Bone Loss
April 12, 2011 by Dr. Marc Darrow, M.D.
Filed under Bone Loss
Estradiol, Testosterone, and Hip Fractures in Men
Researchers writing in The American Journal of Medicine say “Men with low estradiol levels are at an increased risk for future hip fracture. Men with both low estradiol and low testosterone levels seem to be at greatest risk for hip fracture.”
The Importance of Strength Training Exercises in Aging
Researchers writing in the medical journal Aging Clinical and Experimental Research say that “although aerobic exercise is important in maintaining overall health, the resistance type of muscle training may be more applicable to the basic rules of bone adaptation and site-specific effects of exercise, have more favorable effects in maintaining or improving bone mass and architecture, and be safe and feasible for older people.”
DHEA, Bone Mineral Density, Older Adults
Researchers writing in the medical journal The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, say that DHEA replacement therapy for one year improved hip Bone Mineral Density in older adults and spine Bone Mineral Density in older women.
Lifelong risk factors for osteoporosis and fractures in elderly women with low body mass index
Researchers writing in the medical journal Bone, evaluated the association between lifelong lifestyle factors and bone density, falls and postmenopausal fractures in elderly women with low body mass index.
Osteoporosis in Men Testosterone and Estradiol Deficiency
Researchers writing in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism say that: Older men with total testosterone or estradiol deficiency were more likely to be osteoporotic. Those with osteoporosis were more likely to be total testosterone or estradiol deficient. Rapid hip bone loss was more likely in men with total testosterone deficiency.
Hip Fracture in High Risk Groups
Researchers writing in the Journal of Postgraduate Medicine say “prevention of hip fracture is still inadequate in high risk patients. Discrepancy seemed to exist in treatment frequency among different high risk groups suggesting that emphasis on prevention of osteoporosis has not been reinforced in all people at risk.”
Sleep and Risk of Fractures
Researchers writing in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society say that long sleep and daily napping are associated with greater risk of falls and fractures in older women
Salivary Cortisol and Memory Function
April 12, 2011 by Dr. Marc Darrow, M.D.
Filed under Alzheimer's Disease
Researchers writing in the medical journal Neurobiology of Aging say their “results partially confirm previous findings that high cortisol is associated with impaired declarative memory function in non-demented older persons. In addition, our data show that high salivary cortisol concentrations predict a decline in memory function over the next 3 years.”
From the study abstract
Li G, Cherrier MM, Tsuang DW, Petrie EC, Colasurdo EA, Craft S, Schellenberg GD, Peskind ER, Raskind MA, Wilkinson CW. Salivary cortisol and memory function in human aging. Neurobiol Aging. 2006 Nov;27(11):1705-14. Epub 2005 Nov 4
OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of salivary cortisol with cognitive changes in a 3 year longitudinal study. Previous studies have suggested that elevated glucocorticoid concentrations alter hippocampal neuronal morphology, inhibit neurogenesis, and impair cognition.
METHODS: Salivary cortisol samples were collected at home by 79 cognitively intact older persons (mean age 78+/-7 years) at 08:00, 15:00 and 23:00h, and collections were repeated annually for 3 years. Cognitive function was also assessed annually.
RESULTS: The mean cortisol level of samples taken at three times of day and the cortisol concentration at 23:00h were significantly associated with poorer performance on tasks of declarative memory and executive function. Of 46 subjects who completed the entire 3 year study, higher initial cortisol concentration at 23:00h predicted a decline in performance of delayed paragraph recall.
CONCLUSION: These results partially confirm previous findings that high cortisol is associated with impaired declarative memory function in non-demented older persons. In addition, our data show that high salivary cortisol concentrations predict a decline in memory function over the next 3 years.
Midlife Obesity Raises Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease Later
April 12, 2011 by Dr. Marc Darrow, M.D.
Filed under Alzheimer's Disease
Researchers reporting at the American Academy of Neurology 58th Annual Meeting in San Diego this week say that midlife obesity raises the risk for Alzheimer’s.
From the American Academy of Neurology press release:
“People who are overweight or obese in their 40s have a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life, according to research that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology 58th Annual Meeting in San Diego, Calif., April 1 – 8, 2006.
