'SuperAgers' stay mentally sharp well past 80, as scientists reveal the reason

→ Some 80-year-olds still have razor-sharp brains — and now scientists know why

→ One father's nightly bathroom habit was missed sign of common cancer

→ 5 ways to preserve vision as you age, according to an ophthalmologist

→ Heart disease threat projected to climb sharply for key demographic

→ Heavy snow is recipe for serious heart attack risk, experts say

→ Flu season could linger into spring as doctors warn of second wave

→ One type of olive oil has a surprising effect on brainpower in aging adults

→ Common vision issue linked to type of lighting used in homes

→ Some supplements may pose risks for people with diabetes, experts say

→ Alzheimer's symptoms could be predicted years in advance through one simple test

→ Combination nasal spray vaccine could protect against COVID, flu and pneumonia

→ Weight-loss medications could impact sexual health in unexpected ways

More than 59% of women may have high blood pressure by 2050, according to a new report from the American Heart Association.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/8XHRWrN

Read More

'SuperAger' seniors stay sharp well past 80, as scientists reveal the reason

→ Some 80-year-olds still have razor-sharp brains — and now scientists know why

→ One father's nightly bathroom habit was missed sign of common cancer

→ 5 ways to preserve vision as you age, according to an ophthalmologist

→ Heart disease threat projected to climb sharply for key demographic

→ Heavy snow is recipe for serious heart attack risk, experts say

→ Flu season could linger into spring as doctors warn of second wave

→ One type of olive oil has a surprising effect on brainpower in aging adults

→ Common vision issue linked to type of lighting used in homes

→ Some supplements may pose risks for people with diabetes, experts say

→ Alzheimer's symptoms could be predicted years in advance through one simple test

→ Combination nasal spray vaccine could protect against COVID, flu and pneumonia

→ Weight-loss medications could impact sexual health in unexpected ways

More than 59% of women may have high blood pressure by 2050, according to a new report from the American Heart Association.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/9VWfLUv

Read More

Heart disease threat projected to climb sharply for key demographic

A new report by the American Heart Association (AHA) included some troubling predictions for the future of women’s health.

The forecast, published in the journal Circulation on Wednesday, projected increases in various comorbidities in American females by 2050.

More than 59% of women were predicted to have high blood pressure, up from less than 49% currently.

3 SIMPLE LIFESTYLE CHANGES COULD ADD ALMOST A DECADE TO YOUR LIFE, RESEARCH SHOWS

The review also projected that more than 25% of women will have diabetes, compared to about 15% today, and more than 61% will have obesity, compared to 44% currently.

As a result of these risk factors, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and stroke is expected to rise to 14.4% from 10.7%.

Not all trends were negative, as unhealthy cholesterol prevalence is expected to drop to about 22% from more than 42% today, the report stated.

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas, a cardiologist and founder of Step One Foods in Minnesota, commented on these "jarring findings."

"The fact that on our current trajectory, cardiometabolic disease is projected to explode in women within one generation should be a huge wake-up call," she told Fox News Digital.

NEARLY 90% OF AMERICANS AT RISK OF SILENT DISEASE — HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

"Hypertension, diabetes, obesity — these are all major risk factors for heart disease, and we are already seeing what those risks are driving. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, eclipsing all other causes of death, including breast cancer."

Klodas warned that heart disease starts early, progresses "stealthily" and can present "out of the blue in devastating ways."

The AHA published another study on Thursday revealing one million hospitalizations, showing that heart attack deaths are climbing among adults below the age of 55.

The more alarming finding, according to Klodas, is that young women were found more likely to die after their first heart attack than men of the same age.

DOCTOR SHARES 3 SIMPLE CHANGES TO STAY HEALTHY AND INDEPENDENT AS YOU AGE

"This is all especially tragic since heart disease is almost entirely preventable," she said. "The earlier you start, the better."

Children can show early evidence of plaque deposition in their arteries, which can be reversed through lifestyle changes if "undertaken early enough and aggressively enough," according to the expert.

Klodas suggested that rising heart conditions are associated with traditional risk factors, like smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Doctors are also seeing higher rates of preeclampsia, or high blood pressure during pregnancy, as well as gestational diabetes. Klodas noted that these are sex-specific risk factors that don’t typically contribute to complications until after menopause.

