Almost half of older adults take vitamin D with or without calcium.
Researchers at the University of Tasmania, Hobart, in Australia, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Review: Vitamin D supplements fail to change bone density
Category Archives: Elderly
Ginkgo biloba fails to prevent Alzheimer’s disease
Researchers in France participating in the GuidAge Study Group assessed the long-term use of standardized ginkgo biloba extract in elderly adults with memory complaints. Continue reading Ginkgo biloba fails to prevent Alzheimer’s disease
Reducing the rate and risk of falling
Approximately 30% of people over 65 years of age living in the community fall each year.
This Cochrane review updates what we know. Continue reading Reducing the rate and risk of falling
Review of art therapies in dementia care
There’s lots of interest, but nobody ever reviewed the evidence before this.
Researchers at the College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, Massachusetts, accepted the challenge. Continue reading Review of art therapies in dementia care
Support for exercise to preserve cognitive function
Researchers at the Foundation of Public Health, Mutuelle Generale de l’Education Nationale, in Paris, reanalyzed data from the Women’s Antioxidant Cardiovascular Study (WACS), a cohort of women with prevalent vascular disease or 3 cardiovascular risk factors. Continue reading Support for exercise to preserve cognitive function
Does Pilates improved balance?
Researchers at the University of Tasmania, in Launceston, evaluated the effects of a Pilates on balance and function in community-dwelling elderly adults. Continue reading Does Pilates improved balance?
Does losing weight reduce your risk of early death?
Despite the reported benefits, weight loss isn’t always advised for older adults because some studies have associated weight loss with increased mortality.
Researchers from North Carolina and Maryland, put this belief to the test. Continue reading Does losing weight reduce your risk of early death?
Demographics and the risk for high mercury levels?
Using data from a study of pregnant women from an inland area in the US South, researchers at Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina, sought to understand the fish consumption habits and associated mercury levels. Continue reading Demographics and the risk for high mercury levels?
Exergaming for older adults
At first, I was skeptical, but research suggests there are benefits.
Researchers at Skidmore College, at Saratoga Springs, New York, studied the effects of stationary cycling virtual reality tours (“cybercycle”) on executive function and clinical status. Continue reading Exergaming for older adults
Does yoga improve fitness in older adults?
Researchers at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, reviewed the evidence to determine whether physical fitness and function benefits are achieved through the practice of yoga. Continue reading Does yoga improve fitness in older adults?
CAM options to treat chronic constipation
Chronic constipation is common among the elderly and women. Doctors prescribe various treatments, and patients often use over-the-counter remedies.
Researchers at Queen’s University, in Kingston, Ontario, reviewed the evidence and provide perspective. Continue reading CAM options to treat chronic constipation
First study of Yerba Mate for osteoporosis
Drinking Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) tea is popular in Argentina and other South American countries.
Researchers at the National University of Cuyo, in Mendoza, Argentina, measured effects of Yerba Mate as part of a program for osteoporosis prevention and treatment in postmenopausal women. Continue reading First study of Yerba Mate for osteoporosis
CAM use among older Americans
In October 2010 the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) conducted a telephone survey. Continue reading CAM use among older Americans
Nonpharmacological strategies for breathlessness
Breathlessness (aka dyspnea) is difficult to manage in palliative care.
Researchers in the UK reviewed and ranked the most effective nonpharmacological strategies. Continue reading Nonpharmacological strategies for breathlessness
Reviewing the reviews of tai chi
Prof. Ernst and a colleague critically evaluated the systematic reviews of tai chi for any improvement of medical conditions or clinical symptoms. Continue reading Reviewing the reviews of tai chi
Vitamin D and the risk of falls in the elderly
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Vitamin D and the risk of falls in the elderly
Effect of smoking cessation on age-related macular degeneration in older women
The results reported by researchers at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, in Los Angeles, California reinforce the recommendation to quit smoking — even for older women. Continue reading Effect of smoking cessation on age-related macular degeneration in older women
Alcohol consumption and its effect on “successful aging”
Studies have documented an association between moderate alcohol consumption and longevity.
Researchers at Harvard School of Public Health and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Boston, studied whether moderate alcohol intake is associated with overall health and well-being in older age. Continue reading Alcohol consumption and its effect on “successful aging”
Caffeine and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
One hundred years ago, German physician Alois Alzheimer described “eine eigenartige Erkrankung der Hirnrinde” (a peculiar disease of the cerebral cortex) in Auguste Deter, a 51-year-old woman who had severe memory, language, and behavior problems. His autopsy results revealed a dramatically shrunken brain and unusual abnormalities in and around brain cells (shown here in black).
What’s this got to do with caffeine? Continue reading Caffeine and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Adding tai chi improves antidepressant drug therapy
During the New Clinical Drug Evaluation Unit Meeting, researchers at David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, reported that adding tai chi to escitalopram (Lexapro, Cipralex, Seroplex) treatment further reduced the severity of depression. Continue reading Adding tai chi improves antidepressant drug therapy