MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'healthy aging'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:51:00 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4577904&cid=t_153009_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmore-women-die-of-heart-attack-than-men-do%2F2011.03.12 Several studies have shown that women have a higher mortality rate than men if they have a heart attack. A study published in the American Heart Journal helps to explain why. The researchers looked at data from 2,542 women who had a heart attack. Compared to men, the women were older, less likely to be white, and less likely to smoke. They also had more serious health conditions than the men. They had diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We’ve known for a long time that women are about 10 years older than men at the time of their first heart attack. The authors believe that the reason women are more likely to die is because of these other conditions that are present. Women in the study were also m... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4577904 Sat, 12 Mar 2011 21:00:00 +0100 4577904 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4470412&cid=t_153009_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fgender-differences-in-exercise%2F2011.02.12 Obesity levels are at an all-time high among men, women, and children in the United States. The need for good nutrition and regular exercise is paramount for maintaining proper health and for keeping those extra pounds at bay, especially for women. Beginning in her late 20s and 30s, a woman’s average body weight climbs steadily each year. This increase usually continues into her 60s. For many women, the weight gain is between one to two pounds per year with some women gaining more, and others less. Aside from weight loss, women who incorporate regular exercise into their daily schedules may lower the risks of certain diseases and conditions. A recent study presented at the Ninth Annual AACR Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference revealed that women who exercised for at least ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4470412 Sat, 12 Feb 2011 14:00:00 +0100 4470412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4266304&cid=t_153009_167_f&fid=36989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNutritionData%2F%7E3%2F2EW1HkxPF4k%2Fwill-a-cocktail-a-day-keep-the.html Q. I've read a lot about the benefits of drinking a glass of wine a day. I'm not currently drinking alcohol, so I have been substituting it with 4oz of 100% grape juice every morning. Am I receiving similar health benefits? Am I better off drinking a glass of wine instead?A. The health benefits of wine are thought to be due to a combination of things. Wine contains resveratrol, an antioxidant found in grape skins which is said to be beneficial. Solid research on the benefits of resveratrol in humans is somewhat skimpy. But you can get the purported benefits of resveratrol just as well by drinking grape juice. And here's a little known fact: Next to grape skins, peanuts are one of the richest sources of resveratrol! In addition, moderate alcohol consumption (whether ... The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4266304 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:14:17 +0100 4266304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4266305&cid=t_153009_167_f&fid=36989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNutritionData%2F%7E3%2FJZEA1rlASZU%2Fconfused-about-calcium-read-on.html Q. I'd like to know which calcium is best to take in pill form--calcium citrate or calcium carbonate. Which is better absorbed?A. Calcium citrate and calcium carbonate each have their pros and cons.  Calcium carbonate is inexpensive and contains a higher concentration of elemental calcium, which means you need to swallow fewer pills to get your dose.  Calcium citrate is more expensive and less concentrated (more pills). However, the chemical bonds that hold the calcium molecules to the citrate molecules are easier to break then those between calcium and carbonate, making the citrate form more absorbable. But you may not need to spring for the more expensive supplements.  Who might benefit from taking calcium citrate? Studies suggest that most people do just fine with calciu... The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4266305 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:57:19 +0100 4266305 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4241963&cid=t_153009_167_f&fid=36989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNutritionData%2F%7E3%2Fw_hLc1FNcBo%2Fhow-far-do-we-need-to-go-to-av.html Q. I am trying to reduce the amount of processed foods in my diet, and I recently learned that soy milk is a processed food, which leads me to wonder whether cow's milk and other dairy products are also considered "processed"?   Would I be better off taking a supplement to get my vitamin D and calcium? A. It's true that soybeans are cooked and pressed to make plain soy milk.  Commercially available cow's milk is skimmed, homogenized, and pasteurized. So, both are "processed." However, either one would be considerably less processed than a vitamin supplement, don't you think? I think the movement away from processed foods is a great idea!  