For the study, researchers followed nearly 9,000 people over a period of up to 30 years. The study participants were evaluated for overweight and obesity by measuring skinfold thickness below the shoulder and at the back of the upper arm. Those with higher skinfold measurements in their 40s were more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those with smaller skinfold measurements.
Those in the highest group of shoulder skinfold measurements were nearly three times as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease as those in the lowest group. For the arm measurements, those in the highest group were 2½ times as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as those in the lowest group.”
Read the entire press release at the American Academy of Neurology website
Alzheimer’s Disease Research
April 12, 2011 by Dr. Marc Darrow, M.D.
Filed under Alzheimer's Disease
Insulin and Aging
A new study, to be published, says that high insulin levels, among both diabetics and non-diabetics, may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.
To quote the authors of the study “Although this model has obvious relevance for diabetes mellitus, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance are widespread conditions that affect many nondiabetic adults with obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. Our results provide a cautionary note for the current epidemic of such conditions, which, in the context of an aging population, may provoke a dramatic increase in the prevalence of AD (Alzheimer’s).”
You can read the entire article at the Journal of Neurology
Obesity and vascular risk factors at midlife and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer disease.
Kivipelto M, Ngandu T, Fratiglioni L, Viitanen M, Kareholt I, Winblad B, Helkala EL, Tuomilehto J, Soininen H, Nissinen A. Arch Neurol. 2005 Oct;62(10):1556-60.
From the abstract: “Obesity at midlife is associated with an increased risk of dementia and AD (Alzheimer’s Disease) later in life. Clustering of vascular risk factors increases the risk in an additive manner. The role of weight reduction for the prevention of dementia needs to be further investigated.”
Read the abstract
Brain Estrogen Deficiency and Alzheimer’s Disease
Writing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA), researchers studied the effects of estrogen deficiency and Alzheimer’s Disease. They wrote: “Much evidence indicates that women have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) than do men. The reason for this gender difference is unclear. We hypothesize that estrogen deficiency in the brains of women with AD may be a key risk factor….Our results indicate that estrogen depletion in the brain may be a significant risk factor for developing AD neuropathology.”
Yue X, Lu M, Lancaster T, Cao P, Honda SI, Staufenbiel M, Harada N, Zhenyu Z, Shen Y, Rena Li R Brain estrogen deficiency accelerates Aβ plaque formation in an Alzheimer’s disease animal model Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 10.1073/pnas.0505203102
Melatonin and Alzheimer-like neurodegeneration
Writing in the medical journal Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, researchers studied the effect of melatonin and cognitive impairment. They wrote: “Alzheimer disease (AD), an age-related neurodegenerative disorder with progressive loss of memory and deterioration of comprehensive cognition, is characterized by extracellular senile plaques of aggregated beta-amyloid (Abeta), and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles that contain hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Recent studies showed that melatonin, an indoleamine secreted by the pineal gland, may play an important role in aging and AD as an antioxidant and neuroprotector. Melatonin decreases during aging and patients with AD have a more profound reduction in this hormone. Data from clinical trials indicate that melatonin supplementation improves sleep, ameliorates sundowning, and slows down the progression of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer patients.” Wang JZ, Wang ZF. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2006 Jan;27(1):41-9.
Obesity and Alzheimer’s Disease
Researchers say that obesity can lead to higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
From the press release issued by Thomas Jefferson University Hospital: “A team led by researchers at the Farber Institute for Neurosciences at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and Edith Cowan University in Joondalup, Western Australia has shown that being extremely overweight or obese increases the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s. They found a strong correlation between body mass index and high levels of beta-amyloid, the sticky protein substance that builds up in the Alzheimer’s brain and is thought to play a major role in destroying nerve cells and in cognitive and behavioral problems associated with the disease.”
Exercise Delays Onset of Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Larson EB, Wang L, Bowen JD,McCormick WC, Teri L, Crane P, Kukull W. Exercise Is Associated with Reduced Risk for Incident Dementia among Persons 65 Years of Age and Older. Annals of Internal Medicine January 17, 2006 Volume 144 Issue 2 Pages 73-81.
