Put Old on Hold Newsletter Links for February, 2010

Links for February, 2010

Annoyed with AARP?

There is an alternative: www.amac.us -- The Association of Mature American Citizens

Citrus Surprise: Vitamin C Boosts the Reprogramming of Adult Cells Into Stem Cells

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091227212321.htm

Famous for its antioxidant properties and role in tissue repair, vitamin C is touted as beneficial for illnesses ranging from the common cold to cancer and perhaps even for slowing the aging process. Now, a study published online on December 24th by Cell Press in the journal Cell Stem Cell uncovers an unexpected new role for this natural compound: facilitating the generation of embryonic-like stem cells from adult cells.

Baby Boomers Still Doing Drugs as Seniors

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/health/baby-boomers-still-doing-drugs-as-seniors-169230.html?printArticle=y

Almost 5 percent of aging Baby Boomers in the United States are abusing drugs, a new government report shows.
That's about 4.3 million adults over the age of 50 who are smoking marijuana, abusing prescription medication and engaging in other illicit drug activity -- a number that far exceeds that of their parents' generation.

Volunteering May Prevent the Elderly from Becoming Frail

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100108090955.htm

Frailty is a geriatric condition marked by weight loss, low energy and strength, and low physical activity. UCLA researchers followed 1,072 healthy adults aged 70 to 79 between 1988 and 1991 to determine if productive activities -- specifically volunteering, paid work and child care -- prevent the onset of frailty.

Cell Phone Exposure May Protect Against and Reverse Alzheimer's Disease

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100106193217.htm

The millions of people who spend hours every day on a cell phone may have a new excuse for yakking. A surprising new study in mice provides the first evidence that long-term exposure to electromagnetic waves associated with cell phone use may actually protect against, and even reverse, Alzheimer's disease. The study, led by University of South Florida researchers at the Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC), was published January 6 in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

Running Shoes May Cause Damage to Knees, Hips and Ankles, New Study Suggests

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100104122310.htm

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) accounts for more disability in the elderly than any other disease. Running, although it has proven cardiovascular and other health benefits, can increase stresses on the joints of the leg. In a study published in the December 2009 issue of PM&R: The journal of injury, function and rehabilitation, researchers compared the effects on knee, hip and ankle joint motions of running barefoot versus running in modern running shoes. They concluded that running shoes exerted more stress on these joints compared to running barefoot or walking in high-heeled shoes.

Can Supplements Help People With Diabetes Avoid Retinopathy?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100104104823.htm

In theory, Vitamins C and E and magnesium could help prevent or limit diabetic retinopathy (DR), a potentially blinding disease, since each nutrient causes the body to respond in ways that alter retinopathy mechanisms. For example, in animal models Vitamins C and E suppress production of a growth factor, VEG-F, which can promote abnormal blood vessels in the retina. And high dietary levels of magnesium are associated with lower blood pressure and blood sugar, both of which correlate with a lower risk of retinopathy.

Increased Risk of Death, Stroke in Postmenopausal Women Taking Antidepressants, Study Finds

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091214162311.htm

Women participating in the Women's Health Initiative study who reported taking an antidepressant drug had a small but statistically significant increase in the risk of stroke and of death compared with participants not taking antidepressants. The authors of a report in the December 14 Archives of Internal Medicine note that their findings are not conclusive but may signify a need for additional attention to patients' cardiovascular risk factors.

It's Never Too Late to Quit Smoking and Save Your Vision

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091231082825.htm

Just in time for New Year's resolutions, a UCLA study finds that even after age 80, smoking continues to increase one's risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in Americans over 65.

Blueberries may boost memory in older adults: Study

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/content/view/print/273154

Supplemental blueberries for only 12 weeks may boost memory in older people with early memory problems, says a new study from the US.

A daily drink of about 500 mL of blueberry juice was associated with improved learning and word list recall, as well as a suggestion of reduced depressive symptoms, according to findings published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Making the Case Against Business Casual

http://www.expertclick.com/NewsReleaseWire/SendLinkToFriend.aspx?ReleaseID=30172

"Employees who don't dress appropriately cap out a ceiling on their careers really quick," says professor Dennis Tootelian. According to the study done by Tootelian at California State University, nearly two-thirds of Americans have felt inappropriately dressed at a business or a social function; and more than two-thirds are uncertain about the differences among business attire, business casual and casual dress in the workplace

The Next Big Hoax: Ocean Acidification

http://www.expertclick.com/NewsReleaseWire/SendLinkToFriend.aspx?ReleaseID=30170

Just when you thought "global warming" has been put to rest by the revelations of how the computer models supporting the hoax had been deliberately falsified to "hide the decline" in the Earth's temperature, along comes the next Big Lie, focused again on carbon dioxide (CO2).

