Could Muscle Loss Be a Predictor of Dementia?

Sarcopenia is defined by a progressive and widespread reduction in muscle mass and function. Recent research has found that muscle loss typically seen in older adults is associated with a heightened risk of cognitive decline and dementia. This decline in muscle mass can complicate everyday activities and affect a person’s ability to take care of themselves.

Public health studies indicate that approximately 13% of adults aged 65 and older are affected by this condition. A significantly higher prevalence has been observed in those over 75 years of age and among the elderly in senior housing. The onset of muscle loss can begin as early as age 50, with an average annual reduction of 1-2%.

Sarcopenia greatly heightens the risk of falls and fractures by diminishing strength and balance. Additionally, it impacts other bodily systems as skeletal muscles secrete hormones known as myokines that enter the bloodstream and exert widespread effects. Myokines play a crucial role in regulating inflammation, which is vital since people often face chronic inflammation as they age. This persistent inflammation can begin to harm cells and tissues.

Researchers enrolled 621 participants without dementia, averaging 77 years in age. They utilized MRI scans to measure the temporalis muscles of the participants, categorizing them into groups with either large or small muscles. Out of the total, 131 participants had large temporalis muscles, while 488 had small ones. Over an average period of 5.8 years, the study found that participants with smaller temporalis muscles were at a higher risk of developing dementia.

The study indicates that older adults with smaller skeletal muscles have a roughly 60% higher chance of developing dementia, even when other known risk factors are considered. Fortunately, sarcopenia can be managed. Engaging in physical activities like chair exercises and lifting light weights, along with ensuring a protein-rich diet, can help preserve muscle mass.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Skeletal muscle loss linked to increased risk of dementia

Aging Reversed / ABC News

Now researchers have found a way not just to stop, but, reverse the aging process. The key is something called a telomere. We all have them. They are the tips or caps of your chromosomes. They are long and stable in young adults, but, as we age they become shorter, damaged and frayed. When they stop working we start aging and experience things like hearing and memory loss.

In a recent study published in the peer reviewed journal Nature scientists took mice that were prematurely aged to the equivalent of 80-year-old humans, added an enzyme and essentially turned their telomeres back on. After the treatment they were the physiological equivalent of young adults. You can see the before and after pictures in the videos above. Brain function improved, their fertility was restored it was a remarkable reversal of the aging process. In the top video the untreated mouse shows bad skin, gray hair and it is balding. The mouse with it’s telomeres switched back on has a dark coat color, the hair is restored and the coat has a nice healthy sheen to it. Even more dramatic is the change in brain size. Before treatment the aged mice had 75% of a normal size brain like a patient with severe Alzheimers. After the telomeres were reactivated the brain returned to normal size. As for humans while it is just one factor scientists say the longer the telomeres the better the chances for a more graceful aging.

The formal study Telomere dysfunction induces metabolic and mitochondrial compromise was published in Nature.

Additional information published by Harvard can be found in the following articles.

Scientists Find Root Molecular Cause of Declining Health in the Old

Decoding Immortality – Smithsonian Channel Video about the Discovery of Telomerase

While scientists are not yet able to accomplish the same results in humans we believe we have developed a nutraceutical to help prolong youth and possibly extend life until age reversal therapy for humans becomes available.

Stem Cell Secret’s of 115 Year Old Woman

New evidence that adult stem cells are critical to human aging has recently been published on a study done on a super-centenarian woman that lived to be 115 years. At death, her circulating stem cell pool had declined to just two active stem cells from stem cell counts that are typically more than a thousand in younger adults. Super-centenarians have survived all the normal diseases that kill 99.9% of us before 100 years of age, so it has been a mystery as to what actually kills these hardy individuals. This recent data suggest that stem cell decline may be the main contributor to aging. If so, stabilizing stem cells may be the best thing one can do to slow your rate of aging.

There are many theories of aging that have been proposed. For example, damage to cells and tissues from oxidative stress has been one of the most popular fundamental theories of aging for more than half a century. Yet antioxidant substances or genes that code antioxidant enzymes have proven largely ineffective in slowing aging when tested in model animals. Thus, interest by scientists has shifted to other hypotheses that might provide a better explanation for the slow declines in function with age.

Stem cells provide one such promising mechanism of aging. Of course, we all know that babies are young and vigorous, independent of the age of their parents. This is because adults have embryonic stem cells that can generate young new cells needed to form a complete young baby. Indeed, these embryonic stem cells are the product of continuously evolving stem cell populations that go back to the beginning of life on earth over 3.5 billion years ago!

