Botox And Emotion Zoomer Report podcast

1
Exercise & Disability 1:22

7 weeks ago1:22

1:22

There is more evidence on the benefits of exercise, especially as we age! A study published in the Annals of internal medicine finds that Zoomers who regularly exercise are less likely to suffer a disability -- and if they do, they tend to recover faster. Researchers recruited more than 1,600 sedentary adults ages 70 to 89. They randomly assigned half of them to an exercise program, while the other half attended health education classes. People in the exercise group did some strength and balance training, but moderate walking was the main activity. Over the next 3.5 years, people who exercised spent 25 percent less time with a major movement disability -- an inability to walk a quarter-mile -- compared to the other participants. Active seniors were 13 percent less likely to develop a movement disability. But the biggest benefit came later: Exercisers were one-third more likely to recover from their injuries – injuries that can otherwise become permanent. The bottom line, researchers say: It's never too late to start to reap the benefits of exercise.…

1
Expiry Date Check 1:15

7 weeks ago1:15

1:15

Have you checked the expiry dates on your medications and other products lately? Most people do it infrequently, but it’s a good idea to clean out your medicine cabinet twice a year. After the expiry date, medications start to lose their effectiveness, and so do products like sunscreen - so if you keep taking them you may not be getting the treatment or the protection you need. Some drugs even become toxic. Storing medications in the wrong place can also reduce their efficacy. Many of us keep drugs in the bathroom, but they really should be put in places that are not humid. A poll showed that in addition to prescription drugs, the most common expired products people found at home were Sunscreen, Cough & Cold medicine, Allergy pills and Vitamins. And please be careful about how you dispose of old drugs. Don’t throw them in garbage or flush them down the toilet. Your pharmacist will take them back and dispose of them safely.…

1
Diabetes & After Dinner Walk 1:07

7 weeks ago1:07

1:07

For people with type 2 diabetes, a short walk after eating may help lower blood sugar levels more than exercising at other times of the day, a new study shows. A measurement of blood sugar called postprandial glycemia, which has been linked with heart disease risk, averaged 12 percent lower when study participants took a walk after eating, compared with those who exercised at other times. The largest drop in postprandial glycemia, 22 percent, was achieved by walking after dinner, the study authors found. "If you have type 2 diabetes, there is a guideline to be active for at least 150 minutes a week," said study author Andrew Reynolds, a researcher at the University of Otago, in New Zealand. But, he added, "the benefits we observed due to physical activity after meals suggest that current guidelines should be amended to specify after-meal activity, particularly when meals contain a substantial amount of carbohydrates," he said. "Consider walking after you eat as part of your daily routine," he added. However, one U.S. diabetes specialist offered a caveat on that advice. Exercise is indeed part of good management and care for those with type 2 diabetes, said Dr. Joel Zonszein, director of the Clinical Diabetes Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. But, he urged caution about the benefits of exercising right after meals. Because heart disease is common among those with type 2 diabetes, "we need to be careful in encouraging exercise after a meal, as the demands on the heart increase with meals," he explained. "This is especially important in people with heart disease, as diversion of blood from the coronary or carotid arteries to the gut is not always best for these patients." The study findings were published Oct. 17 in the journal Diabetologia. In the study, Reynolds and colleagues had 41 people with type 2 diabetes walk a total of 150 minutes a week. In the first phase of the study, participants walked for 30 minutes daily whenever they wanted. In the second phase, 30 days after the first phase, participants were told to take a 10-minute walk no later than five minutes after each meal. During both phases, blood sugar was monitored. Walking after meals lowered blood sugar levels more effectively among the participants, the study found. Improvements in controlling blood sugar with exercise have been shown by many trials, Zonszein noted, but exercise and good lifestyle are often not enough. "In type 2 diabetes, a combination of good lifestyles and proper medications is important for successful outcomes," he said. In a second study in the same issue of the journal, British researchers analyzed the findings of 23 studies on the relationship between physical activity and incidence of type 2 diabetes. In all, these studies included more than 1.2 million people. Among these participants, more than 82,000 developed type 2 diabetes, the researchers reported. The researchers found that those who exercised at least 150 minutes a week had a 26 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The results also suggested that exercising more than the recommended 150 minutes had even greater benefits in reducing the risk of diabetes, cutting it by more than half.…

1
Meditation and Memory 1:11

8 weeks ago1:11

1:11

Here's something that may help older adults who are beginning to notice memory problems. It doesn't need a prescription, and you can do it at home... meditation. Researchers randomly assigned volunteers, with mild cognitive impairment, to either twelve weeks of meditation, and other yoga practices, or twelve weeks of memory enhancement training, which taught strategies for improving forgetfulness. In the end the study found both groups did a little better on tests of verbal memory but the meditation group showed a bigger change in tests of visual spacial memory, which is needed for navigating while walking or driving or trying to recall a location. The meditators also showed fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety, for the researchers that's a key finding because one of the reasons it may be working is by easing anxiety over memory lapses. The study is published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.…

1
Botox and Emotion 1:36

8 weeks ago1:36

1:36

Here’s something to think about if you’re considering Botox injections. A new study finds people who receive the treatments to decrease their wrinkles may also lessen their ability to completely feel emotions. A side effect of the popular cosmetic injection is frozen muscles, meaning the face doesn’t as readily display emotion. But scientists have long thought it also works the other way, that facial expressions can also influence the brain about how we feel. The lead author of the study in the journal Emotion described it as a continuous feedback loop. The study participants were shown three types of videos that would evoke a negative reaction, a positive one and a mildly positive response. They rated their emotional reactions according to a scale. After Botox treatment, they repeated the procedure. There was a significant decrease from the first to second ratings in how strongly the Botox group felt their emotions. The biggest difference was in the mildly-positive video category. Researchers speculate that maybe facial expressions are more important in cases where the emotions are relatively mild. The response from cosmetic dermatologists? They say that that Botox dosage plays a big part. And that more doctors now tend to be conservative with dosage, allowing more facial movement. They also say most patients report improvement in mood and self-confidence after Botox.…

