If early research holds up, a routine shingles vaccine could become an inexpensive tool against dementia, @lisamjarvis says (via @opinion) https://t.co/GfRLhh56vz ...

Japan is facing a dementia crisis – can technology help? https://t.co/VBXydhbqLz ...

Core Argument - The prevailing aging models inadequately address the role of persistent pathogens (viruses, bacteria, parasites) as a significant driver of human aging and healthspan reduction [1] - Persistent pathogens can embed themselves in tissues and nerves, potentially driving various health problems later in life [2][3][4] - These pathogens can actively distort the signaling of human genes, impacting multiple hallmarks of aging [8] Pathogen Prevalence and Impact - Approximately 95% of individuals harbor one or more strains of herpes virus [5] - Around 11% of people in the US and up to 87% in some global regions carry the chronic parasite toxoplasma [6] - Persistent SARS-CoV-2 virus has been found in tissue samples months or years after initial infection [7] - Pathogens can drive mitochondrial dysfunction by hijacking host cell metabolism [10][11][12] - Viruses can integrate into telomeres, leading to shorter and more unstable telomeres [13][14] - Viral proteins can interact with and distort the signaling of human aging pathways [15] Proposed Solutions and Recommendations - The industry needs to seriously consider the impact of persistent pathogens when developing healthspan extending interventions [17] - Curbing the activity of pathogens should precede interventions like gene editing [18] - Integrating existing antiviral and anti-parasite medications into healthspan protocols is recommended [18] - Individuals with herpes simplex virus who regularly took anti-herpes virus medications had a 10 times lower risk of developing dementia [19] - Investment in new diagnostic test platforms to identify persistent pathogens is crucial [20][21] - Incorporating the activity of persistent pathogens into aging models is essential for successfully extending healthspan [22]

At like many other people at our school, I volunteer at Eagle Ridge Hospital. I'm in the PATH dining assistance program where my job is to mainly listen to the patients and hear what they have to say and just engage in conversation with them. I'm assigned to E2B and for those who are the same, you know, it's really not sunshine and rainbows in that ward.It usually hosts older patients. Some who stay for a couple of days, some who stay for a couple of weeks, and some who stay much longer. However, regardless ...

Raise your hand if you've ever walked into a room and forgotten why you went there. Now, keep it up just a little if you've ever panicked just for a moment, wondering whether this is how it all starts, whether this is the beginning of losing your mind. I'm Dr. . Dr.. Christine Burke, a triple board certified physician and clinical researcher, and my team and I have spent the better half of the last decade helping people with one of the most terrifying prospects we face as we age, losing our cognitive abilit ...

Main Argument - The industry emphasizes the importance of assessing the senses of taste and smell, as ignoring them can lead to missing critical parts of clinical presentations [6] - The industry suggests that smell loss can be an early sign of underlying health issues, particularly neurodegenerative conditions [6][17] - The industry advocates for incorporating smell tests into routine medical checkups to enable early detection and intervention [18] Research Findings - A study in Sweden following over 2500 participants for over a decade showed that the more odors a person missed, the greater the risk of serious health decline and increased mortality, with dementia explaining nearly 25% of the increased risk [8][10] - A 2019 study in the United States following over 2200 participants for up to 13 years found that those with poor smell at the start were nearly 50% more likely to experience a serious health decline within 10 years, and this risk jumped to 62% among people who felt perfectly fine at the start [11][12] Clinical Implications - Smell loss can be an early sign of conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, sometimes appearing years before other symptoms [17] - The industry recommends that if individuals notice a sudden and persistent change in their sense of smell, they should report it to their doctor [13]

Health & Fitness - Grip strength is a proxy for overall strength and is associated with reduced dementia risk and mortality [1] - Acquired strength, achieved through work and exercise, protects brain health [2] - Exercise, including improving cardiorespiratory fitness, grip strength, and muscle strength, is crucial for maintaining health [3] Strength Assessment - For individuals 40+, the recommended hanging time is 1 minute 30 seconds for women and 2 minutes for men [2] - The farmer's carry assessment involves women carrying 75% of their body weight while walking for 1 minute [2][3]

Women's Health & Fitness - Muscle mass is crucial for women's brain health by promoting neuron production [1] - Muscle mass correlates with protection as women age, especially important for conditions like PCOS or endometriosis due to its role in fighting insulin resistance and inflammation [2] - Sociocultural assumptions often lead women to focus on weight loss rather than strength and muscle gain, negatively impacting their health [3] - A significant percentage of women, 40% to 50%, face low bone density, contributing to osteoporosis, frailty, and dementia [4] - Hip fractures are disproportionately high in women, with 70% occurring in women, and a 30% mortality rate within one year of the fracture [4] - Health choices based on male data can negatively impact women's hormonal health [4] Emerging Questions & Research Areas - The industry needs to educate women on optimal health practices [5] - Key questions include the best ways to lose weight healthily and diets for fertility [5] - The industry is exploring the link between environmental toxins and early menopause [5] - Research is needed to design perfect workout regimes for menopause and perimenopause [5]

GSK and Alector's trial of a medicine that that they hoped would treat a type of dementia has failed to show a slowdown in disease progression https://t.co/8QSGG4vlEz ...

Alzheimer's Risk Factors - The industry suggests that only 5% of Alzheimer's risk is genetic, with the remaining 95% attributed to environmental factors like air pollution, microplastics, and ultra-processed food [1] - Research indicates a correlation between sweetener consumption and dementia [1] Sugar Consumption and Health - The food industry uses 262 names for sugar to increase product appeal and consumption [2] - Ultra-processed food is associated with dementia, diabetes, cancer, and mental health diseases [3] - 73% of items in American grocery stores contain hidden sugars [2] Dietary Recommendations - The industry advises caution with labeled foods and considers foods with sugar in the first three ingredients as dessert [4] - It's recommended to avoid grocery shopping while hungry [4] Addiction and Remedy - Ultra-processed foods provide a dopamine hit, leading to addiction and biochemical problems [3]