GLAUCOMA AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Bentham Science observes World Glaucoma Week from 8^th to 15^th March, 2018, with the world and presents full support for the victims of glaucoma through publishing the latest research developments to combat this dangerous eye disease. Glaucoma is a widely feared eye problem because it causes irreversible blindness. Eye researchers and ophthalmologists have mostly attributed glaucoma to the increase in intraocular pressure, i.e. the increase in fluid pressure inside the eye.

However there are cases where the glaucoma patients had normal intraocular pressure, which suggests that there are other factors that can cause or enhance the risk of contracting this disease. Researchers from the Ophthalmology Unit of the University of Rome Tor Vergata have recently discovered that the patients of Alzheimer’s were often found susceptible of getting glaucoma in their eyes. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia in the elderly that hampers memory and understanding.

Both these neurodegenerative diseases were found to have very similar risk factors and often co-existed in the older people. The research is an important revelation and opens doors for future studies and possible progress in finding cure for both Alzheimer’s disease and glaucoma.

The research entitled, Glaucoma and Alzheimer Disease: One Age-Related Neurodegenerative Disease of the Brain, is published in the Bentham Science journal, Current Neuropharmacology.

Treat Blood Pressure With Exercise

Blood pressure is among the most common problems that people suffer with. This is a more frequently occurring phenomena as we age. There are several reasons including increased body weight, weaker heart, hardening blood vessels and such. Usually people are left with no option but to take regular medicines to keep the pressure in control.

Research, however, has proven that there can be another resort, which is to include regular exercise in our life. Exercise does not only mean weight training; it can be any physical work where we exert energy and keep ourselves moving. Mowing the lawn, normal morning and evening walks, jogging and other routines that we spend time on every day, can do the trick. When we exercise, our heart muscles gradually become stronger. Stronger heart can pump blood more easily without putting extra pressure. As the pumping improves the blood flow to vessels also improves. This means that our heart does not have to pressurize the vessels by pounding blood through them.

Similarly our breathing improves with exercise. We tend to get more oxygen into our blood with better breathing. The exercises that enhance breathing are also called aerobics. The Department of Health and Human Services, USA, has proposed that we should have at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobics, or 75 minutes of intense aerobics every week to keep the blood pressure in check. There are various routines – simple to very complex – that can be followed depending on our capacity. But the key to exercising is consistency. If you start it one day, do it every day and see your blood pressure well under control.

How We Measure Healthy Weight

Healthy weight and obesity is among the most popular topics that masses discuss all around the world. Not only is it a concern for the laypeople, it is also highly considered by the researchers and healthcare givers. One of the bigger questions on healthy weight is how we can measure it. Mostly the proposed measure is the Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is measured by dividing the weight in kilograms by height in metres; then this number is divided by the height again to take out BMI. From 18.5 to 24.9 BMI is considered normal. Below 18.5 is underweight; above 25 is overweight. Crossing 29 makes the person officially obese.

BMI, however, has limitations. Hence we can look ahead to other calculations as well. One of them is Waist to Hip ratio (WHR). As the name suggests it is a measure of waist circumference to the hip area circumference. The number suggests how much weight is accumulated in the lower body and comparing it to a standard chart, we can figure out healthy weight.

Otherwise we can also determine the Body-Fat Percentage. The level and form of fat is varying from person to person and also significantly different in men and women. Normally, women tend to have more fat than men. Body-Fat Percentage can be checked with the help of a doctor. If you wish to do it at home you may have to enter your weight, height, waist circumference, wrist, circumference and such information in an online calculator. This will calculate and suggest if you are over, under or normal in weight.

Bentham Science has a new journal launched in 2018 to cover all the latest research studies on healthy weight and obesity:

Current Obesity Research & Therapy

How to Help Save Planet Earth

As more and more humans inhabit the earth and use its resources, those resources and the planet are being depleted every day. A point may come in the future that Earth would no longer remain habitable for humans and even animals. In order to prevent that from happening, we need to take steps, however small, to help conserve our planet. Following are some ways we can do our bit in this regard.

Conserve water

The wellbeing of the planet is affected in a major way by the wastage of water by us. We can take small steps to stop wasting water like turning off the tap while brushing teeth, using less water in the shower, washing only full load of dishes and laundry, etc.

