Heavy Smoking and Alzheimer's - Dr. Weil's Weekly Bulletin

Heavy Smoking and Alzheimer's - Dr. Weil's Weekly Bulletin

Heavy Smoking and Alzheimer's

If the risks of heart disease and cancer aren't troubling enough, newly published research showing that heavy smoking in middle age more than doubles the risk of Alzheimer's disease might motivate some smokers to stop. This finding emerged from a study that followed more than 21,000 middle-aged men and women for 23 years. It showed that individuals who smoked two packs or more of cigarettes per day had a 114 percent greater risk of dementia than non-smokers; those who smoked between one to two packs a day had a 44 percent increased risk and those who smoked half to one pack daily had a 37 percent increased risk. Non-smoking middle-aged people in the study who identified themselves as former smokers didn't appear to have an increased risk of later dementia. The study's principal investigator suggested that smoking might increase the risk of dementia by narrowing blood vessels in the brain, and added that oxidative stress and inflammation promoted by cigarette smoke may also damage the brain, eventually leading to dementia. Researchers from Finland, Sweden and the Kaiser Permanente Health Plan reported the overall findings, which were published online October 25, 2010 by the Archives of Internal Medicine.

My take? In addition to the risk of lung cancer and emphysema, tobacco use raises risk of bladder cancer, cancers of the head and neck and leukemia. Smoking is especially dangerous if you are diabetic, take birth control pills or have any heart or circulatory problems, respiratory disease, urinary or prostate trouble, digestive disorders, a family history of cancer or increased risk of cancer for any reason, high blood pressure, seizure disorder or a family history of coronary heart disease. If none of that worries you, I'm not sure the risk of Alzheimer's will. But according to this study, it should.

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Lifestyle Changes Could Cut Colon Cancer by 23%
Five simple healthy habits could do the trick, according to a newly published study from Denmark. Researchers there reviewed data on more than 55,000 adults age 50-64 who were followed for 10 years. The lifestyle factors that appear to be protective include 30 minutes per day of physical activity, no more than seven alcoholic drinks per week for women and no more than 14 for men, not smoking, a healthy diet and a waist circumference below 88 cm (just under 35 inches) for women and 102 cm (40 inches) for men. Adhering to even one of the recommendations could have prevented 13 percent of colon cancers, the researchers calculated; following all five would have reduced colon cancer cases by 23 percent. On entering the study, participants answered questions about social factors, health status, reproductive factors and lifestyle habits. They also filled out a food frequency questionnaire developed to assess average intake over a year. The study was published online on October 26, 2010 at www.bmj.com.

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Walk Away from Breast Cancer
…and make that a brisk walk. Researchers from Harvard reviewed data from more than 95,000 women who were followed for 20 years. Conclusion: an hour or more of brisk walking daily (or an equivalent activity) made the women 15 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than those who walked less than an hour a week. The exercise seemed to make the difference even after the potential influences of drinking alcohol and excess weight were taken into account. Brisk walking outscored swimming, hiking or jogging in terms of protectiveness. The definition of brisk, according to the researchers: between three to four miles per hour, a pace at which it's difficult to carry on a conversation. While earlier research has shown that exercise might be protective against breast cancer because it reduces levels of estrogen in the blood, this study found that exercise reduced the risk of breast cancers that aren't influenced by estrogen. It was published in the October 25, 2010 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

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What's New

Weil on Wellness at Miraval
Jan 30 - Feb 2, 2011 in Tucson, Arizona
Stress, and how we deal with stress, has a direct effect on our nutrition and diet. When under stress, there is a greater potential to make unhealthy eating decisions that may include such responses as emotional eating, mindless munching and crash diets. Dr. Weil's ground-breaking new program, Weil on Wellness at Miraval Resort and Spa, dedicates over thirty years of experience to uncovering the negative responses that occur when dealing with stress and how to make significant changes to these coping mechanisms for overall health and wellness. Book now by calling 800.232.3969.

8th Annual Nutrition & Health Conference
May 8-11, 2011 in San Francisco, California
Save the date! Expanding on the growing success of previous Nutrition and Health conferences, the 8th annual meeting, co-directed by Dr. Andrew Weil, will assemble an outstanding faculty of internationally-known scientific researchers, skilled clinicians, innovative chefs and best-selling authors whose work focuses on the interface between nutrition and healthful living. For registration information: www.nutritionandhealthconf.org

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The young and the old she has remembered them all

The young and the old she has remembered them all

Sri Lankan researcher and developer Charishma Wickremesinghe who has been recognized for her achievements, especially in Australia, launches her own brand of bio-degradable products for the elderly and the very young

