ReportWire

Tag: longevity

  • Best Workout Leggings For Every Activity & Body Type

    Best Workout Leggings For Every Activity & Body Type

    According to Nicole Teribery, DPT, NASM CPT, finding your favorite pair of leggings is a journey—and quality and comfort are of the utmost importance.

    “As a NASM certified personal trainer, physical therapist, and lover of all exercise, I’ve tried many brands and styles of workout leggings,” she says. “Whether it’s weight training, yoga, HIIT, cycle, or crossfit, there is one brand and style I always stick with because of its quality and comfort.” We call out Teribery’s top pick in our list below, but we recommend taking her lead and doing your own trial and error to find the most comfortable, effective pair for yourself.

    Julia Stern, Founder of Show Up, agrees that what is comfortable for one body shape might not be for another, so trying on various brands and styles is always a great idea. “This goes without saying, but you want to make sure you’re comfortable in the workout leggings,” she advises. “I know what works for my body and I’ve tried on a lot of different brands. Once you find a style that you like, get them in different colors.”

    Stern says the length and rise of the workout leggings are also important factors to consider. “I’m petite and just a little over five feet tall,” she explains. “It used to be very frustrating to have so much of the legging bunched at my ankles.”

    Fortunately, many brands now list the inseam length on the tag. “I only buy 25” inseam or cropped leggings that will still hit at my ankles,” Stern says. “Similarly, an extra high rise legging sometimes comes to my chest and then I’m left folding them over. I often go for something that’s more mid-rise and will sit comfortably above my hips. But low rise leggings also exist, if that’s your thing!”

    Kelsea Samson

    Source link

  • 12 Signs Of Cognitive Decline That Shouldn’t Be Ignored

    12 Signs Of Cognitive Decline That Shouldn’t Be Ignored

    This intermediate zone between normal brain aging and dementia is called mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and it can be a cause for concern—once signs of MCI begin to crop up, they can progress into dementia (typically in the form of Alzheimer’s disease) at an annual rate of 8% to 15%.

    Dementia affects approximately 24 million people1 worldwide, and its global prevalence is expected to quadruple by the year 2050. What’s more, almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are female. Arguably, taking care of our brains is more critical today than ever before (especially for women).

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • Low Vitamin D Levels Can Lead To Alzheimer’s, Says A Neurologist

    Low Vitamin D Levels Can Lead To Alzheimer’s, Says A Neurologist

    How did these individuals become vitamin D deficient in the first place? According to Bredesen, it’s a combination of lifestyle habits and nutritional choices: “They’re living indoors, they’re not getting out enough, they’re not taking vitamin D, or they’re not absorbing the vitamin D they are taking.” 

    While getting outdoors and spending some time in the sun—safely, of course—is always recommended, the sun isn’t a historically reliable source of vitamin D. (And for the record, diet isn’t either!)

    So, we’re left with supplementation. But as Bredesen stated, some people are taking vitamin D supplements and seeing no improvement to their D levels—or their cognitive function.

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • I’m A Longevity Expert & This Is The Best Way To Slow Down Aging

    I’m A Longevity Expert & This Is The Best Way To Slow Down Aging

    It’s safe to say that we all want to live long, healthy lives—but we’re certainly not all consistently clocking awesome sleep9 within the exact same time window. But just remember that one night of poor sleep won’t totally derail your healthspan, just like one missed workout won’t sabotage your fitness goals or a processed meal won’t ruin your gut microbiome. It’s about progress, not perfection, and Bonney notes that it’s never too late to get started prioritizing sleep a bit more. After all, it remains important throughout our entire lives.

    Some of her favorite tips for achieving deep, consistent sleep night after night include turning off electronics at least an hour before bed, making sure your bedroom is dark and quiet, and taking a sleep-promoting supplement like magnesium glycinate.* Other ways to promote restorative rest include reducing caffeine intake, prioritizing gut health, getting more sunlight during the day, and doing just about anything on this sleep hygiene checklist.