Drive Less

If you don’t drive your car only two days per week, you’ll decrease greenhouse gas production by an average of 1,590 pounds (721 kilograms) annually [source: EPA]. Stack up your tasks and do them in one ride, like go to the post office, grocery store and clothes shopping in one trip. You will save fuel and time.

Also, walking or biking your way to work, school, or anywhere can lessen greenhouse gases while simultaneously using up calories and boosting your health. If that’s not possible, using mass transit or carpool also makes a positive impact.

Compost

A lot of trash is produced by humans annually when we throw away newspapers, leaves, woody materials and left-over food from the kitchen. Compost is an exceptional natural fertilizer. And the process is simpler than you would imagine. Rather than throwing away the aforementioned trash, compost them in a container or a heap. After nurturing the stack for some weeks, you’ll have rich earth for your grass or to create a luscious vegetable garden.

Use less heating and air-conditioning

It is not possible to stop using air conditioning and heating in extreme weather conditions however you can make small changes like maintain your thermostat at higher temperature in summer and at lower in winter. It is also a good idea to insulate your home as much as possible to reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling. Additionally, we can plant trees to cover our homes and substitute old windows with energy efficient ones. Energy-saving light can be used to conserve energy and money. Switching off lights, computers and other appliances when not being used also goes a long way to conserve energy.

So, follow these tips and help save the planet!

Health Benefits of Deep Breathing

When we are stressed, angry or anxious, we might experience rapid, shallow breathing, tightened muscles, and other negative symptoms. Not only do these unpleasant symptoms feel bad, they may also lead to heart problems, sleeplessness, increased blood pressure, infections and autoimmune diseases in the long run, if experienced repeatedly.

Luckily, deep breathing can help you avoid these unpleasant symptoms and diseases. But what exactly does deep breathing do for you? Here’s a list:

1. It relaxes your muscles

It is hard to maintain physical tension when breathing deeply.

2. It improves oxygen delivery

When you are relaxed and breathing deeply, fresh oxygen is supplied to every cell in your body. This leads to better functionality of body organs, as well as enhanced mental focus and physical strength.

3. It lowers blood pressure

As your muscles release tension as a result of deep breathing, your blood vessels expand and your blood pressure is normalized.

4. It causes endorphins’ release

Deep breathing causes the release of endorphins, thus increasing the sensations of comfort and relieving pain.

5. It detoxifies

Taking long and deep breaths helps improve lymphatic system function which boosts dangerous toxin release, thus cleansing the body and allowing it to focus its energy to more fruitful tasks.

So, breathe deeply and live more joyfully!

High Protein Intake Aggravates HIV

Today, 1^st of December, is observed as World Aids Day to support the people suffering with AIDS caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). For the last few decades there has been great attention given to HIV/AIDS with focus on its occurrence, causes, growth, harmfulness and possible preventions and cure. Researchers around the world have joined arms to fight and eradicate this deadly disease.

Studies have also shown that diet also has considerable impact on AIDS patients. Recent research done by Dr. Evgeny Vlad. Butorov from Municipal Center of HIV/AIDS prophylaxis, Surgut, Russian Federation, has shown that high intake of protein can aggravate things for the patients. The study was conducted on HIV-infected patients to assess how the dietary protein can help or hamper their conditions. Protein enhanced the growth of the virus, suppresses the human immune system and allows other viruses and bacteria to attack the patients. The study opens doors for further research on the impact of diet and also the development of treatments for this dangerous disease.

This study is published in Current HIV Research in the article, Impact of High Protein Intake on Viral Load and Hematological Parameters in HIV-infected Patients.

Top Foods for Your Brain

What you eat doesn’t just affect your physical health, but also your brain and memory. Here are some amazing foods that you can eat to boost your brainpower and memory.

Whole Grains

The brain obtains its energy in the form of glucose which is derived from carbohydrates. Our brains need energy to focus and concentrate which it gets from carbohydrates. Healthy ways to acquire complex carbohydrates with low Glycemic Index (GI) is to eat whole-wheat products, granary bread, bulgur, oats, beans, wild rice, barley, and soy.

Fish

The most useful omega-3 fats are found naturally in fish as Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Salmon, trout, mackerel, herring, sardines, pilchards and kippers all contain EPA and DHA. Low DHA levels can cause dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss whereas adequate levels of EPA and DHA can assist in lower stress and aid in the production of serontin, the feel good chemical.

