Keeping Alzheimer's Disease Out

Alzheimer’s disease is a major killer in the Western world and is a neurodegenerative disorder. It is the commonest form of dementia. Prevention is always better than cure. Right now, no cure is available for getting rid of Alzheimer’s disease. Some sensible and easy measures can be used to prevent or, delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Speak Two Languages

The most obvious method is to get good education. It has been shown that individuals with low levels of education are highly susceptible to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, knowledge is always useful and helps in more than one way. Another interesting study has shown up an interesting twist. People who know more than one language have reduced risk for getting Alzheimer’s disease.

Exercise for the Brain

Exercise offers several benefits. One of the benefits of exercise is to ward off Alzheimer’s disease. It has been shown that any kind of physical activity is useful. Even helping in the kitchen and activities like gardening could be considered as physical activity for preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Physical exercise involves only the skeletal muscle. The brain also requires exercise. Keeping the brain engaged through some useful activities like playing chess or, solving puzzles helps to keep the brain in fine fettle.

Coffee Fights Alzheimer's Disease

Several diseases have been classified as neurodegenerative disorders. Many forms of dementia fall under this class. Alzheimer’s disease is the best example for this kind of neuro disorder. This disease is characterized by total loss of memory. This disease usually affects people over the age of 65. Early onset of Alzheimer’s disease before the age of 40 is rare. Women are more susceptible to the development of this fatal form of dementia as compared to men. This gender difference has not been properly explained. Some preventive measures can be taken. Some foods have been shown to have the ability to counter the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Coffee Helps

Coffee is a popular beverage and has been seen to reduce the risk for the development of diabetes as well as for Parkinson’s disease. Recent studies indicate that drinking coffee regularly reduces the levels of plaque in the brain. The accumulation of toxic beta amyloid protein in the form of plaques has been blamed for the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Only caffeinated coffee is having this protective effect. Decaffeinated coffee is bereft of this benefit indicating that caffeine may be responsible for the protection offered against Alzheimer’s disease.

                                                              Coffee Berries

Branches with Flowers

                                                                 

Cup of Coffee

Caffeine Can Also Make YouTired

Caffeine is a double edged sword. The effect of caffeine in stimulating the central nervous system is well established. Caffeine displaces sleep-inducing adenosine from its receptors, thereby producing wakefulness. Recent studies indicate an entirely interesting different picture. Caffeine can make you active if you are feeling tired. However, the effect is opposite when somebody is hardworking and active and caffeine actually makes you tired.

What is stroke?- video

Stroke is a condition which usually arises as a result of high blood pressure which also predisposes to coronary heart disease.

Orthostatic Hypotension- a New Risk for Heart Failure

People who develop orthostatic hypotension are in serious risk of becoming a victim of heart failure. What is orthostatic hypotension? It is the drop in blood pressure experienced by people when they move from the lying position to the standing position. To be classified as orthostatic hypotension there should be a drop in blood pressure by 20 points in the systolic blood pressure and a drop in blood pressure by 10 points in the diastolic blood pressure. Thus, this new threat represents an additional risk for heart failure in addition to hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease.

Watermelons Lower Blood Pressure

Hypertension is a silent killer. Many people are not even aware that they have high blood pressure. This is because the condition is usually asymptomatic.

Recent studies indicate the presence of another natural source which is capable of reducing the blood pressure. Research suggests that chemicals present in watermelons are capable of causing the blood vessels to relax and dilate. This produces a drop in the blood pressure.

Benefits of exercise Video

Exercise helps in several ways. It helps to maintain weight. It keeps several diseases away. It stimulates the immune system. It increases the circulating HDL levels. There are many more benefits.

Benefits of exercise Video

Exercise helps in several ways. It helps to maintain weight. It keeps several diseases away. It stimulates the immune system. It increases the circulating HDL levels. There are many more benefits.

Throw the Vegetable Peeler Out | Snipsly

Throw the Vegetable Peeler Out | Snipsly

Erectile Dysfunction Can Result From Obesity

Erectile Dysfunction Can Result From Obesity

Rice Bran Oil Protects the Brain

Vitamin E is an excellent antioxidant. It can exist in two forms-tocopherols and tocotrienols. The latter form is believed to offer more health benefits. Rice bran oil is an excellent source of tocotrienols. Much of the focus has been on gamma tocotrienols which have the ability to lower the blood cholesterol levels and thus, protect against coronary heart disease. Recent human experiments suggest that alpha tocotrienols which have been ignored so far are concentrated by the brain and thus, may play a major role in neuroprotection.

Rice Bran Oil Protects the Brain

Vitamin E is an excellent antioxidant. It can exist in two forms-tocopherols and tocotrienols. The latter form is believed to offer more health benefits. Rice bran oil is an excellent source of tocotrienols. Much of the focus has been on gamma tocotrienols which have the ability to lower the blood cholesterol levels and thus, protect against coronary heart disease. Recent human experiments suggest that alpha tocotrienols which have been ignored so far are concentrated by the brain and thus, may play a major role in neuroprotection.

