It’s commonly known that stress can negatively affect health and raise the risk of developing disease. But a recent study of women over 50 found that just anticipating a stressful situation caused an accelerated rate of cellular aging, which is associated with a raised risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. In the study, participants were told they’d have to participate in a stressful event in the near future. The women who showed a higher level of stress in anticipation of the event also had an increased rate of cellular aging. The study’s lead author Aoife O’Donovan, PhD, said how you cope with major forms of stress in life may have an influence in how you respond to minor forms of stress. More here.
A survey of baby boomers reveals their preferences and wishes for possible retirement relocation destinations. Respondents to the Consumer Federation of the Southeast/Mason-Dixon Polling & Research survey listed top-quality health care as very or somewhat important when considering a place to relocate after retiring. Affordable housing was also high on the boomers’ wish list, with 92 percent of participants listing it as important to them. The survey, which interviewed 1,100 adults between the ages of 47 and 65, found a third of them were open to moving across state lines to find a retirement location that offered a pleasant climate, low local taxes, and access to recreational opportunities. More here.
Gallup’s Well-Being Index measures Americans’ economic confidence, future expectations, physical and emotional health. In January, respondents reported exercising more, eating healthier, and feeling less stress and worry than the previous month. Nearly half of Americans say they exercised for a half hour at least three days in the last week and 55.7 percent said they ate five servings of fruits and vegetables at least four times in the past seven days. The overall health index rose to 63.3 from 61 in December. The physical health index increased to 77.1. Gallup’s Life Evaluation Index, which asks Americans to rate their current and future life, reached it’s highest level in nearly a year. More here.
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An analysis of federal data on the country’s nursing homes done by USA Today reveals an overall improvement in the level of care, though there remains a large number of low-rated nursing homes that haven’t improved since 2008 when the government began ranking the quality of care. The number of four-and five-star rated homes rose to 43 percent from 38 percent while the percentage of one-and two-star homes fell to 35 percent from 40 percent in 2009. Among the 15,7000 homes analyzed by USA Today, 564 received one star in each of the past three years and 448 had a five-star rating during each reporting period. More here.
Brussels sprouts aren’t among the most popular vegetables, largely due to the fact that when overcooked they take on a bitter flavor. But despite their popularity problems, they are packed with nutrients that provide numerous health benefits and can help lower cholesterol and prevent age-related macular degeneration. A 3.5-oz. serving of Brussels sprouts provides 7 percent of the recommended daily amount of protein, nearly double the amount found in most vegetables. They also contain 15 percent of the recommended amount of fiber and 142 percent of the suggested amount of vitamin C. A cruciferous vegetable related to cabbage, Brussels sprouts contain isothiocyanates which may help prevent cancer and reduce the risk of heart attack. More here.
Consuming more than 2,100 calories per day may be linked to a higher incidence of mild cognitive impairment. A new study of 1,200 people between the ages of 70 and 89 found that the more calories a person consumed in a day the more likely they were to develop memory troubles. In fact, those that took in the highest number of calories had double the risk of mild cognitive impairment. David Loewenstein, PhD, said more and more research shows that anything good for the heart is good for the brain, making overeating a risk for developing diabetes, having a stroke, or developing memory problems. More here.
According to a new study published in Health Affairs, more than half of surveyed doctors said they bent the truth and gave a patient an overly positive prognosis in the past year. The study, which surveyed nearly 2,000 doctors nationwide about honesty, responsibility, and communication, found more than a tenth said they told a patient something that wasn’t true and 20 percent said they didn’t disclose mistakes they’d made out of fear of being sued. Still, most doctors agreed that they should always fully inform their patients and not share confidential information with unauthorized people. More here.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine gave mice large doses of a drug typically used to treat a type of skin cancer and found that it very quickly reversed the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Within three days, the mice showed greatly improved memory and more than half of the plaque had disappeared in the brain. Despite the dramatic effect of the drug, the researchers caution that it may not have the same effectiveness if given to humans. Gary Landreth, lead researcher, said Alzheimer’s has been cured in mice many times and that research should move forward quickly but cautiously. More here.
The number of doctors prescribing exercise and physical activity to their patients has increased over the past 10 years, according to a new report from the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention. In 2000, less than 25 percent of adults who went to see a doctor were advised to get more exercise compared with one in three adults in 2010. Patients between the ages of 45 and 74 were most likely to be told to get more exercise, though 30 percent of adults over the age of 85 received similar advice. Though exercise is known to lower the risk of everything from heart disease to depression, few Americans get the recommended amount per week. The report says over the past 10 years the medical community is increasing its efforts to recommend patients exercise due to the substantial health benefits. More here.
Despite recent signs of economic improvement, Americans over the age of 50 are generally pessimistic about their financial situation, retirement, and ability to find a job. More than 1,300 Americans over the age of 50 were surveyed recently by the AARP and, according to the results, nearly half of them expect their standard of living in retirement to be worse than their parents or grandparents’ generation and 72 percent said they weren’t confident they’d be able to find a job if they needed work. The recent recession has spiked financial fears for those nearing retirement and people who have already retired. Among respondents, 57 percent said the recession has made them less optimistic that they’ll have enough money to live comfortably during retirement. Government gridlock ranked highest on the list of things participants reported being very worried about. Rising taxes, high inflation, and having enough money for health care also made the list. More here.