    Emma Loewe

    Source link

  • Vitamin D Promotes Antioxidant Activity For Graceful Aging*

    Vitamin D Promotes Antioxidant Activity For Graceful Aging*

    While antioxidant activity is an ever-vital (and valid) feature of healthy aging, promoting cellular integrity and protecting our genes is the other significant part of the longevity equation. One accurate way to look at the rate of cellular aging and overall longevity is by measuring telomeres.

    Telomeres are sequences of proteins that essentially “cap” the ends of DNA strands. They protect our DNA from free radicals, modern toxins, and other potential stressors that can affect our genomic stability. When it comes to longevity, longer telomeres help protect DNA and buffer oxidative stress. 

    In other words, telomere length (again, longer is better) is a viable biomarker for longevity—and vitamin D plays a part in increasing the activity of the telomerase enzyme4 to maintain telomere length and strength and protect cellular DNA and cells’ ability to replicate.*

    In fact, a 2017 study from the 5Archives of Medical Science5 found a positive association between vitamin D sufficiency and telomere length, which indicates getting adequate vitamin D is vital for maintaining genomic integrity and thus, longevity potential.* 

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • 7 Easy Ways To Upgrade Your Health, From The Mayo Clinic

    7 Easy Ways To Upgrade Your Health, From The Mayo Clinic

    The thing is this: Sticking to new habits is hard, and breaking old ones can be even tougher. “In general, we like to talk to people about making baby steps and building on them,” says Hensrud. This goes for all goals (health, career, etc.)—it’s important not to overwhelm yourself from the start.

    Nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author JJ Virgin, CNS, BCHN, said it best in her recent mbg article: “Well-being doesn’t happen overnight. When you tackle everything at once, you’re most likely going to get burned out and ditch the entire process.” (Read Virgin’s tips for creating a personalized wellness routine that’s actually sustainable here.)

    “One of the mistakes people make is they are too rigid in their approach to changing their diet,” notes Hensrud. “They go ‘on’ a diet, which means they’re gonna go ‘off’ a diet.” When you’re trying to facilitate long-term change, this mindset simply doesn’t work.

    Jennifer Welper, wellness executive chef at the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program and author of Cook Smart, Eat Well, likes to promote sustainability and consistency to make healthy cooking (and eating) more effective. “Truly, it’s just about creating the environment for you to be successful,” she says. 

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • How To “Dress Up” Your Daily Walk, From Mobility Pioneers

    How To “Dress Up” Your Daily Walk, From Mobility Pioneers

    First thing’s first: If you’re walking regularly, you’re doing great. 

    “If there’s a pill you could take that will reduce your all-cause mortality by 50%, you can give it to your whole family, and it’s free, everyone’s going to take that pill,” says Kelly. It turns out, that “pill” exists—it’s walking 8,000 steps a day1. “The research is very clear that when people walk just 8,000 steps1, they get the lion’s share of benefits. Not 10,000 steps. Not 12,000 [steps]… 8,000 steps,” Kelly adds.

    And you don’t have to get all those 8,000 steps in at once! In fact, the Starretts encourage short, frequent bursts of daily movement (also called “movement snacks”). “We’ve gotten stuck in a mentality that you have to do the one-hour block [of exercise], and that’s not the case at all,” says Juliet. You can totally take short walks over the course of the day and meet the 8,000 step benchmark. 

    Once you start walking regularly, “then you can start to dress this thing up,” says Kelly. Meaning, you can add on mini exercises or habits that elevate your walk, so you can break a sweat and reap even more movement benefits. 

    It’s why some people choose to walk wearing ankle weights, as the add-on can simultaneously improve your balance. You’re basically adorning your walk with a little something extra—get it? 

    Jamie Schneider

    Source link

  • This Vitamin Reduces Dementia Risk (Says Research On 69K People)

    This Vitamin Reduces Dementia Risk (Says Research On 69K People)

    Vitamin D, which can be synthesized in our skin in response to sunlight and is also found in small amounts in certain foods, has receptor proteins located in neurons and certain brain cells. It plays a crucial role in protecting the nervous system, maintaining critical brain functions, and preventing oxidative damage to the brain.

