#superager

Older adults who remain cognitively sharp as they age have a genetic advantage over their peers, new research shows. Scientists at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago found that so-called super-agers generate twice as many new neurons in the hippocampus — a part of the brain critical to learning and memory — as typical older adults. Their research was published Wednesday in the…

My successful lung cancer surgery

Regular readers know that I learned that I had contracted lung cancer in the first week of November. After undergoing a number of tests, biopsies and scans, I got to meet my ‘cancer team’ on December 20. At that meeting I learned that the tumor in my lung was of a sufficient size that surgery was the best avenue of removal. My daughter shot this picture of me after I was admitted to the…

Five Simple SuperAger Tips

These aren’t SuperAger secrets at all, they are very simple techniques to keep your body and brain functioning for a long time. I believer that they are simple, but not necessarily easy, for a lot of people.

SuperAger brains contain ‘super neurons’ – NW

·  SuperAger neurons are even larger than those in individuals 20 to 30 years younger·  These neurons do not have tau tangles that are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s·  Larger neurons in the brain’s memory region are a biological signature of SuperAging trajectory Neurons in an area of the brain responsible for memory (known as the entorhinal cortex) were significantly larger in SuperAgers compared…

SuperAger brains resist protein tangles that lead to Alzheimer’s – NW

Findings open new avenue of research in memory loss A new Northwestern Medicine study showed cognitive SuperAgers have resistance to the development of fibrous tangles in a brain region related to memory and which are known to be markers of Alzheimer’s disease.  The tangles are made of the tau protein which forms structures that transport nutrients within the nerve cell. These tangles disrupt…

Gene linked to cognitive resilience in seniors

Many people develop Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia as they get older. However, others remain sharp well into old age, even if their brains show underlying signs of neurodegeneration. Among these cognitively resilient people, researchers have identified education level and amount of time spent on intellectually stimulating activities as factors that help prevent dementia. A new study by…

Nutrition: What You Need to Know for Healthy Aging – Johns Hopkins

When it comes to healthy aging and your diet, there are plenty of mixed up “facts” that need to be unraveled, says Johns Hopkins registered dietitian Kathleen Johnson, M.A., R.D., L.D.N. Here, she separates nutrition fact from fiction. Photo by Tristan Le on Pexels.com Myth: You should avoid dairy as you get older. Truth: Only if it aggravates your stomach or digestive system. Our bodies…

Water, Water Everywhere… Tufts

Hydration is essential for health, especially with outdoor temperatures high. Since water is necessary to deliver nutrients and oxygen to cells, aid digestion, control blood pressure, and regulate body temperature, getting enough fluids every day is essential to helping the body function properly. Hydrate! While all kinds of beverages and many foods provide us with fluids, water is the best…