In adults, the mostly immortal embryonic stem cells give rise to mortal adult stem cells in all the tissues of the body. These adult stem cells can regenerate your cells and tissues as they wear out and need replacement. Unfortunate, adult stem cells also age, which leads to fewer cells and/or loss of function in cell replacement. As functional stem cells decline, skin and organs decline with age.

Blood from world’s oldest woman suggests life limit

Time Magazine: Long-Life Secrets From The 115-Year-Old Woman

Somatic mutations found in the healthy blood compartment of a 115-yr-old woman demonstrate oligoclonal hematopoiesis

Abstract
The somatic mutation burden in healthy white blood cells (WBCs) is not well known. Based on deep whole-genome sequencing, we estimate that approximately 450 somatic mutations accumulated in the nonrepetitive genome within the healthy blood compartment of a 115-yr-old woman. The detected mutations appear to have been harmless passenger mutations: They were enriched in noncoding, AT-rich regions that are not evolutionarily conserved, and they were depleted for genomic elements where mutations might have favorable or adverse effects on cellular fitness, such as regions with actively transcribed genes. The distribution of variant allele frequencies of these mutations suggests that the majority of the peripheral white blood cells were offspring of two related hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) clones. Moreover, telomere lengths of the WBCs were significantly shorter than telomere lengths from other tissues. Together, this suggests that the finite lifespan of HSCs, rather than somatic mutation effects, may lead to hematopoietic clonal evolution at extreme ages.

Can Fructose in Your Diet Lead to Faster Cancer Growth?

Over the last fifty years, fructose intake has risen significantly, primarily because high-fructose corn syrup has become a common sweetener used in highly processed foods and beverages. What you consume can be utilized by healthy tissues and transformed into substances that tumors might use.

Recent research has shown that dietary fructose may encourage tumor growth in animal models of various types of cancer. Although fructose itself does not directly feed the tumors, it indirectly promotes tumor growth by producing metabolites in the liver that support cancer development.

Researchers discovered that the liver processes fructose into nutrients that cancer cells can utilize, pointing to a possible new direction for cancer therapy. The concept of combating cancer through dietary adjustments could play a role in cancer management.

Cancer cells exhibit a strong preference for glucose. For years, scientists have understood that cancer cells are particularly drawn to glucose, a simple sugar and the primary carbohydrate energy source for the body. Chemically, fructose is quite similar to glucose. Both are prevalent sugars with identical chemical formulas, yet their metabolic pathways in the body differ. While glucose is metabolized by cells throughout the body, fructose is primarily processed in the small intestine and liver.

With the rise in fructose consumption over the years in the American diet, there has been a noted increase in cancer in people under 50 years of age. The research indicated that elevated fructose intake boosts the levels of circulating lipids in the blood, which are crucial components for the construction of cancer cell membranes.

The study authors suggested that beyond dietary changes, this research might pave the way for therapeutic strategies to inhibit fructose from promoting tumor growth through pharmacological means. Additionally, the findings could lead to novel therapeutic methods that target the metabolism of healthy cells to combat cancer, instead of focusing exclusively on the cancerous cells.

While a direct causal relationship has not been confirmed, it is advised that individuals with cancer consider reducing their fructose intake due to its potential to encourage cancer growth.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Dietary fructose enhances tumour growth indirectly via interorgan lipid transfer

Insufficient Sleep Can Lead to Chronic Pain Issues

Chronic pain afflicts millions worldwide, and its connection with sleep is proving to be more complicated than once believed. New research has shown that as many as 90% of individuals suffering from chronic pain also experience difficulties with sleep. This highlights the crucial role that sleep plays in both managing and possibly preventing persistent pain.

While it’s commonly thought that pain primarily interferes with sleep, the emerging research is suggesting that inadequate sleep might significantly contribute to both the emergence and intensification of chronic pain.

Insufficient sleep can escalate stress on the nervous and immune systems, potentially worsening pain and leading to chronic conditions, rather than merely being a result of it. Chronic pain leads to more disability than both cancer and heart disease combined, highlighting the urgent need for effective treatment options.

Historically underutilized as a pain treatment, sleep is now gaining attention in new research exploring it as a potential therapy. Past studies have primarily investigated how new acute or chronic back pain develops. The research will now investigate the more common scenario of fluctuating symptoms in individuals living with the condition. It will also delve into how the nervous and immune systems react to both restorative and disrupted sleep patterns.

This study is part of a larger effort to understand how lifestyle factors affect pain, which may be crucial for creating effective treatments. The findings could prompt a shift in chronic pain management, highlighting the role of sleep therapy in conjunction with conventional treatment methods.

