Archive for January, 2012
Fish Oil May Help Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer’s
A common question that many people have is whether they can reduce the risk of contracting Alzheimer’s disease, and if they feel that they are at risk or in the early stages, whether they can slow its progression. Now I don’t wish to promote any sort of quack or suggest that what follows is a cure, or even anything approaching one (what’s more, if you are in the early stages please ensure you see a medical professional).
But there are encouraging signs coming out of a number of research studies into fish oil and Alzheimer’s that suggest that regular consumption of foods rich in Omega 3 oils (such as oily fish) may reduce the risk.
One study was conducted on animals such as rats and mice. It found that if they consumed fish oil for a long period of time, then they had a reduced risk of the disease developing. The studies also showed other positive benefits including improved cognitive function (in other words the rats stayed smarter even as they got older) and reduced brain cell loss.
Studies on humans have been less positive, perhaps because they have to take place over a much longer period of time. Even so they have shown some benefits. In one study conducted on older women, the consumption of omega 3 oils such as fish oil showed a marked reduction in the rate at which they suffered from cognitive decline. It pointed to the fact that additional studies in this area are probably needed.
There are also many other health benefits to taking fish oil. These include improved heart health and a reduced risk of diabetes. There is also a growing body of evidence from clinical trials suggesting that fish oil can help with weight loss (in part of a proper programme that includes exercise) as well as being of benefit in reducing the risk of prostate cancer.
So even if you aren’t taking fish oil to help reduce the risks or impacts of Alzheimer’s, there are still many reasons to take it.
Experiencing Foot Pain or Discomfort? It Could be One of These…
The foot is a complex creation that is comprised of different muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons. An issue with one part will invariably affect the form and comfort of another over time. These are some of the common ailments that can affect the foot, and how you can help relieve them.
1. Bunions – Appearing as bony projections near the big toe, bunions stick out on the side and give your feet a malformed look. As the skin hardens, they can become quite painful, especially when wearing too tight footwear.
Treatment:
As they form an extension of your foot, no matter how unattractive they are, the only way to completely eliminate them is through surgical removal. The good news, however, is that there are ways by which you can reduce the pain and discomfort they bring. First off, opt for shoes that are not too tight to avoid placing additional strain on your toes. Second, buy yourself some bunion pads to treat the affected area directly. Lastly, consider putting on arch supports that can help prevent the pressure from falling on your bunions.
2. Hammer Toes – So called because of its odd shape that resembles a hammer, this condition is triggered by wearing shoes that are a few centimeters shorter than your actual needed size.
Treatment:
Wear running shoes that are loose on the toes. If you already have existing corns or calluses, protect them with foot pads to prevent them from rubbing directly on your sneakers.
3. Bursitis – After sprinting for long periods of time, your small toes will probably feel pain, especially when constricted together. This is a direct effect of the excessive pounding on hard surfaces that typically happens when you run.
Treatment:
Keep the pressure off of your toes by using foot padding. If you are a runner, it would be best to seek the help of a doctor to check on your affliction. Companies like Ideal Feet have designed custom orthotics that can help keep your feet healthy by maintaining their correct balance.
4. Neuromas – Characterized by a burning sensation within the toes, neuromas are clumps of nerves that have swelled, giving off a painful tingling between the third and fourth toes. While there is no physically evident swelling or protrusion, neuromas can elicit excruciating throbs of pain that prevent you from taking on your favorite sport.
Treatment:
Apply a cold compress on the toes to reduce inflammation. Shoe pads can also assist in protecting the toes. To isolate the exact location of your neuroma, simply bend your foot backwards and apply pressure on the bottom to identify the painful areas. If the foot pain persists, visit your podiatrist for custom fitted padding.
5. Metatarsal Fracture – Metatarsals are thin bones that are linked to your toes. Metatarsal fractures are one of the most prevalent foot problems for many athletes and are typically caused by a direct trauma to the toes.
Treatment:
As they are direct fractures on the bones itself, you have no other recourse but to see an orthopedist to get you back on track.
Taking care of your feet is of the highest priority, whether you are an athlete or just someone who needs to maintain mobility in their daily life. With this helpful information, you can keep yourself on your feet and on the go.
Prevent Or Delay The Onset Of Alzheimer’s
Researchers are working hard to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there is also a focus on prevention and delaying the onset. They have discovered it may be possible to prevent or at lease delay the onset of this condition with a combination of healthy habits.
While we can’t control our genetic predisposition we can control certain other lifestyle factors that can influence what happens to us as we age. There are 6 areas to work on if you are trying to prevent or delay Alzheimer’s: sleep, exercise, diet, mental stimulation, stress management and an active social life.
Sleep is something too many people are lacking. First try to address any issues that are interfering with your sleep like night sweats in women or restless leg syndrome. Then start working on your sleeping habits. Keep a regular sleep schedule, meaning go to bed and get up at about the same time every day. Keep your bedroom relaxing by avoiding work, computers or television in the bedroom. Start a relaxing bedtime ritual that includes relaxation techniques, reading or a warm bath.
Regular exercise can slow cognitive deterioration. If you’re already physically active keep up this healthy habit. If you aren’t start incorporating exercise into your regular lifestyle. Start going for walks, riding a bike or join a local gym. Choose exercise you enjoy so you stick with it. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise at lease 5 days a week.
