Preserve memory and cognitive abilities by following a Mediterranean diet

Preserve memory and cognitive abilities by following a Mediterranean diet.

NaturalNews

May 16, 2013

by: John Phillip

The scientists found that those individuals who most closely followed the Mediterranean diet were 19 percent less likely to develop problems with their thinking and memory skills.

It should come as no great surprise to those following a natural diet and healthy lifestyle that the foods we eat and the environment in which we live directly influence our risk of developing many chronic illnesses, degree of aging and ultimately, lifespan. Although considered by many to be a normal part of the aging process, dementia, and specifically Alzheimer’s disease, is not a natural progression as we get older and is largely the product of the type of foods we eat over the course of many decades of life.

While many environmental factors contribute to disease progression, diet remains the most influential cofactor in the development of memory and personality-robbing diseases. Researchers from the University of Alabama report the results of a study suggesting that the Mediterranean diet, emphasizing foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, chicken and salad dressing, and avoiding saturated fats, meat and dairy foods, may be linked to preserving memory and thinking abilities.

Reporting in the prestigious journal, Neurology, scientists explain how limiting sugars, refined carbohydrates and hydrogenated fats help to preserve memory and cognitive abilities through mid-life and into our senior years. Study author, Dr. Georgios Tsivgoulis noted “Since there are no definitive treatments for most dementing illnesses, modifiable activities, such as diet, that may delay the onset of symptoms of dementia, are very important.”

To conduct their study, the team analyzed 30,239 people over age 45 for a period of four-and-a-half years and monitored them regularly for health changes and adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet. Participants underwent tests to measure memory and thinking abilities over the study period. The scientists found that those individuals who most closely followed the Mediterranean diet were 19 percent less likely to develop problems with their thinking and memory skills. Interestingly, the Mediterranean diet was not associated with cognitive decline in people with diabetes.

While the team did not provide an explanation why diabetics did not benefit from this type of diet, one can theorize that diabetes results from years of dietary transgressions and the resulting cellular and metabolic changes require more intense measures to resolve. Dr. Tsivgoulis concluded “Diet is an important modifiable activity that could help in preserving cognitive functioning in late life, however it is only one of several important lifestyle activities that might play a role in late-life mental functioning. Exercise, avoiding obesity and not smoking cigarettes are also important.”

Related articles

• Mediterranean Diet Protects Against Cognitive Impairment (medicaldaily.com)
• Mediterranean Diet Helps Preserve Memory And Thinking Abilities (medicalnewstoday.com)
• Study Links Mediterranean Diet to Preserving Memory (scienceworldreport.com)

On Memory: Why a whiff of rosemary does help you remember

Why a whiff of rosemary does help you remember | Mail Online.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk

By Jenny Hope

9 April 2013

Useful and attractive: Research has found the essential oil from rosemary helps long-term memory and alertness

Shakespeare was right in saying rosemary can improve your memory.

Researchers have found for the first time that essential oil from the herb when sniffed in advance enables people to remember to do things.

It could help patients take their medication on time, it is claimed, or even help the forgetful to post a birthday card.

In a series of tests rosemary essential oil from the herb increased the chances of remembering to do things in the future, by 60-75 per cent compared with people who had not been exposed to the oil.

Other studies have shown the oil increases alertness and enhances long-term memory.

Rosemary has been long been linked to memory, with the most famous literary reference found in Hamlet when Ophelia declares: ‘There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance: pray, love, remember.’ It is used in modern-day herbal medicine as a mild painkiller and for migraines and digestive problems.

A team of psychologists at Northumbria University, Newcastle, tested the effects of essential oils from rosemary.

Dr Mark Moss, who will present the findings today at the British Psychology Society conference in Harrogate, said the benefit of aromas was becoming clear through scientific investigation.

He said ‘We wanted to build on our previous research that indicated rosemary aroma improved long-term memory and mental arithmetic.

‘In this study we focused on prospective memory, which involves the ability to remember events that will occur in the future and to remember to complete tasks at particular times. This is critical for everyday functioning, for example when someone needs to remember to post a birthday card or to take medication at a particular time.’

Rosemary essential oil was diffused in to a testing room by placing four drops on an aroma stream fan diffuser and switching this on five minutes before people entered the room.

Altogether 66 people took part in the study and were randomly allocated to either the rosemary-scented room or another room with no scent.

In each room participants completed a test designed to assess their prospective memory functions.