1
Lifespan Limit 1:52

8 weeks ago1:52

1:52

Is there a limit to the human lifespan? It’s a subject of vigourous debate – now A study in Nature by Albert Einstein College of Medicine scientists suggests that it may not be possible to extend the human life beyond the ages already attained by the oldest people on record.... Canadian babies born today can expect to live more than 81 years compared with an average life expectancy of only 47 for people born in 1900. Since the 1970s, -- the age to which the oldest people live -- has also risen. But according to the Einstein researchers, this upward trajectory has a ceiling -- and we've already reached it. Scientists analyzed mortality and population data from more than 40 countries. Since 1900, the number of people surviving to old age in each birth cohort increased with their calendar year of birth. But when the researchers looked at survival improvements for people aged 100 and above, they found that gains in survival peaked at around 100 and then declined rapidly, regardless of the year people were born. For people living to 110 or older, the age at death increased rapidly between the 1970s and early 1990s but reached a plateau around 1995 -- further evidence for a lifespan limit. The Einstein researchers put the average maximum human life span at 115 years – and the absolute limit of human lifespan at 125 years.…

1
Crashes and Sleep Loss 1:26

8 weeks ago1:26

1:26

Here's a sobering finding that underscores the importance of getting enough sleep. A report, from the US "AAA" Foundation for Traffic Safety, finds that missing just an hour or two of shut-eye nearly doubles your chances of a car crash the next day. And getting behind the wheel after getting only four to five hours of sleep quadruples that risk. That's comparable to driving with a blood alcohol level that is considered legally drunk. Researchers studied 4,600 serious police reported crashes. They found sleep deprived driver's crash risk increased steadily with fewer hours of sleep, compared with drivers who got seven or more. Drivers whose mistakes contributed to crashes were more likely to report having slept less than usual in the 24 hours before the crash. Drivers operating on four or fewer hours of sleep are a whopping eleven and a half times more likely to be involved in a crash than well rested drivers. The researchers say this is the first study to quantify the relationship between lack of sleep and the risk of collision and they hope it will inspire authorities to take the risk of sleep impaired driving more seriously.…

1
Gratitude 0:56

13 weeks ago0:56

0:56

Our mothers always told us we should be thankful for what we have. Now there’s evidence that doing just that will make us feel happy and even improve our health. Robert Emmons, a professor of psychology at the University of California underook the first major study on gratitude. In his book Thanks! he says it’s a crucial element of happiness. Emmons says it’s about wanting what we have, and he advises that we begin by acknowledging that life is good, and that the source of life’s goodness is outside ourselves – it can be a spouse, a child, a parent or God. And he says gratitude should not be a reaction – it should be a state of mind.…

1
Asthma Misdiagnosis 1:36

13 weeks ago1:36

1:36

Do you have asthma? It is extremely common, about three million Canadians have been diagnosed with the condition. But researchers now say if you are one of them, you should double-check. A study led by the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute found that fully a third of adults being treated for asthma don’t actually have the disorder, either because they have been misdiagnosed or have gone into remission.. Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways that causes shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing. It can be brought on by a reaction to such allergens as dust, mould and pet dander, by sensitivities to paint fumes and tobacco smoke, and or even exercise or exposure to cold or hot, humid air. In a study of more than 600 adults, doctors found 203 of the participants were being unnecessarily and less than half of that group had received the proper lung function test at the time of their initial diagnosis. Although the tests which are called spirometry, are cheap and easy to perform, they are not necessarily readily available. The researchers want that to change. In addition to the misdiagnoses, at least 20% of the cases had gone into remission – another example of why it’s important to check to make sure you still need the medications you have been taking for awhile.…

1
Retirement Health 1:22

13 weeks ago1:22

1:22

The secret to a healthier retirement may be surprising: work. New research out of the U.S. shows that retirees who continue to work in some capacity, even part-time, are less likely to experience physical decline and disease. Researchers analyzed six years of information on the health, finances and employment status of over 12,000 men and women who were between the ages of 51 and 61 in 1992. Compared to those who quit working altogether, those who described themselves as officially retired but who continued to work part-time or in temp jobs were less likely to be diagnosed with eight diseases: high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart disease, stroke, psychiatric problems and arthritis. And they also were also less likely to show signs of functional decline, like the inability to perform daily activities like walking or dressing. The study in the October issue of the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, says working can be good for many reasons including social context, and opportunities to interact and to learn new skills.…

1
15 Minutes of Exercise 1:26

13 weeks ago1:26

1:26

Do you find it hard to find time for exercise? The latest findings from Taiwan show that getting as little as 15 minutes of physical activity a day can make you live longer. Currently, physical activity guidelines from authorities like the World Health Organization recommend that people exercise 30 minutes a day, five days a week, a benchmark that’s tough for many of us. RESEARCHERS studied more than 400,000 men and women in Taiwan for an average of eight years. The findings suggest it may take only half that recommended time — 15 minutes a day — to gain health benefits. After taking into account differences in age, weight, sex and a range of health-related indicators, they found that those15 minutes of moderate exercise increased life expectancy by three years compared to those who remained inactive. The low exercise group also had a reduction of 10 per cent in cancer mortality compared to the couch potatoes. Researchers say the findings are consistent with previous studies but this is the first to come up with the minimum level of exercise necessary. They hope this will make it more attractive for inactive people to find that life-lengthening quarter hour every day.…

