Alzheimer's and Vitamin E, Part 1

Estimates are that as many as 5.1 million Americans are dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. Difficulties with activities of daily living (e.g., shopping, preparing meals, planning, and traveling) often negatively impact these individuals. An article published in Journal of the American Medical Association in January of 2014 reported that alpha tocepherol (fat-soluble Vitamin E and antioxidant), may slow functional decline in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease and decrease caregiver burden. According to Mary Sano, PhD, trial co-investigator, and professor in the department of psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and director of research at the James J. Peters Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, Bronx, New York: “This trial showed that vitamin E delays progression of functional decline by 19% per year, which translates into 6.2 months benefit over placebo.” Vitamin E use did not show delay of cognitive or memory deterioration in the research.  More tomorrow.

Sound and Radio Station Songs

Sound is reportedly the first sense to begin developing in the human brain during gestation. It is also reportedly the last sense to go when the brain and body die. When you listen to the radio, do you prefer to hear familiar tunes over those that are less familiar? Recently, “The Daily Stat” (Harvard Business Review) reported that improved monitoring of consumers’ radio habits revealed that listeners pay attention only when they hear songs they know. Because of this, it appears that Top 40 radio stations are playing fewer songs with greater frequency. According to the Wall Street Journal, the top 10 songs were played almost twice as often in 2013 as the top 10 songs were played in 2003. Hmmm. Makes one wonder how new composers will (or will not) get radio exposure for their songs.

Conflicting Mind Compartments

An article in “Scientific American” suggests that the mind is composed of compartments or modules that can conflict with one another. According to author Michael Shermer, “The module that leads us to crave sweet and fatty foods in the short term is in conflict with the module that monitors our body image and health in the long term.” The same is likely true for modules related to cooperation versus competition, or lying versus honesty, and play versus homework. Similarly, there may be compartments in the brain for beliefs. Researchers at Northwestern University found that when closely held beliefs of study participants were shaken, the subjects were even more enthusiastically persistent about those beliefs. That reminds one of stories about Galileo, who ran up against commonly held (and theological) beliefs. Reportedly, when he proposed that the earth moved around the sun, it got him house arrest for the remainder of his life. (There's also a common myth--one I was taught growing up--that Galileo was censured for saying the world was round.) Although the telescope had already been invented, Galileo apparently was responsible for some refinements or enhancements that assisted him in discovering several heavenly bodies and built his own telescope in 1608. It sure would be great if there was a historic library of DVDs so one could go back in time and "see" what really happened ...

Back from Australia

Happy Memorial Day! Today I am remembering many people, as no doubt you are. I am looking at pictures taken recently on my sixth lecture tour to Australia and remembering that country and it wonderful people, too. In Coff's Harbor, Susan Magaitis showed me "The Big Banana" and then arranged to have me kissed by a seal and a dolphin (I'm working on getting those pictures posted somewhere soon.) In Brisbane, Rob and Susanne Belosev toured me though the "gold coast." In Cooranbong, Linnie Pohan took me out in the bush to see wild kangaroos (some of them are HUGE), and Dr. Robyn Priestly and I had a lovely lunch and a visit to some very colorful gardens, even if it was in their fall season. (Actually, it felt a bit strange to come home to spring.) Bob and Angie Kalif took Rina, Kym, and me out for a special lunch at "Noah's By the Sea." And I could go on and on . . . Dr. Wayne French and his wife Marie drove me to the Sydney airport to catch my flight home. On the way we stopped at a studio to record a short interview for TV. Here's the link in case you'd like to check it out:  http://vimeo.com/95936062

Obesity and ...5

Prevention is so much easier than cure when it comes to obesity. Yes, people can lose weight and it takes mindset, intention, new habits, willpower, and persistence. Based on emerging research, what is one of the most significant steps parents could take for themselves and for their children? Drop most energy drinks, sports drinks, sodas, and diet sodas. Drink pure clear water. If you make your beverage water only, in a matter of about 21 days your taste-buds and brain will be well on their way to adjusting to the change. And when maintained, body weight adjusts, as well. Tips for success:

·         Toss out sodas or other drinks made with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup or artificial sweetener. If you prefer bottled water to tap, keep a supply on hand. It's easier to grab on the go.

·         Focus your thoughts on what you are doing (drinking water) and stop thinking about what you are not doing. Use your willpower to follow through on your new plan rather than wallowing in a sense of deprivation.

·         Buddy up with family members and friends who are on the same journey. Social support can be amazing in helping you stay on your path together. Exercise and drink water together. Weigh once a week and enjoy the progress you are making together.

Obesity and ...4

In an effort to manage their weight, many have switched to diet drinks. This may actually be even worse. Diet sodas may be free of calories but they are not free of health-related consequences. One study followed more than 400 diet soda drinkers for ten years. Results showed that their waist sizes increased seventy percent more than non-consumers. Those who consumed two or more diet sodas per day increased their waist sizes five times more than those who avoided diet drinks entirely. As waist sizes grow, so do health risks for diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. San Diego researchers, using brain imaging, showed diminishing activation of a brain area known as the caudate head as consumption of diet sodas increased. This brain area is associated with the food motivation and reward systems. Decreased activation of this brain region has been linked with elevated risk of obesity. Confusing the brain with artificial sweeteners may result in weight increases. A 2010 controlled study in rats found that those fed saccharin-sweetened yogurt ate more rat chow, gained more weight, and had more body fat than those who got the same amount of yogurt with a natural sugar (glucose), instead.

Obesity and ...3

According to Heath Herrera, M.Ed., CSCS, and owner of Fitness Revolution in San Marcos the home of HH Fitness Boot Camps, beverages loaded with sugar, such as soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks, will contribute directly to weight gain. Period. That’s no surprise since it is fairly common knowledge that the consumption of too much sugar leads directly to weight gain. A 20-ounce glass of cola can contain the equivalent of 16 teaspoons of sugar, which is nearly three times the maximum daily sugar intake recommended by the American Heart Association. And if the sugar is in the form of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), more of it may be stored as fat. Estimates are that eating 120 calories of glucose results in approximately one calorie being stored as fat. On the other hand, eating 120 calories of HFCS (which can be half glucose and half fructose), can result in 40 calories being stored as fat. That’s because fructose is processed in the liver, and unlike glucose, most of it gets shuttled into fat storage.