Green Leafy Vegetables

Now we know why Popeye liked spinach so much. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, turnip, kale, romaine, collard greens, mustard greens, and broccoli contain a lot of folic acid and healthy vitamins. Shortages in folate and B vitamins are believed to aggravate depression, lethargy and sleeplessness. So, have green leafy vegetables in order to have a healthy brain.

Berries

Latest research has shown that berries such as blueberries, strawberries, and acai berries contain antioxidants and other phytochemicals and have been shown to improve learning, reasoning, and recollection. They may also stop mental deterioration in its track by preserving the brain’s natural mechanism. They also aid in averting memory loss which comes with age.

So enjoy these healthy foods and sustain a strong brain!

Social Support Crucial for Health in Old Age

‘Man is a social animal’ – this statement has become a cliché over time but still holds its significance. The reason is that it is as true in practice as it is in theory. We see in our surroundings that the people who have families around them who care for them are visibly more satisfied than the ones who are alone. Apart from family if they are getting support from their friends, neighbors and society, then they find it much easier to maintain their health and wellbeing.

This topic has gained much attention from the social scientists as well as medical and life scientists, as they are curious to find the social factors and their correlations that are vital for human ageing, morbidity and mortality. The findings have been clear that the people who were old and had little access to others and social support were found more susceptible to ailments and were leading rapidly towards death. Whereas those older ones who had people near them to talk to them, hear and address their problems, provide emotional as well as social support, were more satisfied and more capable of keeping healthy for long.

One of the important researches finding this correlation is published in the journal, Current Aging Science journal and can be read here:

Support and Social Contact as a Decisive Meta-Variable in Morbidity and Social Welfare of the Older Person

Winter Brings Some Common Ailments

Winter is fast approaching again and we are all set to welcome it. Our warm clothes are out, blankets lay ready on beds, heaters are on and now we are looking to gather the most essential medicines we need this season. Here are some common ailments that we need to brace ourselves against.

Cold

It gets extremely easy to catch cold in winter. These can be simple colds or the deadly pneumonia that we are vulnerable to, as the viruses and bacteria spread in the cold weather. We can prevent ourselves and family by keeping the house and surroundings clean. Also, we need to regularly wash our hands before eating and doing our daily chores.

Joint Pains

If you suffer from arthritis or other bones and joint problems, you need to be extra careful. The pain in joints and bones increases with lower temperatures. The real cause for this is not clear but this phenomenon is very common and disturbing.

Sore Throat

Infections that cause sore throat become highly active too. We have to keep avoiding chilled drinks and water and keep warm throughout the day. If you fall ill try gargling with salt dissolved in warm water. This will soothe the throat.

Asthma

Asthma patients are very likely to have their problem aggravated, especially if dry, cold winds are blowing in winter. We can generally find our oxygen levels reduce and moisture lost in windy season. This can be dangerous and should not be neglected. We need to keep the medicines and asthma pumps ready at all times to get instant help when needed.

Stomach Aches & Nausea

Norovirus is what creates stomach issues in cold season. Nausea, diarrhea, and constant stomach aches are telltale signs of norovirus. It takes its time to cure and we need to keep patience and general measures to bring our bellies back to normal.

There are many more issues that may be more severe and we need to adopt a healthy lifestyle to keep them all at bay.

 

 

Alcohol Abuse and Osteoporosis

Today is World Osteoporosis Day – a day dedicated to the complications caused in osteoporosis, studies for the cause and effects, and the possible remedies that the researchers are seeking. Osteoporosis is a public health issue related to bones. It is marked by weakening of bones, loss of bone mass and frequent fractures. All around the world there are millions who either suffer directly or have a sufferer of osteoporosis with them. They are keen to find out how they can recover from this chronic disease.

Researchers have so far discovered certain key factors that can cause this disease and one of this is alcohol abuse. Consuming alcohol over the limits every day can be detrimental for the bones, as for other organs. Abuse causes bone toxicity rendering them to become weaker with time. The eventual result is frequent fractures that take ages to heal.

Researchers are readily calling for people to quit their booze and lead a healthy life.

Bentham Science plays its role in providing all important research studies to help the osteoporosis patients and to keep people from drinking. Find out the study, Pathogenesis of Alcohol-Induced Osteoporosis and its Treatment: A Review, published in the journal, Current Drug Targets.