The best way to protect a healthy heart is to "do the basics," Klodas recommended, including the following lifestyle habits.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Klodas especially emphasized making improvements to diet, as the food people eat affects "every single risk factor that the AHA’s report highlights."

"High blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, excess weight — these are all conditions that are driven in part or in whole by food," she said. "We eat multiple times every single day, which means what we eat has profound cumulative effects over time."

"Even a small improvement in dietary intake, when maintained, can have a massive positive impact on health."

The doctor also recommends changing out a few snacks per day for healthier choices, which has been proven to "yield medication-level cholesterol reductions" in a month.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"Keep up that small change and, over the course of a year, you could also lose 20 pounds and reduce your sodium intake enough to avoid blood pressure-lowering medications," Klodas added.

"Women should not view the AHA report as inevitable. We have power over our health destinies. We just need to use it."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/XW7zR5S

Read More

Weight-loss medications could impact sexual health in unexpected ways

Popular weight-loss medications may also affect aspects of sexual health, recent research has shown.

In obese and overweight men, GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) drugs increased total testosterone, optimized hormone levels and improved erectile-function scores, according to a 2025 review published by the National Institutes of Health.

Additional reviews found the same improvement in erectile dysfunction.

POPULAR WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS LINKED TO RARE 'PIRATE DISEASE,' RESEARCHERS WARN

Not all results have been positive, however. A study of women, published in Sage Journals in June, found that the drug’s impact on hormones could decrease sexual drive.

In a nationally representative survey led by the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, about 52% of GLP-1 users reported that the medication had impacted their sex lives, both positively and negatively.

JELLY ROLL'S WIFE SAYS WEIGHT-LOSS DRUG SENT HER INTO ‘WORST SUICIDAL DEPRESSION’

Eighteen percent said their sexual desire increased, while 16% said it decreased. Another 16% noted that their sexual function improved and 14% noted it did not.

Sixteen percent also reported feeling more comfortable with their bodies, while 14% said they were less comfortable.

Dr. Peter Balazs, a hormone and weight-loss specialist in New York and New Jersey, said it’s difficult to determine whether improved sexual function is an effect of the medication or a benefit of improved self-perception after weight loss.

These outcomes also depend "heavily" on patient characteristics, the expert added.

"Individuals with severe obesity often experience meaningful hormonal improvements, whereas those with long-standing diabetic neuropathy may have irreversible neurovascular damage," he told Fox News Digital.

"Critically, when dysfunction is driven primarily by psychosocial factors, such as relationship distress, pharmacotherapy (medication) alone is unlikely to succeed."

In his own practice, Balazs reported seeing "both ends," although most of his patients have improved sex lives.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Men under 30 were more likely to report decreased libido, which he attributed to the drug’s effects on the central nervous system rather than underlying health conditions, since younger men typically have fewer comorbidities.

GLP-1s can directly contribute to improved sexual function by improving vascular endothelial function — the inner lining of blood vessels — thereby supporting better blood flow, according to Balazs.

This function is important for cardiovascular health and, in men, can improve erectile function. In women, it can also increase pelvic blood flow, according to the expert.

Substantial weight loss reduces the function that converts testosterone to estrogen, which can help restore testosterone levels. This can improve libido, energy and overall sexual function, according to Balazs.

GLP-1s can also reduce inflammation in the brain, potentially improving peripheral nerve function, which is essential for physical sensation.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Severe obesity can also present physical barriers during intimacy, as weight loss improves mobility and comfort.

Balazs also mentioned the psychological burden of obesity and diabetes, noting that weight-loss therapies can alleviate depression and anxiety, conditions that often contribute to sexual dysfunction.

"Improvements in physical health, body composition and self-image may indirectly reduce depression and anxiety, supporting sexual well-being," he said.

On the other hand, reduced sexual function while taking a GLP-1 drug could occur due to reward signaling in the brain, according to Balazs.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"The [central reward] pathway contributes to pleasure associated with both food and sexual activity," he said. "Its modulation may reduce sexual desire in some patients."

