These researches are hoping that this might imply that the consumption of Vitamin D supplements will prove to be a simple yet effective way to fight against the diseases caused due to the aging of the eyes in people. One such disease is the macular degeneration.

The group of researchers where from the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London. The journal Neurobiology of Ageing has recently published the report.

The explanation given by the team leader, Professor Glen Jeffery, is as such: The retina, a layer of tissue, can be found in mammals like the mice and humans. It is positioned at the back of their eyes. The retina is very crucial in the seeing process. It is the cells of the retina that identifies light when it comes in the eyes. It then sends the brain messages and as a consequence we are able to see. This process is a very demanding one. In fact the retina consumes proportionally much more energy as compared to other tissues in the human body. Blood circulation needs therefore to be at its best there.

Nevertheless, as one age, this demand of high energy leads to a production of debris. Consequently, in animals, a gradual inflammation can be seen. While in human beings, this can produce a decline reaching 30% in the quantity of cells that are receptive to light that found in the eye when we reach out 70th birthday. As a result we have a poorer sight.

The research that was carried out showed that if there was an intake of Vitamin D for merely six weeks, the inflammation in the old mice decreased. A partial removal of the debris was also observed. Subsequently, based on tests done, there was an improvement in the vision of the mice.

In accordance to the researchers this improvement in the sight of the mice can be linked to two changes that took place. In the first instance, there was a significant reduction in the quantity of macrophages, a potentially destructive cell, in the eyes those mice which were provided the Vitamin D.

Macrophages have a crucial role to play in our immune system. Their work consists in fighting off infections. On the other hand, due to aging, they can become dangerous in their fight against threats. As such, they can become the cause of damage as well as inflammation.

The reduction in the quantity of macrophages in the mice eyes was not the sole consequence of the Vitamin D. The latter even prompted the outstanding macrophages to alter to a new configuration. Instead of causing damage to the eyes, the researchers believe that in their different configuration the macrophages have dynamically worked to decrease the inflammation and clean up the debris.

The other change that the researchers witnessed in the mice eyes which were provided with the Vitamin D was that there was a decrease in the deposit of amyloid beta. Amyloid beta is a toxic molecule that amasses as one grows old. In human beings, the inflammation and amassing of amyloid beta can contribute to an augmented threat of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is biggest reason of blindness in persons that are above 50 years old in developed countries. Based on the results of their research, the researchers are of view that the intake of Vitamin D supplements might prove to be the simplest way to help in the prevention of AMD in persons who are exposed to it.

Professor Jeffery stated that older mice that were provided with the Vitamin D, it was seen that the amyloid beta deposited less in the mice eyes. The latter also showed a related amelioration of sight. While some persons believe that amyloid beta is associated with the Alzheimer’s disease, this new research implies that Vitamin D may have an important role in the reduction in its growth in the brain. Therefore, when the researchers witnessed this impact in the eyes, they at once started to wonder where these deposits could be reduced as well.

Thus, the group of researchers led by Professor Jeffery continued to study a number of blood vessels of those mice. They discovered that the growth of amyloid beta, in the mice blood vessels as well as aorta, were considerably less in mice which were provided with the Vitamin D supplements.

Furthermore Professor Jeffery added that this discovery, that the deposits of amyloid were less in mice which were provided with the Vitamin D supplements, implies that Vitamin D may be used in the prevention of health pathologies that are related to aging, ranging from the deterioration of vision to heart diseases.

Professor Jeffery considers that this connection between a series of age-related pathologies and Vitamin D may be associated with our progressive history. For the majority of history, our predecessors have spent their lives in Africa, possibly without any piece of clothing, and were as a result exposed to strong sunshine all throughout the year.

This constant exposure might have possibly activated the production of Vitamin D in their skin. Man has since then shifted to less sun-drenched regions of the globe and quite recently accepted clothing as part of their lifestyle. As a result they may not be so well positioned to decrease their exposure to sunlight.

Moreover, developed countries have witnessed a great increase regarding life expectancy of people during the last few centuries. As a result, there is a tendency to associate the reduction of exposure to sunlight,that is Vitamin D, with a remarkably prolonged lifespan.