Acknowledging the importance of sleep used in treatment could also aid in preventing acute pain from evolving into severe chronic pain.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Is sleep the new treatment for pain? Two issues need resolving before deciding

Having a Sense of Purpose Extends Lifespan

Research indicates that our psychosocial well-being plays a significant role in health and longevity. Do individuals with higher life satisfaction or a more profound sense of purpose live longer? A recent study explored this question, and its findings underscore the significant impact of purpose on human longevity.

In this research, data was gathered from the Midlife in the United States study from nearly 6,000 adults during 1994 to 1996. These middle-aged individuals provided details about their physical health, life satisfaction, relationships, and employment status. Additionally, they shared information regarding their weight, chronic health conditions, alcohol consumption, and smoking habits.

Participants assessed their sense of purpose by responding to statements like, “I live life one day at a time and do not really think about the future,” “Sometimes I feel like there’s nothing left for me to achieve,” and “While some may drift without direction, I am not one of them.”

The results were revealing. When isolated from other variables, life satisfaction showed no direct cor-relation with longevity. However, individuals who expressed a stronger sense of purpose in life were more likely to still be alive in 2023 compared to those without a clear purpose.

The researchers took into account individual health risks and discovered that people with higher life satisfaction or a stronger purpose tended to live longer, even if they faced potential health challenges like smoking or chronic illnesses.

It’s challenging to feel satisfied with life when grappling with health issues. Thus, one’s health can greatly influence their overall life satisfaction. Nevertheless, maintaining a strong sense of purpose is possible regardless of one’s health condition. A purposeful life can provide energy and hope, even during times when one’s life circumstances are less than satisfying.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Which Predicts Longevity Better: Satisfaction With Life or Purpose in Life?

Mastering Accurate Blood Pressure Measurements

Most people rely on the brief blood pressure checks conducted in the doctor’s office. However, a 2021 study indicates that this trust might be misguided. Only 20% of cardiologists adhere to the prescribed guidelines for measuring blood pressure, despite confidence in their approach. Minor, frequent errors in these routine checks can result in incorrect readings and potentially lead to misdiagnosis.

The issue stems partly from training deficiencies, affecting not just clinical staff but also patients who use home cuffs without adequate instruction. Typically, blood pressure measurement is covered just once during medical or nursing education, with minimal ongoing training. Furthermore, many readings are conducted by medical technicians or support staff, who often have less comprehensive training than nurses and doctors.

Normal blood pressure is considered to be 120/80 mm Hg, while hypertension is defined as starting at 130/80 mm Hg. Therefore, even small inaccuracies can classify a reading as hypertensive. Such routine mistakes can lead to overdiagnosis and unnecessary medication prescriptions. Accurate measurements are crucial to prevent unnecessary treatments and the associated health risks of overmedication.

Misdiagnoses can arise from several procedural errors, such as using an incorrectly sized cuff, improper arm positioning, leg crossing, a full bladder, or stress-induced hypertension. It is recommend-ed to take at least two readings in one session to ensure accuracy. Typically, doctors will conduct a repeat test during a subsequent visit. This two-step verification helps to eliminate temporary increases due to stress or minor mistakes.

Both patients and health care providers can follow a few simple steps to achieve the most accurate blood pressure readings. Before taking a blood pressure measurement, it is recommended to empty the bladder, abstain from stimulants, remain calm, sit upright with feet flat on the floor, use an appropriately sized cuff, and position it directly on bare skin. Additionally, it is recommended to take a second measurement, allowing a few minutes to pass between each reading.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Assessment of blood pressure skills and belief in clinical readings

The Link Between Exercise and Neural Regeneration

It’s well-established that exercise improves health. Regular physical activity not only fortifies muscles but also enhances blood vessels, bones, and immune system. But might it also promote the growth of nerve cells? Recent research indicates that exercise can enhance neuron development not just through biochemical pathways but also through the mechanical actions of muscle contractions.

During physical activity, muscles produce chemicals known as myokines. Myokines consist of various substances released by muscles; some of these substances may benefit nerve cells, while others may not affect them at all. Although muscles continuously release myokines, their production increases during exercise.

Neurons are physically linked to muscles and thus also extend and flex in conjunction with them. Neurons subjected to myokines showed a growth rate four times that of unexposed neurons. This growth is significantly quicker and more pronounced, with immediate effects. The researchers wanted to investigate whether, even without biochemical signals from the muscles, the mere act of stretching muscles back and forth, simulating the mechanical forces of exercise, could also influence neuron growth.