1
Biological Age 1:27

14 weeks ago1:27

1:27

Why do some people seem to get old before their time while others look like they haven’t aged a day since college? A team of researchers from Duke University studied a nearly 1000 people born within a year of each other and found a huge gulf in the speed at which their bodies aged. The subjects were from the same town in New Zealand and were all born in 1972-73. The scientists looked at 18 different ageing-related traits when the group turned 26, 32 and 38 years old. They measured everything from kidney and liver function to cardiovascular fitness and the condition of their gums. They found that at the age of 38, the people's biological ages ranged from the late-20s to those who were nearly 60. In other words some people had almost stopped ageing during the period of the study, while others were gaining nearly three years of biological age for every twelve months that passed. One particularly interesting finding of the study was that the people who were physiologically older looked older, at least according to Duke undergraduates who were asked to guess their ages from their pictures. The researchers hope this work will help them prevent diseases by slowing down the the aging process.…

1
Spicy Food and Longevity 1:08

14 weeks ago1:08

1:08

Do you like spicy food? The science says it could help you live longer! Chinese researchers analyzed the diets of nearly 500,000 people for 7 years and found that those who ate spicy foods one or two days a week had a 10% reduced risk of death compared with those who ate such meals less than once a week. The risk was 14% lower for those who opted for hot food between three and seven days a week. The study published in BMJ said those who favoured spicy food had lower rates of heart disease, respiratory disease and cancer. The authors say that capsaicin, the main ingredient in chili peppers, had been found in other studies to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The researchers still need more evidence from other populations to verify these findings before they would contemplate any change in dietary advice.…

1
5 Second Rule 1:34

14 weeks ago1:34

1:34

You know the famous “five-second rule” —Well scientists are now saying it’s a bunch of baloney to think we can eat dropped food as long as it’s quickly scooped off the floor. Clemson University food researchers re-visited the long debated issue in National Geographic. Though previous research has shown we may have up to a minute to rescue certain types of spilled food before it becomes contaminated, this work makes a strong case for the “zero-second rule.” The study found that salmonella and other bacteria can live up to four weeks on dry surfaces and be immediately transferred to food. The zero-tolerance standard, however, conflicts with the findings by other researchers, who found, for instance, that it takes a minute for apple slices to pick up bacteria from a college dining room floor. Still, most researchers agree that the critical thing is not time, but location. Some say it’s okay to brush off the bagel that fell from the stroller onto the sidewalk and give it to your screaming child, for example, because the pavement is cleaner than the kitchen floor in terms of the types of germs that cause illnesses. They argue the kitchen floor, however, is probably a zero-second zone because the bacteria from uncooked meat and chicken juices are more hazardous than the ‘soil’ bacteria outside. The bathroom floor is another zero-second zone because it’s a great potential source of bacteria and shorter-lived viruses that can cause gastrointestinal illness if ingested.…

1
Foodies' Health 1:37

15 weeks ago1:37

1:37

Are you a foodie? It means you’re passionate about food and love trying new dishes. Many people think those of us who fit this description are indulgent and gluttonous, let along pretentious. But a study from the famous Cornell Food and Brand Lab suggests the opposite: Foodies weigh less and could be in better health than the less discerning among us. The researchers asked 500 women about their weight satisfaction, lifestyle and personality traits and provided a list of 16 novel foods and asked them to report which ones they had tried. Those who had sampled nine or more of the foods on the list were considered "foodies" in the study and the rest were classified non-adventurous eaters. The research team adjusted the data to draw on possible associations between adventurous eating, BMI and body image. Those who said they had tried things like beef tongue, Kimchi and rabbit also described themselves as more concerned with the healthfulness of what they ate than did those who stuck to traditional fare. Foodies were also more physically active and their BMI’s were slightly lower than their counterparts. The study authors say these findings are important to dieters because they show that promoting adventurous eating may provide a way for people -- especially women -- to lose or maintain weight without feeling restricted by a strict diet.…

Z

Zoomer Report

1
More Women Living to 100 1:34

15 weeks ago1:34

1:34

Here’s an interesting tidbit for those of us who are pondering the possibility of living to 100. Men are less likely than women to reach that milestone, but according to a study out of London, those who do tend to be healthier than their female peers. The British researchers found that women are now four times more likely than men to hit 100. But they are more likely to suffer broken bones or develop more than one chronic health problem, such as incontinence or loss of vision or hearing. Men had fewer chronic ailments. All of the centenarians were more likely to have chronic, nonfatal issues such as arthritis rather than more serious diseases like cancer or diabetes. And the study authors say they found a surprising number of 100-year-olds who had no major illnesses. The researchers analyzed public health records of more than 11,000 centenarians. The number of women living to 100 increased by 50 percent between 1990 and 2013, the study found, compared to a 30 percent increase among men. More research is needed to understand why some people reach very old age without serious health problems and some don't. The study was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.…

Z

Zoomer Report

1
More Sex After 50 Years 1:25

15 weeks ago1:25

1:25

Here’s something unexpected to look forward to when your marriage hits the 50 year milestone. For many, if not most couples who have been together for a long time, things can get a little dull in the bedroom. Now a study says that after around 50 years of marriage, your sex life could pick up again thanks to a renewed sense of trust and commitment. Researchers at Louisiana State university analyzed the sex lives of over 1,600 adults from their late-50s all the way to their mid-80s. They noticed a slight "rebound" in how often long-married couples were having sex once they had surpassed 50 years of marriage. They say that while new couples start off with vibrant sex lives, the frequency often diminishes over time. But the good news for long-married couples is that after all those years together, a sense of commitment, and continuity could be what leads to an uptick in sexual activity Another fascinating finding was the frequency of sex in first marriages versus second marriages. Researchers found that people who stay in their first marriages instead of getting divorced and remarried, often have more sex.…

