Vladimir Putin and Neil deGrasse Tyson Agree on Something: Everybody Panic!

Vladimir Putin and Neil deGrasse Tyson Agree on Something: Everybody Panic!

This is not written by me but I don't know how else I could share it on google + as it doesn't have that feature yet! I like the writers humour!!!

Primary Research Article under analysis

Hello readers, welcome, its spring!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This would my fourth blog but not final. May be I didn’t mention the inspiration behind talking about Alzheimer’s and bringing awareness to the people. Trying to make as much difference possible by educating younger generations that this disease needs to slow down or we need to speed up. Margaret Thatcher is my little burning fire to see a hopeful tomorrow.

Speaking of that, Through “PubMed” - a reputed site for articles, I just came across a latest study (Primary Research article) done this month, regarding lifestyle behavior pattern and risks of Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

As we all know that lifestyle behavior pattern is really important, as I mentioned in my previous post how it has positive effects. This study looks at six behavioral patterns;

Lifestyle behavior pattern is associated with different levels of risk for incident Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Abstract:

Basically, there has been couple of research done strictly how physical activity effects dementia, or how involvement in social, mental and productive activities associate lower incidence of dementia. Also, diet has been associated with less cognitive decline but “little work has been done to simultaneously examine a wide range of lifestyle behaviors for their collective influence.” Identifying lifestyle is very important as it could help lead us leading to certain populations that may have risks of getting dementia in the future. Which is why this research article is the next step to help with prevention.

“Although risk of dementia, particularly AD, depends strongly on biological and genetic factors, life span development theory argues that there is flexibility in development, suggesting that individuals may influence late-life cognitive outcomes through lifestyle choices.”

Objective:

To, “identify individual behavioral patterns of diet, exercise, social interaction, church attendance, alcohol consumption, and smoking and to examine their association with consequent dementia risk” as well as combined effect of these patterns.

Measurement:

They used certain measurements to obtain their baseline for every factor being influenced. To better understand, Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify patterns among these behaviors, this was a combination of lifestyle; grouped. LCA lead to four lifestyle classes. Unhealthy- religious (UH-R), Unhealthy-nonreligious (UH-NR), Healthy-moderately religious (H-MR) and Healthy-very religious (H-VR).

Method:

This study was conducted in Cache country, Utah where residents generally had high prevalence, attributes which contributed to healthy aging. Numbers of participants used were “two thousand and four hundred night-one participants (healthy) without dementia initially reported no problems in activities of daily living.”  It is a longitudinal, population-based study- which means studies where carried out for 5 consecutive years within a large group of people (community).

The participants were diagnosed for prior dementia as part of CCMS protocols. There was an in-person interview that included an examination (3MS) as well as physical evaluation, and neuropsychological tests.

All the six aspects were measured at respective baseline, in person or through a mailed questionnaire.

DIET

RELIGIOUS

SMOKING

DRINKING

EXERCISE

SOCIAL INTERACTIONS

Analyses:
As I mentioned that these studies were done in the Latent Class Analysis (LCA). It identified subgroups, thus distinguishing the diversity in character of the population. The purpose of LCA "is to explain the correlation between the behavioural variables by identifying underlying subgroups, using maximum likelihood technique to generate estimates of the likelihood of an individual being in a class and the likelihood of response, given conditional likelihood.”

Overall RESULTS:


Sample Result:
They are proportion of the sample, spilt according to sex and lifestyle, as you can see the alcohol threshold in men is more then women.

These are the four distinct behaviour pattern. UH-R, UH-NR, H-MR, H-VR. 

Results:

These results showed that UH-NR, H-MR and H-VR, had significantly lower dementia risk than UH-R. So basically be healthy and little spiritual, you might be able to avoid AD in the near future.

Discussion:
Most of the participants reported going to church and since the church they go to had strict proscriptions against alcohol consumption and smoking this could have deflected the experiment group H-R with UH-R. People going to church had a better diet, exercise, and social interactions, and the other subsample was low on all three of these behaviours.
H-VR and H-MR were different only that the former were somewhat more likely to attend church and abstain from alcohol than the latter. Both had significantly lower risk of all cause dementia and AD 


Conclusion: It suggests that older adults who are functionally independent tend to be categorized with distinct patterns of lifestyle behaviors with different levels of risks for getting dementia and Alzheimer's disease.