But if avoiding "processed" foods means that you need to take a vitamin supplement to supply missing nutrients, I think w... The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4241963 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 14:31:48 +0100 4241963 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183575&cid=t_153009_167_f&fid=36989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNutritionData%2F%7E3%2FAosee04YLoY%2Fcranberry-caveat.html Get ready for a slew of news stories on the health benefits of cranberries, just in time for Thanksgiving.  There's not really much new research on cranberries--just a publicity campaign timed to coincide with what must surely be the biggest cranberry consumption day of the year.  (The disappearing boundary between news and PR is a topic for another post, but when fruits and vegetables have their own publicists, you have to wonder whether things have gotten out of hand.)Cranberries do, in fact, have a lot going for them.  They contain antioxidants like resveratrol (of red wine fame). They help keep bacteria from adhering to cells, which is why they help ward off urinary tract infections. They may also help fight plaque, lower cholesterol, and reduce tumor formation.  (S... The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183575 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 12:58:19 +0100 4183575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4152307&cid=t_153009_167_f&fid=36989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNutritionData%2F%7E3%2FnwVtaT-hAx4%2F6-myths-about-type-2-diabetes.html November is Diabetes Awareness Month and with the number of adults and children with Type 2 Diabetes growing every year, I think we've all become more aware of this condition than we used to be.  Nonetheless, myths and misunderstandings about this largely preventable condition abound. Myth #1   If I'm diabetic, I shouldn't eat fruit. It's true that fruit contains carbohydrates and can affect blood sugar. But fruit can be a very healthy part of your diet, even if you are diabetic. Fruit contains valuable nutrients and fiber and has a milder effect on blood sugar than other types of sweets.  A healthy diabetic meal plan should contain two or three servings of whole fruit each day. Whole fruit is a better choice than processed fruits like applesauce, fruit cocktail, dried... The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4152307 Mon, 08 Nov 2010 14:24:35 +0100 4152307 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4121855&cid=t_153009_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhen-puberty-ends%2F2010.10.30 I heard a 23-year-old woman complain: “I must be getting old when 11:00 at night is late.” It got me thinking. It turns out that the explanation for why teens are natural night owls has recently been elucidated. They can’t help it — they just don’t get tired until way later in the evening. Then, of course, their bodies want to stay asleep well into the next morning in order to feel sufficiently rested. Since most of them are stuck with the artificial structure of school hours, they’re screwed — and condemned to suffer constant fatigue from cumulative sleep deprivation. Old news. Then I started wondering about the back end of this phenomenon. Even though our American “youth culture” attributes great coolness to late-night happenings, since this pubertal sleep s... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4121855 Sat, 30 Oct 2010 19:00:40 +0100 4121855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4098496&cid=t_153009_167_f&fid=36989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNutritionData%2F%7E3%2F7mCv2GgIOQY%2Fbest-health-apps.html Got a smart phone? Here are five health and fitness apps that can help you keep you motivated and on track while you're on the go:SELF Workouts is like having a personal trainer, without the expense.  Punch up a customized workout targeting your problem areas and get expert step-by-step instructions with photos of every move. Cost: $1.99Sleep on it helps you track how much sleep you are (or aren't) getting over time and what sort of factors may be influencing the quality of your sleep.  Oh yeah, it's also an alarm clock. Cost: Free Read more:  Better sleep habits can help you meet your weight loss goals more quickly.IF Tracker helps you choose healthy, anti-aging foods, calculate the anti-inflammatory potential of your favorite meals and recipes, and keep a daily log. Featur... The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4098496 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 22:52:22 +0100 4098496 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4086534&cid=t_153009_167_f&fid=36989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNutritionData%2F%7E3%2FPHCL7AdrYw4%2Fcan-you-sleep-away-the-pounds.html When you're trying to trim down, the goal is to lose the fat but hang on to your lean muscle tissue. But if you're getting less than six hours of sleep a night while you're dieting, you may be encouraging your body to do just the opposite.According to a recent study, dieters who got less than 6 hours of sleep lost 55% less fat and 60% more muscle than dieters who were logging eight plus hours.This is just the latest in a growing pile of evidence showing that skimping on sleep promotes weight gain--and thwarts weight loss efforts. One plausible explanation is that chronic sleep debt raises cortisol levels, which in turn promotes fat storage--and speeds aging. (Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.) The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4086534 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 13:54:27 +0100 4086534 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4065623&cid=t_153009_167_f&fid=36989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNutritionData%2F%7E3%2FcyMEhUeh7K8%2Fwhat-makes-for-a-healthy-veget.html October is Vegetarian Awareness Month--a time when non-vegetarians are encouraged to explore the benefits of vegetarianism, whether for a meal, a day, a month, or for life.   