    Yet, an astonishing half of the population is affected by either vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, and rates can vary widely based on race and ethnic origin. Vitamin D deficiency is particularly concerning, as it has been associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. Plus, there’s emerging research to suggest adequate vitamin D levels may ward off glucose regulation concerns, including the onset of diabetes.

    A recent review of studies focused on vitamin D insufficiency and cognitive function in adults. The review included nine studies involving 69,643 participants with an average age of 53.6 years. It found that individuals with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency had reduced executive function, processing speed, and visuoperceptual ability. What’s more, five of the studies linked vitamin D deficiency to an increased risk of dementia.

    In two of the studies, the severity of memory and cognitive impairment was found to be directly proportional to the degree of vitamin D insufficiency.

    One study found that vitamin D supplementation can increase cognitive and memory function, pointing to the potential of this vitamin to combat cognitive decline.

    However, it’s important to note the research had some limitations, including the underrepresentation of certain populations, such as people from Africa, Asia, and of Hispanic heritage. The authors also noted that larger randomized controlled trials will be needed to explore the full range of effects of vitamin D deficiency and supplementation, as well as their connection to cognitive health in the aging brain.

    Another new study1 looked into the effects of vitamin D on glucose regulation and diabetes risk. It found that adequate vitamin D levels lowered participants’ risk of developing the condition.

    Jenny Fant

    Source link

  • Whittier Program Closes the Life Expectancy Gap in Minority and Low-Income Communities

    Whittier Program Closes the Life Expectancy Gap in Minority and Low-Income Communities


    BOSTON, June 29, 2023 (Newswire.com)
    –
    In 2011, Whittier Street Health Center raised awareness about the 33-year gap in life expectancy for those living in Roxbury (59.5 years) compared to those living in the Back Bay (92 years), a gentrified neighborhood less than 2 miles from Roxbury. Whittier focused on the “Tale of the Two Cities” and partnered with its patients, community residents and leaders, corporations and public sector partners to raise awareness and to develop programs to close the life expectancy gap. Whittier launched its Boston Health Equity Program in 2012, a system of care for people with chronic illnesses and those at risk that fully integrates innovative community outreach, linkage to social services, wellness support and care coordination with a focus on eliminating health disparities and their associated costs. 

    A little over a decade later, working with its patients and partners, Whittier has made large strides in improving life expectancy in its service areas by 10 years. The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) released a report on May 11, 2023, and there is a 23-year life expectancy gap between residents in Roxbury and the Back Bay.

    On June 21, 2023, Whittier Street Health Center co-hosted a session in partnership with the Boston Public Health Commission and the CHNA-CHIP Collaborative.

    The open discussion, led by the Commissioner of the City of Boston’s Health Department Dr. Bisola Ojikutu and Whittier’s President & CEO Frederica M. Williams, addressed the need for continued and expanded community outreach and education to provide the necessary and comprehensive range of treatment and prevention services to low-income minority and immigrant populations.

    Community members attending the event were connected to health resources offered by the City of Boston, including the Boston Health Start Initiative (BHSI), which provides direct support to pregnant and parenting women, children, and families of color. Whittier Street Health Center is a designated BHSI site.

    “The recent Health of Boston reports shows that the life expectancy gap of Roxbury residents has shown a slight improvement, but there remains a gap of 23 years when compared to the residents in Back Bay,” said Frederica M. Williams, president and CEO of Whittier Street Health Center. “We need to continue our efforts to address the barriers to good health, such as housing, food and economic insecurity while empowering our residents to engage in lifestyle changes and behaviors that will improve their health and quality of life. Having access to prevention, screening and treatment in addition to community investments in the social determinants of health can lead to better health outcomes. We are grateful to all who have supported our Boston Health Equity Program, which was launched in 2012, and look forward to expanding our health equity partnerships so we can continue to close the 23-year life expectancy gap.”

    About Whittier Street Health Center
    Whittier Street Health Center is an independently licensed community healthcare center with a mission to serve as a center of excellence that provides high-quality and accessible healthcare and social services that achieve health equity, social justice and the economic well-being of its diverse populations. 

