Healthy Aging: Body, Mind & Spirit

New corrolations found between arthritis and Alzheimers

Certain proteins found in those who have rheumatoid arthritis have been found to guard against the development of Alzheimers disease.

Learn more here.

New research into gene therapies that improve memory

A gene therapy technique which aims to ease memory problems linked to Alzheimer’s Disease has been successfully tested in mice.

Researchers at the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease in San Francisco believe that boosting the brain chemical, a neurotransmitter called EphB2, could help reduce or even prevent some of the worst effects of the condition.   Their research suggests that this chemical plays an important role in memory, and is depleted in Alzheimer’s patients.

Read more about it here!

Women and heart disease risk

Over 60% of women believe their biggest health threat is breast cancer, but heart disease kills 6 times as many women as breast cancer.   Only one in 10 women aged 50 or older say they have discussed their risk of heart disease during a GP visit.

Here’s a Womens’ Heart Disease Risk Quiz to raise your awareness of your risks!

Those over 65 less likely to seek skin cancer treatments

In England, deaths from melanoma among those over 65s have tripled in the past 30 years.

The elderly are more likely to be diagnosed when the cancer has spread.   Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, and is linked to cumulative sun exposure over a lifetime.   This means that the over-65s are more likely to develop the disease in the first place.

Learn more about this topic here.

Thanksgiving and Gratefulness

“There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for.”

I love Thanksgiving!   To me it is a true family holiday.   We come together to eat, sure, but more importantly we come together to enjoy each others’ company and count our blessings.

When was the last time you counted your blessings?  When was the last time you stopped worrying and focusing on what’s wrong with your life long enough to embrace how lucky you are to be here now?

What you focus on does grow, so why not put your complete focus on this video for the next five minutes.

Gratitude is contagious, just like love.

Brain scans and leadership skills

Here’s an interesting BBC article about whether brain scans can distinguish normal people from CEO-types.

Watch that job stress!

Women with high job strain have a 40% increased risk of cardiovascular disease compared with those in less demanding posts, a recent U.S. study suggests.

They have an 88% raised risk of a heart attack, and more chance of strokes and damage requiring coronary artery bypass surgery, researchers said.

Job strain, a form of psychological stress, is defined as having a demanding job that provides limited opportunity for decision making or to use one’s creative or individual skills.

These are the kinds of stories that make me glad I lost my job!

Bereavement raises the risk of heart problems

Did you know that the trauma of bereavement can mean an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes in the months immediately following the death of a close relative?   Perhaps we truly can die of a broken heart…

Read about the latest research here.

Important Information on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

As some of you may know, my husband has suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) since the late 1980s, when he lost his job because of it, and was forced to go on Social Security Disability for five years.

I have done extensive research on this topic and found Dr. Sarah Myhill in England to be the best source of useful CFS information worldwide.   My husband has been using her recommended supplements list for the past few years and had great results.   He is still working full-time at a physically demanding job over 40 hours/week.

Here’s a link to her website and an important academic paper explaining her theories on the cause of CFS.

How handwriting is good for your brain

Did you know that writing with your hand is better for your brain than typing?  I didn’t!

The practice helps with learning letters and shapes, can improve idea composition and expression, and may aid fine motor-skill development.   And learning a new language is even better.   So that’s why I learned Chinese all those years ago!   Handwriting could also be a good cognitive exercise for baby boomers working to keep their minds sharp as they age.

Learn more about it in this WSJ article!