Herb lore: William Shakespeare referred to rosemary’s power to enhance the memory in Ophelia¿s line in Hamlet

This included tasks such as hiding objects and asking participants to find them at the end of the test and instructing them to pass a specified object to the researcher at a particular time.

All the tasks had to be done with no prompting but if the task was not performed then different degrees of prompting were used.

The more prompting that was used the lower the score.

The volunteers, all healthy adults, also completed questionnaires assessing their mood.

Blood was taken from volunteers and analysed to see if performance levels and changes in mood following exposure to the rosemary aroma were related to concentrations of a compound known as 1,8-cineole present in the blood.

The compound is also found in the essential oil of rosemary and has previously been shown to act on the biochemical systems that underpin memory.

The results showed that participants in the rosemary-scented room performed better on the prospective memory tasks than the participants in the room with no scent.

This was the case for remembering events, remembering to complete tasks at particular times, and the speed of recall.

The results from the blood analysis found that significantly greater amounts of 1,8-cineole were present in the plasma of those in the rosemary scented room, suggesting that sniffing the aroma led to higher concentrations.

Power of herbs: Rosemary is also used as a painkiller and for migraines and digestion

Previous research suggests volatile molecules from essential oils can be absorbed into the bloodstream through the nose.

The chemicals also stimulate the olfactory nerve in the nose directly, which could have effects on brain functioning.

Researcher Jemma McCready said ‘The difference between the two groups was 60-75 per cent, for example one group would remember to do seven things compared with four tasks completed by those who did not smell the oil, and they were quicker.

‘We deliberately set them a lot of tasks, so it’s possible that people who multi-task could function better after sniffing rosemary oil.’ Miss McCready said ‘There was no link between the participants’ mood and memory. This suggests performance is not influenced as a consequence of changes in alertness or arousal.

‘These findings may have implications for treating individuals with memory impairments.

‘It supports our previous research indicating that the aroma of rosemary essential oil can enhance cognitive functioning in healthy adults, here extending to the ability to remember events and to complete tasks in the future.

‘Remembering when and where to go and for what reasons underpins everything we do, and we all suffer minor failings that can be frustrating and sometimes dangerous. ‘Further research is needed to investigate if this treatment is useful for older adults who have experienced memory decline’ she added.

Miracle Solution? Coconut Oil an Incredible Alzheimer’s Treatment

Miracle Solution? Coconut Oil an Incredible Alzheimer’s Treatment.

http://naturalsociety.com

Elizabeth Renter
April 10th, 2013

Alzheimer’s disease affects an estimated 5 million Americans. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in three senior citizens dies with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. So what is being done about this disease that leads our older populations to lose their memory, have delusions, and even lose the ability to feed and care for themselves? While the most common treatments are pharmaceuticals, there are other options available. One such solution for Alzheimer’s that has been gaining massive recognition is the use of coconut oil.

Coconut Oil Reverses Dementia, Alzheimer’s

While solid scientific studies on the role of coconut oil in the treatment of Alzheimer’s are lacking, several case studies have been presented to the public in recent years that have drawn a positive connection. In these, we learn of Alzheimer’s patients who began taking coconut oil daily and found significant improvements in their condition.

In one such case, a 67-year old British man had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s so serious that any drug treatment would simply be pointless. His son remarked to the Daily Mail that his father couldn’t wash himself, use the toilet, or feed himself. He had lost much of his faculties. After finding a YouTube video from Dr. Mary Newport suggesting coconut oil, he began mixing it in his father’s food. Within a period of six months, his father’s condition dramatically improved—to the point of him having normal conversations, going on walks with family, and even remembering his insurance number.

That YouTube video from Dr. Mary Newport was the first to bring major attention to the Alzheimer’s/coconut oil connection. It was Dr. Newport who initially researched the potential application of the oil after her husband’s condition dramatically deteriorated with Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Newport discovered that Alzheimer’s was similar to a “diabetes of the brain”, where the brain couldn’t use glucose properly due to an insulin problem. Because Alzheimer’s brains can’t utilize glucose as fuel, they began to die, cell by cell. Dr. Newport found that ketones provide an alternate fuel source. Ketones are created by the liver when we eat medium chain triglycerides, like those in coconut oil.

Three weeks after beginning a coconut oil regimen, Dr. Newport’s husband saw major improvements. He improved intellectually, emotionally, and physically.

Obviously, more research is needed on how the oil works and if it could be an effective treatment, but if a loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s, supplementing with organic coconut oil may be a simple natural solution. After all, it’s also effective at killing viruses, bacteria, fungi, yeast, and parasites. In other words, it’s a healthy choice for everyone. Experience coconut oil health benefits today.

