Four years of sustained regular physical activity boosted the likelihood of healthy ageing sevenfold compared with consistent inactivity, the findings show.

The researchers tracked the health of almost 3500 people, whose average age was 64, for more than eight years. All were participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, which involves a nationally representative sample of the household population of England, born on or before 29 February 1952.

The researchers wanted to quantify the impact of physical activity on the risk of developing long term conditions, depression, and dementia, and on the likelihood of “healthy ageing.”

This is usually taken to mean not only an absence of major disease and disability, but also good mental health, the preservation of cognitive abilities, and the ability to maintain social connections/activities.

There’s a growing body of evidence to suggest that regular physical activity is essential for the maintenance of good health, while across the developed world, inactivity is ranked alongside smoking, excess drinking, and obesity as a leading cause of reduced life expectancy.

Participants described the frequency and intensity of regular physical activity they did in 2002-3, and then every subsequent two years until 2010-11.

Their responses were categorised as: inactive (no moderate or vigorous activity on a weekly basis); moderately active (at least once a week); and vigorously active (at least once a week).

Any changes in frequency and intensity were noted at the two yearly monitoring sessions: always inactive; became inactive; became active; always active.

Serious ill health, such as heart disease/stroke, diabetes, emphysema, or Alzheimer’s disease, was confirmed by medical records.

Cognitive abilities and mental health were assessed using a battery of validated tests, while disability was measured according to participants’ responses to questions about the ease with which they were able to carry out routine activities of daily living, and an objective test of walking speed.

Nearly one in 10 of the sample became active and 70% remained active. The rest remained inactive or became inactive.

At the end of the monitoring period almost four out of 10 had developed a long term condition; almost one in five was depressed; a third had some level of disability; and one in five was cognitively impaired.

But one in five was defined as a healthy ager. And there was a direct link to the likelihood of healthy ageing and the amount of exercise taken.

Those who had regularly indulged in moderate or vigorous physical activity at least once a week were three to four times more likely to be healthy agers than those who had remained inactive, after taking account of other influential factors.

Those who became physically active also reaped benefits, compared with those who did nothing. They were more than three times as likely to be healthy agers.

And those who sustained regular physical activity over the entire period were seven times as likely to be healthy agers as those who had consistently remained inactive.

“This study supports public health initiatives designed to engage older adults in physical activity, even those who are of advanced age,” conclude the authors.

<h5>Having Good Quality Sleep Especially Important For Clients With Early Alzheimer Disease?</h5>
Scientists continue to research and debate the need and reason for sleep including: processing memory, saving energy or time for regulating body systems.

Despite the continued pursuits of researchers, most people would agree that adequate sleep is essential for focus, learning and functioning safely.

Now research in mice is supporting the theory that sleep may actually help clear away cellular waste in the brain.

For this research, conducted at the University of Rochester Medical School, brains of mice were injected with beta-amyloid – a substance that accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

The study tracked the substance and found that mice that slept were able to clear the beta amyloid.

The reason may be that during sleep, the brain (of the mice) seems to shrink thereby allowing products to move and ultimately be cleared.

Sleep it seems is essential for this process as the mice that did not sleep did not experience the same clearance.

So it would appear that sleep may have the ability to detox the brain and remove waste that may contribute to serious brain disease.

<strong>1.</strong>  Take care of your vascular health by remembering that heart health = brain health. Maintaining a healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, not smoking, exercising and eating a healthy diet will go a long way in preventing vascular dementia. Vascular dementia is the second most common type and is often diagnosed in conjunction with Alzheimer Disease.

<strong>2.</strong>  Move every day…being physically active promotes health in a number of ways whereas being physically sedentary puts your health in jeopardy. Exercise can be achieved in a variety of ways so think outside the box and keep moving!

<strong>3.</strong>  Acknowledge and value the importance of your feelings. Emotions and physical health are inter-related. Feeling a sense of “dis-ease” may be a wake up call to make some changes.

<strong>4. </strong> If you are concerned about memory loss, have Alzheimer Disease in the family or have loved ones expressing their concern for you, speak to your family doctor. Your doctor will be able to rule out other causes or contributing factors. Should there be reason for additional assessment your doctor has the ability to refer you to a medical specialist.

<strong>5.</strong>  Be proactive, hopeful and seek information and support from appropriate health professionals as this is an essential part of caring for your health.

Mayo Clinic, news release, Sept. 18, 2013

Blood tests might be able to help identify Parkinson’s disease patients with the greatest risk of developing dementia, a new study suggests.

A genetic mutation called GBA leads to early onset of Parkinson’s and severe mental decline in about 4 percent to 7 percent of Parkinson’s patients. It also alters the way the body metabolizes certain kinds of fats.

Mayo Clinic researchers found that Parkinson’s patients who do not have this genetic mutation have higher levels of these fats in their blood. They also discovered that Parkinson’s patients with high levels of these fats in their blood are more likely to have mental impairment and dementia, according to the study, which was published online Sept. 18 in the journal PLoS One.

Mental impairment is a frequent symptom in Parkinson’s disease and can be even more debilitating for patients and challenging for their caregivers than the characteristic movement issues such as trembling, stiffness, poor coordination and balance problems, the Mayo researchers noted.

They said that early identification of Parkinson’s patients at greatest risk of developing dementia is important for preventing or delaying the start and progression of mental impairment. Changing the levels of these fats in the blood could be one way to do that, the study suggests.

There is also a possibility that assessing the levels of these fats in the blood could help predict who will develop Parkinson’s disease, and research is being conducted in this area.

“There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, but the earlier we catch it, the better chance we have to fight it,” study first author Michelle Mielke said in a Mayo Clinic news release. “It’s particularly important we find a biomarker and identify it in the preclinical phase of the disease, before the onset even begins.”

Click to watch video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9ZDOfhfClA

The Parkinson Society hosted their Regional Symposium 2012 on May 10.

Ann Dobbins. Memory Matters Founder and Executive Director was one of the day’s speakers and presented on the importance of cognitive stimulation throughout the lifespan.

Parkinson’s Disease has traditionally been identified as a movement disorder but increasingly is also being recognized for its non-motor characteristics including cognitive impairment.

It is believed that approximately 50% of those diagnosed with PD will experience symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

MCI has the potential to advance to dementia.

The concept of participating in cognitive stimulation therapy is hopeful for the purpose of optimizing abilities, preventing unnecessary decline and maximizing quality of life.

Ann’s message was consistent with the other speakers of the day.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Soania Mathur gave an inspirational account of her personal diagnosis and process of finding acceptance and meaning.

Susan Smith PT,Partner of Neurologic Physiotherapy and Alison Muir PT addressed how participants can learn to move better with less effort.

Throughout the day, audience participants were talking, laughing, moving and learning. Hats off and kudos to the Parkinson Society as this was truly an educational and energizing event – thank you.