isn’t Bravo’s latest reality TV show, it’s the story of one man who, after living a lifestyle that included 3 packs of cigarettes a day, ten beers a night, followed by several shots of liquor and various drugs, managed to turn his insides 40 years older. In a recent BBC report, the man, Stewart Burton, agreed to undergo a “living autopsy” on a BBC reality show called Make My Body Younger, where “every inch” of him was examined and tested, including his vital organs and sperm count. What did doctors and scientists find inside Stewart?

His Brain
Stewart, though only 25, after performing several cognitive tests, has a brain age of 68.

Fertility
Normal fertility allows for sperm with less than 70 percent deformed heads. Stewart's fertility indicates his sperm had 91 percent deformed heads. This would make his chances of impregnating a woman very difficult.

Getting back on track
The results of Stewart’s tests underscore the impact diet and lifestyle play on a persons health and longevity. After Stewart received the results from his “autopsy” he was assigned a live-in doctor who helped him limit his alcohol intake and make healthier lifestyle choices.

The results?
Stewart was reexamined after improving his lifestyle and his brain functioned at the level of a teenager, (age 18). His sperm count returned to a normal deformity range.

Change takes time...
The doctor who helped Stewart improve his lifestyle habits commented on the importance of making lifestyle changes organically, instead of all at once. For many people, it is better to limit your alcohol intake, for instance, rather than stopping cold turkey because the desire to repeat the behavior can become so overwhelming. Stewart’s live-in doctor, Dr. Hayward, explains to BBC reporters, "He (Stewart) may be more likely to fall off the wagon if he tries to cut out absolutely everything." Instead, Dr. Hayward encourages patients to make healthy changes, but take them one at a time, and be patient with yourself during the process.

Is there a not so healthy behavior you’d like to send packing? Give it a shot! You might just turn the clock back while you’re at it!

Longevity Tip: Have More Fun!

Written by Kathryn Savage

Have more sex
Sex releases an assortment of hormones that may play a vital role in stress reduction. Sex also creates intimacy in a relationship and reinforces other positive bonds between a couple. For this reason, sex may prevent against isolation and depression which can lead to stress. Some studies suggest that men who have frequent orgasms may have a 50 percent reduction in mortality.

Play
Exercise is a important factor in living a long, healthy life. Want 15 new ways to make exercise fun? Bust out the hula hoop, start shaking it in the shower and check out 13 more fun exercise tips here.

Drink red wine
There are a host of beneficial reasons to hit the bottle. Among the reasons that top the charts are the high flavonoid count. Flavanoids are a type of polyphenol, and a vital antioxidant. Red wine also contains Resveratrol which may limit tumor growth and potentially prevent cancer. The alcohol is beneficial, along with the antioxidants, because it helps lower cholesterol.

Be Positive
Positivity is shown to have a surprisingly, um...positive affect on longevity. Stanford Universities Longevity Center released a report that the human brain may actually casts events in a more positive light as we age.

Relax
While stress causes harmful effects like inflammation, relaxation aids our bodies in healing and feeling great. Like the importance of a good nights rest when you catch a cold, practicing relaxation techniques like meditation when you're feeling healthy may help your body stay stronger, longer.

Most importantly, remember to have fun!
Enjoyment is an important factor at any stage of life. Especially when we age, it is important to remember to savor the moment and enjoy time spent with family and friends. Finding a hobby and a hobby partner is another great way to keep having fun.

Aging; the New Happy Pill?

Written by Kathryn Savage

As we grow old our memory may decline, but our ability to see the bright side may take the opposite course. According to a recent study, as we age, we begin to see things in a more positive light.

While happiness doesn’t necessarily prevent against age related disease like Alzheimer's and Dementia, according to recent research out of the Stanford Center on Longevity, there are more positive memory changes that happen when we age, than we once thought.

“Older people tend to be happier. While they might not remember names as well as younger people, new research into cognitive functioning shows an uncanny ability to focus on the positive in life.”

People, unlike computers, process information based largely on personal goals rather than formulas or facts. Think of it like this, you’re terrible when it comes to remembering names, then you meet someone really cute, charming, the whole bit, and boy, do you learn their name quick! Basically, when we want something, we think about it, focus on it, it becomes a personal goal, and what we set as goals, these are some of the forces that drive memory.

What does this have to do with aging?
According to researchers at Stanford, “as we age, our goals tend to change — toward achieving emotional well-being...”

Another factor is time, or lack of it. Researchers comment that: “As older people realize they have less time available, they change their goals,...” And:
“They’re more concerned about short-term emotional well-being. They put more importance on relationships. Younger people put how they feel on hold in order to reach long-term goals.”

Goals, focus on relationships, appreciating time with family and friends. Sounds pretty good so why wait for your biological clock to jump start your bliss? Start thinking of that glass as half full, set good goals, and get happy!

FEATURE: Are you Health Literate?

Written by Kathryn Savage

When did you last have your cholesterol checked? What’s your score? High blood pressure? Family history of diabetes?

For many Americans, the Norman Rockwell era of the family doctor that you see from birth till retirement is as quaint a notion as 25 cent gas. We live in a world where transitions from employer to employer mean different insurance cards and often a different network of care. One doctor per person is a far cry from the realities of modern medicine.

In this age where we swap physicians like hairstyles, (every few years at least) it’s important to know your score, your cholesterol score, the results of your last allergy test and let’s face it, your whole medical history.