Reference: 

Author               Norton,Maria C.; Dew,Jeffrey; Smith,Heeyoung; Fauth,Elizabeth;    Piercy,Kathleen W.; Breitner,John    C.S.;Tschanz,JoAnn; Wengreen,Heidi; Welsh-Bohmer, Kathleen; for the Cache County Investigators

Title

Lifestyle Behavior Pattern Is Associated with Different levels of Risk for Incident Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: The Cache County Study

Source

J.Am.Geriatr.Soc., 2012, 60, 3, 405-412





Works Cited:

"Lifestyle Behavior Pattern is Associated with Different Levels of Risk for Incident Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: The Cache County Study." (2012 march)Print.

Norton, Maria C., et al. "Lifestyle Behavior Pattern is Associated with Different Levels of Risk for Incident Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: The Cache County Study." Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 60.3 (2012): 405-12. Web.

Controversies behind Alzheimer's


I will continue from where I left talking about the bad websites on Alzheimer's, to controversial therapies for Alzheimer's. Of course this is a very hot topic for the 21st generation as we are so well advanced technology-wise that we should have already found reliable cause of this disorder. Its more perplexing when a definite cause is not discovered so as to find the accurate cure, only through trial and error researchers have be able to find things that work most to decelerate the symptoms. 
The good news is that EXERCISE and HEALTHY EATING is the best prevention for almost any kind of non-hereditary disorder, be it Diabetes type 2 to Anemia, because it makes the body stronger to fight against these. 


The video below by a Dr. Raab shows that exercise works.

Diet:

Studies have found that Diet has an effect and the reason is as we all know that alzheimer's effect the brains physiology and due to this memory and personality loss occurs. We also know that it's a neuro-degenrative disease effecting never cells which leads to oxygen intake by energy production for which sugars are necessary. Thus, Diet is important.

The controversy I found is the vaccine produced for reducing the plagues in brain near the neurones (beta-amyloid peptide). And so another physician discovered eating coconut oil helps, because of the ketone bodies that facilitate travel in to the brain's nerves.

Here is her video by CBN TV

Coconut Oil Touted as Alzheimers Remedy

Thus, it's very unsure method of prevention, however the good side is that it could lead to one of the brainstorming ideas for further research as to why that worked for this man and if it could work for others. Another major advantage is that it will be a natural and cheap medication. However some of the anecdotes say that it doesn't work well with people with Diabetes.

Exercise:

Strangely there has been another study regarding exercise says "Although the benefits of anaerobic exercise for physical health are well-documented, exercise effects on cognition have not been examined for older adults with poor glucose regulation association with pre diabetes and early Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus"

Therefore I lean to having natural medication and exercise as opposed to their side effects and uncertainty. But, I would rather get diagnosed by a doctor before experimenting on myself, personally  speaking.

Due to varying reasons and causes there has been many controversies to find a better medication.

Citation: *Hyperlinked*

Journal of Alzheimer's Disease

Coconut Oil Touted as Alzheimers Remedy

Coconut Oil Touted as Alzheimers Remedy

ALZHEIMER'S CURED?

CREDITABILITY AT STAKE!

Internet- the fastest means of communication in the 21^st generation while Health- a major concern among individuals. Solution? “Google” all your problems and find cheap and easy cure/treatment for any health related problems!

Almost every disease has an unreliable miracle, cheap or fast treatment/cure available online these days due to technology. This is why and how innocent people are targets in scams that are not legitimate; FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved or even have guaranteed sensible results. 

Writing my blog about Alzheimer’s which falls under the category of Dementia, I did the following research on finding an instant remedy for cure- “VIBE” a drink that “apparently” cures not only dementia but also prevents weight loss, cholesterol control and many others.

This is the link, which has leaded me to Eniva’s Vibe drink. After reading this I knew something was fishy, so I had to dig deep

Amazingly, I found various sites selling the same product. And to my surprise, I discovered that it’s a networking business which means, they are not sold over the counter or in a pharmacy but by “home based model –more than 25000 people are selling their products from their homes”. Says 5news 

Here are some of the sites, all promoting Eniva. Another catch! Because there are more websites for the same company there are more chances of grabbing wider, naïve individuals. A well established, credible website like W.H.O wouldn't need to replicate information.

• http://shop.enivausa.com/roadtohealth/en-us/
• http://2healthnuts.snappages.com/eniva-opportunity.htm 
• http://www.vibeforme.com/Vibe1.aspx
• http://www.enivanutraceutics.com/ 

The Flaws:

1. Anecdotal

 Usually recognized sites don't need to nor do they, put people's feedback about the product and use as a promotion to convince the innocent suffering patient or the patients loved one. Below is an example from a genuine product that's FDA approved and safe.

If you explore the site above, shall find that it has no quotes from individuals. This site also has a proactive disclosure.

