Anti-aging-developments May - 2013
by Mary Treacy
age-well.org > Anti-aging Discoveries >Anti-Aging-Developments- May.2013
Protect Your Eyes
Choosing the right sunglasses
May 04, 2013 - Too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been linked to cateracts, and other conditions of the eye, including age-related macular degeneration. So, especially as you age, remember to wear sunglasses in order to protect your eyes when going out in strong sunlight. There is no need to invest in designer glasses, but make sure that your glasses labeled according to guidelines for UV protection established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or another responsible authority.
There are different types of UV light you need to protect yourself from. The first is UVA, which is responsible for skin aging and which stimulates the skin to produce melanin or a tan and UVB which causes sunburn and can eventually lead to cancer.Before buying glasses make sure that you get the right glasses for the right conditions.
The Harvard Medical School have published a guide called the Healthy Eye. They maintain that even inexpensive glasses can be effective as long as your glasses are adapted to your activity and sun exposure.
Most glasses come under the category of General purpose glasses.
Medium These have medium to o dark lenses which block out 95% of UVB rays, 60% of UVA, and 60% to 90% of visible light.
However, if you go to the beach or to mountain areas with a lot of snow where you are exposed to very strong sunlight, they recommend using Special purpose glasses. These have extremely dark lenses with UV blockers which eliminate 99% of UVB rays, 60% of UVA, and 97% of visible light.
However, caution is needed when choosing your glasses. Harvard Medical School recommends reading the labels carefully to ensure that you buy glasses that match the level of protection you need. The colour of the lens are no indicator as a darker lens may not provide higher protection than a lighter lens. If necessary check with your optition or eye doctor. A darker looking lens may not provide better UV protection than a lighter lens.
For more information on the prevention and treatment of diseases in your eyes, read age-well.org’s Section on Eyecare, which includes pages on macular degeneration, cateracts, dry eye, glaucoma, presbyopea.
Don’t take chances with your eyesight, read our page on
Pratical Tips for Healthy Eyes and learn about
• The Importance of Sunglasses
• The Importance of Diet and Nutrition
(Source:- Harvard Medical School, Healthbeat)
Continue reading "Protect Your Eyes"
A Sweet Treat Could Ward Off Alzheimer's
May 01, 2013 - Enjoying a nightly cup of warm cocoa or indulging your craving for dark rich chocolate could actually protect your mind from the devastation of Alzheimer’s.While this has been common knowledge for some time, a brand new study published recently in the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, confirms that regularly consuming Cocoa flavanols regularly can protect against this and other neurodegenerative diseases.Flavanols are a type of flavonoid. A diet rich in Flavonoids, which have an antioxidants effect in the body, can lower the risk of vascular disease and dementia.
Clinical studies show that foods like cocoa, tea and red wine can protect against vascular disease and have a positive effect on platelets, thereby decreasing the risk of build up of plaque in the arteries (arteriosclerosis), improving the ability of the blood to clot, decreasing the risk of high blood pressure and reducing oxidation in the body.
A recent report by Agora Health about this study says that the research demonstrated that Cocoa polyphenols could trigger neuro-protective activity, thus preventing neurodegenerative diseases that are characterized by oxidative stress. The report quotes lead researcher Anna-Maria Cimini as saying that cocoa is even better that green tea in slowing down the aging process and protecting the body from oxidative stress, thereby neuro-degeneration and vascular dementia.
The Angora Daily health report also talks about another study from 2012 that found that elderly patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment could improve their motor responses and memory by consuming a 990mg Cocoa flavanol drink for eight weeks.
Polyphenols are also known to prevent cardiovascular diseases, cancers, osteoporosis and diabetes mellitus.Research is ongoing but we recommend that you include flavanol-enriched cocoa in your diets to help maintain and improve your brain health as you age. A glass of red wine with your evening meal and consuming green tea on a regular basis can also help
.(Sources: ournal of Cellular Biochemistry, Agora Daily Health Alert, April – May 2013)
 Mary Treacy is the founder and contributing editor of age-well.org. She has over thirty years of experience working with non-profit, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), mainly business associations. Mary's work experience is mainly in the field of communication management, journalism and editing and she is an experienced writer in many sectors including co-operatives, agriculture, housing, insurance, banking, commmerce, women's issues and health. You can find her on Google + and Twitter. |
age-well.org > Anti-aging Discoveries > Anti-Aging-Developments- May.2013
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