Z

Zoomer Report

1
End of Life Chemo 1:23

15 weeks ago1:23

1:23

It is an agonizing decision for terminally ill cancer patients and their families. Should they undergo more chemotherapy? The answer is usually no for very sick patients. But palliative chemo is often considered a reasonable option for those who are stronger, because of the hope that it may ease symptoms or buy time. Now, a study suggests that end-of-life chemotherapy is more likely to make things worse. The work in JAMA Oncology followed more than 300 patients with a prognosis of less than six months to live. About half opted for end-stage chemotherapy. Researchers found that treatment worsened quality of life for those patients who could still work and perform day-to-day tasks when the study started. And it didn’t improve things for those who were sicker at the beginning. The findings are the opposite of what was expected because the patients who were assumed to benefit did not. The lead researcher says the bottom line is that incurable cancer patients with a limited life expectancy who use chemotherapy are likely to impair the quality of their remaining days.…

Z

Zoomer Report

1
Life Expectancy & Exercise 1:25

15 weeks ago1:25

1:25

There’s more evidence about the benefits of exercise, especially as we age. A study out of Norway finds that older men doing three hours of exercise a week lived around five years longer than those who were sedentary. The research tracked 5700 men aged tracking 68 to 77. It found that those putting in the equivalent of six, 30-minute sessions of any intensity, were 40% less likely to have died during the 11-year study. While those who carried out vigorous exercise saw the highest benefits, even light intensity activity lowered mortality risk – However, anything less than an hour a week of light exercise had no impact. The benefits of exercise are well-known but the experts behind the study said they were taken back by just how large the impact could be, even in later life. The report detailed that even men who were 73 years of age at start of follow-up, had five years longer than the sedentary. The study concluded that the impact of this physical activity was as good as quitting smoking. The work only looked at men, but the researchers say the findings would apply equally to women.…

Z

Zoomer Report

1
YOGA AND BRAIN HEALTH 1:28

2 years ago1:28

1:28

If you’re thinking about taking up yoga, there’s evidence it may have benefits beyond what you’re expecting. A study from the University of Illinois suggests hatha yoga may also boost brain function in older adults. Researchers studied people between the ages of 55 and 79. Some attended hatha yoga classes, while the others did stretching and toning exercises. At the end of eight weeks, the group that did yoga three times a week performed better on cognitive tests than it had before the start of yoga classes. They displayed significant improvements in working memory capacity and were also able to perform the tasks quickly and accurately, without getting distracted. The group that did stretching and toning displayed no significant change in cognitive performance over time. The researchers speculate that the focus on body, mind and breath during yoga practice may have carried over to situations outside of the yoga classes, resulting in an improved ability to sustain attention. Over the years, all sorts of health benefits have been attributed to yoga - including boosting the immune system, easing migraines and promoting better sleep.…

Z

Zoomer Report

1
LIQUOR COLOUR AND HANGOVERS 1:06

2 years ago1:06

1:06

Here’s a tip from scientists on how to avoid a holiday hangover. It may come down to the colour of your preferred tipple. A study out of Brown University found that bourbon gave drinkers a more severe hangover than vodka. They suffered more headaches, nausea, loss of appetite and thirst. One reason could be that bourbon contains 37 times more toxic compounds than vodka does, including nasty organic molecules such as acetone, acetaldehyde, tannins and furfural. Researchers say a good rule of thumb for liquors, is that the clearer they are, the less of these substances they contain. But vodka drinkers aren’t off the hook: Drinkers’ sleep suffered equally with both drinks, as did their performance the morning after on tasks requiring attention and quick responses.…

Z

Zoomer Report

1
5 SECOND RULE 1:34

3 years ago1:34

1:34

You know the famous “five-second rule” —Well scientists are now saying it’s a bunch of baloney to think we can eat dropped food as long as it’s quickly scooped off the floor. Clemson University food researchers re-visited the long debated issue in National Geographic. Though previous research has shown we may have up to a minute to rescue certain types of spilled food before it becomes contaminated, this work makes a strong case for the “zero-second rule.” The study found that salmonella and other bacteria can live up to four weeks on dry surfaces and be immediately transferred to food. The zero-tolerance standard, however, conflicts with the findings by other researchers, who found, for instance, that it takes a minute for apple slices to pick up bacteria from a college dining room floor. Still, most researchers agree that the critical thing is not time, but location. Some say it’s okay to brush off the bagel that fell from the stroller onto the sidewalk and give it to your screaming child, for example, because the pavement is cleaner than the kitchen floor in terms of the types of germs that cause illnesses. They argue the kitchen floor, however, is probably a zero-second zone because the bacteria from uncooked meat and chicken juices are more hazardous than the ‘soil’ bacteria outside. The bathroom floor is another zero-second zone because it’s a great potential source of bacteria and shorter-lived viruses that can cause gastrointestinal illness if ingested.…