2. Goal is to make money out of selling products by becoming members.

They ask to be members in bright bold letters, while also they clearly in tiny fonts, at the end of page say they are not evaluated by FDA. If they are not, then they shouldn’t be selling this to the public to make money out of it. But still they are doing so, regardless of not being approved by FDA, this tells us their motive is driven by money.

Enviva

 3. Unrealistic.

One drink cannot cure all sorts and kinds of diseases that they mention in their website, such as weight lost, skin glow, cardiac problem, lower cholesterol…etc.

FDA of U.S has also disapproved one of Eniva’s products. Click on the link please.

The last critique: Advertisement

I found their advertising video which is the biggest flaw and funny that completely shows it's not serious about its products. Here is their youtube advertisement.

• The background music is by Coldplay - shows they are not original
• Low quality -doesn't seem like it's a well-recognized company
• Unprofessional young girl's voice - immature production

But there are some drugs that aid memory although, not effective enough. Researchers still haven't found a cure for Dementia related disorders. Therefore, don't look for shortcuts!

My message: Anything which is not approved to be sold by FDA to the pharmacies or prescribed by a Physician, should not be taken or taken at your own risk. This is a simple rule of thumb. 

Don't take stances with online products, esp. medical/health related. It will cost you your life! Alzheimer's doesn't have too many bad websites like obesity and other diet related problems but as you can see there is a possible loop hole.


When such disease's cure will be found, the world would be rejoicing, and for your readers I shall put it up on this blog :) It would be on world news, just like when one research institute found the vaccine for malaria, which is still under test; my point is, it was publicly announced!

Hope I shaded some light.

Reference:  *Hyperlinked*

Natural treatment by R. Webster Kehr [http://natural-treatment.info/]

5News -http://youtu.be/kXgbOXcTVRQ

http://www.enivanutraceutics.com/

 http://www.vibeforme.com/Vibe1.aspx

http://2healthnuts.snappages.com/eniva-opportunity.htm

http://shop.enivausa.com/roadtohealth/en-us/

http://youtu.be/hcdy_btw8SM

Introduction

Hellow to my fellow blog readers!

My name is Minal. I am from Tanzania. I want to pursue my career in Health Sciences, and this is the perfect way to demonstrate my enthusiasm regarding health of, for and by the people. 

It's my first time blogging, so please bear with me; but i can assure you that I will get you guys hooked in no time! =D

So, lets take this down.... by talking about HEALTH ISSUES!! Interesting isn't it? I believe health plays a big role of our lives. Something we all are concerned about in this Millennia!

And so Mind, Body and Behavior has always fascinated me! Thus, I came across this despairing disease of the brain that effects behavior. -Alzheimers!

What is Alzheimer's?

Not many people know about this disease because it has been stigmatized. 

I'd like to also add, it's not just memory loss!

So, "Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behaviour." alz.org

Many people don't realize that "Alzheimer's disease can occur at any age, even as young as 40 years, but its occurrence is much more common as the years go by. In fact, the rate of occurrence of the disease increases exponentially with age, which means that it occurs very rarely among those 40-50 years old, increases between 60 and 65 years, and is very common over 80 years." -W.H.O

Here are the facts and numbers alone, in America

"Symptoms are not immediate, but gradually worsen

over time, progressing from mild forgetfulness to

widespread  brain impairment. Chemical and structural

changes in the brain slowly destroy the ability to create,

remember, learn, reason and relate to others. As critical

cells die, drastic personality loss and system body falls" -helpguide.org

Cost of Alzheimer’s disease

"Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder. It is, therefore, to be expected that the cost of caring for these patients is enormous." W.H.O Alzheimer

"Besides the monetary cost, many spouses, relatives and friends take care of people with Alzheimer’s disease. During years of care-giving, families experience emotional, physical, and financial stresses. It is impossible to quantify this suffering." W.H.O Alzheimer

My main aim is to tell people not to take this disease lightly just because you won't find much information on it as their causes are unknown and basically that hinders the research for a treatment or cure, but to be a helping hand, a caregiver. Educating the society is the best approach to find hope in any disease.

I also want people to understand that it's difficult to be a care giver for patients suffering from Alzheimer's just as hard as a person suffering from Cancer. Actually no diseases are fun but some have been, can be taken lightly thus there will be less progress in the research field.

Thank you for taking out your precious time for the sake of knowledge.

 This is how I am going to encourage and attract  readers.

Did you spot it?

Reference:

http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp

http://helpguide.org/elder/alzheimers_disease_symptoms_stages.htm

http://www.searo.who.int/en/Section1174/Section1199/Section1567/Section1823_8066.htm