The National Institutes of Health has added information about anxiety disorders to the NIHSeniorHealth.gov website. This concise resource includes “About Anxiety Disorders,” “Risk Factors and Causes,” “Symptoms and Diagnosis,” “Treatment and Research” and “Frequently Asked Questions.” It also provides links to additional resources. To view the NIH press release please click below.
NIHSeniorHealth.gov offers info on anxiety disorders in older adults
www.nih.gov
A study at the University of Iceland found that “over one in 10 people in their 60s and nearly one in four in their late 70s have an early form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).” According to study author Dr. Fridbert Jonasson, other recent studies have found that antioxidants and a diet rich in “fatty fish” may lower the risk of AMD. He noted that early detection of AMD “means that we can start this treatment early, so hopefully reduce the risk of late AMD.” Click below for a Medline report.
Many elderly have preventable eye problems
www.nlm.nih.gov
A new study shows that even healthy, fit older adults have a “high degree of inactivity.” As part of the UK’s New Dynamics of Ageing Programme, the study was intended to help “establish a reliable mobility profile of the oldest-old members of society.” Lead researcher, Dr. Lynn McInnes of Northumbria University, said that “Being able to stay mobile is crucial to older people’s wellbeing, as loss of mobility means the loss of so many other things from their lives such as the ability to go shopping, meet friends and pursue hobbies and interests.” Click below for a report from the Economic and Social Research Council.
Maintaining Mobility in Older Age
http://www.esrc.ac.uk
Research indicates that “endurance exercise increases the number of muscle stem cells and enhances their ability to rejuvenate old muscles.” Prof. Dafna Benayahu, Tel Aviv University’s Sackler School of Medicine, noted that “When we age, we experience sarcopenia, a decline in mass and function of muscles, and osteopenia referrers to bone loss.” The research team’s finds show that, by increasing the number of satellite cells (muscle stem cells), exercise leads to an enhanced ability to maintain proper muscle mass. A click below for a report from American Friends of Tel Aviv University.
A Fountain of Youth in Your Muscles
www.aftau.org
Utilizing ultrasound technology, researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology and AMC Amsterdam have been able to trace the path of injected “microbubbles” through the prostate to determine not only the existence of tumors but also their rate of growth. The researchers noted that this information could help doctors to refrain from performing unnecessary operations and thus reduce overall medical costs.
Accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer with ultrasound
www.eurekalert.org
Researchers at Washington State University found that “daily doses of commonly available whey brought a more than six-point reduction in the average blood pressure of men and women with elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressures.” They noted that this level of reduction “can reduce cardiovascular disease and bring a 35 to 40 percent reduction in fatal strokes.” Lead researcher Susan Fluegel also noted that it is a low-cost supplement and that “whey protein has not been shown to be harmful in any way.” Please click below for a report from EurekAlerts
Whey supplements lower blood pressure>
www.wsu.edu
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has published the results of two recent studies that could help older adults protect their vision. In the first study, researchers at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, found that the “Omega-3s in fish and seafood may protect seniors’ eyes.” The second study, from the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, shows that “a test that measures the functionality of the eye’s retinal nerve cells may” could help provide early detection of glaucoma. Click below for a Eurekalert report on both studies.
Omega-3s in fish, seafood may protect seniors’ eyes; a new test may catch glaucoma early
www.eurekalert.org
A recent study indicates that resistance training has effects similar to aerobic exercise in lowering blood pressure. Researchers at Appalachian State University found that 45 minutes of “moderate intensity resistance exercise” led to a 20 percent decrease in blood pressure. Lead investigator Dr. Scott Collier noted that “resistance exercise increases blood flow which reduces blood pressure.” According to Dr. Collier, “any exercise is good. But if you can’t do aerobic exercise, resistance exercise can help decrease blood pressure and increase metabolism as well as provide social and psychological benefits” He also noted that “exercise has no adverse side effects.” Please click below for a report from Appalachian State University News.
Study shows resistance training benefits cardiovascular health
www.news.appstate.edu/
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside and Boston University “found that with just two days of training, in one-hour sessions with difficult stimuli, resulted in older subjects seeing as well as younger college-age subjects.” G. John Andersen, professor of psychology at UCR noted that “the improvement was maintained for up to three months.” Please click below for a report from the UCR Newsroom.
NOTE: Perceptual learning has been described as performance changes brought about through practice or experience, that improve an organism’s ability to respond to its environment.
Perceptual Training Improves Vision of the Elderly
www.ucr.edu
Leslie Alford, physiotherapist and lecturer at the University of East Anglia, conducted a research review of 40 scientific papers. Her summary of the key findings indicated that regular exercise can reduce the risk of many health conditions including heart disease, dementia as well as some forms of cancer. Ms. Abbott stated that “what is clear from the research is that men and women of all ages should be encouraged to be more physically active for the sake of their long-term health.” Please click below for a report from Science Daily.
Regular Exercise Reduces Large Number of Health Risks Including Dementia and Some Cancers, Study Finds
www.sciencedaily.com
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