Z

Zoomer Report

1
END OF LIFE CHEMO 1:23

3 years ago1:23

1:23

It is an agonizing decision for terminally ill cancer patients and their families. Should they undergo more chemotherapy? The answer is usually no for very sick patients. But palliative chemo is often considered a reasonable option for those who are stronger, because of the hope that it may ease symptoms or buy time. Now, a study suggests that end-of-life chemotherapy is more likely to make things worse. The work in JAMA Oncology followed more than 300 patients with a prognosis of less than six months to live. About half opted for end-stage chemotherapy. Researchers found that treatment worsened quality of life for those patients who could still work and perform day-to-day tasks when the study started. And it didn’t improve things for those who were sicker at the beginning. The findings are the opposite of what was expected because the patients who were assumed to benefit did not. The lead researcher says the bottom line is that incurable cancer patients with a limited life expectancy who use chemotherapy are likely to impair the quality of their remaining days.…

Z

Zoomer Report

1
LIFE EXPECTANCY & EXERCISE 1:25

3 years ago1:25

1:25

There’s more evidence about the benefits of exercise, especially as we age. A study out of Norway finds that older men doing three hours of exercise a week lived around five years longer than those who were sedentary. The research tracked 5700 men aged tracking 68 to 77. It found that those putting in the equivalent of six, 30-minute sessions of any intensity, were 40% less likely to have died during the 11-year study. While those who carried out vigorous exercise saw the highest benefits, even light intensity activity lowered mortality risk – However, anything less than an hour a week of light exercise had no impact. The benefits of exercise are well-known but the experts behind the study said they were taken back by just how large the impact could be, even in later life. The report detailed that even men who were 73 years of age at start of follow-up, had five years longer than the sedentary. The study concluded that the impact of this physical activity was as good as quitting smoking. The work only looked at men, but the researchers say the findings would apply equally to women.…

Z

Zoomer Report

1
FOODIE'S HEALTH 1:37

3 years ago1:37

1:37

Are you a foodie? It means you’re passionate about food and love trying new dishes. Many people think those of us who fit this description are indulgent and gluttonous, let along pretentious. But a study from the famous Cornell Food and Brand Lab suggests the opposite: Foodies weigh less and could be in better health than the less discerning among us. The researchers asked 500 women about their weight satisfaction, lifestyle and personality traits and provided a list of 16 novel foods and asked them to report which ones they had tried. Those who had sampled nine or more of the foods on the list were considered "foodies" in the study and the rest were classified non-adventurous eaters. The research team adjusted the data to draw on possible associations between adventurous eating, BMI and body image. Those who said they had tried things like beef tongue, Kimchi and rabbit also described themselves as more concerned with the healthfulness of what they ate than did those who stuck to traditional fare. Foodies were also more physically active and their BMI’s were slightly lower than their counterparts. The study authors say these findings are important to dieters because they show that promoting adventurous eating may provide a way for people -- especially women -- to lose or maintain weight without feeling restricted by a strict diet.…

Z

Zoomer Report

1
MORE WOMEN LIVING TO 100 1:34

3 years ago1:34

1:34

Here’s an interesting tidbit for those of us who are pondering the possibility of living to 100. Men are less likely than women to reach that milestone, but according to a study out of London, those who do tend to be healthier than their female peers. The British researchers found that women are now four times more likely than men to hit 100. But they are more likely to suffer broken bones or develop more than one chronic health problem, such as incontinence or loss of vision or hearing. Men had fewer chronic ailments. All of the centenarians were more likely to have chronic, nonfatal issues such as arthritis rather than more serious diseases like cancer or diabetes. And the study authors say they found a surprising number of 100-year-olds who had no major illnesses. The researchers analyzed public health records of more than 11,000 centenarians. The number of women living to 100 increased by 50 percent between 1990 and 2013, the study found, compared to a 30 percent increase among men. More research is needed to understand why some people reach very old age without serious health problems and some don't. The study was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.…

Z

Zoomer Report

1
NOISE & FAT 1:33

3 years ago1:33

1:33

Here’s another reason to hate excessive noise. According to Swedish researchers. Exposure to noise from traffic, trains, planes and maybe even deafening restaurants could be linked to a burgeoning belly. The study in Occupational & Environmental Medicine followed 5000 people around Stockholm for four years. It found that women had a 0.08-inch increase in waist size for every additional 5 decibels in noise exposure. For men the increase was .06 inches. And the risk of a larger waist rose with the number of sources of noise someone was exposed to at the same time. The scientists speculate that long-term exposure to noise, especially from traffic may affect our metabolism and lead to abdominal obesity. That’s because noise is stressful, and stress can alter levels of hormones which influence where in the body excess calories are deposited. Earlier research has shown associations between traffic noise and high blood pressure and heart attacks. They conclude that since abdominal obesity is a risk factor for many diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, noise should be recognized as a serious threat to public health.…

Z

Zoomer Report

1
MORE SEX AFTER 50 YEARS 1:25

3 years ago1:25

1:25

Here’s something unexpected to look forward to when your marriage hits the 50 year milestone. For many, if not most couples who have been together for a long time, things can get a little dull in the bedroom. Now a study says that after around 50 years of marriage, your sex life could pick up again thanks to a renewed sense of trust and commitment. Researchers at Louisiana State university analyzed the sex lives of over 1,600 adults from their late-50s all the way to their mid-80s. They noticed a slight "rebound" in how often long-married couples were having sex once they had surpassed 50 years of marriage. They say that while new couples start off with vibrant sex lives, the frequency often diminishes over time. But the good news for long-married couples is that after all those years together, a sense of commitment, and continuity could be what leads to an uptick in sexual activity Another fascinating finding was the frequency of sex in first marriages versus second marriages. Researchers found that people who stay in their first marriages instead of getting divorced and remarried, often have more sex.…

