Given the increasing and often conflicting media reports on aging and Alzheimer's disease subjects, you probably have a lot of questions you'd like to see one, Body and responded to a healthy brain aging.
Let's tackle some of them in a lively Q & A format.
* Question: What is aging?
- A: Wikipedia says that "Ageing or aging (American English) is the accumulation of changes in an organism or object over time. Aging in humansrefers to a multidimensional process of physical, psychological and social change. Some dimensions of aging grow and expand over time, while others sink. reaction time, for example, may slow with age, while knowledge of world events and wisdom may expand. "
Aging can not be the sexiest word in our vocabulary. Unless of course consider the most common alternative.
* Question: When is the target of anti-aging research to extend life span, there is the risk that weThe neglect of quality of life. Finally, people would really like to have more years afflicted by the disease and decline, which often come with age?
- Answer: We have enough good news to share. A recent study from the University of Southern Denmark found that the proportion of elderly Danes manage to remain independent holds steady at around 30-35 percent between the ages of 9-10. This means that from the perspective of society, exceptional longevity is not extraordinary levels of leadDisabilities. This pattern seems consistent across the different life.
* Question: OK, so at least it is not all doom and gloom. Now we can really expect to extend to one day be able not only possible, but long life?
- Answer: Well, maybe yes, but first we need better genetic and environmental influences on aging.
* Question: Let's talk about the concept of life cycle "plasticity" and the state of research today.
- Answer: The research labOrganisms such as yeast, worms and mice is the idea that life is plastic, this is encouraging, it can be extended. Nature just published a thorough review of anti-aging science, the combination of cautious optimism with an invitation to do with his head down too fast for the Hall of Natural Medicine of resveratrol in a pill, for example. caloric restriction, and some compounds seem to signal paths that affect the overall regulation of metabolism, and impact on life expectancy. However, none of the drugs tested showedLife expectancy in rodents extend healthy people much less. Also do not know whether the inhibition of pro-aging pathways in humans has the same effect it has in lower organisms.
* Question: In short, there is still much potential, but more research must be done. Well, to expand the existing measures to support specific research Healthspan (not just life but life in a healthy state).
- Answer: Exercise is an obvious step first. Numerous studies have shownconsistent cardiovascular exercise may be little impact on life expectancy (usually 8-12%) and also to maintain the functionality, thus contributing to more Healthspan.
* Question: Should we also Healthspan brain. Yet, "we" are a function of our brain. All we can do?
- Answer: Exercise helps there too, adding to receive both cognitive function and promoting neurogenesis and neuronal survival. The brain reserveTheory adds the importance of light lifelong mental stimulation, but have yet to undertand better the neurobiology of aging and cognitive decline.
* Question: Can food also play a role in maintaining brain health with age?
- Answer: For a thorough review of the major effects of diet on the brain can be controlled Fernando Gomez-Pinilla recently in the journal Nature Neuroscience Reviews, discuss the relative merits of-3, omega fatty acids, folic acid,Flavonoids, antioxidant foods. Please note that many studies show positive effects of these nutrients was performed in mice.
* Request to go: Let the concept of expansion Healthspan. There are significant to public health?
- Answer: I would say, prevention of falls among the elderly - falls are a major cause of serious injury and death among the elderly in the United States. Juergen Bludau, chief geriatrician at Brigham and Women's Hospital, says the medical community mustin support of a better life than work, which means two things: how much freedom from the ravages of the disease possible, and maintaining the function pretty for active engagement in the world.
In short, there are a lot of research on lifestyle and what interventions contribute to healthy aging.
The main recommendations today: ensure good nutrition, and follow a regime of frequent physical exercise and mental health.