A new study reports a reduced incidence rate of dementia for people who exercised 3 or more times a week compared with those who exercised fewer than 3 times per week.
Say the study authors: “We believe these findings may be useful if they are confirmed because Alzheimer disease is one of the most feared illnesses of aging and is frequently cited as a reason for not wanting to “get old”: People do not want to lose their independence and quality of life as a consequence of aging.”
They conclude: “These results suggest that regular exercise is associated with a delay in onset of dementia and Alzheimer disease, further supporting its value for elderly persons.”
Read the full article here at the Annals of Internal Medicine
Obesity and Alzheimer’s
Midlife Obesity Raises Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease Later
Researchers reporting at the American Academy of Neurology 58th Annual Meeting in San Diego this week say that midlife obesity raises the risk for Alzheimer’s. Read more
Testosterone, Alzheimer’s, Mood and Quality of Life
A study suggets that that testosterone replacement therapy improved overall quality of life in patients with Alzheimers Disease.
Brain Estrogen Deficiency and Alzheimer’s Disease
Writing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA), researchers studied the effects of estrogen deficiency and Alzheimer’s Disease. They wrote: “Much evidence indicates that women have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) than do men. The reason for this gender difference is unclear. We hypothesize that estrogen deficiency in the brains of women with AD may be a key risk factor….Our results indicate that estrogen depletion in the brain may be a significant risk factor for developing AD neuropathology.”
Yue X, Lu M, Lancaster T, Cao P, Honda SI, Staufenbiel M, Harada N, Zhenyu Z, Shen Y, Rena Li R Brain estrogen deficiency accelerates Aβ plaque formation in an Alzheimer’s disease animal model Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 10.1073/pnas.0505203102
Melatonin and Alzheimer-like neurodegeneration
Writing in the medical journal Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, researchers studied the effect of melatonin and cognitive impairment. They wrote: “Alzheimer disease (AD), an age-related neurodegenerative disorder with progressive loss of memory and deterioration of comprehensive cognition, is characterized by extracellular senile plaques of aggregated beta-amyloid (Abeta), and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles that contain hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Recent studies showed that melatonin, an indoleamine secreted by the pineal gland, may play an important role in aging and AD as an antioxidant and neuroprotector. Melatonin decreases during aging and patients with AD have a more profound reduction in this hormone. Data from clinical trials indicate that melatonin supplementation improves sleep, ameliorates sundowning, and slows down the progression of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer patients.” Wang JZ, Wang ZF. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2006 Jan;27(1):41-9.
Cortisol Concentrations Predict a Decline in Memory Function
Researchers writing in the medical journal Neurobiology of Aging say their “results partially confirm previous findings that high cortisol is associated with impaired declarative memory function in non-demented older persons. In addition, our data show that high salivary cortisol concentrations predict a decline in memory function over the next 3 years.” Read more
Researchers look at what makes people age successfully
April 12, 2011 by Dr. Marc Darrow, M.D.
Filed under Aging
Factors associated with the successful aging of the socially-active elderly in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre. Rev Bras Psiquiatr. 2005 Dec;27(4):302-308. Moraes JF, Souza VB.
Writing in the medical journal Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, researchers studied some of the inhabitants of the metropolitan region of the Brazialian city Porto Alegre. What they sought to do was “identify the factors associated with aging of the socially-active elderly in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre.”
What they concluded was: “Independence in performing daily life activities and autonomy, as well as satisfaction with family relations and friendships, were independent predictive factors of successful aging for both men and women.
For women in particular, there were various predictive factors: material comfort; feeling physically well; body image and appearance; self-esteem; positive feelings; interpersonal relationships; social support; participation in recreational activities;… spirituality; and beliefs.
The elderly maintain a relationship with themselves, with others and with their beliefs. Family is the main social support system.”
What is the Effect of Insulin Resistance and Loss of Lean Muscle (Sarcopenia) As We Age?
April 12, 2011 by Dr. Marc Darrow, M.D.
Filed under Insulin
Sarcopenia – Loss of Lean Muscle
Leucine – An amino acid found in protein rich foods
Researchers writing in the Journal of The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology say: “A reduced response of older skeletal muscle to anabolic stimuli (exercise & diet) may contribute to the development of sarcopenia.
