Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have done some research on mice with Type II Diabetes. The good news: resveratrol, the same anti-aging compound in grapes and red wine, lowers insulin levels even on a high fat diet. The bad news: because “resveratrol does not cross the blood brain barrier efficiently,”they had to inject resveratrol directly into the brains of those mice to do it. Researchers hope this will lead to the development of resveratrol-like compounds designed to work specifically on the brain.
Archive for the ‘medicine’ Category
The Old Man and The ‘D’
On October - 2 - 20092 COMMENTS
As children our mothers told us to finish our milk because it would make us big and strong. It turns out that the vitamin D enriched creamy goodness many thoughtlessly poor over cereal every morning doesn’t just build strong bones. 2009 has been a banner year for vitamin D related research and has seen the publication of numerous studies revealing that vitamin D isn’t only essential for building bones but serves in a variety of ways to help age against the machine. Read the rest of this entry »
Youth For Sale
On September - 23 - 2009Comments Off on Youth For Sale
The other day, I got a postcard from Cenegenics Medical Institute, “the world’s largest age management medicine practice….” Their treatments are highly personalized, state of the art, and therefore not inexpensive; I have no doubt that their patients feel the results are worth every penny. The card advertises that “the Cenegenics Program of nutrition, exercise, and hormone optimization (when clinically indicated) can make you look and feel years younger!” [Emphasis theirs] Specific benefits may include decreased risk of age related disease, improved muscle tone, decreased body fat, increased energy, increased sex drive, and sharper thinking. So let’s look at that list a little more closely.
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
On September - 2 - 2009Comments Off on Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Many events are scheduled to keep diagnosis and research in our minds, and you may see more people wearing the color teal. Ovarian cancer has a 90% survival rate if found early, and is usually deadly if not. Sadly, fewer than 1 in five cases is found early.
Two sides of the cognition coin
On August - 31 - 2009Comments Off on Two sides of the cognition coin
The last couple of weeks has seen a couple studies that take a long look at brain function relative to health and habits. Most specifically the studies look at weight and diet. The results of both really aren’t surprising to those of us that follow the literature but they bear repeating, especially for those looking to age against the machine.