    Source: Whittier Street Health Center

    Source link

  • 4 Hormonal Dementia Risk Factors That Directly Impact Women

    4 Hormonal Dementia Risk Factors That Directly Impact Women

    As explained by neuroscientist, nutritionist, and associate director of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic at Weill Cornell Medical College Lisa Mosconi, Ph.D., in a mindbodygreen podcast episode, reproductive hormones play a massive role in protecting our brains from damage (such as the amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease). 

    “The interactions between the brain and the reproductive organs are really crucial for brain health and brain aging—especially in women,” she says. “We tend to think of testosterone [and] estrogens as involved in reproduction, having kids. But in reality, these hormones have a lot of effects inside our brains.” 

    “In particular, they literally push our neurons to bring glucose to make energy. So if your hormones are high, your brain energy is high. But then what happens to testosterone is that it doesn’t quite decline that much over time, whereas for women, estrogens pretty much plummet when women go through menopause,” Mosconi shares. 

    It’s this plummet in estrogen that leaves women’s brains especially vulnerable when they hit menopause in their 40s or 50s. “If you think of these hormones as having some kind of superpowers for the brain, women lose the superpower around the time that menopause hits, right? And the brain is left a little more vulnerable,” Mosconi says.

    Like menopause, having your uterus or ovaries removed (i.e., a hysterectomy or oophorectomy) also results in a drastic drop in estrogen levels. Other periods of hormonal fluctuations—such as puberty and pregnancy—influence estrogen levels as well, which explains why some hormonal health factors leave women at higher risk while others help protect their brains.

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • Lacking This Brain-Critical Vitamin Seriously Increases Your Parkinson's Risk

    Lacking This Brain-Critical Vitamin Seriously Increases Your Parkinson's Risk

    Another reason to get adequate vitamin D.

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • Get This Many Steps Every Day To Increase Your Longevity By 50%

    Get This Many Steps Every Day To Increase Your Longevity By 50%

    It’s easier than you think.

    Jason Wachob

    Source link

  • You Can Spot Dementia 9 Years Before A Diagnosis — Here's How

    You Can Spot Dementia 9 Years Before A Diagnosis — Here's How

    Look out for these early signs of dementia.

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • This Just In: Multis Deliver Real Brain Longevity Benefits*

    This Just In: Multis Deliver Real Brain Longevity Benefits*

    In the randomized clinical trial (RCT), researchers from Columbia University and Harvard Medical School randomly assigned 3,500 participants over the age of 60 to take either a standard multivitamin (Centrum Silver) or a placebo daily. Their baseline brain function was evaluated prior to the study and annually thereafter for three years.

    Participants that took a daily multivitamin were found to have significantly better immediate recall after one year compared to the control group, as well as better average recall over the three-year study period.* In fact, taking a daily multi demonstrated a clear slowing of cognitive aging by 3.1 years.* 

    Researchers concluded that daily multivitamin use among older adults can help improve memory and enhance overall brain longevity.* Of course, multis should not be used as a replacement for a healthy, well-balanced diet or lifestyle habits (i.e., good sleep, regular physical activity, proper hydration, etc.), but rather a complementary approach to maintaining cognitive health as we age.* 

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • This Brain Supplement Delivers Daily Power & Lifelong Support

    This Brain Supplement Delivers Daily Power & Lifelong Support

    I could go on for days about how much I love this nootropic supplement, but for me, the most palpable benefits are enhanced mental clarity and mood-balancing effects.*

    Hero neuronutrient citicoline supports healthy levels of important neurotransmitters, namely dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine.* These neurotransmitters are known to support mental processes such as clarity and focus. 

    Citicoline has also been shown via research to support attention, processing speed1, and mental energy by increasing ATP in the brain (i.e., supporting brain energy reserves).*

    Complementing citicoline, antioxidant phytonutrient resveratrol has vasoactive properties and is clinically shown to support blood flow to the brain and cerebrovascular health2.* Enhanced cerebral blood flow means optimized delivery of oxygen and nutrients to my brain, supporting a clear head and overall cognitive function. (Yes, please.) 

