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Jimi said:
Even Young Adults are
"Eating Away at Their Brain"

The link between type 2 diabetes, impaired brain health and cognitive decline is so well established that some doctors call Alzheimer's disease “type 3 diabetes.”

But don’t be too sure the risk of dementia only goes up once you’ve been diagnosed with full-blown diabetes, which typically happens when you’re middle-aged or a senior. In our sugar-saturated society, waning brain function may start at a much earlier age.

A group of researchers from Australia attempted to find out. . .

When Normal Blood Sugar isn't Really Normal

The damage to the brain from chronically high blood sugar is well known when it reaches an advanced stage, but high blood sugar starts much earlier, and we know less about its effects on the brain at that stage.

A strong clue came from a major study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2013. The researchers found that even among adults without diabetes, every higher increment in glucose levels let to an increased risk of dementia.

In a more recent article, a team from the Australian National University reviewed the research results of over 200 international studies. They also included findings from 7,484 Australians taking part in the PATH study, which investigates aging, health and cognition across the lifespan.

From the findings of all this research they concluded that higher blood glucose levels, even those considered to be in the normal range, contribute to brain degeneration. And the higher the blood sugar level, the greater the damage.

The Australian scientists also found that disease processes kick off in mid-adulthood or before and what’s more, some studies have identified specific mechanisms “supporting a causal link between glucose metabolism dysregulation and neurodegeneration.. . "

Translation: High blood sugar causes brain cells to degenerate.

Their research found that cellular damage and impaired functioning in the brain are caused by an abundance of free radicals and chronic inflammation. These processes also contribute to blood vessel disease and have been linked to lower levels of BDNF, an important protein that promotes the survival of brain cells.

They point the finger at poor diets, the consumption of too many calories, obesity and lack of exercise as major risk factors.

Dementia Prevention Needs to Start Early

Professor Nicolas Cherbuin, who led the research, said, "The link between type 2 diabetes and the rapid deterioration of brain function is already well established.

"But our work shows that neurodegeneration, or the loss and function of neurons, sets in much, much earlier -- we've found a clear association between this brain deterioration and unhealthy lifestyle choices. People are eating away at their brain with a really bad fast-food diet and little-to-no exercise.

"The damage done is pretty much irreversible once a person reaches midlife, so we urge everyone to eat healthy and get in shape as early as possible -- preferably in childhood but certainly by early adulthood."

He admits that although the message is simple, bringing about this change will be a major challenge. The tragic consequences of the obesity and metabolic syndrome epidemics are likely to be with us for decades to come.

The problem is all too obvious

To see why he’s concerned, you only have to look at a few disturbing statistics regarding US adults.

The average person consumes more than 3,600 calories daily. Even an active adult over age 36 needs no more than 2,800 calories.

58% of the calorie intake comes from highly processed foods.

Three quarters of men and three out of five women are either overweight or obese.

Fewer than one in four adults achieve the recommended levels of exercise.

Prof. Cherbuin added, "As a society we need to stop asking, ‘do you want fries with that?', and the mindset that comes with it. If we don't, then expect to see more overweight and obese people suffering from serious diseases."

Health Disclaimer: The information provided above is not intended as personal medical advice or instructions. You should not take any action affecting your health without consulting a qualified health professional. The authors and publishers of the information above are not doctors or health-caregivers. The authors and publishers believe the information to be accurate but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. There is some risk associated with ANY alternative treatment, and the reader should not act on the information above unless he or she is willing to assume the full risk.
Click to expand...


I noticed something.
No one smokes anymore but instead they are morbidly obese.
In this twisted world that's considered a public health win.
 
Jimi

Jimi

Diamond Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Mold in Your Home is a Cancer Danger
Mold isn’t always a bad thing… After all, if you enjoy a good slice of Roquefort or Camembert cheese, you’re appreciating the work of a cheesemaker who used fungal spores to create that unique, mold-ripened flavor.

And penicillium mold naturally produces the antibiotic penicillin, which was the first true antibiotic. It changed the course of medicine across the world.

But outside of those two wins, mold is pretty rotten – in every sense of the word. Quite a few people are allergic – some to the point where it’s debilitating. It’s a common cause of respiratory problems.

Mold growing indoors -- for example, behind wallpaper or under your flooring – can bring on anything from nasal and sinus congestion to bronchitis, sore throat, headache, asthma, or skin and eye irritation.

Allergies aren’t the half of it

But if your house is mold-infested, allergies may be the least of your problems.

My publishing house has done a great deal of reporting on alternative approaches to dementia, and I can tell you that toxic mold infestation in homes and buildings is now near the top of the list as a possible cause of so-called Alzheimer’s disease.