Z

Zoomer Report

1
FIBRE & LONGEVITY 1:21

3 years ago1:21

1:21

Here’s another reason to make sure you eat lots of fibre. If you do, you might be less likely to die prematurely from a range of illnesses -- including heart disease, cancer, and infection, according to a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine. We already know that fibre promotes weight loss, lowers cholesterol, and protects against heart disease. This work suggests that it has broader health benefits and may prevent other common killers. Researchers followed 400,000 people for 9 years, and found that people who ate the most fibre were 22 percent less likely to have died of any cause during the study than people who ate the least, when they took into account age as well as health and lifestyle factors. Fibre is found in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans. Most Canadians get only half of the recommended amount. After the age of 50, women should get 21 grams, men 30. For example, a half cup of raw almonds has nearly 9 grams, a cup of cooked oatmeal has 4 grams and half a cup of pitted prunes has about 6 grams. The researchers say the bottom line is: eat as much fibre as possible.…

Z

Zoomer Report

1
VITAMIN B & MEMORY 1:31

3 years ago1:31

1:31

There’s dramatic evidence that a cocktail of vitamins may slow memory loss. Scientists from Oxford University say daily tablets of large doses of B vitamins can halve the rate of brain shrinkage in elderly people with memory problems and may slow their progression toward dementia. They came to that conclusion after a two-year clinical trial - the largest to date - into the effect of B vitamins on mild cognitive impairment, which is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Mild cognitive impairment affects around 16 percent of people aged over 70 worldwide and is characterized by slight problems with memory loss, language or other mental functions. It does not usually interfere with daily life, but around 50 percent of people diagnosed with it go on to develop the far more severe Alzheimer's disease within five years. Experts say these findings are important and they are calling for larger, longer full-scale clinical trials to confirm the safety and effectiveness of this treatment. The pills used in the trial contained around 300 times the recommended daily intake of B12, four times daily advised folate levels and 15 times the recommended amount of B6. Alzheimer's is a mind-wasting disease for which there are few treatments and no cure, and which affects 26 million people around the world.…

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Zoomer Report

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LONGEVITY FACTORS FOR MEN 1:29

3 years ago1:29

1:29

Get a good education. Get married. Don’t gain weight. These are some of the keys to long life for Zoomer men, according to a US study. In fact, nine factors in all were identified as good predictors of which 50-plus men would live healthily into their 80s and beyond, according to a 40-year study of nearly 6,000 Japanese-American men living in Hawaii. The study, in the Journal of the American Medical Association, concluded men were more likely to remain healthy, vigorous and disability-free at older ages, if they avoided certain risk factors. The risks linked to insulin levels such as being overweight, having high blood sugar, high triglycerides and high blood pressure— are strong indicators of whether men will survive to old age and whether they will be healthy if they do. Men are also more likely to live longer, if they possess a strong grip which indicates overall strength and fitness, have low blood sugar, avoid heavy drinking, and don’t smoke. The study found that men who followed the healthful criteria had an 80 percent chance of living to age 80 and a better than 60 percent of being healthy at that age. On the other hand, those with six or more of these risk factors had less than a 10 percent chance of living in their mid-80s.…

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Zoomer Report

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LOOKS & EMPLOYMENT 1:30

3 years ago1:30

1:30

It’s something we’ve always suspected - that attractive people have an advantage when it comes to finding a job. A new study suggests that while handsome men do better while looking for work, good looks can end up hurting a woman’s chances of scoring a job interview. Israeli researchers came to that conclusion by sending more than 5,000 resumes in pairs for half as many job openings. In each pair, one CV was without a picture while the second, otherwise almost identical CV, contained a headshot. The resumes of "attractive" males received a 20 percent response rate, nearly 50 percent higher than the response rate for "plain" males and more than double the 9.2 percent response rate for men who didn’t send pictures. However, the study showed that, contrary to popular belief, "attractive" women were called back for a position LESS often than "plain women", as well as those who had no picture on their resume. Women without pictures had the highest response rate, 22 percent higher than plain women and 30 percent higher than good looking ones. When a man included a photo with his résumé, employers found that it showed confidence and that the candidate was presentable. But when a woman did the same, it was viewed as a negative, suggesting she was “attempting to market herself via her appearance.” Bottom line the researchers say one way or another, beauty distorts the hiring process.…

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Zoomer Report

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YOUNG HUSBAND & LIFE EXPECTANCY 1:30

3 years ago1:30

1:30

LADIES, if you’ve ever thought that having a younger husband would give you a boost, think again: New research from Denmark shows that boy toys can be bad for your health. Researchers have long thought that younger spouses were better for both men and women. But new data gleaned from 2 million couples destroy that theory. Younger wives are better for men’s health, but younger husbands can be deadly for women. The numbers show that women who marry men seven to nine years younger increase their mortality risk by 20 per cent. In contrast, men who marry younger women decrease theirs by 11 per cent. Researchers are at a loss to explain this. They say one possibility is that couples with younger husbands violate social norms and thus suffer from social sanctions. It’s also possible that a younger husband may not enrich a woman’s social life or provide companionship and support late in life. A younger wife, however, appears to do all of those things for her older husband. But it may not be so good for those young wives. The study, published in the journal Demography, says marrying a much older man shortens a woman’s life somewhat. Apparently, the best choice is to marry a man of exactly the same age. But don’t worry too much. The researchers want to remind us that marriage overall still raises life expectancy for women and men compared with people who don’t marry.…

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Zoomer Report

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CONVERSATION AND BRAIN POWER 1:13