Related articles

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Mortality Increase From Alzheimer’s Disease in the United States within the last 10 Years. Data for 2000 and 2010

Fascinating data from the Center for Disease Control.  A generation ago we could not even spell Alzheimer’s. It now looks like we are facing an avalanche of seniors losing their minds, and their lives, in later years.  You better believe that I will be looking for all preventative methods and cures for this dreaded degeneration of the brain.  I have seen what it does and it has no dignity. Lou

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States

NCHS Data Briefs Update.

In 2010, Alzheimer’s disease was the underlying cause for a total of 83,494 deaths and was classified as a contributing cause for an additional 26,488 deaths. Mortality from Alzheimer’s disease has steadily increased during the last 30 years. Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the fifth leading cause for people aged 65 years and over. An estimated 5.4 million persons in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease. The cost of health care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia was estimated to be 200 billion dollars in 2012, including 140 billion dollars in costs to Medicare and Medicaid and is expected to reach 1.1 trillion dollars in 2050.

Alzheimer’s disease mortality varies by age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, and geographic area. This report presents mortality data on Alzheimer’s disease based on data from the National Vital Statistics System from 2000 through 2010, the most recent year for which detailed data are available.

Key findings

Data from the National Vital Statistics System

• The age-adjusted death rate from Alzheimer’s disease increased by 39 percent from 2000 through 2010 in the United States.
• Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and is the fifth leading cause among people aged 65 years and over. People aged 85 years and over have a 5.4 times greater risk of dying from Alzheimer’s disease than people aged 75–84 years.
• The risk of dying from Alzheimer’s disease is 26 percent higher among the non-Hispanic white population than among the non-Hispanic black population, whereas the Hispanic population has a 30 percent lower risk than the non-Hispanic white population.
• In 2010, among all states and the District of Columbia, 31 states showed death rates from Alzheimer’s disease that were above the national rate (25.1).

Keywords: dementia, National Vital Statistics System, death rate, aging

Alzheimer’s disease mortality increased compared with selected major causes of death.

 

Full article:

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db116.htm

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Coconut Oil Touted as Alzheimer’s Remedy – 6 min video

Coconut Oil Touted as Alzheimer’s Remedy – CBN.com – YouTube.

Researchers say the ketones found in coconut oil have slowed the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in some people and may actually prevent it..

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The 10 symptoms of vitamin D deficiency you need to recognize

The 10 symptoms of vitamin D deficiency you need to recognize.

NaturalNews

February 10, 2012

by: Aurora Geib

Taking vitamin D while still young may be good for the body in the long run. Results from a study conducted by the University of Zurich have confirmed that sufficient amounts of vitamin D taken consistently are necessary to maintain bone health.

Many people believe that maintaining healthy eating habits is enough, but only few foods naturally contain significant levels of vitamin D. According to Dr. Heike A. Bischoff-Ferrari, a faculty of UZH, in order to get adequate levels of vitamin D through diet alone, two servings of fatty fish like salmon or mackerel would have to be consumed every day. It is thus necessary to increase vitamin D levels in the body through sufficient sun exposure and supplementation in order to use the sunshine vitamin’s full potential for maintaining proper body functioning.

This misconception about maintaining D levels through diet does have a degree of ground since vitamin D is not a stand alone vitamin. To perform many functions, vitamin D works in cooperation with other vitamins like magnesium, which can be found in leafy green vegetables such as spinach. This unique characteristic of vitamin D has contributed to the management of many chronic illnesses.

The many faces of vitamin D

Decades ago, health care professionals thought vitamin D was only good for keeping healthy bones and teeth. Recent advances in science, however, have put this vitamin in the spotlight by revealing its multifaceted role in the proper functioning of the human body and its ability to lower the risk of illnesses not formerly associated with it.

Despite the recent revelations about the potential of vitamin D, it appears that not everyone appreciates this discovery. The current lifestyle of working indoors has contributed to the growing number of vitamin D deficiency cases worldwide. This is compounded by the fact that not everyone is aware that he or she may be vitamin D deficient.

Am I vitamin D deficient?

The best way to discover vitamin D deficiency is to take a blood test that will measure the level of the vitamin in your blood. You can either ask your doctor to administer the test or buy a home test kit do the test yourself. However, you are certainly vitamin D deficient if you have any of the following ailments, and you need to consult with your doctor regarding your preventive, as well as curative, options as soon as possible.