The research team cultivated neurons on a mat equipped with tiny magnets and employed an external magnet to delicately stretch the neurons, mimicking the mechanical forces encountered during exercise. They subjected the neurons to this exercise for 30 minutes daily. Remarkably, this mechanical stretching resulted in neuron growth similar to that observed in neurons stimulated biochemically.

This discovery has the potential to lead to groundbreaking treatments for nerve repair. Engaging and exercising muscles could aid in the recovery and growth of nerves following nerve damage. Since nerves are crucial for controlling muscle movement and transmitting important information throughout the body, exploring how exercise affects neurons could open up new treatment avenues for nerve damage and neurological conditions.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Actuating Extracellular Matrices Decouple the Mechanical and Biochemical Effects of Muscle Contraction on Motor Neurons

Age Related Effects of Synthetic versus Natural Caffeine

Research is starting to show that not all caffeine has the same effect when it comes to aging. Synthetic caffeine might actually speed up the aging process, while caffeine that occurs naturally in foods and beverages could help slow down age-related decline. This suggests that the type of caffeine in your coffee could influence its protective effects against aging.

Caffeine serves as a daily energy boost for 75% of Americans, often described as the spark that activates their minds and bodies to endure a long day. This widespread reliance on both natural and synthetic caffeine in the United States highlights a concerning “addiction crisis.”

The kind of caffeine in your coffee could influence its anti-aging benefits. Approximately 60% of the caffeine ingested by Americans is synthetic, produced in laboratories rather than derived from natural sources like coffee beans or tea leaves. This lab-made caffeine is the kind that major beverage brands use to enhance the energizing effect of their drinks.

A prior study found that higher caffeine consumption was linked to shorter telomeres, an indicator of cellular aging. Yet, greater coffee intake was associated with longer telomeres, implying that other components in coffee may offer anti-aging benefits. Further studies have shown that green tea may have protective effects against the shortening of telomeres, contrasting with synthetic caffeine, which has been linked to DNA damage.

Researchers exploring the impacts of green tea, coffee, and caffeinated soft drinks have unveiled insights that could influence consumer decisions on beverages. Consuming green tea may have positive effects on telomere length, potentially slowing biological aging, while drinking soft drinks and synthetic coffee could have the opposite effect, accelerating telomere shortening and biological aging.

Caffeine found in natural sources like coffee or tea is part of a complex matrix containing over 1,000 different chemical compounds, including polyphenols which are powerful antioxidants. These polyphenols help mitigate oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals that can damage cells. Consequently, coffee and tea exhibit anti-inflammatory properties not found in synthetic caffeine.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Caffeine consumption and telomere length in men and women of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Can What You Eat Affect Your Mental Health?

Our mental and physical health is deeply influenced by the foods we choose to nourish ourselves with. A recent study is one of the first to explore the connection between the quality of our diet and brain chemistry in humans. It has discovered that a low-quality diet may be connected to changes in brain structure that are associated with depression and anxiety.

The study involved 30 adult participants who completed screening questionnaires to evaluate their current levels of mood disturbances, anxiety, and repetitive negative thinking. Each participant underwent whole-brain MRI scans to assess metabolite concentrations in the prefrontal cortex and measure gray matter volume.

Participants were divided into two groups which were comparable in terms of gender, age, education and income, as well as overall caloric and macronutrient consumption. Diet quality was determined by how closely participants followed the Mediterranean diet. They also reported the frequency of consuming 130 different food items and described other eating habits.

The study revealed that participants following a high-quality diet displayed balanced concentrations of GABA and glutamate, along with greater gray matter volume. In contrast, those in the low-quality diet group showed imbalanced neurotransmitter levels, with lower GABA and higher glutamate, as well as a reduction in gray matter volume. Neurotransmitters like GABA and glutamate act as chemical messengers, transmitting signals between nerve cells and regulating processes such as mood, sleep, and cognition. Maintaining the right balance between GABA and glutamate is vital for optimal brain health. A deficiency in GABA often leads to heightened anxiety and depression.

Consuming certain items like processed foods, alcohol, and caffeine may decrease GABA levels or hinder its normal activity. Foods high in processed ingredients, refined sugars, and too much protein tend to raise glutamate levels, as they either contain glutamate directly or enhance its production. Such diets can lead to inflammation and are associated with increased occurrences of depression and anxiety, interfering with brain function and the stability of mood.

To balance your mood, it is best to stick with a nutrient rich diet of berries and fruits, green leafy vegetables, omega-3 protein, nuts and seeds, and limit your intake of processed foods, refined sugars, excessive protein, caffeine, and alcohol.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Adherence to unhealthy diets is associated with altered frontal gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate concentrations and grey matter volume: preliminary findings