Fitness may shield the aging brain

Fitness may shield the aging brain

Last Updated: 2009-01-22 13:48:46 -0400 (Reuters Health)

By Amy Norton

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Staying physically fit with age may help protect people from mental decline by maintaining a healthy flow of blood to the brain, new research suggests.

A number of studies have found that regular exercise may help prevent or delay age-related cognitive decline and full-blown dementia, but the reasons are not fully clear.

For the new study, Canadian researchers looked at the relationships between physical fitness, brain blood flow and cognitive-test performance in 42 women between the ages of 50 and 90.

They found that those with the highest fitness levels generally showed better blood flow to the brain during exercise. This, in turn, was related to better scores on tests of memory, reasoning and other cognitive skills.

The findings are published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging.

"Our results suggest that the vascular benefits of exercise that have been reported previously in the heart and muscles are also conferred to the brain," senior researcher Dr. Marc J. Poulin, of the University of Calgary in Alberta, told Reuters Health.

"Basic fitness -- something as simple as getting out for a walk every day -- is critical to staying mentally sharp and remaining healthy as we age," said Poulin, who is also a scientist with the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.

The study included 42 healthy postmenopausal women, some of whom regularly got aerobic exercise and some of whom were sedentary. All of the women took fitness tests on an exercise bike and had ultrasound scans to gauge their cerebral blood flow.

In general, fitter women showed better blood flow to the brain and greater responsiveness of the blood vessels to increased circulation.

"Our study identified strong and significant associations between physical fitness and cognition, and between physical fitness and vascular function in the brain," Poulin explained.

This, according to the researcher, suggests that the benefits of exercise on mental function are at least partly explained by its effects on blood vessel function.

The results, Poulin said, "provide a strong scientific basis for future studies to examine how exercise improves cognition in older adults."

"The implications are huge," he added, "given the aging population and age-related diseases like Alzheimer's disease and stroke."

SOURCE: Neurobiology of Aging, January 2009.

Heart Attacks getting less severe in the U.S.

Reuters Health reports this week that heart attacks are getting less severe. While we haven't improved on getting to the hospital any sooner after the onset of symptoms (still about 33% of people make it in under 2 hours) we have less heart muscle damage with a heart attack.

Before we start the party, realize a couple things. First, heart disease is still the #1 cause of death in the U.S. (followed by cancer and stroke, in that order). Second, we're getting MORE OBESE as a nation. So how can you reconcile these two, apparently disparate, facts?

Sedentary life leads to an "older" heart, which develops more "collateral circulation" -- smaller vessels that feed more heart muscle because of the lack of exercise. So our chunky, couch-potato, gaming, inactivity is giving us hearts that have more, smaller vessels. So our hearts sustain less damage per heart attack episode. That's no reason to celebrate.

I've mentioned elsewhere that I got to meet Jack LaLanne in Long Beach this year -- I followed him on the podium after he gave a 7:00 am lecture. Before he spoke he and his wife had walked on the beach for an hour. Jack is 94. He is proof that regular exercise and good nutritional habits count, and count big!

Home for the holidays...

Many of our patients will be traveling this holiday season -- may you all return home safely! In the meantime, we've got our holiday clinic schedules put together. Good news! Looks like we'll have full chiropractic coverage through January 2, including emergency care for those unfortunate spines, and their owners, who may need it.

Now is the time take care of any residual symptoms, aches and pains. Deductibles are met, and a new cycle starts January 1, 2009. If you need a holiday tune, give us a jingle (bells). (Couldn't resist...) :0) Call us at (303) 675-3009!

Our immune systems get pummeled about now through March. If you're a patient of ours, be sure to check your email for our HealthCoach Newsletter and Holiday Flyer for significant savings on therapy to support and strengthen your immune system -- our Winter Wellness Package. (If you aren't a patient yet, go to our home page at www.center4spine.com, then follow the link on the right to "CSP Patient Info Central." There's a downloadable newsletter waiting there for you!)