3 years ago1:13

1:13

What’s the tone of your conversations? Surprisingly it makes a difference in whether or not they will provide you with mental benefits. A study finds friendly discussions with other people can help you solve common life challenges, but conversations that are competitive in tone aren't helpful. Researchers from the University of Michigan found engaging in a short, 10-minute conversation in which participants got to know another person helped boost the their performance on a variety of cognitive tasks involving memory, self-monitoring, and the ability to suppress distractions. But when the conversations had a competitive tone, the participants showed no improvement on those tasks. They believe that performance boosts come about because these social interactions induce people to try to read others' minds and take their perspectives on things. Bottom line: the findings suggest that having a friendly talk with a colleague before a big test or presentation may prove beneficial.…

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Zoomer Report

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ROMANCE & PAIN 1:15

3 years ago1:15

1:15

Here’s some news about a natural pain-killer – and it’s not exactly something a doctor can prescribe. Researchers say falling in love can act as a potent painkiller because love stimulates the brain's reward pathway, much like the rush of an addictive drug. It’s probably because the euphoric phase of a fresh romance has been linked to brain regions rich in the chemical dopamine. Study participants looked at either a picture of their new love or a picture of an attractive acquaintance, or they were given distracting tasks. Researchers touched them with a hot wand to induce moderate pain and scanned their brains. They found that looking at their loved one and distraction produced equal pain relief, but the distraction worked through cognitive pathways while the romance triggered a surge in that reward pathway. That means the brain can generate pain-controlling responses without medications.The next question is whether better understanding of the love-pain relationship might somehow help scientists tackle chronic pain.…

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Zoomer Report

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HEALTHY CHOICES AND AGING 1:22

3 years ago1:22

1:22

It’s no surprise. A healthy lifestyle will help look good as well as feel good! Living well is not only good for your health ... researchers studied the aging differences in identical twins ... and found one part was genetics, but the visible signs of aging also depend on the health choices they made. Here's a list of the top five aging mistakes ... and what you can do to fix them. "Yo-yo dieting" alters the ligaments in the face and makes you look older. Instead...find your ideal weight and maintain a healthy diet and exercise plan to help you stay there. Don't lose too much weight. If you're over 45 ... remind yourself that having the body of a 15 year old, size 0 model will make you look "less" ... not more ... attractive. Bad lifestyle choices such as "smoking" make you appear older. Stress is an ager. While you can't necessarily avoid a divorce or quit your job, you can seek out ways to help deal with that stress. And eating too much sugar leads to sagging, wrinkled skin. Cut back on sugary products with ingredients such as corn syrup, glucose, fructose and sucrose.…

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Zoomer Report

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THOSE OVER 50 LESS STRESSED 1:30

3 years ago1:30

1:30

Here’s some good news about getting older. A new survey suggests aging may actually help us take it easier and be happier. On average, people reported being less worried after the age of 50, and less stressed and angry in the years after their 20s. People in their 70s and 80s had the fewest negative emotions. That was the case even though they were dealing with more medical problems and the deaths of people close to them. Researchers at New York's Stony Brook University came to these conclusions after examining a 2008 Gallup phone survey of more than 340,000 people who live in the United States. The study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found people were more stressed and angry in their 20s, and their levels of stress and anger declined all the way through their 80s. As for worrying, from around 20 to about age 50, the pattern was flat. But then there was a reduction in how much people worried through their 80s. What's going on? One popular theory is that people stop looking forward as they get older and begin appreciating what they have in life. It’s also possible that they make decisions to maximize their pleasure in the now. Bottom line it’s another piece of information that debunks some stereotypes about older people. And that’s good news for Zoomers.…

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Zoomer Report

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PROCESSED MEAT LINK TO HEART 1:30

3 years ago1:30

1:30

We all know that it’s a good idea to cut back on red meat. Now a new study finds the kind of meat you eat makes a big difference. The research published in the journal Circulation shows eating processed red meat -- such as hot dogs, bacon, sausage, and cold cuts -- is linked to an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. But the study shows no such link for unprocessed red meat. Eating one serving a day of processed meat -- or the equivalent of a single hot dog or two slices of salami -- was associated with a 42% increased risk for heart disease and a 19% increased risk for diabetes. Eating unprocessed beef, pork, or lamb was not linked to a higher risk. The study is the largest research review ever to attempt to tease out the health impact of eating processed vs. unprocessed red meat. Both types of meat contain similar amounts of fat and cholesterol, but processed meats contain about four times more sodium and 50% more nitrate preservatives. The finding has important implications for public health. The researchers advise that eating processed meat once a week would be fine. And they caution that this study should not be taken as license to eat unlimited amounts of unprocessed red meat.…

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Zoomer Report

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SMILING AND LIFE EXPECTANCY 1:10

3 years ago1:10

1:10

They say a smile can brighten the darkest day. Now researchers think it can also extend your days. A study in the journal Psychological Science examined a database of professional baseball players and found those who put on a happy face in their official photographs — ended up living longer than those who didn't smile. Those with broad smiles lived an average of five years longer than players who didn't smile — reaching an average age of nearly 80. Those with partial smiles lived an average of 73 years. While psychologists have found increasing evidence that a positive outlook leads to a more stable and happy life, this is the first time they have linked smile intensity with lifespan. Psychologists say this makes sense but it doesn't necessarily mean people who don't smile a lot are facing a shorter life expectancy. Bottom line, it’s another indication that happiness is good for your health.…