"Common adverse effects, such as nausea, fatigue or malaise, as well as psychological adjustment to rapid weight loss, can indirectly decrease sexual desire."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/VUEeuA2

Read More

Common vision issue linked to type of lighting used in Americans' homes

Nearsightedness (myopia) is skyrocketing globally, with nearly half of the world’s population expected to be myopic by 2050, according to the World Health Organization.

Heavy use of smartphones and other devices is associated with an 80% higher risk of myopia when combined with excessive computer use, but a new study suggests that dim indoor lighting could also be a factor.

For years, scientists have been puzzled by the different ways myopia is triggered. In lab settings, it can be induced by blurring vision or using different lenses. Conversely, it can be slowed by something as simple as spending time outdoors, research suggests.

COMMON DIABETES DRUG MAY HELP PRESERVE EYESIGHT AS PEOPLE AGE

Nearsightedness occurs when the eyeball grows too long from front to back, according to the American Optometric Association (AOA). This physical elongation causes light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it, making distant objects appear blurry.

Researchers at the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry identified a potential specific trigger for this growth. When someone looks at a phone or a book up close, the pupil naturally constricts.

COMMON VISION ISSUE COULD LEAD TO MISSED CANCER WARNING, STUDY FINDS

"In bright outdoor light, the pupil constricts to protect the eye while still allowing ample light to reach the retina," Urusha Maharjan, a SUNY Optometry doctoral student who conducted the study, said in a press release.

"When people focus on close objects indoors, such as phones, tablets or books, the pupil can also constrict — not because of brightness, but to sharpen the image," she went on. "In dim lighting, this combination may significantly reduce retinal illumination."

The hypothesis suggests that when the retina is deprived of light during extended close-up work, it sends a signal for the eye to grow.

In a dim environment, the narrowed pupil allows so little light through that the retinal activity isn't strong enough to signal the eye to stop growing, the researchers found.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

In contrast, being outdoors provides light levels much brighter than indoors. This ensures that even when the pupil narrows to focus on a nearby object, the retina still receives a strong signal, maintaining healthy eye development.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

The team noted some limitations of the study, including the small subject group and the inability to directly measure internal lens changes, as the bright backgrounds used to mimic the outdoors made pupils too small for standard equipment.

"This is not a final answer," Jose-Manuel Alonso, MD, PhD, SUNY distinguished professor and senior author of the study, said in the release.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"But the study offers a testable hypothesis that reframes how visual habits, lighting and eye focusing interact."

The study was published in the journal Cell Reports.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/U3op2Wa

Read More

Some 80-year-olds still have razor-sharp brains — and now scientists know why

Older adults classified as "SuperAgers" generate at least twice as many neurons in the hippocampus than their typical aging peers, a new study has revealed.

These findings, released on Wednesday by the University of Illinois Chicago and Northwestern University, could help explain why SuperAgers have exceptional memory and cognitive resilience even well past 80 years old.

Northwestern has been studying SuperAgers for decades, defining them as "extraordinary individuals aged 80 and above whose memory performance rivals that of people three decades younger." The researchers use special memory recall tests to make this determination.

ALZHEIMER'S SYMPTOMS COULD BE PREDICTED YEARS IN ADVANCE THROUGH ONE SIMPLE TEST

In this study, they analyzed post-mortem brain tissue — nearly 356,000 individual cell nuclei — with a focus on the hippocampus, which is essential for forming new memories and supporting learning and spatial navigation.

They compared tissue from SuperAgers, typical older adults, older adults with early dementia/Alzheimer’s and younger healthy adults.

The researchers found that SuperAgers produced at least twice as many new neurons compared to "cognitively normal" older adults and those with Alzheimer’s pathology.

They also found that changes in certain brain support cells (astrocytes) and key memory cells (CA1 neurons) are linked to preserved cognitive ability, helping to keep the brain sharp with age.

ALZHEIMER’S DECLINE COULD SLOW DRAMATICALLY WITH ONE SIMPLE DAILY HABIT, STUDY FINDS

The SuperAgers also had different genetic activity patterns in their brains compared to those in Alzheimer’s disease. 

"SuperAgers have more immature neurons and neuroblasts in the hippocampus, which is an indication of stronger neurogenesis when compared with other groups," study co-author Changiz Geula, research professor of cell and developmental biology and neuroscience at at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, told Fox News Digital.