It's a bit disconcerting to know that when we sneeze, viruses travel up to 100 mph and can be effectively deposited 12 feet away. Then the little buggers live for 2 days! So, DO cover your sneeze, but don't sneeze into your hands (unless neck pain prevents you from covering a sneeze or cough any other way.) Sneeze into the inside of your bent elbow, or better yet, a Kleenex (or a Puffs, to be commercially neutral.) And if your upper respiratory infection or flu is hanging on, remember that an antiobiotic will do NOTHING for your viral infection. You need an immune boost. You need our Winter Wellness Package!

Merry Christmas, Chag Sameach, and Happy Holidays to all!

Dr. C

Anti-aging and the MRS 2000

The MRS 2000 works by providing every cell of your body with an abundance of energy in the form of electrons. When there are too many ions and molecules with unpaired electrons, damage to cells and tissues occurs. Using natural magnetic resonance the MRS 2000 surrounds you with an invisible “electron cloud.” All 75 trillion cells are supplied with electrons to neutralize free radicals and other reactive oxygen species, and begin repairing cell damage.
Memory capabilities decline with age. Current studies show that free radical cell damage contributes to aging and age-related decline in brain functioning. Sleep deprivation, insomnia or the inability to stay asleep deprives your body of releasing its own supply of growth hormone, another powerful anti-aging substance. Arthritis pain can prevent you from being as active as you want.

The MRS 2000 combats the deleterious effects of aging 3 ways:
it restores sleep, reduces arthritis pain and neutralizes free radicals!

Our strategy for aging well is prevention. Whatever your age, the more you understand about prevention, the longer you’ll live -- IF YOU ACT on what you know! Protecting your health and active lifestyle is one of the best investments you can make in your future!

Don't let your feet leave home without 'em...

Orthotics, or "custom foot orthoses" are footbeds placed in the shoes to correct biomechanical imbalances that lead to chronic back pain, knee pain, and foot or ankle pain. If your recurrent or chronic back pain occurs mostly with standing and walking, it may be a sign that orthotics can help.
Orthotics correct excessive "pronation" -- the joints in the midfoot are too lax, allowing the foot to rotate inward. As a result, the knee rotates inward, the pelvic rocks forward and there's too much arch in the back ... and it works upwards from there.
CSP & W have designed orthotics for all kinds of people from all walks of life. Here's what one of our patients, an Olympic Athlete who competed in Beijing, recently had to say:

“I had knee pain for six years... After using my orthotics for two days, my knee pain was completely gone.”
Natalie Woolfolk, 3-time National Champion in Weightlifting (2005, 2006, 2007)
Through October 10th, we're offering our patients a *Complimentary orthotics screening as a way to get the fall season "off on the right foot."
:-)
Dr. C

Pills, pills, pills...

Apologies for the irreverence (and PG rating -- parents be warned!), but Bill Maher is making an essential point here that CANNOT be missed. It's the same point that Jack LaLanne made this past weekend in Long Beach (at the age of 94): You wouldn't feed your dog a doughnut, coffee and a cigarette for breakfast... and exercise IS good for you!

P.S. Elaine, Jack's wife, at 88, agrees with her husband. Both are living proof that eating whole fruits and vegetables in their natural state and exercise are VITAL KEYS to healthy life and longevity!

It's official -- the DRX 9000 gets an early thumbs up from Mayo

The findings of the first IRB-approved multicenter pilot study on the DRX 9000 for back pain was release by the study's principle author, Dr. John Leslie, of the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. The study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of the DRX 9000 for chronic lower back pain.

A greater than 50% reduction of pain was observed after 2 weeks of treatment, and on completion of the 6 week treatment an 88.9% success rate was documented.

A second study, to be presented by Dr. Christian Apfel, an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at the University of California, San Francisco, found that the DRX 9000 produces an increase in intervertebral disc height in addition to a significant reduction in chronic low back pain.

The DRX 9000, the true non-surgical spinal decompression we use at The Center for Spine Pain & Wellness, is gaining momentum in the scientific community. It's proven effective, and for many wish to do all they can to avoid surgery, this is a treatment of choice. There are other places to go for DRX 9000 care ... and then there is THE PLACE to go for DRX 9000 care...