1.) The flu – In a study published in the Cambridge Journals, it was discovered that vitamin D deficiency predisposes children to respiratory diseases. An intervention study conducted showed that vitamin D reduces the incidence of respiratory infections in children.

2.) Muscle weakness – According to Michael F. Holick, a leading vitamin D expert, muscle weakness is usually caused by vitamin D deficiency because for skeletal muscles to function properly, their vitamin D receptors must be sustained by vitamin D.

3.) Psoriasis – In a study published by the UK PubMed central, it was discovered that synthetic vitamin D analogues were found useful in the treatment of psoriasis.

4.) Chronic kidney disease – According to Holick, patients with advanced chronic kidney diseases (especially those requiring dialysis) are unable to make the active form of vitamin D. These individuals need to take 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 or one of its calcemic analogues to support calcium metabolism, decrease the risk of renal bone disease and regulate parathyroid hormone levels.

5.) Diabetes – A study conducted in Finland was featured in Lancet.com in which 10,366 children were given 2000 international units (IU)/day of vitamin D3 per day during their first day of life. The children were monitored for 31 years and in all of them, the risk of type 1 diabetes was reduced by 80 percent.

6.) Asthma – Vitamin D may reduce the severity of asthma attacks. Research conducted in Japan revealed that asthma attacks in school children were significantly lowered in those subjects taking a daily vitamin D supplement of 1200 IU a day.

7.) Periodontal disease – Those suffering from this chronic gum disease that causes swelling and bleeding gums should consider raising their vitamin D levels to produce defensins and cathelicidin, compounds that contain microbial properties and lower the number of bacteria in the mouth.

8.) Cardiovascular disease – Congestive heart failure is associated with vitamin D deficiency. Research conducted at Harvard University among nurses found that women with low vitamin D levels (17 ng/m [42 nmol/L]) had a 67 percent increased risk of developing hypertension.

9.) Schizophrenia and Depression – These disorders have been linked to vitamin D deficiency. In a study, it was discovered that maintaining sufficient vitamin D among pregnant women and during childhood was necessary to satisfy the vitamin D receptor in the brain integral for brain development and mental function maintenance in later life.

10.) Cancer – Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington DC discovered a connection between high vitamin D intake and reduced risk of breast cancer. These findings, presented at the American Association for Cancer Research, revealed that increased doses of the sunshine vitamin were linked to a 75 percent reduction in overall cancer growth and 50 percent reduction in tumor cases among those already having the disease. Of interest was the capacity of vitamin supplementation to help control the development and growth of breast cancer specially estrogen-sensitive breast cancer.

Prevention is proactive

These various health conditions associated with vitamin D deficiency need not be something to fear. A proactive approach to prevention can assist in the avoidance of the many chronic diseases associated with vitamin D deficiency. For one, thousands of dollars can be saved, not to mention the peace of mind, simply at the cost of taking a walk under the sun. Save the umbrellas for the rainy days.

Sources for this article:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,510299,00.html
http://journals.cambridge.org
http://www.vitamindcouncil.com
http://www.naturalnews.com/032222_breast_cancer_vitamin_D.html

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035089_vitamin_D_deficiency_signs_symptoms.html#ixzz2MychevP4

Related articles

• Obesity leads to vitamin D deficiency (medicalxpress.com)
• Soak up some sun (thehindu.com)
• Vitamin D Deficiency Induces High Blood Pressure and Accelerates Atherosclerosis in Mice (plosone.org)
• Vitamin D Deficiency Likely Responsible For Flu Epidemic (medicalnewstoday.com)

Coconut oil can stop dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

Coconut oil can stop dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

NaturalNews

March 07, 2013

by: Jonathan Landsman

You can prevent (and reverse) dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, multiple sclerosis, plus many other neurodegenerative disorders by eating coconut-related foods. This is not just a “health nut” making these claims – it’s all backed by scientific research and touted by many natural healthcare professionals like, Dr. Bruce Fife and Dr. Russell Blaylock.

Discover a natural way to keep your brain energized by killing (unwanted) bacteria; balancing hormones; maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and eliminating brain inflammation. The scientific data is crystal clear – coconut foods can dramatically improve brain chemistry; cognitive function plus much more – very quickly! Don’t miss our next show about the power of coconut oil.

Memory loss and mental disorders are caused by chronic inflammation and excess oxidative stress

When we experience excessive, free radical damage – it prevents the brain from utilizing glucose. Simply put, when the brain does not get enough glucose – brain cells degenerate and die. This loss of brain matter can destroy memory and motor skills – depending on which area of the brain is damaged.

