Survey Finds That Dental Health Is Important To Older Adults, But There Are Gaps In Care

A survey conducted among adults aged 50 and older found that though dental health ranks among the top three medical concerns, fewer than half floss daily and about a third brush their teeth only once a day. Conducted by P&G brands Crest and Oral-B and the AARP, the survey found that 75 percent said dental health care is “very important”. Seventy-four percent said they visited a dentist or dental professional for treatment at least twice a year. But many older adults still do not maintain a full oral care routine: 60 percent do not use mouthwash daily, 47 percent do not floss daily, and 34 percent only brush once a day.

"Survey Reveals Key Insights into the Attitudes and Awareness of Oral Health among the Boomer Generation", News release, Procter & Gamble, June 18, 2013

Royal DSM Partners With Other Organizations To Provide Nutrition Interventions

Dutch life sciences company Royal DSM says it will help provide nutrition interventions to 50 million children under the age of two, as well as pregnant and lactating women, by 2020. The company expects to reach these people through existing public-private partnerships with the World Food Programme, Vitamin Angels and World Vision International. According to the company, two billion people globally do not receive the necessary levels of vitamins and minerals that allow them to develop to their full mental and physical potential.

"DSM to contribute to new 2020 global nutrition target", News release, Royal DSM, June 08, 2013

Hormones With Vitamin D And Calcium Reduce Risk Of Fractures In Postmenopausal Women

A U.S. study that analyzed health data from 30,000 postmenopausal women provides evidence that women should take calcium and vitamin D supplements after menopause for bone health, especially if the women are taking hormone supplements. According to the researchers, vitamin D and calcium supplements had a synergistic effect, providing much greater protection against hip fractures than with either therapy alone. Women who took only the supplements – without the hormone therapy – were as much at risk for fractures as women who took neither the supplements nor the hormones.

"Women's Health Initiative clinical trials: interaction of calcium and vitamin D with hormone therapy", Menopause, June 26, 2013

Study Finds Evidence That Vitamin D Reduces Depression Among Women With Diabetes

A small U.S. pilot study has found evidence that vitamin D supplementation lowered blood pressure, improved mood and even led to weight loss among women with type 2 diabetes who were also depressed. According to the researchers, women with type 2 diabetes have worse health than men, probably because of depression, which affects more than 25 percent of women with diabetes. Depression makes it tougher for people to manage diabetes by eating right, exercising, taking medications, etc. The researchers have just received funding for a larger clinical study to see if vitamin D really does have an impact on depression.

"Vitamin D Improves Mood and Blood Pressure in Women With Diabetes", News release, study presented at the American Diabetes Association scientific sessions, June 25, 2013

Eating Fatty Fish – In Moderation – Reduces Risk Of Atrial Fibrillation

Studies have shown that eating oily fish rich in omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) –an irregular, often rapid heart rate leading to poor blood flow. But a new Danish study found a U-shaped association between eating oily fish and reduced risk of AF: eating too little – or too much – both raise the risk of AF. Data from a long-term study beginning in 1993 and 1997 involving 57,000 Danes (ages 50 to 64) found that the most benefit came when people consumed around 0.63 grams of fish-derived omega 3 fatty acids a day, or about two servings of fatty (oily) fish a week.

"U-Shaped Curve Revealed for Association Between Fish Consumption and Atrial Fibrillation", News release, study presented at the EHRA EUROPACE congress, June 24, 2013

Weight Loss Does Not Reduce The Risk Of Heart Attack Among Overweight Type 2 Diabetics

A large multicenter U.S. clinical trial that assessed the effects of an intensive lifestyle intervention program found that overweight and obese type 2 diabetics in the program who lost weight were just as likely to suffer heart attacks and strokes as those in the control group. The trial, begun in 2001, involved more than 5,000 people at 16 clinical centers. The researchers said their findings should not discourage overweight people with type 2 diabetes from losing weight. On the contrary, they said, though weight loss did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, it did provide many other health benefits.