Professor Jeffery further clarified that before the researchers are able to confidently say that senior people should start the intake of Vitamin D supplements, they should firstly run complete clinical trials in man. There is nonetheless growing proofs that the majority of the citizens in the West have Vitamin D deficiency and that this may have considerable health consequences.

The Chief Executive of BBSRC, Professor Douglas Kell, advanced that there are many persons in the developed countries who are currently enjoying an unparalleled extended lifespan. However, long life does not necessarily imply good health. Several times, it is noticed that many of the senior people suffer from several illnesses as many of their body parts begin to show sign of malfunctioning.

Professor Douglas Kell proceed with his statement by adding that if one day researchers wish to have some hope that they will be able to make sure that a greater number of people are able to enjoy a productive and healthy retirement, they must therefore start to learn much more regarding the changes that occur in animals as they age.

This study has shown the extent to which an in-depth study of a mere body part may lead scientist to find out new knowledge which is more generally applicable. Through the study of basic biology of a single organ, scientists and researchers may start to make connections between several illnesses with the expectation to develop more precautionary strategies.

Source: Health Canal

Anti Aging, Health And Aging, Longevity

© Jimmy Eriksson for Anti Aging and Human Immortality News, 2012. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Anti Aging, Health And Aging, Longevity.

In accordance to scientists, there now exist a test that can genetically predict if a person will be able to reach his 100th birthday.

Researchers of Yale University and Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Boston Medical Center, IRCCS Multimedica found in Milan in Italy had undertaken this study. This research claims that, based on the age of the subject, it is able to forecast an outstanding lifespan with up to 80% of accuracy.

According to this research, centenarians are role models of aging healthily, for the start of disability in such persons is in most cases delayed till they have reached their mid-90s.

Due to the fact that an extraordinary prolonged lifespan can run powerfully in families as well as because several studies on animals have implied that strong genes have an impact on an extended lifespan, the scientists embark on their journey to establish which are those genetic variants that have a strong role to play in man survival after his 100 years.

The research discovered that subjects who had common profile of deviation for genetic markers seem to share comparable degrees of threat for different traits or illnesses linked with outstanding longevity.

Individuals sharing such genetic characteristics may look forward to enjoy longer lives. The research may moreover provide an explanation as to why living more than 100 years old seems to run in the blood.

The findings of this study are the amended version of the work that was initially published the previous year in Science. The first version was withdrawn voluntarily. The most recent version comprises of data from very old individuals, with a mean age of 107.

An associate professor of medicine, Thomas Perls, of the Boston University School of Medicine, portrayed the results of the study as being a constructive move towards significant predictive medicine as well as personal genomics.

He advanced that when researchers are able to so this type of analysis on a complete genome series for traits which have considerable genetic mechanisms, the predictive significance should be much more.

Dr Perls went on to say that more in-depth research regarding such genetic traits could provide a profound understanding of the biological and genetic sources of postponing or avoiding age-related illnesses and thus attaining an extended lifespan.

This novel methodology regarding genetic data is applicable to several other complicated inherited characteristics. Researchers are now hoping that other research teams to apply these approaches to their fact and figures.

Source: New Zealand Herald

Anti Aging, Gerontology, Health And Aging, Longevity

© Jimmy Eriksson for Anti Aging and Human Immortality News, 2012. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Anti Aging, Gerontology, Health And Aging, Longevity.

At the same time the death rate of Americans has experienced a drop of 0.5% in one single year; from 2009 to 2010. The United States death rate has witnessed its lowest rate that it has ever known. In accordance to the recent set of information received from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, there are 746.2 deaths for every 100,000 persons, which is an extremely low figure.

America has been able to see a decline in its death rate as the nation’s principal killers, cancer and heart diseases, which accounted for 47% of the country’s mortality in the year 2010, have also experienced a decrease. Death due to heart disease decreased by 2.4%, and those linked with cancer went down by 0.6%.

The report has based itself on 98% of death certificates that have been made accessible to the NCHS. Certificates were obtained from the District of Columbia as well as from fifty other states.

Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine’s acting regional chair, Dr. David McClellan, stated that all these statistic is leading to the fact the there is an improvement in the nation’s health; people’s life expectancy has increased and this is great news. However, on the other hand, age-related illnesses are beginning to become more significant.

For example, pneumonitis, also known as aspiration pneumonia usually occurs when a person becomes so old and incapacitated that they are not able to swallow. Dr. David McClellan explained that this could be a result of dementia or even the after effects usually associated with stroke.