By Dhananjani Silva, Pix by J. Weerasekera

Charishma Wickremesinghe is someone striving to bring about change in society. The statement is sweeping but she is indeed a woman who thinks big. Her vision is to deal with issues affecting the environment and human life. Recognised as the Australian of the Year for three consecutive years in 2007, 2008 and 2009, Charishma also received the International Business Award for 2007 given by the International Business Council, the Exponential Award presented by the American Chamber of Commerce in 2007 and the People’s Choice in Australia award presented by the New Inventors’ Council in 2006. Her biography was listed in the Who’s Who of Australian Women in 2008. The launch of Charishma’s Medpro products. Now back in Sri Lanka, this researcher and developer has turned her attention to coming up with a solution for those distressed over the issue of incontinence or bladder weakness. The bio-degradable and low cost incontinence products and baby diapers she has developed were introduced to the Sri Lankan market earlier this month. Speaking at the launch of Charishma’s Medpro products, Founder President and Director, Lanka Alzheimer's Foundation Tami Tamittegama says her products “greatly benefit both ends in the cycle of earth – adults as well as babies. The fact that they are natural and easily bio-degradable is something that needs applause.” Incontinence is a common problem that can affect anyone -- be it male, female, young or old. It is known that one in four women and one in ten men will be faced with this predicament at some stage in their life. Charishma says she realized there is very little choice in terms of incontinence products available in Sri Lanka compared to the range of products that you find abroad. The products available are often for the bedridden and not for those who move around or work. “People can get a weak bladder after certain surgeries or after childbirth. There are people who have this issue but still work, who engage in sports etc. But there is no product suitable for them. Making them feel confident and secure enough to lead a normal life is what I focused on,” she explains, adding that she also realized that products available in the market cater only to a limited section of society due to their high cost. “People in this condition need to use them regularly. My aim was to reach to every home in this country. So with my background, I thought of doing something for them,” she says. Her background is indeed worthy of mention. Having moved to Australia in 1999 with her family, Charishma followed the Post Graduate Diploma in Technology and Design at Curtin University which led to a lot of research into the problem of landfill. Her first assignment for the course, she says, was on disposable destruction while her last project was on disposable nappies. “On completion of the Masters, I started research on fibre and how it could affect mankind,” she elaborates. In 2003 she established the company Senevens International in Australia which develops bio-degradable disposable nappies. These nappies are biodegradable within three months as opposed to the normal ones that take years to degrade. Charishma Wickremesinghe Her move back to Sri Lanka came in 2008 for “there is no place like home,” she felt. Subsequently, she established the Thames Johve D’Neil Research Centre and CMW Research Centre this year. The former identifies issues that are a threat to human life, environment and develops methods to deal with the problems while CMW handles the science and technology side, says Charishma who is the founder chairperson of both companies. The Medpro incontinence products and baby diapers she developed to suit the local market at an affordable price are clinically tested in Sri Lanka. The product is simple and comes without unnecessary and elaborate packing. “That helps bring down the cost,” she says. Charisma is also supporting the Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation because most patients afflicted with the illness have urinary issues too. In addition, she manufactures and distributes colostomy bags to the needy, through hospitals free of charge. Currently studying for her PhD, life has not been without challenges, she says adding that those commonly faced by inventors – a group often vulnerable to intellectual property theft has been something she has had to contend with.

ACT! Alzheimer's Awareness 2010

https://acrobat.com/#d=8yUJxWk9kscu6xfylBaMWQ

LIVING,MOVING MEMORIES-Breathing 4 Life's Memory: About National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month...

LIVING,MOVING MEMORIES-Breathing 4 Life's Memory: About National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month...: "-NOV 1'ST 2010-
Today is the first day of...



National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month (NADAM).

Here Is How you can make a D..."

LIVING,MOVING MEMORIES-Breathing 4 Life's Memory: The Age of Alzheimer’s - NYTimes.com

LIVING,MOVING MEMORIES-Breathing 4 Life's Memory: The Age of Alzheimer’s - NYTimes.com: "The Age of Alzheimer’s - NYTimes.comRA DAY O’CONNOR, STANLEY PRUSINER and KEN DYCHTWALDPublished: October 27, 2010OUR government is ignoring..."

The Age of Alzheimer’s - NYTimes.com

The Age of Alzheimer’s - NYTimes.com

RA DAY O’CONNOR, STANLEY PRUSINER and KEN DYCHTWALD

Published: October 27, 2010

OUR government is ignoring what is likely to become the single greatest threat to the health of Americans: Alzheimer’s disease, an illness that is 100 percent incurable and 100 percent fatal. It attacks rich and poor, white-collar and blue, and women and men, without regard to party. A degenerative disease, it steadily robs its victims of memory, judgment and dignity, leaves them unable to care for themselves and destroys their brain and their identity — often depleting their caregivers and families both emotionally and financially.

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Anthony Russo

Starting on Jan. 1, our 79-million-strong baby boom generation will be turning 65 at the rate of one every eight seconds. That means more than 10,000 people per day, or more than four million per year, for the next 19 years facing an increased risk of Alzheimer’s. Although the symptoms of this disease and other forms of dementia seldom appear before middle age, the likelihood of their appearance doubles every five years after age 65. Among people over 85 (the fastest-growing segment of the American population), dementia afflicts one in two. It is estimated that 13.5 million Americans will be stricken with Alzheimer’s by 2050 — up from five million today.