Love Hormone levels to Predict Longevity of Relationships

Oxytocin is a hormone secreted from the posterior pituitary gland. This hormone has been known to influence mammalian reproduction. It is involved in labor during childbirth where it promotes uterine contraction. Oxytocin is also having a role in the secretion of milk and plays an important role in milk ejection. Recent research suggests that this hormone may also have a role to play in orgasm. For this reason, this hormone has also been called the love hormone.

Some studies have indicated that this love hormone levels may be a useful index in determining the longevity of relationship between a man and a woman. Data indicates that when the relationship between a man and a woman remains strong, their oxytocin levels tend to be high. In contrast, in short-lived relationships, the oxytocin levels plummet.

Sleep Loss Weakens Immunity

People need to sleep between six and eight hours every day. When sleep is disturbed or, when sleep is lost on a continuous basis, several health complications can set in. A recent study suggests that sleep loss leads to sleep loss leads to the disruption of the biological clock and this, in turn, weakens the immune system. Thus, people who tend to develop sleep debt are prone to infections.

Vitamin D prevents Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the commonest form of dementia and is characterized by near total absence of memory. This disease is characterized by the presence of abnormal amyloid protein which blocks inter neuronal communication within the brain. This is done through formation of neuronal tangles. Research has shown that the formation of amyloid protein in the brain is decreased by the presence of adequate amounts of vitamin D. Vitamin D offers protection against Alzheimer’s disease by inhibiting the inflammatory process which attacks the brain.

How Coffee Prevents Type 2 Diabetes

Moderation is needed in everything. This includes drinking coffee. Moderation while drinking coffee can actually offer several health benefits. The best known benefit to be obtained from coffee is protection against diabetes. The diabetes concerned is type 2 diabetes. The onset of this disease is preceded by the accumulation of a toxic substance in the brain. This substance is an abnormal protein and has been called human islet amyloid polypeptide. The components in coffee which are responsible for this positive effect are caffeine, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid.

Heart Attack-Role of Atherosclerosis

Heart Attack-Role of Atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis is the term used to denote the development of the conditions leading to the onset of heart disease, stroke and other conditions - blogReaction

Male Fertility Promoted by Omega-3-Fatty acids

Omega-3-fatty acids represent healthy fats which are available mainly from fish oils and nuts. They are known to prevent the onset of several diseases including coronary heart disease. Recent research suggests that DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is required for the formation of normal sperms which are essential for promoting male fertility. DHA is also known to be concentrated by the testes.

interestingvideos: Now is the Time to Quit Smoking

interestingvideos: Now is the Time to Quit Smoking: Watch these videos on smoking.

Fasting Weakens Cancer Cells

Several religions advocate fasting as a way of life. Fasting also offers several health benefits. This includes weight loss. Recent research in mice has shown another interesting benefit obtainable through fasting.

This research has shown that fasting may weaken cancer cells. This result has been obtained with different types of cancer. When the cancer cells become weakened, they may become more susceptible to chemotherapy. Mice studies showed that a combination of fasting cycles with chemotherapy is more effective against cancer cells than chemotherapy alone.

Coffee Captivates And Activates

Coffee Captivates And Activates The effect of coffee on sleep is well documented. Scientists have suggested that coffee and caffeine-containing beverages should be avoided at bed - blogReaction

Sugar is toxic

Type 2 diabetes is fast turning into a killer. Unlike a heart attack, it is a slow killer. However, this disease has the potential to impact the financial status of an individual and the economy of several countries. It has been suggested that sugar in processed foods is responsible for this situation. There have been suggestions that sugar should be considered a toxic substance like nicotine and alcohol. Both sucrose and fructose (in the form of high-fructose corn syrup) find their way into a number of processed foods. Half the problem would be solved if the sugar intake is drastically reduced.

Both Arms Should be Used for Measuring Blood Pressure

Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm of mercury. The former is referred to as the systolic blood pressure. The latter is the diastolic blood pressure. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 is considered as a situation of hypertension. Hypertension increases the risk for heart disease, stroke and dementia.

Usually, only one arm is used for measuring the blood pressure. A recent report suggests that both arms should be used for measuring the blood pressure and the difference between the systolic pressures obtained from both the arms can be a useful index for heart disease risk.

Does Diabetes Decrease Testosterone Levels?

Testosterone is the major male sex hormone and decreased levels of this hormone have been associated with reduced sexual desire. Recently, evidence has emerged to show that the levels of this hormone are decreased in several health conditions. Obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and hypertension are examples. This is because testosterone supplements do not bring about improvement in these conditions.