He furthermore stated that there is still much to be done regarding the fight against the obesity, smoking epidemic and unbalanced diet as well as insufficient exercise. He is of view that if the outbreak of smoking could at least be brought under control, America death rates would drop even more.

The hematology/oncology’s chairman of Ochsner Health System, located in Baton Rouge, Brooks, is even more optimistic; in his point of view, this is excellent new. Americans are being able to have a better grip on heart diseases and cancer by bringing a decrease in smoking.

Additionally, Brooks said that statins also have a significant role to play in the reduction of mortality toll due to heart disease, whereas cancer screening is proving to be beneficial in saving lives as well.

Minor changes in the positions of other grounds of mortality have also been observed.
Pneumonitis has replaced homicide, which was positioned in the first 15 category since the year 1965.

Influenza/ pneumonia and kidney disease exchanged places. The former is ranked 9th while the latter is in the 8th position.

A serious drop has been seen in influenza and pneumonia. Winthrop University Hospital’s, located in Mineola, New York, chairman of medicine, Dr. Michael Niederman, explained that some time back, they were ranked among the top six most important causes of death.

He views this being truly encouraging as according to him America is currently dealing with an older population which comprises of patients who suffer from pneumonia regularly. However, this confirms the national precedence on vaccination; pneumococcal as well as influenza.

Parkinson’s, hypertension, liver disease, septicemia, suicide, kidney disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, accidents, stroke and chronic lower respiratory diseases are among the other principal reasons of mortality.

According to Brooks, it is noteworthy that the majority of these illnesses are directly linked to the ageing population.

That is not all, mortality rates also went down for accidents (by 1.1%), respiratory diseases (by 1.4%), stroke (by 1.5%), septicemia (by 3.6%) and pneumonia and influenza (by 8.5 %) .

On the contrary, Parkinson’s disease has increased by 4.6%, cirrhosis and liver disease by 3.3%, pneumonitis by 4.1%, kidney disease by 1.3% and Alzheimer’s disease by 3.3%.
These diseases remain among the five top causes of death.

Between the year 2009 and the year 2010, a decline of 13.3% in the mortality rate of HIV/AIDS was seen. Even though the latter was not found among the fifteen principal killers, it was treated as being a considerable concern, in particular for persons aged between 15 and 64.

Infant death rate also witnessed a decline; it went down by 3.9% as from the year 2009.

Nevertheless, it should be noted that Lenox Hill Hospital’s, preventive cardiologist, Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, put in a word of caution against being too enthusiastic regarding the findings.

She expressed that while this remains good news, there is no reason to be overjoyed. The high rate in diabetes, obesity, cholesterol, blood pressure, is leading people to start getting sick much younger.

Source: Your Life USA Today

Read: Poor American Longevity Raises Questions

Anti Aging, Longevity

© Jimmy Eriksson for Anti Aging and Human Immortality News, 2012. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Anti Aging, Longevity.

However, some people think that cars are the only way of transportation. In San Diego, as well over America people believe that cars reflect their status and are a symbol of independence.

Driving a car can never be taken as a joke; it requires metal focus and the ability to make quick decisions. Drivers need also to have motor skill, and it cannot be neglected.

There are many senior drivers out there, who can drive cars perfectly. Precisely, there is no age limit that after a particular age, you have to stop driving. Yet, increasing age can disturb vision, physical and mental abilities, and after that you have no choice to give up for the sake of your safety. It can happen at the age of 60 but in some cases people do not quit driving until 90, maybe it’s because they adapt themselves perfectly on roads.

People recognize their downfall in driving skills, or they find themselves weak for driving. Usually, in such cases senior drives do willingly surrender their keys. Approximately, 600,000 drivers reduce their driving while some prefer to completely stop driving every year. However, some senior driver sticks with their need of independence and induces danger to road safety.

Adult children of senior drivers should recommend their parents to quit driving because to ensure safety driving on the road as elders driving skills do degrade year-on-year. It is quite painful for seniors to forget about their symbol of independence. It can be embarrassing as well, but no one can deny the fact that after certain age human abilities start to degrade, and we cannot risk the life of people and also loved ones.