Vegetarianism appeals to people for a variety of reasons--concerns about health, budget, animal welfare, and environmental impact are a few of the more common. And for those exploring a vegetarian lifestyle, there's both good news and bad news. (Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.) The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4065623 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:14:05 +0100 4065623 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031519&cid=t_153009_167_f&fid=36989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNutritionData%2F%7E3%2FQIjFyaocFTk%2Fskin-saving-benefits-of-tomato.html It's true: Certain fruits and vegetables act as sunscreen from within. Researchers found that women whose diets provided 16 milligrams of lycopene every day were protected from the damaging effects of UV-rays, including reddening of the skin and cellular damage.  And lycopene is no one-trick pony: It's also been found to help ward off heart disease and osteoporosis. Skin Saving SuperfoodsLycopene is found in watermelon, guava, and tomatoes.  Cooked tomato products like salsa, tomato juice, and spaghetti sauce are especially good sources. You can get a skin-saving dose of lycopene from:1/3 tomato puree 1/2 cup salsa or marinara sauce6 ounces of V-82 cups watermelon ballsMake sure to eat some of these skin-loving foods every day! For more foods that keep your skin healthy and glowi... The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031519 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:05:39 +0100 4031519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4002882&cid=t_153009_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fin-front-of-the-mirror-of-middle-age%2F2010.09.26 “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” An intermission, the curtain has closed on youth, but the next act awaits. Caring for hiccups of the heart, like atrial fibrillation for example, often throws me in front of the mirror, of middle age that is, and sadly the reflections show imperfections. Since I am middle aged myself, there are my own experiences. But everyday at work, on my job site, I see the effects of these same middle-age experiences on the atrium of my patients. The results are often profound. So must be the pressures. I read a passage in the wee hours of the quiet morning, in the dark, with a flickering book light. It grabbed me. It is from Elisabeth Strout’s Pulitzer Prize-winning, Olive Kitteridge. (more…) *This blog post was... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4002882 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 21:00:00 +0100 4002882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3938326&cid=t_153009_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ftheres-nothing-more-important-than-your-health%2F2010.09.06 I don’t do well with pain. I learned that lesson all too well during the birth of my first son when, after 10 hours of labor jump-started by a pitocin drip, I finally got an epidural. Nothing — and I mean nothing – has ever felt as good as the ebbing of that pain. I relearned the lesson during the birth of the second son, this time determined to go natural all the way when, after a few hours, I told the doula to “shut up” and ordered my husband to hunt down the anesthesiologist and “Get me an epidural — NOW!” He listens well. By the time the third son was born, I had the drill down pat. I was admitted to the hospital to be induced again but this time, as soon as the IV was hooked up and before the first labor pain hit, I had the anesthesiolo... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3938326 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 22:00:00 +0100 3938326 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3933276&cid=t_153009_167_f&fid=36989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNutritionData%2F%7E3%2Fu4EoabWdeRw%2Fget-more-antioxidants-from-you.html Tea may be just about the perfect beverage: refreshing, invigorating, and (contrary to conventional wisdom), a good way to stay hydrated. Plus it's full of good-for-you polyphenols, catechins, and other valuable antioxidants that help stave off ovarian and other cancers, osteoporosis, heart disease, and even gum disease!  Here are three ways to squeeze more health benefits from that tea bag: (Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.) The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3933276 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:21:30 +0100 3933276 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3885555&cid=t_153009_167_f&fid=36989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNutritionData%2F%7E3%2FiDlh_9H5mQk%2Fare-your-drinking-habits-healt.html These days, it may not seem like a big deal to have a drink before dinner and a couple of glasses of wine with dinner. Yet, according to the National Institutes of Health, consuming that amount of alcohol puts you in a high risk category.Rethinking Drinking, a website run by the NIH, can help you assess the risks and/or benefits of your drinking habits.You might be surprised to see how just low the threshold for "low-risk" drinking is, especially when you consider the size of a "standard" drink is just 1.5 ounces of hard liquor. The newly (or once again) popular martini drinks usually contain the equivalent of 2 to 4 servings of alcohol.What do you think? Is this too heavy-handed an approach? Are we American's showing our latent puritanism here?  