Anti-Aging Developments - September 2011

The BBC World Service reports on trials in Denmark which appear to link yellow markings on the eyelids or xantheslasmata to an increased risk of heart attack and other illnesses.

According to the report a study which was published on the British Medical Journal website, patients with Xanthelasmata were at a 48% higher risk of a heart attack than those who did not have the markings. They were also 39% more likely to develop heart disease and 14% more likely to die.

Cardiologists explain that Xanthelasmata, which are mostly made up of cholesterol, could be a sign of other fatty build-ups within the body. A build up of fatty material in the walls of arteries - known as atherosclerosis - leads to stroke and heart attack.

The research team at the Herlev Hospital in Denmark started following 12,745 people in the 1970s.Of these 1,872 had a heart attack, 3,699 developed heart disease and 8,507 died in the intervening years.

Researchers believe that patients with Xanthelasmata may be more likely to deposit cholesterol around the body.

The trials studied subjects from both sexes and several different age groups and results indicate that, in all cases there is a one in five chance of patients with Xanthelasmata developing heart disease in the next decade.

The authors concluded that such patients were "generally considered to be at high risk" and should have "lifestyle changes and treatment to reduce [bad] cholesterol."

However they warned that: "Today, most people with xanthelasmata are seen by dermatologists, when they want their xanthelasmata removed for cosmetic reasons."Some of these people may not have been managed according to their increased risk of cardiovascular disease."
(Source: BBC World Service, BMJ Website)

According to the RealAge newsletter Age-well.org received this week, over half the cases of Alzheimer’s may be prevented by changes in lifestyle. More research is needed to definitively prove the link between the seven risk factors mentioned below and Alzheimer’s but in the meantime, it can only be good for you to implement these changes as they have other health benefits.

But remember forgetting your keys is not the onset of Alzheimer’s but if you no longer know what a key is for, then you are in trouble.

Research suggests that there are seven lifestyle changes which could offer protection from the memory-stealing disease.

Bones of Contention
Dr. Marilyn Glenville is one of the references i use when compiling this newsletter. She recommends that women who suffer from depression should get a bone density test because research has linked osteoporosis with this illness. The US National Institute of Mental Health found that 17 per cent of depressed women – compared to just two percent of those we were not suffering from depression – had thinner bones in the hip area. The researchers think that women with depression also have overactive immune systems that can make the body produce chemicals which provoke inflammation and bone loss. No link was found between the anti-depressants that the women in the studies were taking and bone loss.

Do you suffer from Sore Gums?
Build-up of plaque in the mouth can lead to Inflamed gums so it is important to clean the teeth thoroughly and floss regularly. However, some diet and life-style changes can also help. Eliminate or at least reduce your intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates, which can provide a breeding ground for bacteria. Dr. M G recommends taking vitamin C with bioflavonoids at 1000mg to reduce inflammation and boost the immune system. Co-enzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that can help prevent or heal gum disease. She suggests taking 60-100mg per day. She also suggests piercing a vitamin E capsule twice a week and rubbing the contents on your gums to reduce inflammation and sensitivity.

An Apple a Day....
In the UK we are often told that "an apple a day, keeps the doctor away". Research often proves that these “old wives tales” are sound advice and recent studies on this versatile fruit show that it can alleviate allergies and inflammation and help lower the risk of cancer and heart disease,The skin of the apple is where the goodness lies so don't peel your apples but make sure they are thoroughly washed to remove pesticides and if possible buy organic apples. The important nutrient in the skin is quercetin, a flavonoid with powerful anti-oxidant qualities. The insoluble fibre in apples helps combat constipation and lower cholesterol and the pectin they contain is known to reduce the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver.

Nature's Sunscreen
We have reported before in this website about the amazing properties tomatoes have to protect us from sunburn and premature wrinkles. Experts believe they could be a new weapon in the battle against sun damage to the skin. Researchers from the Universities of Manchester and Newcastle who presented their research at the 2010 annual meeting of the British Society of Investigative Dermatology in Oxford found that tomatoes boosted the skin’s ability to guard against harmful ultraviolet rays. This information has recently resurfaced and we are reporting it again because we feel it gives us some useful information about protecting our skin from the adverse effects of the sun. Lycopene in tomatoes is the active ingredient that has the ability to neutralise harmful molecules produced sun-exposed skin.
(Source. Dr. Marilyn Glenville Newsletters)