In 2003, a tragic accident occurred involving a senior driver; In California, George Weller who was 86-year-old was accused guilty for killing 10 people in a road accident at Santa Monica.

Senior drivers should keep a check-list to evaluate how long they can continue to drive. According to AARP, the potential warning signs that suggest that one should stop driving are:

• The driver seems to be uncomfortable, or he is very nervous while driving.
• The car got dents on it or around his house, he got broke fence and mailbox.
• The driver is having problems while changing lane or to cope with his lane.
• The drivers repeatedly get lost, and he cannot even find his way by using a map or GPS.
• The driver skips different signs along the road
• The driver is not capable of taking quick decisions to unexpected situation, like a driver in front of him changes his lane fast or stops suddenly in front.
• The driver frequently finds himself in almost crashed situations.
• The driver having problems to judge intersections and gaps between cars on the road.
• Other divers are using horns and are showing their anger towards the old driver.
• Relatives and friends don’t want to sit anymore.

The points mentioned above depicts that the driver is experiencing an impoverished in health. So it is fundamental to ask about his or her health status, but do also advise to stop driving.

In some circumstances, senior drivers are exposed to dizziness because they are under special medications, which affect their reflexes. It should be noted that medication can also induce stress and in some cases cause hallucinations.

You should take a short trip with old driver so that you can observe mistakes carefully, but don’t give remarks on his driving because he might get angry, just help him out. Keep notes about problems he had during the whole trip.

If you think it’s a serious problem and he/she should quit driving then you should ask law enforcement officer or medical professional to call that driver for driving test. His family members can also forward this request without being noticed.

The AAA foundation for driver safety is hosting a great website which can help the problems faced by old drivers. Moreover there are several other websites available which can help senior drivers. However if you thing that nothing is working out and the condition of senior driver is dangerous, you must grab the keys and remove the car in front of him. Although it’d be difficult for you as well, but you cannot let him hurt someone like that.

Websites: www.seniordrivers.org and www.iihs.org/laws/olderdrivers

Source: Washington Times

Anti Aging, Gerontology, Lifestyle

© Jimmy Eriksson for Anti Aging and Human Immortality News, 2011. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Anti Aging, Gerontology, Lifestyle.

This research finding was developed at a research center based in Toronto, called Baycrest. Baycrest’s research is contradicting previous research that proposed that seniors had a barrier in their learning process when it came to mistakes. This research used two methods to study the relation of aging: trial-and-error learning and passive learning. This Toronto based research discovered that trial-and-error learning was more successful in adult learning and memory.

The lead researcher on this team, Andree-Ann Cyr, said that effort and active participation are key ingredients when it comes to memory. These two ingredients are more effective compared to passive learning.
Baycrests’ research involved individuals between the ages of 20 and 70. Research illustrated that the group of older people responded better to trial and error (2.5 times better) than did the group of younger participants.

Andree-Ann Cyr trusts that these results are due to the fact that elderly people have reduced memory abilities. Factors that made a substantial impact on memory were mistakes and errors.

This research is available online at the Psychology and Aging website.

Source: French Tribune

Health And Aging, Longevity

© Jimmy Eriksson for Anti Aging and Human Immortality News, 2011. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Health And Aging, Longevity.

In addition, the research did also reveal that the risk of developing mental disorders were even higher if an individual had no partner in midlife. So the study claims that living an isolated life, without partners, expose these individuals to greater risk of mental degeneration.

In other studies as well similar results have been found. It has been shown that socially engaging lifestyle help people to age well. In other words, people who are socially connected are involved in more activities which as intellectually stimulating. This prevents a decline in cognitive function as one age.

Medical science has progressed significantly in the recent years. However, there is still no known cure for cognitive dysfunction associated with aging. This report says that love promotes longevity and can actually help to delay aging.

In earlier studies, factors such as regular physical activities, healthy diets and lifestyle have been shown to delay mental dysfunction like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Now love can be added to the list of factors to healthy aging.

Source: Time For Wellness

Anti Aging, Longevity

© Jimmy Eriksson for Anti Aging and Human Immortality News, 2011. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Anti Aging, Longevity.