"Cardiovascular Effects of Intensive Lifestyle Intervention in Type 2 Diabetes", New England Journal of Medicine , June 24, 2013

Indian Study Highlights Health Benefits Of Walking Or Cycling To Work

A study conducted in India reveals that people who walk or cycle to work are healthier than those who drive cars or ride buses. Half of the people who traveled to work by private transport and 38 percent who took public transportation were overweight. Only a quarter of those who walked or cycled to work were overweight. Similar patterns were found for rates of high blood pressure and diabetes. "This study highlights that walking and cycling to work is not only good for the environment but also good for personal health," the researchers concluded.

"Associations between Active Travel to Work and Overweight, Hypertension, and Diabetes in India", PLoS Medicine, June 21, 2013

Sleep Apnea Doubles Risk Of Sudden Cardiac Death

Sleep apnea increases the risk of sudden cardiac death, a U.S. study finds. Researchers collected data for more than five years on 11,000 people who had participated in sleep studies. During that time, 142 people died of sudden cardiac death. The most common predictors were age (60+ years), 20 or more apnea episodes per hour of sleep, and an oxygen saturation below 78 percent during sleep. The researchers concluded that sleep apnea doubles the risk of sudden death, particularly if people stop breathing more than 20 times an hour.

"Obstructive Sleep Apnea and the Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death: A Longitudinal Study of 10,701 Adults", Journal of the American College of Cardiology, June 21, 2013

A Good Night’s Sleep Leads To Healthier Teen Food Choices

A study by U.S. researchers has found that well-rested teens tend to make healthier food choices than teens with poor sleeping habits. The study examined the association between sleep duration and food choices in a national representative sample of 13,284 teenagers. Sleep duration had an independent effect on healthy food decisions when compared with other factors including age, gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status amongst others.  The research team concluded that addressing sleep deficiency may be effective in obesity prevention and healthier life choices in general.

"Sleep Deprivation in Teens Linked to Poor Dietary Choices", News release, presentation at the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, June 20, 2013

To Be Fit, Exercise 150 Minutes A Week – Study

A study by Canadian researchers has determined that adults who accrue a total of 150 minutes of exercise a few days a week are just as healthy as adults who exercise more frequently throughout the week. Scientists followed 2,324 adults to determine if the frequency of physical activity throughout the week is associated with risk factors for diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Physical activity was measured continuously by accelerometers worn on their waists recording  how much a person moves every minute. The study proved that it doesn’t matter how or when an individual accumulates exercise time. It’s only important that they find a way to fit those 150 minutes into a schedule that works best for them.

"Is the frequency of weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity associated with the metabolic syndrome in Canadian adults?", Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, June 20, 2013

Antidepressants + Stress + High-Fat Diet = Long-Term Weight Gain

Taking antidepressants even for a short period of time can lead to significant weight gain when combined with stress and a high-fat diet, according to an Australian study in rats. The finding is significant because millions of prescriptions for antidepressants are written each year -- at the same time that obesity rates are climbing. For the study, male rats were treated with the antidepressant fluoxitine after induced stress. These animals had significantly higher weight gain than control animals. Researchers concluded that short-term exposure to stress and antidepressants – rather than a high-calorie, high-fat diet alone – leads to long-term body weight gain.

"Relationship Between Short-Term Antidepressant Use, Stress, High-Fat Diet And Long-Term Weight Gain", News release, study presented at the Endocrine Society annual meeting, June 19, 2013

Excessive Salt Consumption Puts Older Women At Higher Risk Of Bone Fractures

A Japanese study has determined that postmenopausal women who consume a diet high in sodium have a much greater risk of suffering nonvertabral bone fractures. Past research has shown a link between excess sodium consumption and increased bone breakdown and decreased bone mineral density. The new study followed 213 postmenopausal women who had undergone osteoporosis screening. Participants with the highest sodium intake (an average of 7,561 mg per day) were four times likelier to have an existing nonvertebral fracture, compared with the groups who had lower sodium intakes. The researchers concluded that excessive sodium is a risk factor for bone fragility and is important to consider in dietary therapy for osteoporosis.