Just as President John F. Kennedy, in 1961, dedicated the United States to landing a man on the moon by the end of the decade, we must now set a goal of stopping Alzheimer’s by 2020. We must deploy sufficient resources, scientific talent and problem-solving technologies to save our collective future.

As things stand today, for each penny the National Institutes of Health spends on Alzheimer’s research, we spend more than $3.50 on caring for people with the condition. This explains why the financial cost of not conducting adequate research is so high. The United States spends $172 billion a year to care for people with Alzheimer’s. By 2020 the cumulative price tag, in current dollars, will be $2 trillion, and by 2050, $20 trillion.

If we could simply postpone the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by five years, a large share of nursing home beds in the United States would empty. And if we could eliminate it, as Jonas Salk wiped out polio with his vaccine, we would greatly expand the potential of all Americans to live long, healthy and productive lives — and save trillions of dollars doing it.

Experience has taught us that we cannot avoid Alzheimer’s disease by having regular medical checkups, by being involved in nourishing relationships or by going to the gym or filling in crossword puzzles. Ronald Reagan suffered the ravages of this disease for a decade despite the support of his loving family, the extraordinary stimulation of his work, his access to the best medical care and his high level of physical fitness. What’s needed are new medicines that attack the causes of the disease directly.

So far, only a handful of medications have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat Alzheimer’s, and these can only slightly and temporarily modify symptoms like forgetfulness, disorientation and confusion. None actually slows the underlying neurodegeneration.

In the mid-1980s, when our country finally made a commitment to fight AIDS, it took roughly 10 years of sustained investment (and about $10 billion) to create the antiretroviral therapies that made AIDS a manageable disease. These medicines also added $1.4 trillion to the American economy. The National Institutes of Health still spend about $3 billion a year on AIDS research, while Alzheimer’s, with five times as many victims, receives a mere $469 million.

Most of the medical researchers who study Alzheimer’s agree on what they have to understand in order to create effective drugs: They must find out how the aberrant proteins associated with the disease develop in the brain. They need to model the progression of the illness so they can pinpoint drug targets. And ultimately they must learn how to get drugs to move safely from the blood into the brain.

A breakthrough is possible by 2020, leading Alzheimer’s scientists agree, with a well-designed and adequately financed national strategic plan. Congress has before it legislation that would raise the annual federal investment in Alzheimer’s research to $2 billion, and require that the president designate an official whose sole job would be to develop and execute a strategy against Alzheimer’s. If lawmakers could pass this legislation in their coming lame-duck session, they would take a serious first step toward meeting the 2020 goal.

Medical science has the capacity to relegate Alzheimer’s to the list of formerly intractable diseases like typhoid, polio and many childhood cancers. But unless we get to work now, any breakthrough will come too late to benefit the baby boomers. Whether the aging of America turns out to be a triumph or a tragedy will depend on our ability to fight this horrific disease and beat it before it beats us.

quote_Alz

LIVING,MOVING MEMORIES-Breathing 4 Life's Memory: Study: Alzheimer's risk spikes 157% with heavy smo...

LIVING,MOVING MEMORIES-Breathing 4 Life's Memory: Study: Alzheimer's risk spikes 157% with heavy smo...: "Study: Alzheimer's risk spikes 157% with heavy smoking - USATODAY.com

Heavy smoking in midlife more than doubles your odds of developing ..."

Study: Alzheimer's risk spikes 157% with heavy smoking - USATODAY.com

Study: Alzheimer's risk spikes 157% with heavy smoking - USATODAY.com

Heavy smoking in midlife more than doubles your odds of developing Alzheimer's disease, a Kaiser Permanente study said Monday.

The study is the first to examine the long-term consequences of heavy smoking on Alzheimer's and vascular dementia, says the study's principal investigator, Rachel Whitmer, a research scientist with Kaiser Permanente in Oakland.

Researchers evaluated the records of 21,123 men and women, who, starting in midlife, were followed for an average of 23 years. Of 5,367 study participants diagnosed with dementia later in life, 2,367 were smokers, and 261 were heavy smokers (more than two packs a day). Compared with non-smokers, those who had smoked two packs of cigarettes a day increased their risk of developing Alzheimer's by more than 157% and had a 172% higher risk of developing vascular dementia — the second-most-common form of dementia after Alzheimer's. The research is published online in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Though the study was observational, the authors have theories about what might be going on, Whitmer says. "People who smoke have increased inflammation, and we know inflammation also plays a role in Alzheimer's," she says.

Dementia experts say the new research is strong. "This study is particularly good because it separates out vascular dementia and Alzheimer's," says William Thies, the Alzheimer's Association's chief medical and scientific officer.

"The other novel aspect of it is that they've got a large enough sample to look at different ethnic groups, and it shows smoking's effect on dementia does not differ based on race," says Brenda Plassman, epidemiologist at Duke University Medical Center.

A key question for worried smokers: If I quit, will I lower my risk for dementia? The answer is unknown, but Whitmer says researchers are planning a follow-up study to find out.

The bottom line: "If there's somebody out there who hasn't heard smoking's bad for you, they must live in a cave somewhere," Thies says.

"This is another good reason not to smoke."