The key to all of these neurodegenerative diseases is a lack of energy. Obviously, a poor diet filled with processed foods will not supply adequate energy for the brain. But, did you know, that many of the prescription drugs for health problems like, Parkinson’s disease actually interfere with the brain’s ability to utilize glucose?

Look it up yourself – drugs cause breathing problems (apnea); loss of coordination; drowsiness; headaches; muscle pains; nausea; shaking; confusion; anxiety and, even, memory loss! Clearly, this is not the best protocol for people suffering with brain issues.

Eating coconut oil can improve memory and reverse Alzheimer’s disease

Have you ever seen the YouTube video featuring Dr. Mary Newport? Dr. Newport a Florida neonatologist, documented her husband’s incredible progress with reversing Alzheimer’s disease by eating coconut oil. To read more about this story, get her book – “Alzheimer’s Disease: What If There Was A Cure?” Basically, it’s the medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in coconut oil that can work wonders on brain dysfunction.

Back in the 1960′s, Dr. George Cahill discovered that coconut oil can be metabolized by the liver and turned into ketones – which are then used as an alternative fuel source for the brain. So, in other words, these ketones are converted directly into energy for the brain – instead of being stored as fat in the body. Keep in mind, most of the vegetable oils like, olive oil – do not contain MCTs.

On the next NaturalNews Talk Hour, Jonathan Landsman and Dr. Bruce Fife will talk about how to eliminate brain inflammation; prevent memory loss plus much more!

This week’s guest: Dr. Bruce Fife, best-selling author and naturopathic physician

Dr. Fife reveals how to prevent memory loss, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease plus much more!

Dr. Bruce Fife, C.N., N.D., is an author, speaker, certified nutritionist, and naturopathic physician. He has written over 20 books including, “The Coconut Oil Miracle”, “Eat Fat, Look Thin”, and “The New Arthritis Cure”. He is the publisher and editor of the Healthy Ways Newsletter and serves as the president of the Coconut Research Center, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to educate the public and medical community about the health and nutritional aspects of coconut and related foods.

Dr. Fife is considered one of the world’s leading experts on dietary fats and oils. He is a popular speaker and travels throughout the world lecturing at health fairs, conferences, hospitals, and spas. He has appeared on hundreds of radio and television programs worldwide.

Discover a natural way to keep your brain energized by killing (unwanted) bacteria; balancing hormones; maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and eliminating brain inflammation. The scientific data is crystal clear – coconut foods can dramatically improve brain chemistry; cognitive function plus much more – very quickly! Don’t miss our next show about the power of coconut oil.

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• Interest in Coconut Oil for Alzheimer’s on the Rise (fuelforthoughtblog.com)
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Having Relationships and Being Highly Social Cuts Dementia Risk by 70%

Having Relationships and Being Highly Social Cuts Dementia Risk by 70%.

http://naturalsociety.com/

Although we may not always feel like being social, it is good for us to interact with other people. Humans are relational, and it is this relational part of us that makes socializing so important when it comes to health. One study demonstrated that the rate of cognitive decline in social seniors was 70% slower than that of their non-social peers. In other words, an active social life appears to be extremely healthy for our brains.

At the beginning of the study period, 1,138 elderly participants had no signs of dementia. After five years,  researchers were unsure as to whether or not cognitive impairment caused some social isolation or whether social isolation caused the dementia.

The Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago took a closer look at the activity level of seniors for up to 14 years. Such things as visits from friends, participation in clubs and groups, volunteer time, religious activity and sporting event participation were recorded in a questionnaire. Participants social activity was translated into a numerical score. What researchers found was that every point on the social scale equated to a 47% drop in the decline of cognitive function. In addition, a one point increase in sociability reduced the chance of participants becoming physically disabled by 43%.

The study of isolation is nothing new. For years,  it has been known that living alone with very little interaction can be extremely dangerous to our health. In fact, people who live isolated from others double their risk of early death. Being active socially also reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. Even though, we may think that our relationships are stressful at times, they really do seem to be beneficial to our health. In fact, having close friends and family reduces the risk of early death more than exercise or maintaining a healthy weight. Human interaction truly is important.

Socializing is an excellent way to release stress. Even the touch of a loved one can lower our blood pressure and calm our nerves. While there are certainly other factors for developing dementia, the less social contact one has, the more likely they are to develop cardiovascular disease, obesity, some cancers, addiction and mental illness.