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Zoomer Report

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BENEFITS OF SEX 1:32

3 years ago1:32

1:32

Here’s a way to improve your health while you’re having a lot of fun. Researchers reviewed several decades' worth of studies on sex and health, for the Journal of Sexual Health. While the underlying reasons might be unclear, here's a list of health benefits that people who have frequent sex enjoy. 1. A longer life In a British study, men who had intercourse at least twice a week lived longer than men who had sex less than once a month. And in a North Carolina study, women who reported enjoying sex more lived longer than those who didn't report enjoyment. 2. A healthier heart In a British study, people who had sex less than once a month had twice the rates of fatal coronary events, compared with those with the highest frequency of intercourse. 3. Lower blood pressure The study showing this benefit was in the journal Biological Psychology. 4. Lower risk of breast cancer A French study found that women who have intercourse infrequently had three times the risk of breast cancer, compared with those who had sex more often. 5. Lower risk of prostate cancer A Minnesota study found that men who'd had intercourse more than 3,000 times in their lives had half the prostate cancer risk of those who had not. Other benefits from sex include pain relief, a slimmer physique, better testosterone levels, healthier semen and fewer menopause symptoms.…

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Zoomer Report

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CHOCOLATE AND STROKES 1:08

3 years ago1:08

1:08

Here’s some great news about one of our favourite foods. Research out of St. Michael’s Hospital says eating chocolate may have a positive impact on stroke. The analysis involved a review of three prior studies, and it suggests eating about a bar of chocolate a week can help cut the risk of stroke and lower the risk of death after a stroke. One study found that people who ate one serving of chocolate per week were 22 percent less likely to have a stroke than people who ate no chocolate. Another study found that those who ate 50 grams of chocolate once a week were 46 percent less likely to die following a stroke than people who didn’t eat chocolate. The study authors caution that the evidence is still limited, and future work is needed to address which component in chocolate, which amount, and what kind—white, milk or dark—makes a difference. Other research has found that flavonoids which are found in cocoa, have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.…

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Zoomer Report

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NATURE AND HEALTH 1:29

3 years ago1:29

1:29

Do you live near a nice patch of green? There is more evidence that being close to parks, woods, or other natural settings may improve your mental and physical health. A study out of the Netherlands finds that proximity to green spaces is associated with less depression, anxiety, and other health problems. The relationship was strongest for children and people with low incomes. Investigators in the Netherlands examined health records from 350,000 patients in medical practices throughout the country. Using postal codes, they were also able to determine the percentage of green space existing within about 2 miles of each patient's home. The impact was greatest for mental health conditions. Compared to people living in areas with the least green spaces, those living in areas with the most were a third less likely to have anxiety disorders that required treatment and roughly one-fifth less likely to receive treatment for depression. When it came to physical health conditions, the protective benefits of living in greener areas appeared strongest for respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, and upper respiratory infections. There was a much weaker association for other common health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.…

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Zoomer Report

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BREATHING CONTROL 1:31

3 years ago1:31

1:31

It’s our most basic function and we have to do it to live. But according to Health.com you can use the way you breathe to fight anxiety, sleep better, and focus your attention. For instance, you may not notice, but in a stressful situation, the natural reaction is to take quick and shallow breaths, which actually increases your body's stress response. Experts say the fastest way to relieve anxiety is to slow your breathing down to about five breaths per minute and breathe gently and naturally without overfilling your lungs and without forcing the air out. For those times that you need to concentrate, they recommend taking a few short, forceful breaths. Breathe in sharply and breathe out forcefully while shouting 'ha'. They advise about 20 breaths per minute, for no more than 3 to 5 minutes. There is a big caveat here. If you have high blood pressure, avoid this type of breathing. Finally if you have trouble drifting off,sleep specialists recommend deep breathing before falling asleep. Put one hand on your chest and the other on your belly. Breathe through your nose for about 2 seconds, with your belly moving outward more than your chest. As you breathe out, gently press your belly. That will slow your heart rate and help you get to sleep.…

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Zoomer Report

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EFFECTS OF STOPPING DRIVING 1:29

3 years ago1:29

1:29

It’s often a wrenching decision for Zoomers and their loved ones. When should an older driver stop getting behind the wheel? Now a study out of Columbia university finds that when that happens, people are more likely to feel depressed and to develop other health problems than their peers who remain on the road. The work analyzed 16 different studies and found giving up the car keys was linked to an almost doubled risk of depression, which the researchers believe might be at least partly due to the social isolation or lack of independence that can ensue when elderly people can no longer get around by car. One of these studies, for example, found ex-drivers had a 51 percent reduction in their social network of friends and relatives over 13 years. Two studies concluded driving cessation had an impact on life expectancy. One found ex-drivers four to six times more likely to die over three years than continuing drivers, while the other found the five-year mortality risk 68 percent higher for non-drivers. The studies were not able to show whether giving up driving caused the problems, or vice versa. The bottom line - The findings highlight the need for more research to pinpoint how taking car keys away from elderly adults may influence both physical and mental health.…

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Zoomer Report

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GRANDPARENT CLOSENESS 1:20

3 years ago1:20

1:20

Here’s some work that underscores the importance of the grandparent/grandchild relationship. A study published in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry finds teens who form close, loving relationships with a grandparent have fewer behavioural and emotional problems than less-attached teens. The benefits to the young people were even greater when they were also close to the parent who was the grandparent’s child. The study, at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, surveyed 1,400 teens, age 12 to 18 about hyperactivity, emotional symptoms such as excessive worrying, social skills, and fighting and bullying. They also rated their relationships to grandparents and parents. For those with average emotional closeness to their parents, contact with their closest grandparent was linked with reduced adjustment difficulties. For teens who had very close parental relationships, the closest grandparent played an even stronger role in reducing those problems. Most of the grandparents identified as closest to teens were maternal grandmothers aged 70 or older.…

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