Are the risks of moderate drinking bei... The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3885555 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:45:36 +0100 3885555 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3876914&cid=t_153009_167_f&fid=36989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNutritionData%2F%7E3%2Fn1ta82OuaUs%2Fvegetarian-diet-not-necessaril.html Golfer Phil Mickelson recently announced that he suffers from psoriatic arthritis, an autoimmune disease that has more in common with rheumatoid arthritis than with regular wear-and-tear osteoarthritis.Read:  "Mickelson diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis" in Golf Digest. The good news is that he's been able to control the symptoms with a combination of medication and lifestyle changes, including adopting a vegetarian diet, featuring "lots of fruits and vegetables and some whole grain wheat and pastas and stuff."  Although this is no doubt a big nutritional upgrade for Mickelson, who has a notorious love of fast food, if reducing inflammation is the goal, he might want to go easy on the fruit and whole wheat pasta. (Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reina... The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3876914 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:33:29 +0100 3876914 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3845187&cid=t_153009_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FuaJVh6D6qUc%2F I was really interested in the recent critique of the BBC brain training experiment by Dr. Elizabeth Zelinski. I think Owens et al (2010) was a critical piece of research which was not conducted in the right way and was focusing on the wrong sample population.  I totally agree with the comments by Dr. Zelinski regarding the potential for sample bias and the use of some questionable cognitive measures. However, I would like to take this critique further and question whether the study was value for money when there are other studies which cannot achieve funding but would, in my opinion, show the criticism/scepticism of the use-it-or-lose-it theory. I think there is not enough criticism about the age of the sample population used in Owens et al. (2010). We have conclusive cognitive and neuro... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3845187 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:14:16 +0100 3845187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3786133&cid=t_153009_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fholding-hands-is-good-for-the-heart%2F2010.07.24 A trained observer is what most electrophysiologists are. And being a trained observer carries over into real life, as would the handiness of a plumber, or the strength of a brick layer, or the wordsmithing of a journalist. Will and I drive past our house. “Where are we going now,” he asks in the exasperated tone of a 13 year old. I need to take a picture. Why? Because middle-aged patients who’ve recently realized that their life is half over often seek clues to longevity. Let’s take stressed-out, middle-aged patients who’ve somehow been rendered free of AF (maybe by a skillful ablation, or more likely just happenstance). Let’s also say they don’t smoke, drink excessively, have normal blood pressure, normal blood sugar, and aren’t obese.... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3786133 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3786133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3784514&cid=t_153009_167_f&fid=36989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNutritionData%2F%7E3%2F6oA2nwzh4so%2Fhow-much-sunshine-do-you-need.html There's been a lot of hand-wringing lately about people not getting enough vitamin D.  Deficiency is quite common--especially among kids, the elderly, and those with dark skin. And a growing list of diseases and conditions are being linked with vitamin D deficiency. (See also Your Brain on Vitamin D) Exposure to the sun, without sunscreen, causes your skin to produce vitamin D naturally.  How much sun does it take to satisfy your vitamin D requirements?  If you've read anything about this, you've probably seen some vague guidelines, recommending "a few minutes every day." But these recommendations are far too general to be useful. The amount of sun you need to meet your vitamin D requirements varies hugely depending on your location, your skin type, the time ... The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3784514 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:24:46 +0100 3784514 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3772481&cid=t_153009_167_f&fid=36989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNutritionData%2F%7E3%2FrvZDwslvMOM%2Fyour-brain-on-vitamin-d.html Our collective crush on Vitamin D shows no sign of tapering off.  Researchers just published new results from a 6-year study showing that seniors with low vitamin D levels are 60% more likely to suffer from substantial cognitive decline than those with adequate levels of the nutrients, raising "important new possibilities for treatment and prevention."