Most (56 Percent) of Young Adults in New Sexual Relationship Infected With HPV, Study Finds

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100114081200.htm

A groundbreaking study of couples led by Professor Eduardo Franco, Director of McGill University's Cancer Epidemiology Unit, in collaboration with a team of colleagues from McGill and Université de Montréal/Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), found more than half (56 per cent) of young adults in a new sexual relationship were infected with human papillomavirus (HPV). Of those, nearly half (44 per cent) were infected with an HPV type that causes cancer.

Few Breast Cancer Surgeons Follow Quality of Care Standards, Study Finds

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100105125840.htm

Most breast cancer surgeons' practices do not follow standards associated with the best quality of care, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. These standards include consulting with other specialists and providing resources and education to help patients make treatment decisions.

Anti aging underwear

http://antiagingnutritionnews.com/blog/1414/anti-aging-underwear-ive-heard-it-all-now/

Omega-3 linked to younger biological age: Study

http://www.nutraingredients.com/content/view/print/274317

High blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids may slow cellular ageing in people with coronary heart disease, suggests a new study.

VIDEO

72-year old Pam Neil qualifying for her third degree black belt in Karate from the National Karate Schools in Chicago. Video thanks to http://www.ageless-beauty.com

Vitamin D may cut colorectal cancer risk by 40 per cent

http://www.nutraingredients.com/content/view/print/274709

Increased blood levels of vitamin D may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by as much as 40 per cent, says a study with people from 10 European countries. The study, published in the British Medical Journal, is said to be the largest of its kind to date and adds to the science supporting the apparent health benefits from increased vitamin D. Indeed, a meta-analysis published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in 2007 reported that higher blood levels of vitamin D were associated with a lower risk of colon cancer.

High fluoride toothpaste vital for kids’ oral care, but not without risks

http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/content/view/print/274767

Higher levels of fluoride in toothpaste do help fight tooth decay, but this should also be factored in with the risk of fluorosis in children below the age of six, a UK study finds. A Cochrane review of major toothpaste brands available in both the UK and global markets included 79 trials on 73,000 children aged up to 16 and clearly showed that toothpastes containing 1,000 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride were much more effective at fighting tooth decay in children.

How to Live Your Life Twice: Psychologist Busts a Myth and Offers Tips to Counter a Mid-Life Crisis

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100121140335.htm

Elliot Jacques coined the term "mid-life crisis" 40 years ago, when the average lifespan was 70 and "mid-life" came at age 35. Individuals could expect their quality of life to decline from that point forward, Jacques argued, so some extreme reactions to encroaching mortality were to be expected, such as having extra-marital affairs and buying a Corvette.

Not any more, says Prof. Carlo Strenger of Tel Aviv University's Department of Psychology. In an article co-authored with the Israeli researcher Arie Ruttenberg for the Harvard Business Review last year, and another in the journal Psychoanalytic Psychology, Prof. Strenger posits that the mid-life years are the best time of life to flourish and grow.

Retail Meat Linked to Urinary Tract Infections: Strong New Evidence

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100120144005.htm

Chicken sold in supermarkets, restaurants and other outlets may place young women at risk of urinary tract infections (UTI), McGill researcher Amee Manges has discovered. Samples taken in the Montreal area between 2005 and 2007, in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada and the University of Guelph, provide strong new evidence that E. coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria originating from these food sources can cause common urinary tract infections.

Promising Probiotic Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100119213037.htm

Bacteria that produce compounds to reduce inflammation and strengthen host defences could be used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Such probiotic microbes could be the most successful treatment for IBD to date, as explained in a review published in the February issue of the Journal of Medical Microbiology.

Reasoning Through the Rationing of End-of-Life Care

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100119172802.htm

Acknowledging that the idea of rationing health care, particularly at the end of life, may incite too much vitriol to get much rational consideration, a Johns Hopkins emeritus professor of neurology called for the start of a discussion anyway, with an opinion piece featured in this month's issue of the Journal of Medical Ethics.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer Therapy Reduces Mastectomies, Saves Breast

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100119103735.htm

A new treatment developed and tested by University of Oklahoma researchers not only killed large cancer tumors, but reduced the need for mastectomies by almost 90 percent. The latest results appear in an upcoming issue of the Annals of Surgical Oncology.

Sex gum is drug, says attorney

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/content/view/print/275676

A chewing gum marketed for its ability to enhance the male libido is being falsely marketed as a dietary supplement when it has the characteristics of a drug, according to New York food attorney, Marc Ullman. Sexlets Gum is marketed as an “antioxidant, testosterone booster” but Ullman believes it should be classified under food law because of the claim made by the manufacturer about how the ingredients enter the bloodstream.

Autism and Vitamin D

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health/autism/

Physical Activity Associated With Healthier Aging: Links Between Exercise and Cognitive Function, Bone Density and Overall Health

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100125172946.htm

Among women who survive to age 70 or older, those who regularly participated in physical activity during middle age appear more likely to be in better overall health. Qi Sun, M.D., Sc.D., of the Harvard School of Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, and colleagues analyzed data from 13,535 participants in the Nurses' Health Study.

Source: February, 2010 Put Old on Hold Newsletter