The inhabitants can be described as very short people, with a height averaging less than three and a half feet, possessing a rare condition called Laron-type dwarfism or Laron syndrome. Their ancestry can be traced as far back as the 1490s when Sephardic Jews from Portugal and Spain, called conversos, were persecuted during the Inquisition even when they converted to Christianity. These villagers are virtually unhampered by cancer and diabetes, both age-related diseases.

Dr. Jaime Guevara-Aguirre, an Ecuadorean doctor and diabetes specialist, researched a group of 99 villagers with Laron’s syndrome for 24 years. He was travelling on a horse through a pathless mountain village when he came across these natives. These villages have European Indian inhabitants with Spanish surnames, clearly distinctive of their converso lineage.

The health records that Dr. Guevara-Aguirre collected from his patients revealed a significant similarity: the people who did not have Laron mutation had more incidences of cancer, while the ones who had it almost never suffered from this illness. Likewise, they never developed diabetes even when some of them were obese, as it usually causes this condition.

In his interview from Ecuador, Dr. Guevara-Aguirre narrated that it was in 1987 when he first discovered about their existence. Meanwhile in 1994, he noticed that the number of patients diagnosed with cancer were very few in comparison to their relatives. Others informed him that it was too soon for him to form any assumptions and advised him to observe for at least 10 years, in which he did. There were few believers of his theory until 2005, when Valter Longo joined his research.

University of Southern California’s Valter D. Longo, a researcher on aging, saw this occasion as an opportunity to investigate in human beings the genetic mutations that scientists had already discovered in extending the lifespan of laboratory animals.

Laron patients were found to have a mutation in their gene that produces a growth receptor hormone. The receptor is a type of protein found in cell membranes. The growth hormone being circulated in the body acknowledges the external part of this receptor, while the internal part transmits signals through the cell when the receptor is activated by growth hormones.

The mutation of these genes indicates that the receptor of the growth hormone is deficient of the last eight units of its external region, so it is not capable of responding to growth hormone. Normal children’s growth hormone triggers the liver cells to release an insulin like growth factor hormone (IGF-1), and this causes the children to grow. When doses of IGF-1 are given to Laron patients prior their puberty, they can reach a relatively normal height.

This gene mutation of Laron patients is the link to the research on longevity that scientists have been observing in laboratory animals. Both humans and laboratory roundworm have an ancient signaling pathway in which IGF-1 is involved. In the roundworm, it is the gene DAF-2 that produces the receptor for IGF-1. W this is removed from the warm, it gets to live twice longer than its usual lifespan.

The Laron patients possess the similar flaw, since their cells produce a small amount of IGF-1 not much signaling of IGF-1 is happening, same as the worms with their DAF-2 removed. Because of this, Laron patients may be assumed to have longer years in their lifespan.

Since they are not predisposed to diabetes and cancer they have the potential of living a longer life. However, there is still high mortality rate but unrelated to ageing. The main causes are causes such as accidents and alcoholism.

Dr. Longo believed that having extremely low IGF-1 levels is the key element in Laron patients’ exemption in developing age-related illnesses. Teaming up with Dr. Guevara-Aguirre, he infused growing human cells in a laboratory dish with serum taken from Laron patients. The chemical added caused the cells to break down and rupture their DNA. From the Laron serum, two significant results came out, which were published by these two physicians on February 9 in Science Translational Medicine.

The first result revealed that the human cells were protected by the serum from genetic damage. Second, it prompted the damaged cells to obliterate themselves. A process applied by the human body to avoid these damaged cells from developing into cancer cells. When small levels of IGF-1 were introduced to the serum, the effects revealed otherwise.

According to Dr. Longo, the moderate amount of IGF-1 was needed for cardiovascular disease protection, but reducing the amount may be even more advantageous. In the market, there is an existing medication that targets this type of treatment, and it is used for acromegaly treatment – a disease that thickens the bone due to excessive growth hormone. Dr. Longo claimed that their basic premise is that this type of drug would extend life. He also stated he was not taking Somavert or pegvisomant, a drug that is quite difficult to get.

Ohio University’s John Kopchick bred a certain type of mice that had a deficiency in the growth hormone receptor gene, similar to Laron patients. Their lifespan was 40% longer than average.

Dr. Longo’s findings had been initially presented to Science, a more popular journal. However, it was declined since there was a reviewer who had an opposing view.

