HEALTH AND NUTRITION – Dr. Sopler's Facts and Stats on Ways to Keep You Healthy

The reviewed research is interesting because no one wants to lose any of the brain they have. In this study the researchers investigated the association between physical activity at age 70 years and structural brain biomarkers at 73 years (Gow AJ, et al. 2012). Computational image processing methods were used to measure atrophy and white matter lesions.

The results documented that a higher level of physical activity was associated with less atrophy and white matter lesions.

This is certainly another good reason to keep physically active as you get older.

To read the original abstract, click on the reference below.

Reference:

Gow AJ, Bastin ME, Muñoz Maniega S, Valdés Hernández MC, Morris Z, Murray C, Royle NA, Starr JM, Deary IJ, Wardlaw JM. Neuroprotective lifestyles and the aging brain: activity, atrophy, and white matter integrity. Neurology. 2012 Oct 23;79(17):1802-8. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182703fd2.

Research has shown that omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil provide numerous health benefits. The research reviewed investigated if working memory in young adults improved after taking fish oil containing 750 mg of DHA and 930 mg of EPA per day for 6 months (Narendran R, et al.2012).

The participants underwent a working memory task test and red blood cell membrane (RBC) fatty acid composition analysis before the start of the study and at the end after 6 months.

The performance on the working memory task improved after taking the supplements, and was consistent with reports in which higher DHA levels is related to improved cognitive performance.

Only 2 capsules daily of the “Better Fish Oil” will provide 750 mg of DHA which is the same amount used in this study.

To read the original abstract, click on the reference below.

Reference:

Narendran R, Frankle WG, Mason NS, Muldoon MF, Moghaddam B. Improved working memory but no effect on striatal vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 after omega-3 polyunsaturated Fatty Acid supplementation. PLoS One. 2012;7(10):e46832. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046832. Epub 2012 Oct 3.

Decline of memory is one of the major concerns as we get older. The reviewed research investigated factors affecting memory, and it is an important study because these are things we can do something about (Singh-Manoux A, et al. 2012).

The participants were 6,401 adults, aged 39-63 years in 1991-1993. Data on weight using body mass index (BMI) was collected and metabolic status was evaluated using triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL). The participants were also evaluated for the use of lipid lowering drugs, if they had high blood pressure or if they were using blood pressure medications. Glucose was measured and it was recorded if the participants were using medications for diabetes. Four cognitive tests were administered in 1997-1999, 2002-2004, and 2007-2009. Abnormality of the metabolic status was defined as 2 or more of the above listed factors.

The results documented a faster cognitive decline in the participants with both obesity and metabolic abnormality.

The good news about this is that these are factors we can do something about by adapting a healthy lifestyle and eating habits. For a program that works, log on to thespecialeffectsdiet.com.

To read the original abstract, click on the reference below.

Reference:

Singh-Manoux A, Czernichow S, Elbaz A, Dugravot A, Sabia S, Hagger-Johnson G, Kaffashian S, Zins M, Brunner EJ, Nabi H, Kivimäki M. Obesity phenotypes in midlife and cognition in early old age: the Whitehall II cohort study. Neurology. 2012 Aug 21;79(8):755-62. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182661f63.

You may have heard that some research suggests that it may not be healthy to take vitamin E. Usually these kinds of studies rely on people filling out food questionnaires which may not always be that accurate. That is why the reviewed research is interesting, since the researchers measured plasma tocopherols, tocotrienols and markers of damaged vitamin E (Mangialasche F, et al. 2011).

Usually when vitamin E is studied only the most common form is considered. This study tested all forms of vitamin E and looked at the association between the vitamin E levels and mild cognitive impairment and also Alzheimer’s disease.

When participants with normal cognition were compared with participants having mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease, those with cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease had lower level of total tocopherols, total tocotrienols, and total vitamin E. Both of these conditions were also associated with increased vitamin E damage.

The conclusion of the research was that low plasma tocopherols and tocotrienols levels are associated with increased odds of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.

What this shows us is that vitamin E is indeed important, but it is important to take a vitamin E complex, not only one type of vitamin E. You can read more about a good vitamin E complex by clicking here.

To read the original abstract, click on the reference below.

Reference:

Mangialasche F, Xu W, Kivipelto M, Costanzi E, Ercolani S, Pigliautile M, Cecchetti R, Baglioni M, Simmons A, Soininen H, Tsolaki M, Kloszewska I, Vellas B, Lovestone S, Mecocci P; AddNeuroMed Consortium. Tocopherols and tocotrienols plasma levels are associated with cognitive impairment. Neurobiol Aging. 2011 Dec 20.