Diabetes is the condition where the relationship between the disease and testosterone levels has been well established. Testosterone positively impacts glucose metabolism. This hormone facilitates the action of insulin in promoting the uptake of glucose by the cells. Moreover, men with low testosterone levels tend to develop insulin resistance. It has also been shown that as many as 50% of men with low testosterone levels go on to develop diabetes. Of course, nobody is sure as to what is causing what.

Vitamin E and Alzheimer's Disease

Research in Sweden has indicated the role of vitamin E in the functioning of the brain. The blood levels of vitamin E in individuals who had either mild cognitive impairment or, Alzheimer’s disease were compared with those of individuals who were normal. The individual who had cognitive problems or, Alzheimer’s disease had very low levels of vitamin E. Both tocopherols and tocotrienols were reduced. It is clear that the brain would get decreased supply of vitamin E. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. When vitamin E is reduced in the brain, it suffers from oxidative stress and this may increase the risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

Coffee Against Cancer

Drinking coffee lowers the risk for several diseases including diabetes and dementia. Recent studies indicate that coffee can also reduce the risk for skin cancer by as much as 20%. Coffee also decreases the risk for acquiring liver cancer. It is also better to start exercising after consuming a cup of coffee as coffee reduces muscle fatigue.

Sit at Your Own Peril

The ill effects of too much sitting are already well documented. A recent report suggests that sitting continuously at the same spot can also affect the mental health of the individuals concerned. In a survey carried out in UK the average time spent by an individual in the sitting posture is around six hours per day. That is considered as too much sitting. Also, it has been found that people who spend time sitting in offices, tend to continue this habit at home-a dangerous trend.

Coping With Arthritis

Arthritis is a crippling disease affecting the joints. It causes inflammation and swelling and movement becomes difficult and also painful. Arthritis is a disease of ageing. However, suitable measures can be taken to counter the problem of arthritis.

How Fiber Protects Against Colon Cancer

Fiber is obtained from plant based foods like roots, leaves, vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts. The fiber has turned out to be a super food which doesn’t supply calories, but which has the ability to ward off several diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity and dementia. One of the impressive records of fiber in the field of health has been its ability to offer protection against the onset of colon cancer.

Photo by Richard Bitting (Flickr.com)


Certain types of fiber are acted upon by the bacteria colonizing our intestinal tract. This action by the bacteria produces a compound called butyrate. Butyrate has the ability to turn on an anti cancer gene. This activation offers protection against colon cancer. In fact, fiber also has the ability to counter breast cancer.

Exercise Promotes Hormone Production

Exercise Promotes Hormone Production

Should The Thyroid be Tested in Pregnancy?

Should The Thyroid be Tested in Pregnancy?

Providing Ideal Conditions for Sleep

Providing Ideal Conditions for Sleep

Liberal Market Economy Brings in Obesity

Liberal Market Economy Brings in Obesity

2011-record Elephant Killing

2011-record Elephant Killing

Nicotine Can have a Positive Side

Ageing brings in several health problems. The brain also undergoes ageing. The ageing of the brain is accompanied by the decline in cognitive functions. One of the casualties in ageing is memory. A recent study in the US indicates that small amounts of nicotine can counter memory loss due to ageing. Nicotine also increased the attention span. It also helped aged individuals to process information faster and also consistently.

However, researchers caution against smoking. Too much of nicotine can make things worse. No one is sure of what amount of nicotine is safe and what amount would help prevent memory loss. More research is needed in this field.

An Apple a Day Alone Cannot Keep the Doctor away

A recent study in Canada has suggested that people are not eating enough quantities of fruits and vegetables. These gifts from the plants are supposed to offer protection against several diseases including heart disease, diabetes and stroke. This fact is more apparent with people in the lower strata of the economy. Cultural practices and living environment also plays a part. People living in and around farms consumed more of vegetables and fruits compared to the city dwellers. Thus, it is clear that an apple a day cannot keep the doctor away.

How Coffee acts Against Diabetes

Drinking coffee has several benefits. One of the chief benefits is the reduction in the risk for diabetes. Coffee drinkers have lower levels of C-peptide. C-peptide is an integral component of insulin. Higher levels of C-peptide are indicative of reduced insulin action, a phenomenon called insulin resistance. Thus, lower C-peptide levels indicate reduced risk for diabetes. This effect is more prominent in obese and overweight people. Magnesium and chromium present in coffee facilitate the action of insulin. The positive effects of insulin are seen in decaffeinated coffee as well indicating that the effect is not due to caffeine.

Memory Loss Begins at 40

The risk for Alzheimer’s disease is believed to start from the age of 60. This disease is closely connected with memory loss. But, recent reports suggest that memory loss may begin right from the age of 40. The same study also suggests that if you keep the heat and the vascular system in fine mettle, the brain is protected and memory loss can be pushed back by a few years.