According to Andrzej Bartke, Southern Illinois University’s gerontology expert, the latest finding was highly significant and that the researchers had performed an excellent job in observing the patients and accumulating well-established data. This matches what is learned from animal research about the link of aging to growth hormone since both diseases, diabetes and cancer, are associated with aging.

The documented mouse with the longest lifespan was researched by Dr. Bartke. This rodent, like the Laron patients, had a growth hormone receptor gene deficiency. The gerontology expert stated that its lifespan reached a week short of five years. The mouse lived two times longer than its natural lifespan. This was recognized by Methuselah Foundation, an organization that acknowledges life-extension breakthroughs, and awarded a prize to Dr. Bartke in the year 2003.

Dr. Guevara-Aguirre expressed challenges in obtaining an ample supply of IGF-1 for his 30 patients before the onset of their puberty, since treatment beyond that will be futile. He claimed that his Laron patients, the largest group worldwide, could supply significant information essential to the drug companies manufacturing IGF-1, and he complained to the drug manufacturers about their lack of support in providing medication for the patients.

Dr. Arlan Rosenbloom, University of Florida’s pediatric endocrinologist and Dr. Guevara-Aguirre’s colleague, expressed the same views. He asserted, taking into account that these drug manufacturers rely on these initial findings to establish the drugs’ dosage and potency. It appeared odd to encounter problems in obtaining this drug.

Dr. Guevara-Agguire explained that the drug’s ownership gets transferred from one company to another, which explains why the primary objective has been less prioritized. He also implied that the Ecuadorian government should take a more active role in acquiring the drug for the Laron patients.

A geneticist at New York University, Dr. Harry Ostrer, who is doing research on the Sephardic lineage of the Laron Patients, reported that he had a chance to see these natives in Quito, capital of Ecuador. He described them as having surprisingly young-looking physical characteristics.

Source: New York Times

Anti Aging, Gerontology, Longevity

© Jimmy Eriksson for Anti Aging and Human Immortality News, 2011. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Anti Aging, Gerontology, Longevity.

The cause of shorter life span in Europe is air pollution. It is the leading reason of health illnesses like chronic bronchitis and heart disease for people over 65 year old, while it triggers asthma among the younger set.. What’s more, it is expensive. However, Aphekom programme, from Europe states that there is a vast contrast in health issues between the communities of unpolluted Stockholm and the filthy Bucharest. This was a 3 year study done in 25 cities and 12 countries, with a population of 39 million people.

According to Sylvia Medina, an epidemiologist and a coordinator of the study, the statistics reveal that even with a number of steps done to combat air pollution. It is still the main concern of Europe’s public health.

The scientists determined the potential increase of years in life. If there is a decrease in the fine-particle pollution to 10 micrograms per cubic meter as a yearly average – this is the aim of World Health Organization. This kind of pollution would be absorbed deeply in our system, including our heart and lungs. The elevated amount of these fine particles, coming from diesel engine emissions and the heating systems, reduces on average the life expectancy of Bucharest inhabitants by two years, and six months for the life span of Paris dwellers. Meanwhile, Stockholm’s pollution is already below the mark of WHO targets.

Researchers directed their attention on 10 cities such as Rome, Barcelona and Brussels, and also included the degree of air pollution that sets off chronic ailments. In addition, the research did more than just observing the worsening of symptoms. In about 50% of city residents, 15% below 17 years old had asthma, 23% had bronchitis issues while 25% over 65 year olds had heart disease – and their homes were close to a road with over 10,000 passing vehicles. So pollution emitted by vehicles seems to be the real culprit.

It is a normal occurrence in large cities to encounter traffic of over 10,000 vehicles a day, stated by Karine Léger, an engineer at Airparif, the organization responsible in the air quality monitoring of the city of Paris. The average daily number of vehicles that pass through Boulevard Périphérique is 270,000, while 20,000 go through Rue de Rivoli.

The annual expense of fine-particle pollution, which includes the lost working hours and time spent in hospitals throughout 25 cities amounted to approximately $43 Billion. According to France’s National Research Centre’s Oliver Chanel, the cost is very high and the health service is directly affected by this. It is important to bring down the levels of concentration for everyone’s benefit. However, even with the steps made with the use of substances like sulphur dioxide; there is still no progress when it comes to fine-particle pollution.

