Wednesday Aug 20, 2008
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Women With Depression At Risk For Osteoporosis Stories

Women With Depression At Risk For Osteoporosis

A study from the National Institute of Mental Health has found that women who suffer from depression are more likely to enter menopause with an increased risk of bone fractures. Researchers report that 17% of women with depression had decreased bone mass in the femoral neck, compared to 2% of women who did not have depression. Additionally, low bone mass in the lumbar spine was found in 20% of depressed women, compared to 9% who were not depressed. The researchers theorized that women with depression have overactive immune systems that produce a chemical known as IL-6. This chemical is associated with bone loss as well as promoting inflammation. During adolescence, bone mass reaches its peak and begins to decline through the rest of life, thinning at a faster rate after a woman undergoes menopause. (Read more about Women With Depression At Risk For Osteoporosis)

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Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems Stories

Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems

A Review in The Lancet reveals the importance of healthy lifestyle choices to reduce stressors related to cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers from John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore examined records between 1990 to 2006. They observed how stress affects the sympathetic nervous system, impacts physiology, and the effect it has on the cardiovascular system. Lead author, Daniel Brotman, claims "Acute physical stressors such as sugery, trauma, and intense physical exertion are well known triggers of cardiovascular events. Emotional stressors are increasingly recognized as precipitants of such events." (Read more about Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems)

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Research Suggests Ways to Slow Alzheimer's Stories

Research Suggests Ways to Slow Alzheimer's

A new study released at the International Conference on Prevention of Dementia on June 11th suggests that treating other health factors - like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can help slow the onset and severity of dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease.

This research further links heart and brain health. Cardiovascular problems like heart attacks or stroke may also increase the onset of dementia. Taking positive actions, like treating high blood pressure, exercising, and changing diet can all help reduce dementia. (Read more about Research Suggests Ways to Slow Alzheimer's)

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Teens and Obesity Stories

Teens and Obesity

A new study highlights the long term health impact of obesity starting in the teen years.

It’s unbelievable, but 15 percent of adolescents aren’t just overweight, they’re obese; that’s more than one in every seven kids.

“30 to 50 years ago I think the incidence of teen obesity would be around three to five percent much less than what it is now between fifteen to twenty percent.//This is a multi-factorial , multi dimensional problem and many issues at stake, including life style changes, easy availability of caloric rich dense food, we have very little play time even at school and at home, the increasing use of electronics, television, computers, people are spending less and less time outside,” says Dr. Ahutosh Kaul, Director of Bariatric Surgery at Westchester Medical Center. (Read more about Teens and Obesity)

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Why The Body Ages Stories

Why The Body Ages

How the body Ages.
The nucleus of every cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes. And they contain DNA or the genetic material of the cell. A prime cause of ageing is every cell’s chromosomes are capped with a protein button called a telomere. (Read more about Why The Body Ages)

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ALZHEIMER'S DRUG FAILURE Stories

ALZHEIMER'S DRUG FAILURE

A new study provides discouraging evidence a drug used for Alzheimer's to stem the progression of the disease may not be effective in the long run. The recently developed drugs called acetylcholinesterase inhibitors held a lot of hope.
And studies have shown they do work at first. But this study shows the drug does not stop the progression of the disease at all, questioning their long-term and overall benefit. (Read more about ALZHEIMER'S DRUG FAILURE)

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KIDS AND HYPERTENSION Stories

KIDS AND HYPERTENSION

When you think of high blood pressure, you classically think of adults. But hypertension in children is actually much more prevalent than it's commonly perceived. And because it often goes unrecognized, hypertension in children can lead to long term problems, like heart disease. (Read more about KIDS AND HYPERTENSION)

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