Skeletal muscle protein synthesis is resistant to the anabolic action of insulin in older subjects, which may be an important contributor to the development of sarcopenia.”
Writing in Diabetes and Metabolism, French Researchers say:
“Structural and functional modifications occur in skeletal muscle during aging. These defects lead to impairment in muscle strength, contractile capacity and performance.
Among factors implicated in this age-related loss of muscle mass, a dysregulation of protein synthesis and breakdown has frequently been reported.
Insulin plays a major role in regulating muscle protein metabolism, since its action contributes to increase net gain of muscle protein in animal and humans.
Insulin resistance develops with aging, classically involving changes in glucose tolerance. However, the effect of insulin on protein metabolism is less well documented, and insulin resistance could be involved in age-related muscle protein loss, progressively leading to sarcopenia. Therefore in a more general concept, insulin resistance found in many clinical settings, could be considered as a contributor to muscle wasting.”
Research and Recent News on Alzheimer’s Disease
April 12, 2011 by Dr. Marc Darrow, M.D.
Filed under Alzheimer's Disease
How Many Animals You Can Name In One Minute, May Help Determine Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
Researchers reporting this past Tuesday said that the names of animals (such as Zebra and Giraffe) maybe used to determine who could be in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
A study says that common words learned later in life typically disappear from the vocabulary of people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. An example given is with the names of animals.
Because we typically learn “Dog” and “Cat” in our earliest years, people in the early stages of Alzheimer tend to remember the words, yet other animal names learned later in life, (after age 5) were forgotten, (i.e., words like zebra and giraffe).
In one study, participants were asked to name as many animals as they could in one minute, “healthy” people could list 20-25. Alzheimer sufferer’s could only list 10-15, a significant drop in vocabulary.
What Some Researchers Say You Can Do To Fight Off Memory Loss
Other researchers reporting Wednesday said that the tools to fight off memory loss associated with aging is to:
– Be physically fit
– avoid stress
– be socially active
– learn new things
– and “think young”
They also said that omega-3 (a fish oil) “may reduce the cell inflammation that triggers a decline in memory.”
More On Insulin and Aging
A new study, to be published, says that high insulin levels, among both diabetics and non-diabetics, may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.
To quote the authors of the study “Although this model has obvious relevance for diabetes mellitus, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance are widespread conditions that affect many nondiabetic adults with obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. Our results provide a cautionary note for the current epidemic of such conditions, which, in the context of an aging population, may provoke a dramatic increase in the prevalence of AD (Alzheimer’s).”
You can read the entire article at the
Journal of Neurology
Obesity, High blood Pressure, High Cholesterol and Alzheimers Risk
Study published in October 10, 2005 issue of the Archives of Neurology
Midlife obesity puts you at a higher risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease than being at normal weight. The researchers noted: “Midlife obesity, high total cholesterol level, and high systolic blood pressure were all significant risk factors for dementia….”
Examination of the effects of testosterone deficiency on Alzheimer’s Disease
Gouras GK, Hauxi X, Gross R, et al. Testosterone reduces neuronal secretion of Alzheimer’s -amyloid peptides Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2000;3:1202-5.
Interpretation: Examination of the effects of testosterone deficiency on Alzheimer’s Disease
The researchers noted: “Increasing evidence indicates that testosterone, especially bioavailable testosterone, decreases with age in older men and in postmenopausal women….These results raise the possibility that testosterone supplementation in elderly men may be protective in the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Insulin Research Articles
April 12, 2011 by Dr. Marc Darrow, M.D.
Filed under Insulin
Insulin and Aging
A new study, to be published, says that high insulin levels, among both diabetics and non-diabetics, may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.
To quote the authors of the study “Although this model has obvious relevance for diabetes mellitus, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance are widespread conditions that affect many nondiabetic adults with obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. Our results provide a cautionary note for the current epidemic of such conditions, which, in the context of an aging population, may provoke a dramatic increase in the prevalence of AD (Alzheimer’s).”