Additional Sources:

HealthLand.Times.com

Read more: http://naturalsociety.com/having-relationships-and-being-highly-social-cuts-dementia-risk-by-70/#ixzz2JHJQKS9D

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It’s True: Medical Cannabis Provides Dramatic Relief for Sufferers of Chronic Ailments

American Friends of Tel Aviv University: It’s True: Medical Cannabis Provides Dramatic Relief for Sufferers of Chronic Ailments.

http://www.aftau.org

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Treatment can improve appetite, ease chronic pain, and more, say TAU researchers

Moshe Roth
Moshe Roth, a Hadarim resident and participant in the TAU cannabis study.

Though controversial, medical cannabis has been gaining ground as a valid therapy, offering relief to suffers of diseases such as cancer, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, ALS and more. The substance is known to soothe severe pain, increase the appetite, and ease insomnia where other common medications fail.

In 2009, Zach Klein, a graduate of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Film and Television Studies, directed the documentary Prescribed Grass. Through the process, he developed an interest in the scientific research behind medical marijuana, and now, as a specialist in policy-making surrounding medical cannabis and an MA student at TAU’s Porter School of Environmental Studies, he is conducting his own research into the benefits of medical cannabis.

Using marijuana from a farm called Tikkun Olam — a reference to the Jewish concept of healing the world — Klein and his fellow researchers tested the impact of the treatment on 19 residents of the Hadarim nursing home in Israel. The results, Klein says, have been outstanding. Not only did participants experience dramatic physical results, including healthy weight gain and the reduction of pain and tremors, but Hadarim staff saw an immediate improvement in the participants’ moods and communication skills. The use of chronic medications was also significantly reduced, he reports.

Full story—>>>

American Friends of Tel Aviv University: It’s True: Medical Cannabis Provides Dramatic Relief for Sufferers of Chronic Ailments.

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Walking regularly slashes stroke risk in women by nearly 50 percent

Walking regularly slashes stroke risk in women by nearly 50 percent.

NaturalNews

January 17, 2013

by: John Phillip

Physical inactivity continues to be a significant underlying cause of chronic illness and early death in the U.S., as sedentary Americans succumb to the utilitarian comforts of modern technology. Lack of exercise, coupled with a largely processed food diet leads to potentially deadly diseases including cancer, dementia, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Stroke incidence continues to increase at a staggering rate, affecting 425,000 women each year, often leaving them unable to perform routine daily tasks and increasing mortality risk.

Researchers from Spain have published the result of a study in the journal Stroke that has determined walking at least three hours a week reduces the risk of stroke among women by nearly half, yet another important reminder of the health benefits of exercising on a consistent basis. The study team set out to assess the association between regular physical activity and cerebrovascular diseases, defined as conditions that develop as a result of problems with the blood vessels inside the brain such as stroke.

A brisk walk improves vascular function in women to help prevent a stroke

To conduct the study, scientists developed a cohort consisting of 13,576 men and 19,416 women, aged 29 to 69 years who were part of the European Cancer Project that was initiated during the mid-1990s. Participants responded to a physical activity questionnaire and were divided by gender, type of physical activity and how much time they had spent on physical activity.

After a 12 year follow-up period, 442 stroke cases were recorded and subsequently classified as 80 percent ischemic, 10 percent hemorrhagic, seven percent subarachnoid hemorrhage, and three percent unspecified. Interestingly, the researchers determined that physical activity was associated with a stroke reduction risk for women but not men. Women who walked at least 210 minutes (three and a half hours) a week showed a reduced risk for stroke of 43 percent compared to those who did not participate in physical activity.

The team also revealed that other types of exercise, regardless of intensity had no significant association in stroke risk reduction. The study’s authors concluded “Though the exact relationship among different types of physical activity and different stroke subtypes remains unclear, the results of this specific study indicate that walking, in particular, is associated with lower risk of stroke.” Walking briskly for 30 minutes on most days of the week is not only a perfect complement to weight management strategies, but also dramatically lowers the risk of a devastating stroke in women.

Sources for this article include:

http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/44/1/111.abstrac
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23223506
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/254632.php

About the author:
John Phillip is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. John is the author of ‘Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan’, a comprehensive EBook explaining how to use Diet, Exercise, Mind and Targeted Supplementation to achieve your weight loss goal. Visit My Optimal Health Resource to continue reading the latest health news updates, and to download your Free 48 page copy of ‘Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan’.

Related articles

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