It may be that these airborne mold toxins should likewise be front and center as a suspected cancer cause. And to make the news even worse, mold infestation in buildings is far more common than you would ever think.

If your house has a water problem of any kind – water in the basement, leak from the toilet or under the sink, any water damage at all – then your home is a candidate for mold toxicity.

Young children and the elderly are at greatest risk.

But for the moment, let’s focus on an easier problem to solve: foodborne molds that may cause cancer. . .

The worst offenders are actually substances called mycotoxinsproduced by mold. They are the waste products of certain kinds of fungi.

Mycotoxins can be even more toxic than heavy metals. These tiny particles can ravage your body if they make their way inside, “hiding” from your immune system. Molds have a remarkable ability to mutate, meaning the sheer variety of toxins can overwhelm your immune system.

To make it worse, mycotoxins produce chemicals that suppress your immune system. Mycotoxins can also cross straight into your brain, which is another reason they’re considered so toxic. This can lead to anything from mold-induced sinusitis to serious brain complications.

The 5 worst moldy dangers to avoid

Here are the top five most dangerous mycotoxins:

  1. Aflatoxins are the worst. You find them on peanuts most often, but they also occur on corn, cottonseed, and tree nuts. The fungi that produce aflatoxins, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, are most often found in warm and humid regions. They can contaminate crops still in the field, already harvested, or during storage. Aflatoxin exposure is linked to a higher risk of liver cancer.
  2. Citrinin could be toxic to living cells. It’s found in grains that have been in long-term storage, as well as in fruits and some other plant-based products. It’s created by the fungi genuses Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Monascus, and can cause liver and kidney damage.
  3. Fumonisins aren’t officially considered carcinogenic, but these mycotoxins may as well be. Studies have found a link between this type of mycotoxin and cancer in general. And in studies of rats, high fumonisins made for kidney and liver tumors in both the females and males.
  4. Patulin, a toxin produced by a variety of molds, is most often found on fruit, especially apples with brown rot and any other fruit with obvious signs of decay and rotting. High doses of Patulin have been shown to be neurotoxic in animal studies. In humans, high doses have caused gastro-intestinal lesions and bleeding in the stomach and small intestines.
  5. Zearalenone, known as ZEA, can act as a hormone disruptor. This mycotoxin produces “mycoestrogens,” and was at the heart of the famous “Jersey Girl Study” from 30 years ago that found eighty percent of a sample of 163 girls from New Jersey, ages 9-10, tested high for mycoestrogens. The girls were shorter than average, and hadn’t yet reached the onset of breast development. Later, researchers found that a derivative of ZEA had been given to U.S. livestock since the 1970’s. ZEA is banned in the European Union and several other countries, but not in the U.S.
How to protect yourself in the age of mass-produced food

Mycotoxins have been around for thousands of years, for the most part performing a crucial role in our ecosystem: the breakdown of food into organic matter.

But mold-based toxicity has reached epidemic levels because so much of our food system operates at a mass-production level, and then gets stored for long periods of time. Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself:

  1. When eating grains, look for brands that are non-GMO and organic. Try to avoid mass-produced sources, like commercial breads. Shop at local bakeries whenever possible.
  2. Buy local veggies often, ideally from a farmer’s market. Locally grown produce doesn’t need to be stored for long periods of time before you buy it. And if you’re buying directly from the grower, ask about their natural strategies for preventing mold.
  3. For meat, buy only organic, grass-fed, free range varieties. This is the best way to protect yourself from mycotoxin-induced hormonal imbalances.
  4. Consume natural cleansers, like green tea, whenever possible. The polyphenols in green tea – and matcha tea in particular – will help clean out any mycotoxicity in your body. Other natural cleansing products include garlic, licorice root, and dandelion (all available in tea form). Or try black walnut hulls in supplement form.
  5. Drink filtered water to flush out any mycotoxins that find their way into your system. Aim for at least half your weight in ounces per day; more if you can handle it. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs., aim for 75 ounces of water (about 9 ½ cups).
Fuzzy food: Not worth the risk

I wouldn’t rank mold and mycotoxins in food as the biggest threat of our day when it comes to cancer, but they are a problem to be aware of. The risk is preventable if you keep yourself educated and aware of what’s in and on your food, and where your food comes from.

Plenty of people think mold is gross and a nuisance, but few treat it as a serious health risk. In my book, trying to salvage food with anything green or fuzzy growing on it just isn’t worth it. Toss it out and save yourself the potential health risk.
 
Jimi

Jimi

Diamond Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Insufficient Sleep Steps Up :):)
Alzheimer's-Linked Proteins

What keeps you awake at night? Nothing, I hope.

But if you’re like most people, then caffeine, stress, worry, or simply reluctance to turn off the smartphone or the TV may be cutting into the time you need to sleep -- assuming you want to avoid dementia at some point in your future.