    The clarity and mental energy that brain guard+ delivers help me combat pesky mental fogginess that crops up on occasion and stay on top of my productivity and task performance.* 

    Along with the impressive multidimensional cognitive performance support, I’ve noticed that my mood balance has never been better. 

    These positive mood support benefits are thanks to kanna, a fascinating nootropic botanical sourced from South Africa. Kanna delivers synergistic dual action 3on the central nervous system, supporting cognitive function (including cognitive flexibility and executive function4) and emotional processes in the brain.* 

    I find myself noticeably more relaxed and levelheaded throughout the day, yet I still feel mentally sharp. I’ll take some Zen with my mental clarity any day. 

    Emma Engler

    Source link

  • This Underconsumed Nutrient Helps Prevent Falls & Fractures

    This Underconsumed Nutrient Helps Prevent Falls & Fractures

    Invest in a great multivitamin. The easiest way to add more vitamin K to your diet is to take a multivitamin, especially since studies have found that supplementing with vitamin K7 can help prevent chronic bone conditions as you age. Check out the best multivitamins here.

    Add more leafy greens to your meals. Consuming dark leafy greens such as kale and spinach, as well as cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts, has been shown to effectively help you meet your recommended vitamin K intake6. So cook those veggies and add a huge salad to your lunch. You won’t regret it!

    Get your protein from a few meat sources. One study indicated that vegans were at a higher risk of fractures due to low protein, vitamin D, and vitamin K levels. If you don’t eat meat, be sure to incorporate other forms of protein into your diet and up your vitamin K supplementation.

    Watch your antibiotic use. According to Harvard researchers, antibiotic medicines may destroy vitamin-K-producing bacteria in the gut. This could potentially decrease vitamin K levels, especially if you take the medicine for more than a few weeks. While antibiotics can be necessary and lifesaving, only take them as needed and follow this gut-restoring protocol after you finish a round.

    Nikhita Mahtani

    Source link

  • Why Social Connections Are So Essential To Health & Longevity

    Why Social Connections Are So Essential To Health & Longevity

    Researchers hypothesized, and later confirmed1, that what set Roseto apart was that it “displayed a high level of ethnic and social homogeneity, close family ties, and cohesive community relationships.”

    This community of 1,600 people was founded by Italian immigrants in the late nineteenth century. And until around the late 1960s, the people in Roseto still lived as if they were in Italy, especially in terms of their social relationships, religion, and multigenerational homes. In a 2015 PBS documentary series about Italian Americans, filmmakers went to Roseto and spoke with elders who had been around for the original study.

    In fact, they were there to document what community members call the Big Time, an annual event that gathers together people with ties to Roseto, almost like a giant family reunion. There are parades, parties, and potlucks with lots of—you guessed it—pasta. Beyond the pure enjoyment of food and wine, what is so clear in the documentary is the real secret to the good life—care and connection.

    Today, Roseto resembles the rest of America—it’s no longer a cultural island—and so do its rates of cardiovascular disease. Since the early sixties, when Roseto’s social cohesion started to break down, the mortality rates from heart disease also rose in the younger generation of Rosetans. The landmark study of Roseto that spanned 50 years tracked both mortality rates and the changing social traditions, confirming all of the earlier findings of other studies: older generations of Rosetans who benefited from that close-knit community in midcentury were far more protected from heart disease than their children.

    This phenomenon of increased heart health in tight-knit communities is now referred to as the Roseto effect, and the studies’ core findings about the importance of social connection have been affirmed again and again throughout the years.

    Colleen & Jason Wachob

    Source link

  • How Long It Takes To Improve Muscle Mass When Taking Collagen*

    How Long It Takes To Improve Muscle Mass When Taking Collagen*

    Let’s first discuss how collagen affects your muscles. Collagen is technically not a complete protein because it’s missing tryptophan, one of the nine essential amino acids. Still, it delivers close to 20 unique amino acids and can support muscle mass, particularly when combined with exercise.* (Collagen makes up 1 to 10% of muscles, in fact!)