Medical experts agree that digitalizing medical records, and giving people access to their charts online would revolutionize care and reduce redundancies. The problem? Doctors are slow to make the change. Small clinics would need to do a complete overhaul, invest thousands in computer technologies, and spend loads of time inputing all that information. Data entry from hell is the vibe I get after reading this recent article in the New York Times. Would digital records revolutionize care? Yes. Are doctors quick to adopt this practice? No. Fewer than one in five of the nations doctors have started using such records.

If I were you doc, I’d get on board.
It’s not that American’s lack options. From Wii fit to a gym on every corner, an array of online diet information, websites like the Mayo Clinic with a huge assortment of articles about how to stay healthy and well, and home workout dvd’s, we’ve got options when it comes to staying healthy. But that doesn’t mean we’re doing it. According to a recent report, only 12 percent of American adults are health literate. Meaning, only 12 percent of Americans understand how to manage their care. Only 12 percent can understand the information on a prescription bottle, read proper dosage, fill out medical forms and comprehend their insurance coverage. While it’s important to increase health literacy, it’s equally, if not more important, to make healthy choices and take measures to side-step illness.

Health Tips
For a range of health tips scope this website of course! Also check out the Mayo Clinic, and these ten essential health tips for living a long, happy, and healthy life!

 

FEATURE: Make Your Cubicle Healthy

Written by Kathryn Savage

Your inbox is out of control, you haven’t had a day off since spring break (and that was college), and your voicemail is full. Oh, yeah, there is a meeting in thirty minutes and you’re giving a presentation. Stressed? Of course, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be healthy. Work can be stressful and that’s why it’s important to reinforce your work space, and your work life, with as many healthy options as possible.

Hydrate
Drink lots of water and antioxidant rich green tea (unsweetened and fresh brewed), to stay hydrated at the office.

Nuts
Keep a stash of nuts in your desk drawer. Nuts are loaded with healthy fats and may improve cardiovascular health.

Brown bag it!
Instead of going out to eat, bring your lunch. You’ll be saving money, saving calories, and you’ll be able to make healthy eating a normal part of your afternoon.

Snack!
Include a healthy snack like a bag of sliced apples. If you have access to a fridge at your office, bring a yogurt which is rich in calcium and good for healthy digestion.

Sit up!
Sit comfortably in your desk. Slouching and typing away with poor form can have negative affects on your back and your wrists. Take breaks, get out of your chair, and be sure to stand and sit tall!

Skip the car!
If you live within a few miles of your office, ride your bike. If biking is not realistic, take the stairs. Centenarians living in the regions of the world identified as Blue Zones, make moving a mindless part of their day, everyday. And you should too!

Work with a sense of purpose.
Find a job where you feel you are using your talents and skills and providing a good service. A sense of purpose is not only important for your mental health and personal satisfaction, it’s an important factor that promotes longevity.

Come on get happy!
Happy hours are a great way to connect, socialize and transition between work and home. It doesn’t have to be with coworkers, it can be with friends who work near by, neighbors, family or friends. And it doesn’t have to include alcohol. Sure, grab a glass of your favorite wine, studies suggest that a drink or two a day is good for you, overall. But more than that, studies also point to personal connections and friendships as being a very important factor for living a healthy, long life.

Worried Sick?

Written by Kathryn Savage

What with the economy doing its part, and gas prices shooting up, people across the country are worried about debt.

While concern for the economy, yours and the countries is understandable, a recent poll found that all this money worry is quite bad for you, literally. People reporting high debt stress, also report ulcers, digestive problems, migraines and other headaches.
How can you reduce stress?

• Sit down with a financial planner or debt counselor in your area and come up with a plan to get debt-free and start saving for your future.
• Have an earnest conversation with yourself, your spouse and family members about ways to reduce personal expenses.
• Keep healthy eating and exercise a priority. A walk or a run is a great way to reduce stress and take the edge off. Cutting meat out of the budget means you have more room to creatively prepared vegetables and beans. Beans are a Blue Zones longevity all star food, you know!

For more on how debt is affecting Americans read this article.

FEATURE: How to Start a Slow Hobby

Written by Kathryn Savage

Fight stress through painting, knitting, yoga and sculpting. Numerous studies suggest that learning gentle and balancing activities may have positive affects on mental and physical health, overall stress levels and blood pressure.

The first step is to de-clutter mentally. Make more time for slow activities by turning off the TV, leaving work at the office this weekend and generally reclaiming your time and creating space in your routine for a few new (slow) pass times.

Painting is a great activity because it requires mindfulness, beckons creativity, and is nicely accompanied by a great glass of wine and your favorite music. You don’t have to be the next Picasso, or bother with a class, just buy some paints and set aside an hour to unwind and let your creativity shine!

Knitting is a handy pass time! It’s especially convenient for you New Yorkers. The subway is a great way to pack your closet with luxurious scarves and hats next winter! Studies suggest over fifty percent of people who regularly knit and crochet do these activities to unwind at the end of a stressful day.

Meditation requires a little something knitting has going for it, concentration. The benefits of spending even ten minutes a day sitting quietly and meditating (or knitting) may profoundly impact your chill factor.

Garden. Studies suggest that gardening is psychologically relaxing. It’s also fruitful! The delightful smells and tastes of fresh grown fruits and vegetables in your kitchen is great all summer long!

Do one thing at a time. All this multi-tasking is driving us nuts! Protect your short term memory by doing one thing at a time.

How to make more time for peaceful activities?
Do laundry on Tuesday, not Saturday. Make more time on the weekend for fun things by moving the chores to a night when you’re just watching Dancing With The Stars anyway.

Sleep in on Saturday, Set the alarm on Sunday. Pick a day to get up early and budget in time for painting, meditating, a yoga class or gardening.