Older adults should be very aware of Kidney health. It has been found that kidney health is in direct correlation with longevity. Researchers have found that Cordyceps Sinensis a Chinese traditional medicine that is made from a mushroom and has been used for over 1200 years, can be the key for maintaining a healthy kidney. This Medicine can help prevent unhealthy side effects such as fatigue, joint and back pain, impotence and high blood pressure. More here and here
Many foods you eat have more than the amount of salt needed already in them, but researchers have proven that small amounts of sodium are good for a healthy diet. Sodium can help muscles contract and relax, balance your bodies fluids and can aid in the process of transmitting nerve impulses. Certain types of food hold more sodium than others and can harm your blood pressure, kidney functions and even lead to diabetes. More here
A new independent study at the University of Michigan Medical School has found a way to slow down the process of aging skin. Scientists have been successful making senior citizens skin cells act much younger. The U-M Department of Dermatology tested 21 volunteers in their 80s using a cosmetic filler called fibroblast in an attempt to decrease the signs of aging. After three months, the fibroblast used in the test began to produce more levels of collagen in the skin, skin became thicker and more blood vessels were visible in the volunteers. More here
Artichokes are somewhat of a super food. They are known to help with liver and gallbladder conditions, as well as holding properties that clean the bladder and blood. Artichokes contain very high sources of calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus and fiber. The vegetable also helps the body wash out excess water while moving toxins out of the body, lowering blood sugar levels, and has proved to have a positive effect on poor liver functions. Artichokes are an ideal food for maintaining a healthy diet. More here
A new study from Northwestern Medicine finds that maintaining optimal heart health in middle age may add up to 14 years to your lifespan. The study looked at data collected for the Cardiovascular Lifetime Risk Pooling Project and tracked risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and smoking status. The results found that individuals with none of those common risk factors lived free of cardiovascular disease longer than their peers with two or more of those risk factors. John T. Wilkins, M.D., author of the study, said many people develop cardiovascular disease as they live into old age but those with optimal risk factor levels increase their chances that they’ll live longer and healthier lives. More here.
Americans are now spending more money on medication used to treat conditions that were formerly considered part of the normal aging process than they are on drugs to fight chronic diseases. The research, presented at the American Public Health Association’s 140th Meeting, found that anti-aging medications cost an average of $73.30 per individual user last year, 16 percent higher than the amount spent on both high blood pressure and heart disease medication. And the cost of anti-aging drugs has increased along with their popularity. Since 2006, the price of aging medications, such as those used to treat sexual dysfunction and mental alertness, has risen 46 percent. More here.
A patient’s beliefs about treatment options and the cause of a disease can influence their willingness to follow a prescribed medication regimen, according to a study by Todd Ruppar of the MU Sinclair School of Nursing. Ruppar’s research focused on older patients being treated for high blood pressure, which affects nearly 70 million Americans. According to Ruppar, patients often have underlying beliefs about the causes of high blood pressure and how it can be treated, which lead them to underuse their medication. If a patient, for example, believes they can effectively control their blood pressure through diet and exercise they are less likely to faithfully follow their prescribed medication regimen. Ruppar believes practitioners should encourage more frequent monitoring of blood pressure levels to help patients associate taking their pills with health benefits. More here.
According to a survey from Gallup, Americans who like where they live and feel their community is becoming a better place report being healthier and better rested compared to those who say their neighborhood is becoming a worse place to live. The survey found that Americans who are satisfied with their community have Physical Health Index scores nearly nine points higher than those who are not. Americans who are happy where they live reported fewer headaches, less pain, weren’t obese, and were less likely to have been diagnosed with asthma, high cholesterol,or high blood pressure. Also, Gallup found that people who felt safe in their city were more likely to have better exercise and physical health habits than those who reported feeling unsafe while walking alone at night. More here.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen found that, in addition to an expected rise in mortality rates among people with low levels of vitamin D in their blood, individuals with elevated levels of the vitamin were also shown to have higher death rates. The research was the largest of its kind and looked at the blood of nearly 250,000 people. The surprising results suggest there are limits to the amount of vitamin D a person should be consuming, despite its many health benefits. Vitamin D is said to help prevent depression, cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and is also essential in helping calcium reach our bones. More here.
A review of 29 clinical trials covering nearly 1,400 adults between the ages of 22 and 74 found that taking vitamin C supplements may have a lowering effect on blood pressure. Participants in the study took 500 milligrams of vitamin C daily for eight weeks and, in people with high blood pressure, systolic pressure fell nearly 5 points and diastolic pressured dropped 1.7 points. Despite the results, the study’s authors stress that more research is needed before they can recommend vitamin C supplements for high blood pressure. Researchers say the reviewed studies were often small and included instances where patients were taking supplements in addition to medication for their blood pressure. In America, one in three people has high blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease and stroke. More here.