Eating healthy feeds your mind and your body. Good eating habits will also reduce inflammation. Follow a Mediterranean diet by eating lots of fresh produce, whole grains, nuts and olive oil. Avoid both trans fats and saturated fats as much as possible. Get plenty of omega-3 fats from things like flax and chia seeds. Eat 4 to 6 smaller meals a day and eat produce from all the color groups including green, red, orange, yellow and purple.
Keep your brain active by learning new things. Try learning a new language or a new skill. Play strategy games and practice memorization. Eat new foods and when driving or taking a walk take a new route.
Stress can take a toll on the brain. Reduce your stress level with regular exercise, but also try using some relaxation techniques. Sometimes simply breathing exercises can reduce stress, but there are a variety of other things that can work like yoga, playing with pets or meditation. Find something that works for you.
Humans are social beings. Maintain a strong support system by reaching out to friends and family. Also consider volunteering, joining a group or club or taking classes of interest. Commit to social outings so you connect with people on a regular basis.
Nicotine Has Potential In Alzheimer’s Therapy
There have been rumors flying around or a decade or so that the addictive component of the tobacco plant might be able to serve the purpose of staving off Alzheimer’s in those susceptible to the disease. Although this might sound like wishful thinking on the part of the cigarette manufacturers it now looks as if there could be some truth in it. With an increasing number of us living to a ripe old age and therefore more likely to develop this condition it’s a scientific discovery which could have a profound effect on a massive number of people if suitable therapies can be brought to market.
My interest in nicotine as a Alzheimer’s treatment was reignited when I recently can across an article in science daily which claims this natural drug can reduce the side effects of medication. An new and promising drug with is though could be helpful in treatment was unfortunately found to produce schizophrenia and memory loss, but it’s believed nicotine latches on to specific receptors in the brain which could elevate these symptoms.
Other benefits of using nicotine seem to show it can help patients with their concentration and can be a boost to the short term memory, certainly something which holds promise for the future.
These reports of the benefits of nicotine definitely don’t mean we should all start smoking in the off chance our minds might work a little better in the future, but it is important that more research is carried out to discover if we can develop strategies to reduce the effects of this debilitating disease. Perhaps in the future doctors will be prescribe nicotine patches and products like smokeless electronic cigarettes to actually improve the health of their patients.
Alzheimers And Nail Fungus
My father had Alzheimer’s for the last 5 years of his life. He slowly lost his ability to recognize me and became more and more withdrawn as the days when by. But one thing did not change: he wanted to be impeccably dressed at all times. He had taken a shower twice each day all his life – once in the morning and once at night – and that routine did not change one bit.
I knew that if he developed a nail fungus infection (Onychomycosis) he would be absolutely distraught. He would look down at his yellow, ugly, brittle and distorted nails and become confused and stressed. The condition is very common among the elderly due to poor circulation at the extremities so I knew he was at risk. I also did not want to have to follow a repeated nail fungus treatment routine over many months to get rid of the disease.
I decided to incorporate a couple of extra steps into his hygiene routine to ensure that the likelihood of him developing fungal nails was reduced.
1) After every shower I would make sure that he very carefully dried each toe. As fungi like moist environments this is the best thing anyone can do to keep it at bay. See more about nail fungus risk factors here. We made a little ritual of taking each toe in turn and drying it. It’s something that my father began to enjoy doing himself.
2) I bought a bottle of tea tree oil and applied this every day to his nails. At first the strong smelling essential oil was a little confronting, but after a while he got used to it. Tea tree is an antimicrobial oil that has been used for centuries to keep skin and nails healthy and fungus free.
3) Even though my father liked to be dressed at all times, I did encourage him to take off his socks and shoes for a few hours each day. Fungi do not like light or unprotected environments so this is a good precautionary strategy.
4) I sprinkled some anti fungal powder into his favorite shoes every two weeks or so. With the progression of his Alzheierms my father only seemed to want to wear two pairs of shoes, so I wanted to make sure there was no chance that an infected fungal spore was harboring in them.
Alzheimers is a difficult disease to cope with – for both patient and carer. By not having to deal with a nail fungus infection, I feel we both took one step to make the experience a little easier – even if just by a tiny bit.
The Reality of Aging
Aging is a natural process of life. Most people don’t like it but it’s something we all have to deal with. The first signs of aging typically show up on our skin through wrinkles. With the amount of anti-aging and anti-wrinkle cream products out there, it shows that most people would like to slow down the aging process. Some try to extend their youth by eating right and taking Herbalife vitamins while others figure out how to retire early and work hard on doing that so they can enjoy their youth while it’s still there. After the physical signs of aging comes the mental signs.
Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia which causes a loss in brain function. For many people, as they age, they will seem to forget things that recently happened to them. Their response time will be slowed and so will their movement. Memory loss is just one of the symptoms of aging for many people. There’s also the feeling of hopelessness and even loneliness at times.
That being said, growing older doesn’t have to be so darn depressing. How your life will be in old age will be determined by how you take care of yourself now and how your attitude will be. Plenty of older folks live happy lives despite the wrinkles and reduced mobility.
