Archive for June, 2009
What is the French Paradox about Cardiovascular Disease?
The people of France consume a diet high in fat, but they do not suffer from the consequences of cardiovascular disease that typically follow from consuming fatty foods. The French consume a lot of red wine when they are eating foods with a high fat content. The current scientific hypothesis proposes that a substance found in red wine known as resveratrol is responsible for neutralizing the usual negative cardiovascular consequences of consuming fatty foods.
Studies that used resveratrol in several animal species showed improved longevity. Laboratory studies and animal studies suggest that resveratrol may contribute greatly to reducing cardiovascular disease and cancer, too. Additional diseases associated with aging that may be mitigated or prevented include Alzheimer’s disease and inflammatory arthritis. The implication of these studies are very encouraging, because they show serious potential for improving health for seniors.
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Do Aging Individuals Have Weakened Immune Systems?
The history of immunology goes back to ancient Greece. The earliest known mention of immunity was during the plague in Athens around 430 BC. Thucydides noted that people who had recovered from a previous bout of the disease could nurse the sick without contracting the illness a second time. But it would not be until 1891 that microorganisms were confirmed as the cause of infectious disease.
A progressive decline in hormone levels with age is in part responsible for a weakened immune system in aging individuals. The immune system is enhanced by sleep and rest, and is impaired by stress.
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When Is It Time to Move to Assisted Living?
Making the decision to move into an assisted living community can be one of the most difficult and emotionally tricky situations your parents or elderly relatives will face. Especially if they are adamant about their independence, this move can be particularly hard. If they are physically unable to adequately care for themselves, however, the decision is really pretty cut and dry. Even if they are averse to the idea, it’s truly in their best interest to get some external and professional help with their living situation.
After all, seniors don’t have to move into senior living communities. Rather, they can simply have somebody that provides assistance and help in their own home. For many people, this is a comforting proposition. But if fulltime care is needed, this might not be sufficient, as the nurse or helper can’t be there every minute of the day. Also, assisted living offers people the chance to interact and befriend others. This interaction can drastically improve one’s quality of life. Ultimately, however, the decision to move is up to the individual and his or her family.
Maintaining and Enhancing Your Mental Clarity
As people get older, it’s no surprise that cognitive skills and retention begin to fade. Especially if you don’t actively do something to keep your mind active, this deterioration can take its toll even quicker. That’s why one of the best methods for mental acuity is mind games such as crosswords, Sudoku, chess, and others. You can even help your mental health by implementing certain foods into your diet.
The first food item that should be incorporated is fish. Even as little as once a week can have seriously positive effects on senior health as well as the health of younger individuals. Other foods to incorporate are whole grains, nuts, and blueberries. And for everyone that’s groaning over the addition of strictly health foods into their diet, there are also some serious health benefits to chocolate. Whether it’s dark chocolate or milk chocolate, the benefits are numerous. Just make sure to exercise some self control and keep the levels moderate.