    In one small clinical study, men who took collagen daily while participating in an exercise program gained more muscle mass4 than those who only did the exercise program.*

    Now, how long does it take to see these results? Well, the specific time frame for muscles varies, depending on the intended result studied. For enhanced muscle mass from collagen protein (peptides and amino acids), research points to about three months when combined with resistance training.*

    For example, one study that focused on perimenopausal women found that the participants experienced a positive impact on body composition and regional muscle strength5; another study conducted in older men also observed benefits for their body composition and muscle mass6; finally, research in recreationally active adult men finds that collagen supplementation supports body composition7 as well as skeletal muscle8—all of these benefits fell within a three-month period.* 

    Beyond all of that, collagen supplements have also been shown to improve recovery times—and this happens at a much faster rate than the impact on muscle mass and strength.* In fact, for a typical level of muscle soreness after strenuous exercise, one study found that you may see benefits by day two9.*

    Let’s repeat that: You may start experiencing improved recovery time two days after starting supplementation.*

    Check out our full guide here to see how long it takes for collagen to work for muscles, skin, joint health, and more.*

    Hannah Frye

    Source link

  • An Audiologist’s Top Tips For Preventing Hearing Loss

    An Audiologist’s Top Tips For Preventing Hearing Loss

    Unless your job (think: construction or woodworking) requires it, you may not think to wear hearing protection in noisy spaces. But in reality, you should be wearing earplugs when you’re attending a music festival, riding a motorcycle, or even mowing your lawn, says Taylor.

    Without them, “you could experience temporary tinnitus or temporary hearing loss,” she adds. “Sometimes after noise exposure, we see a temporary threshold shift, where if someone tested your hearing right after that concert, you would present with hearing loss. It can recover, but you would definitely leave the concert with ringing in your ears.”

    In fact, sporting events are so loud, you might suffer hearing loss after just 15 minutes of exposure, and it can take as little as five minutes to harm your hearing while at a nightclub or concert. Generally speaking, the louder the sound and longer the exposure, the less time it takes and the greater the risk for hearing loss to occur, according to the CDC3.

    People often push back on wearing ear protection at concerts, says Taylor, as they believe they won’t be able to hear the artist with plugs in. But there are earplugs on the market, such as those from Loop and Eargasm, that are specifically designed for music—and look pretty cute to boot, she notes. “You hear the music perfectly, it’s just a little softer,” she adds. “In my opinion, the music sounds a little better because it’s not, like, painfully loud.”

    In other instances, you’re fine to use the cheap foam earplugs available at the hardware store. Just make sure to put them in them properly for adequate protection, says Taylor.

    Megan Falk

    Source link

  • This “Normal” Sign Of Aging Could Correlate To Dementia Risk

    This “Normal” Sign Of Aging Could Correlate To Dementia Risk

    Researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) recently studied over a thousand women around the age of 75 and looked at two speed and strength measurements: grip strength (an important indicator of overall health and longevity) and a metric called “timed up and go,” TUG (in which people are timed as they get up from a chair, walk a short distance, and return to the chair1).

    For over 15 years, scientists monitored these women for declines in speed and strength metrics. They found that women with significant declines in these areas were up to twice as likely as their counterparts to have a late-life dementia event (either a dementia-related hospitalization or death).

    And while this might sound alarming to anyone getting older or watching their loved ones slow down with age, it is important to remember two things: For starters, some decline in strength and speed is normal for anyone in their 70s, especially if relatively mild. Also, early-stage research and findings like this may help identify early-stage dementia and encourage preventative therapies that can help stave off cognitive decline.

    “Incorporating muscle function tests as part of dementia screening could be useful to identify high-risk individuals, who might then benefit from primary prevention programs aimed at preventing the onset of the condition such as a healthy diet and a physically active lifestyle,” study author Marc Sim, Ph.D. said in a statement.

    Sim adds that grip strength and TUG tests aren’t currently performed in clinical practice, but both are inexpensive and simple assesments that could be introduced as part of dementia screening.

    Jenny Fant

    Source link