Brussels has assigned a very high target for the year 2012, after being exposed to intense pressure from the European Union’s new members. After the evaluation in 2013, it could be reduced in 2020. Meanwhile in France, their plan to set a threshold of 15 micrograms per cubic metre has been changed to 20 micrograms per cubic metre, with a combination of an optional 10 microgram “quality objective”.

The target of US is 15 micrograms while in Australia, it is 10 micrograms. Several cities in France, located in the suburbs, such as Bordeux, Grenoble, Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand, Nice, Plaine Commune, and Aix-en-Provence have made steps in participating in an experiment launched by the environmental ministry. It is expected to begin 2012, vehicles emitting heavy pollution will no longer be allowed in their central areas.

After a sensational parliamentary discussion, the legislation has included permitting population of more than 300,000 inhabitants to impose congestion fines. Cities where pollution is managed well, like London and Stockholm, have already implemented such systems.

Medina claimed that this research does not only involve the local and national government. Each one could contribute in reducing their exposure to pollution by staying away from idle cars with engines running. Walking on streets with fewer cars, making sure windows are closed especially during rush hours and making sound judgment when it comes to car purchase can significantly reduce pollution levels.

Reducing pollution is one step to improve health and longevity.

Source: Guardian

Anti Aging, Health And Aging, Lifestyle

© Jimmy Eriksson for Anti Aging and Human Immortality News, 2011. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Anti Aging, Health And Aging, Lifestyle.

In Montana as well as Missoula the leading causes of death are cardiovascular disease and subsequently cancer (Lung cancer the greatest killer of the cancers).

Third on the list, unintentional deaths and chronic lower respiratory disease are found, which are the greatest killer for people aged 35 and below.

Irrespective of the rating of the lethal killers, the origins for these diverse diseases are; sedentary lifestyle, overeating, tobacco, unhealthy choices. This is at least what Carol Ballew, who is a senior public health epidemiologist for the Montana Department of Health & Human Services says.

According to Ballew, most diseases can either be delayed or prevented. It is true that the body will gradually become feeble and some type of diseases is evitable going to hit you. Minor alteration in our lifestyle can postpone deadly effects well into our 90s.

People being genetically predisposed to various diseases, due to factors such as hereditary, can delay these age-related health hazards well into their old days. The tricks are to be more active, consume health food and to stay away from smoking. The standard and quality of life can be improved significantly with such manoeuvres.

Bellew also added that doing some cardiovascular exercise can considerably increase one’s odds of longer life. For instance, stopping to smoke will drastically bring down risks of both lung cancer and heart disease. There is no ideal age to stop smoking, the earlier the better. Another important aspect is weight management, which is of great essence for heart health and general well-being.

To stay certain of one’s risk to various diseases, it is essential to regularly undertake some general health tests. Most cancers can be cured if identified at an early stage of development.

Todd Harwell, from the Montana’s Bureau chief of chronic disease prevention and health promotion says that we have to go for healthy lifestyles. There is an indisputable amount of reasons to adopt a healthy lifestyle like living without disease but if generally healthiness isn’t enough just consider the painful cost of healthcare.

Spending your hard earned retirement money on medical expenses is something that none of us would like to do.

Suggestions on how to decrease the rate of death by Montanans have been enumerated by the government but the public seems to over-view the importance of dealing with preventable deaths.

Here are some facts for Montana’s Health department.
1. A total of 38 percent of the adults in Montana are overweight but not obese.
2. A total of 24 percent of the adults in Montana are obese.
3. A total of 28 percent of the population in Montana suffer from high blood pressure
4. A total of 17 percent of the population do smoke.
5. A total of 7 percent of the population suffer from diabetes.

In Montana the underlying cause of death is, in reality, smoking. It causes both cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

In Montana smoking causes the grave of more than motor vehicle injuries, all infectious diseases, homicide, suicide and breast cancer together. The medical bill associated with smoking is estimated to $277 million in Montana. In addition, for private companies an estimated net worth of $305 million is lost, due to decreases in productivity and illnesses related to smoking.

Solutions For Preventable Diseases
The best thing is that education is helping people to change their social behaviour towards healthier ones.

The aim of the state is to improve the healthiness of Montanans to ultimately achieve higher productivity and longevity of its population. Harwell says that more emphasis on preventable related issues can significantly lower the medical bill and help people to live independently in their old days.