(Archives of Internal Medicine.)Vitamin D supplementation is presumably what they're talking about. (Is there anyone left out there that's NOT taking vitamin D?)But brain aging seems to be a very difficult nut to crack.  One by one, other "important new possibilities for treatment and prevention" of cognitive decline have failed to pan out:  Fish oil, crossword puzzles, exercise, ginkgo biloba...despite high hopes, none turned ... The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3772481 Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:51:43 +0100 3772481 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3652407&cid=t_153009_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ffoundations-of-life-still-dancing-at-93%2F2010.06.10 Dance legend Mary Anthony has had a life-long love of dance. At 93 years old, she continues to dance and teach students. Dr. Jon LaPook talks with Anthony about her philosophy on life. Watch CBS News Videos Online Dancing At 93 Years Old Twenty-five years ago, Jennifer Dunning wrote in The New York Times: “DANCE doesn’t seem to take much stock of its wise elders. Among those veterans is Mary Anthony, one of the city’s most highly respected modern dance teachers.” I’m a big fan of wise elders. It’s how I learned medicine. So when I got the chance to meet the now 93-year-old Ms. Anthony earlier this week, off I went to her beautifully-lit, peaceful but active studio in the East Village of New York City. My goal as a doctor: try to gain some insight into her longevity.�... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3652407 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:00:33 +0100 3652407 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3479779&cid=t_153009_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FKnK9-Tih--g%2F We have received 40 excellent entries to the inaugural Brain Fitness Innovation Awards describing pioneering initiatives to apply neuroplasticity-based findings and tools to a variety of purposes/ age groups through the lifespan: academic performance, sports performance, professional performance, healthy aging, clinical and mental health purposes. Most came from organizations based in North America, but we were glad to see also a good number coming from Europe and Asia Pacific. More information here: Brain Fitness Innovation Awards. Winners will be announced on May 24th at the State of Brain Fitness Innovation Webinar. Registration ($25) is open now, and participants with also be able to access the Executive Summary of our 2010 market report, and the LinkedIn private group SharpBrains Netw... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3479779 Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:27:26 +0100 3479779 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2267326&cid=t_153009_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fx5W3Q9jy1k8%2F Increased longevity has generated many questions and much interest in healthy aging and retirement lifestyles over the recent decades. As Americans become educated regarding lifestyle choices that contribute to both physical and mental health, the definition of healthy aging has expanded to include brain health. The notion of retirement as a time of withdrawal from society, to be spent on rest and repose reflected the thinking of a previous era when people expected shorter life spans. It is now known that the human brain benefits from environments rich in novel and complex stimuli, and that by actively participating in society and taking on personally relevant roles, people find meaning and purpose, which gives them a reason to get up in the morning and pursue new challenges. This year, th... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2267326 Sat, 14 Mar 2009 12:15:50 +0100 2267326 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1981626&cid=t_153009_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F461018972%2F PBS recently announced the second installment of their popular Brain Fitness Program show, and released this trailer via YouTube: Watch: Brain Fitness 2: Sight & Sound (2:30) Description: Join host Peter Coyote in "Brain Fitness 2: Sight & Sound," the follow-up to "The Brain Fitness Program," as he explores the brain's ability to change and grow, even as we age, helping us maintain and improve our vision and hearing. "Brain Fitness 2: Sight & Sound" is a special in-depth look at the advances in neuroplasticity and how it relates to healthy aging, with a particular focus on making the most of information filtered through our eyes and ears. Check your local listings to catch it, beginning in December 2008. Your brain will thank you. Help PBS conti... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1981626 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:04:43 +0100 1981626 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1371113&cid=t_153009_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F270115426%2F I will be speaking at the these upcoming conferences: if you are attending, please let me know! >> Boston, April 28th, 2008: Panel on Latest Brain Research Trends, at the Learning and the Brain Conference. >> Boston, April 29th, 2008: New Developments in Cognitive Retraining Technology, at the Innovation Institute. >> Baltimore, May 9th, 2008:  The State of the Brain Fitness Market, at the Games for Health Summit. >> San Francisco, May 15th, 2008: Cognitive and Emotional Training (Brain Fitness) for Healthy Aging, at the Institute on Aging's seminar on Brain Health Accross the Lifespan.   >> San Jose, June 9th, 2008: Brain Fitness Trends and Assisted Living Communities, at the California Assisted Living Association Spring Conference. Assisted Living, brain research, CALA, California A... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1371113 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:55:20 +0100 1371113 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1084654&cid=t_153009_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F198090188%2F The holidays are approaching and you can expect many software and game developers to advertise their products aggressively, trying to get you buy their "brain training" products for you or as a gift for a loved one. The good news is that there are more and more tools we can use to keep mentally stimulated and even train and improve specific cognitive abilities (like processing speed, short-term memory...). You may be reading about Nintendo Brain Age, Posit Science, MindFit, Lumosity, Happy Neuron, MyBrainTrainer, emWave, StressEraser and more. And, of course, there are also non-technology based interventions. The bad news is that it is difficult to separate marketing from scientific claims, and to understand which one, if any, may be a good complement to other healthy lifestyle... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1084654 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 20:06:52 +0100 1084654 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1015281&cid=t_153009_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F181772551%2F The New York Times just published an OpEd that, in my view, throws the baby with the bath water. Exercise on the Brain extols the virtue of physical exercise for brain health, above everything else, at the expense of other important pillars such as good nutrition, stress management and mental exercise. And yes, the latter can include computer-based programs. We have sent a Letter to the Editor to clarify the subject and put their main recommendation (go out and walk, or join the gym, as if no one does that) in better context. But let's quickly review the four essential pillars to help maintain a healthy brain. Those pillars are: Physical Exercise Mental Exercise Good Nutrition Stress Management 1. Physical Exercise - Start by talking to your doctor, especially if you are not current... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1015281 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:24:36 +0100 1015281 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=966545&cid=t_153009_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F170226344%2F Very good article in the LA Times today. Like a StairMaster for the brain: Can mental workouts improve the mind's agility? Baby boomer concerns stimulate an industry expansion. The reporter, Melissa Healy, reviews the healthy aging segment in the Brain Fitness field. A few selected quotes: - "There is plausibility, both biological and behavioral, to the claim that these may work," says Molly Wagster, chief of the National Institute on Aging's neuropsychology branch. "But it is still a situation of 'buyer beware.' " - "I see this as a new frontier of fitness overall," says Alvaro Fernandez, founder and chief executive of the website SharpBrains .com, which tracks the business and science of brain-training. Americans already understand the value of physical fi... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=966545 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:49:37 +0100 966545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=966548&cid=t_153009_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F168801838%2F Very intense week, and very fun. I will be writing more about this week's 3 speaking events, but let me say now that our key messages 1) our brains remain flexible during our lifetimes, 2) we can refine our brains with targeted practice, 3) good brain exercise, or "mental cross-training", requires novelty, variety, and increasing level of challenge (but without creating too much stress), are being very well accepted from both healthy aging and workplace productivity points of view. We have ONE brain: health and productivity are 2 sides of the same coin. If you want to make sure we learn more about our brains, you can help fellow blogger Shelley Batts get a college scholarship by voting here. She has a great neuroscience blog, is now finalist in a competition to win a nice sch... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=966548 Fri, 12 Oct 2007 06:43:59 +0100 966548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=966550&cid=t_153009_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F167009901%2F The Aspen Health Forum gathered an impressive group of around 250 people to discuss the most pressing issues in Health and Medical Science (check out the Program and the Speakers bios), on October 3-6th. It was the first conference, by the way, where I have heard a speaker say: "I resuscitated a woman yesterday". Key highlights and trends: 1- Global health problems require the attention of the scientific community. Richard Klausner encouraged the scientific community to focus on Global Problems: maternal mortality rates, HIV/ AIDS, nutrition, cancer, clean water.  Bill Frist, former Senate Majority Leader, added to that list the increasing epidemic risks of global zootic diseases (transmitted between humans and animals), supported by 2 interesting data points: at any ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=966550 Mon, 08 Oct 2007 16:09:01 +0100 966550