It may be years before you pay – but you will pay.

A third of adults now sleep fewer than six hours a night when you need at least seven for optimal physical and mental health. I’m not talking about people who have an excuse for not sleeping, like chronic pain.

I’m talking about relatively young, healthy people who fail to get the sleep they need.

While long-time readers will be aware that a good night's sleep is crucial, a recent study using cutting-edge brain scanning technology has come up with new findings.

These suggest declining sleep quality in middle age has certain effects on the brain that increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's. Keep reading to see the actual, physical damage that poor sleep inflicts. . .

You Can't Get Away with Too Little Sleep

Matthew Walker is a well known sleep researcher, professor of neuroscience, and author of the book, Why We Sleep.

His lab at the University of California, Berkeley, has demonstrated that without enough sleep the brain's ability to receive new input and form memories is strongly reduced.

For Professor Walker's latest study, 95 healthy older adults who are part of the ongoing Berkeley Aging Cohort Study, including some aged 100, underwent brains scans using the latest positron emission tomography (PET) scanner. This new, expensive, and rare version detects not only beta amyloid but also tau tangles -- both proteins associated with Alzheimer's.

The research team discovered that subjects in their 40s and 50s who reported a decline in sleep quality had greater beta amyloid in their brains later in life. Those whose sleep quality didn't deteriorate until their 50s and 60s had more tau tangles.

The researchers concluded that a decline in sleep quality in midlife puts them at greater risk of dementia.

Prof. Walker commented, "Unfortunately there is no decade of life that we were able to measure during which you can get away with less sleep. There is no Goldilocks decade during which you can say, 'This is when I get my chance to short sleep.'"

The Berkeley group also made another discovery based on members of the group who not only had a PET scan but also spent a night in the university’s sleep lab.

Importance of Synchronized Brain Waves

Subjects with higher amounts of tau “tangles” were more likely to lack synchronization of slow brain waves with the bursts of fast waves seen in non-rapid eye movement or NREM sleep. The more tau, the greater the mistiming of brain waves. This is important because paired electrical activity is needed for a good night's sleep.

Given the consequence of this form of sleep disruption, Matthew Walker said, "There is something special about that synchrony.

"We believe that the synchronization of these NREM brain waves provides a file-transfer mechanism that shifts memories from a short-term vulnerable reservoir to a more permanent long-term storage site within the brain, protecting these memories and making them safe.

"But when you lose that synchrony, that file-transfer mechanism becomes corrupt. Those memory packets don't get transferred as well, so you wake up the next morning with forgetting rather than remembering."

Suffer from Insomnia? Seek Help!

The Berkeley team believe doctors should ask their older patients about any changes in their sleep pattern. Helping them sleep better could potentially delay symptoms of dementia.

A common cause of sleep disruption is sleep apnea -- an interruption of breathing during sleep which deprives the brain of oxygen. It’s easily treatable.

Doctors could also counsel people on ways to improve their sleep habits, or hand them a prescription for cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which has proven to be very effective.

Each one of us needs to be aware that sleep disruption contributes to dementia and should be taken seriously.

"I think the message is very clear," the sleep expert concludes, "if you are starting to struggle with sleep, then you should go and see your doctor and find ways, such as CBT-I, that can help you improve your sleep. The goal here is to decrease your chances of Alzheimer's disease."
 
Jimi

Jimi

Diamond Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Love As Healer Love As Killer
Some years ago, Kenneth R. Pelletier wrote a book graphically titled: Mind As Healer Mind As Slayer. Yes, the power of mind can heal. We all know that. And, yes, the mind can kill.

Stress is probably the number one killer of all. If you are not happy, balanced, centered and grounded, you are likely subject to stress. Remember my own definition of stress, which “the difference between what you’ve got and what you wanted.” The wider the gap, the more stress you are subject to. We can say the same about love… and there's a science to go with it. Those who are loved, or FEEL that they are loved, live longer and enjoy better health.

That’s why we sometimes talk about “vitamin L”!

So why not Love as Healer, Love as Slayer? Except that love can never slay. Only lack of love (which is one of the worst imaginable stresses) can hurt you. So we are left with just Love as Healer! That’s what I want to talk about.

First of all, what is love? We all think we know... Then on closer questioning, or deeper introspection, the honest ones among us realize we know nothing. Let’s take a shot at defining it.

First, what love is not: Love is not need, longing or desire. To need or desire is to WANT. It basically means lack. Love is not lack.

Love is a fullness and outgoing, a giving and enfolding. There is no lack. It is a state of abundance.

That’s the difference between love in the spiritual or philosophical sense and love in the biological or sexual sense. That kind of “love” can be very needy and demanding. It’s more of a craving than a fulfillment. Lust more than satisfaction.