"Excessive Salt Consumption Appears to Be Bad for Your Bones", News release, study presented at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting, June 17, 2013

Diet High In Saturated Fats Can Be Harmful To The Developing Brain

Adolescents whose diet is high in fat are at greater risk of learning and memory problems as adults, according to a study in mice by Spanish researchers. Mice fed a normal calorie but high-fat diet became moderately obese and showed significantly impaired spatial memory. The same diet did not affect adult mice. The researchers concluded that normal calorie diets high in saturated fats “have deleterious and long-lasting effects on the developing brain, even in the absence of diabetes”.

"Adolescents' High Fat Diet Impairs Memory and Learning", News release, presentation at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting, June 17, 2013

Vitamin D Deficiency Increases Risk Of Allergies Among Overweight Children

Scientists have discovered a link between vitamin D deficiency in obese or overweight children and a higher risk of asthma and allergies. The clinical study was conducted in Maryland among 86 adolescents ages 10 to 18. Fifty-four were overweight or obese; the rest were at a healthy weight. All of the overweight/obese participants were vitamin D deficient. The investigators found that vitamin D seems to regulate the levels of certain hormones and some biochemical measures of allergic disease. The lower the level of vitamin D, the greater the risk of asthma and allergies.

"Vitamin D Deficiency May Raise Allergy and Asthma Risk in Obese Children, Teens", News release, study presented at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting, June 17, 2013

Drugs That Treat Heart Failure May Also Prevent Obesity, Study Finds

U.S. researchers have found that drugs capable of blocking the action of two types of hormones produced in the adrenal cortex may be useful in preventing weight gain and other health problems associated with a high-fat diet. The drugs, known as MR antagonists, play a key role in treating heart failure and high blood pressure. But in a study in mice, researchers found that the drugs helped prevent weight gain and increased the number of energy-burning brown fat cells. The researchers concluded that their findings “open new unexpected applications of MR antagonists in the treatment of obesity and its metabolic complications”.

"Drugs Used To Treat Heart Failure And High Blood Pressure May Help Decrease Obesity", News release, presentation at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting, June 17, 2013

Brief Walks After Each Meal Can Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Among Older People

Taking a short walk after eating a meal is effective at reducing blood sugar – and reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes – among people age 60 ore older, a U.S. study shows. Ten people over 60 and otherwise healthy participated in the study. Participants were, however, at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. They either walked for 15 minutes after each meal or walked 45 minutes on a treadmill once a day. It was found that a 15-minute walk after each meal was most beneficial, with the greatest benefit coming after the evening meal. The short walk curbed the exaggerated rise in blood sugar that often lasts well into the night and early morning.

"Three 15-min Bouts of Moderate Postmeal Walking Significantly Improves 24-h Glycemic Control in Older People at Risk for Impaired Glucose Tolerance", Diabetes Care, June 12, 2013

Large Genetic Study Proves The Link Between Low Vitamin D Levels And Hypertension

British researchers who analyzed data from 35 studies involving 155,000 people found a strong causal link between low levels of vitamin D and high blood pressure. The researchers said that observational studies had already detected the link, but the large-scale genetic study nailed down the cause and effect relationship. The findings strongly suggest that some cases of cardiovascular disease could be prevented through vitamin D supplements or food fortification, the authors said.

"Genetic Research Clarifies Link Between Hypertension and Vitamin D Deficiency", News release, presentation at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics, June 10, 2013

Eating Healthy Vegetable Fats Reduces Risk Of Developing Lethal Prostate Cancer

U.S. researchers who collected data on 4,600 men diagnosed with non-metastatic prostate cancer found that substituting healthy vegetable fats in the diet for animal fats significantly reduced the risk of developing lethal prostate cancer. Healthy vegetable fats include those found in olive and canola oils, nuts, seeds and avocados. Researchers followed the men from 1986 to 2010, during which time 1,064 men died from cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer and other cancers. The authors found that men who replaced 10 percent of their total daily carb calories with healthy vegetable fats had a 29 percent lower risk of developing lethal prostate cancer.

"Fat Intake After Diagnosis and Risk of Lethal Prostate Cancer and All-Cause Mortality Fat Intake After Lethal Prostate Cancer", JAMA Internal Medicine, June 10, 2013