"The study also showed that specific cells in the hippocampus show unique gene expression profiles that relate to neuronal function and transmission and are associated with superior cognitive function."

The findings were published in the journal Nature.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

"We’ve always said that SuperAgers show that the aging brain can be biologically active, adaptable and flexible, but we didn’t know why," said co-author Tamar Gefen, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a neuropsychologist at Northwestern’s Mesulam Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, in the release. 

"This is biological proof that their brains are more plastic, and a real discovery that shows that neurogenesis of young neurons in the hippocampus may be a contributing factor."

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, commented that the study discovered signs of plasticity and regeneration in SuperAgers.

"It confirmed not only preservation of brain tissue in the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory and cognition, but also regeneration and increased development of brain cells in that area," Siegel, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"This is an important study because it may lead to certain cell gene treatments that could lead to more SuperAgers," the doctor said. "It may also lead to more advanced testing to determine who will be a SuperAger and guide clinical treatment and management."

The study did have some limitations, primarily that the research relied on tissue samples taken at one specific point, instead of tracking changes over time.

Geula noted that studies using human brain tissue typically involve fewer cases than animal research, which can be a limitation. However, he emphasized that each case in this study was analyzed thoroughly.

"While these findings are not directly translatable to changes in everyday life and activities, they suggest that cognitive resilience is associated with greater integrity of many brain systems," he told Fox News Digital. "This implies that attending to brain health is crucial for maintaining cognitive function in old age."

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"Thus, maintaining good overall health by keeping systemic diseases in check, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise, and ensuring the elderly remain mentally active assume more importance."

The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging, which is part of the National Institutes of Health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/V8A2kQR

Read More

One type of olive oil has a surprising effect on brainpower during aging

Olive oil has long been shown to benefit heart health, but a new Spanish study from Universitat Rovira i Virgili revealed that extra virgin olive oil may also protect brain health.

The study found that people who consumed virgin olive oil — rather than refined olive oil — had improved cognitive function and greater diversity in the gut biome, which the researchers claim is an "important marker of intestinal and metabolic health."

"This is the first prospective study in humans to specifically analyze the role of olive oil in the interaction between gut microbiota and cognitive function," lead study author Jiaqi Ni, researcher at the URV’s Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology in Spain, said in a press release.

ALZHEIMER'S RISK COULD RISE WITH COMMON CONDITION AFFECTING MILLIONS, STUDY FINDS

The study used two years of data from more than 600 people between the ages of 55 and 75 who were overweight or obese and had metabolic syndrome, factors that increase the risk of heart disease.

The researchers tracked the participants’ consumption of both refined and virgin olive oil, as well as their gut microbiota (the entire collection of living microorganisms in the human gut).

ALZHEIMER’S RISK TIED TO HOW THE BODY HANDLES SUGAR AFTER EATING, STUDY FINDS

The findings suggest that the uptick in diverse gut bacteria is the reason that people consuming virgin olive oil have improved brain health, according to the researchers. Those who consumed refined olive oil had less diversity in their gut over time.

The main difference between refined and virgin olive oils is how they are processed, the researchers said.

Refined olive oil undergoes industrial treatments to remove impurities. These treatments degrade the oil, stripping it of the natural antioxidants and vitamins that are beneficial to human health.

The team also did a follow-up to identify any changes in participants’ cognitive function. Those who consumed extra virgin olive oil showed improved memory, attention and executive function over two years.

Refined olive oil did not show the same cognitive benefits. 

"Not all olive oils have benefits for cognitive function," Ni noted.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

This research reinforces the idea that the quality of fat people consume is as important as the quantity, according to Jordi Salas-Salvadó, principal investigator of the study.

"Extra virgin olive oil not only protects the heart but can also help preserve the brain during aging," he said in the press release.

Because this was an observational study focused on older Mediterranean adults with specific health risks, the findings may not apply to the public, and the study does not prove that olive oil alone caused the cognitive changes. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The researchers noted that factors like smoking and lower education levels were more common among those using refined oil, which could skew results despite their best efforts to adjust the data. 

Additionally, the study relied on self-reported diets, which could have some risk of inaccuracies.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

The study was published in the journal Microbiome.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/YUSkopO

Read More