Nothing wrong with lust and desire... Everything in its place; but to consider that to be pure love, just because it’s intense, is probably misleading. If you keep these two poles well apart in your own mind, then a lot of talk and emotions surrounding love begin to clarify somewhat


Religious Ecstasy
The highest kind of spiritual love may have no sexual element but can be extremely intense; ecstasy even. That’s the kind of love those deeply engaged in the pursuit of Being and deeper knowledge are likely to encounter or manifest. It shows as love of God, love of The Buddha, love of The One True God, Yahweh, Aphrodite, the love of Christ, or love of the truth.

These are the religious adepts and mystics; Their kind of love is at the ultimate upper end of Being: serene contemplation, thrill, ecstasy and self death.

St. Teresa de Avila, Hildegard of Bingen and St. Francis lived many years in close contact with this level of enlightenment.

13th Century poet and mystic, Rumi, wrote of it in his ecstatic love poems (written for a man, Shams of Tabriz.) John Donne (pronounced Dunn), the Elizabethan poet, hovers over it without actually pressing the GO button!

Artists can manifest it. Michelangelo’s terribilità (driven force, almost madness) was clearly of that order of ecstasy and engagement.

Dance: If you’ve ever seen the “whirling dervishes” (Mevlevi Dervishes), a Muslim sufi sect, you’ll not doubt that a person can pass into ecstasy, simply by prolonged, rhythmical whirling. The Mevlevi, by the way, owe a lot to Rumi.

Let’s come back to earth and consider love for the ‘Everyman.’

As I said, need and desire point to a different phenomenon, most typically the “love” that arises from sexual attachment. It has a place, but it can hurt like hell, as we all know. The pain of love is built into a language and proverbs: “You always hurt the one you love,” or “Love is the most beautiful of dreams and the worst of nightmares,” or “Where there is love, there is pain.” [Spanish Proverb]

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The Everly Brothers hit it beautifully with their song, which speaks to every tortured teenage heart, sick with love:

Love hurts, love scars, love wounds and mars
Any heart not tough, nor strong enough
To take a lot of pain, take a lot of pain
Love is like a cloud, holds a lot of rain
Love hurts…

Let me sum it up by saying that kind of love is driven by hormones and pheromones. It’s chemical. We are looking for something better.

Not just romantic, sexual love.

Broken Heart Syndrome
Have you heard of broken heart syndrome? It’s real. Its other name is ‘stress-induced cardiomyopathy’ and a new study shows that an actual heart attack can result from life tragedy, such as losing a loved one.

Imran Arif, MD, UC Health interventional cardiologist, says the symptoms of broken-heart syndrome may be brought on by the heart’s reaction to a surge of stress hormones, and as a result, part of the heart muscle suffers damage.

The newest study by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston shows that the day following the loss of a loved one, a person is 21 times more likely to suffer a heart attack, and the spike occurs even in people at a low risk for heart attack.[1]

The Healing Power Of Love
We’ll pass on from sexual love to the “real” thing! Perhaps it is, as Ethel Specter Person tells us, “An act of imagination.” For some of us, it will be the great creative triumph of our lives. In its very nature as an act of the imagination lies the source of its power for both good and ill, for it can indeed exploit the lover’s illusions or delusions, but alternately can lead the lover to transcending truths.” [Love and Fateful Encounters, 1989]

This is the kind of love that can heal, can save lives, can create wonder and delight. It’s true! I’ve quoted several times previously the interesting bit of research:

In a Harvard study, researchers discovered that married men who felt loved by their wives experienced 50 percent fewer heart issues, despite having high risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.[2]

Not just men, either. A study from the University of Pittsburgh found that women in happy marriages have a much lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those in high-stress ones. Love really is good for your heart.

Prevention online magazine tells us that the benefits of love are explicit and measurable:

The National Longitudinal Mortality Study, which has been tracking more than a million subjects since 1979, shows that married people live longer. Plus, they have fewer heart attacks and lower cancer rates, and even get pneumonia less frequently than singles.[3]

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Put another way, a study done by UCLA researchers found that unmarried people had a "significantly higher" death rate than married couples who live together. Harvard University researchers also found that married women are 20 percent less likely than single women die of stress-related causes like heart disease, suicide and cirrhosis of the liver.

As for married men, they're 100 to 200 percent times less likely to die of these causes than single men are. Love is healing!

Some experts think it won't be long before doctors prescribe steamy sex, romantic getaways, and caring communication!

That’s a whole lot better idea than pills and exercise! Yay!

Have fun! (wink!)
 
Jimi

Jimi

Diamond Contributor
Member For 5 Years
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