The state health department is establishing programs to prevent heart disease, diabetes, obesity and reduce consumption of tobacco in Montana.

There are ranges of Tobacco projects being hosted to stop smoking. One is the Montana Tobacco Quit line where people are offered a free nicotine replacement therapy over a period of six months as well as a cheaper price for Chantix.

Medicaid Tobacco Cessation project is another one where a multi-pronged approach is being used. The program consists of awareness campaigns and other strong anti-smoking measures. In addition, 2008, a cardiovascular disease and diabetes prevention program was established by the health department.

The long-term goals of these programs are to lower the rate of heart disease and vulnerability to diabetes. In the short-term the goal is to lower the weight of people and promote physically active lifestyles. In respect to various studies, these various programs are likely going to reduce people’s risk to cardiovascular disease, cancer and smoking related illness by 58 percent.

In the past, diseases were believed to commence at the age of 40 and primarily for people who are inactive or overweight. However, now children of the age of 7 to 8 years are suffering from these diseases. This is all related to changes in lifestyle.

Establishing a health conscious society will have a ripple effect, where grandmothers and elders will pass-over healthy lifestyle practices to younger generations. This is the fundamental core aim of the programs being offered in Montana.

Source: Missoulian

Anti Aging, Health And Aging, Lifestyle

© Jimmy Eriksson for Anti Aging and Human Immortality News, 2011. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Anti Aging, Health And Aging, Lifestyle.

In accordance to a clinical psychologist, Jill Stoddard, from the Center for Stress and Anxiety Management, Mission Valley, if an individual perpetually examine himself closely, he will one day or the other come across something, no matter how petty and insignificant it might be. He stated that monitoring oneself excessively feeds into a vicious circle. If a person continues to verify his blood pressure all day long, he will at some point have a high blood pressure. This will not be the result of some health problems but simply because of their anxiety regarding their blood pressure; the more you are anxious, the more your blood pressure will increase.

Hypochondria does not merely result in stress or worry, it can also lead to considerable life problems. With time, it can ruin relationships; as family members and friends grow sick and tires of hearing imaginary health complaints. Hypochondria also has cost related issues associated to it. Continuously consulting medical practitioners for an affirmation of their imaginary pathologies can involve serious costs. Moreover, if a person believes that he is suffering from some type of health problem, he will most probably be absent from work quite frequently.

And in the future, if a hypochondriac really develops a health problem, his doctors might not take him seriously, believing that he is exaggerating his minor symptoms. As a result they will not perform any in-depth test and simple placate them.

Hypochondria can be treated in two main ways, with psychotherapy and through medication. One of the treatments that is considered to be quite effective in the treatment of hypochondriacs is cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy allows the patients to realize and understand their unfounded beliefs that have triggered their anxiety regarding their health. This therapy also helps them to learn stopping behaviors that are linked with the anxiety, like continuous monitoring and inspection of their body to look for problems. There are number of antidepressant medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, that are able to assist in relieving various anxiety symptoms are easily available on the market.

On the other hand, the fact that hypochondriacs believe that are physically ill, instead of being mentally ill, it is usually hard for them to look for professional counseling or medication by themselves. This where friends and loved ones must intervene; they must recognize symptoms of hypochondria and provide their support to those affected by it.

Consistent with a psychiatrist from the Sharp Grossmont Hospital, Dr. Krauz Ganadjian, states that it is often difficult to convince a hypochondriac that he is in fact in good health. Moreover, they son not remain in treatment most of the time. It is also tough to persuade them to take their medications. As a result, nearly all hypochondriac patients’ condition becomes chronic.

The solution to this problem is instead of trying to convince them that they are not ill, one should focus one’s energy in finding what the cause of patient’s distress is.

This can be done by empathizing with them. Their resistance will melt if you show them that you are on their side. Convince them that you believe that they are suffering from diverse medical problems. However, you want them to survive it and that it would be beneficial for them to seek the help of a therapist who will help them cope with their medical problems.

Part 1: Hypochondriacs Can Agonize Themselves Sick – Part 1

Source: Sign On San Diego

Anti Aging, Gerontology, Health And Aging

© Jimmy Eriksson for Anti Aging and Human Immortality News, 2011. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Anti Aging, Gerontology, Health And Aging.