You can read the entire article from the Journal of Neurology
Insulin Resistance Tied To Age-Related Muscle Loss
Writing in the medical journal Diabetes and Metabolism, researchers say: “…insulin resistance could be involved in age-related muscle protein loss, progressively leading to sarcopenia. Therefore in a more general concept, insulin resistance found in many clinical settings, could be considered as a contributor to muscle wasting.”
Guillet C, Boirie Y. Insulin resistance: a contributing factor to age-related muscle mass loss? Diabetes Metab. 2005 Dec;31 Spec No 2:20-6.
Insulin Resistance, Weight Gain Lead to Early Aging
“Tulane University researchers are the first to demonstrate a biological link between insulin resistance, weight gain and signs of early aging in the blood…”
UCSD Study Sheds New Light on Insulin’s Role in Blocking Fat Breakdown in Patients with Type II Diabetes
“Chronically high levels of insulin, as is found in many people with obesity and Type II diabetes, may block specific hormones that trigger energy release into the body, according to researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine. Their findings, which may point to new approaches to developing improved treatment options for the disease…”
Insulin
April 12, 2011 by Dr. Marc Darrow, M.D.
Filed under Insulin
By Controlling Insulin, You May Be Controlling Aging
When we eat, our bodies release insulin into our blood stream so that we can process glucose (sugars) from our foods to make energy, especially in our muscles.
Glucose belongs in our cells and not in our blood. When it remains in our blood we produce more insulin. Increased insulin, according to many researchers, is the number one factor for accelerated aging.
Glucose
Our cells need glucose for many things including energy, metabolism, and for mood and cognitive function. The short term benefit of eating a candy bar, besides its good taste, has long been know by athletes and students, sugar gives you energy and makes you think straight, that is, in the short-term.
The reason we cannot eat large amounts of glucose is obvious. We would get fat, develop insulin resistance, and then diabetes.
When we eat too much glucose, as sugar or in the form of high-glycemic carbohydrates, more insulin is needed to be released to usher the glucose into the cells.
The insulin receptors in our cells down-regulate and we become insulin resistant. We are then on a the path to Metabolic Syndrome and probably Type II Diabetes.
Glycation
Glycation is one of the most significant biologic markers of aging.
High blood sugar produces Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs). Very dangerous chemicals produced by sugar-protein-fat reactions that attack collagen and DNA and also produce Interleukin 6-the root cause of inflammation. Glycation is a major cause of inflammation that triggers degenerative disease.
By minimizing glycation you can add years of vitality, productivity, and great health to your healthspan.
Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Depression
April 12, 2011 by Dr. Marc Darrow, M.D.
Filed under Thyroid
Researchers writing in the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics say that “subclinical hypothyroidism increases the risk for depression and emphasize the importance of thyroid screening tests in the elderly.”
Study abstract
Chueire VB, Romaldini JH, Ward LS. Subclinical hypothyroidism increases the risk for depression in the elderly. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2007 Jan-Feb;44(1):21-8. Epub 2006 May 5.
In order to determine if subclinical hypothyroidism is a risk factor for depression in the elderly, a total of 323 individuals over 60 years old were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) for mood disturbances.
Patients were divided into Group I: 252 patients (184 females, 68 males; median age: 67 years, range: 60-89 years) with elevated serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels and Group II: 71 patients (45 females, 26 males; median age: 67 years, range: 60-92 years) with diagnosis of depression. Serum TSH and free thyroxine (fT4) were measured by sensitive assays. Thyroid antibodies were determined by IRMA. Depression was observed in 24 (9.5%)
Group I patients and was frequent in subclinical hypothyroidism patients (14/24 = 58.3%). On the other hand, elevated TSH levels were found in 22 (30.9%) Group II patients.
Depression was observed more frequently among individuals with subclinical (74/149 = 49.7%) hypothyroidism than among individuals with overt hypothyroidism (21/125 = 16.8%) (p < 0.001). Indeed, subclinical hypothyroidism increased the risk for a patient to present depression more than four times (OR = 4.886; 95% confidence interval = 2.768-8.627).
Our results demonstrate that subclinical hypothyroidism increases the risk for depression and emphasize the importance of thyroid screening tests in the elderly.
