Latest Research

Longevity

Bonds of Friendship, Not Family, May Add Years

Older people who have close friends live longer than those who don't, an Australian study suggests. Having close family ties, on the other hand, has no discernible effect on survival.

The researchers followed more than 1,400 men and women ages 70 and older over 10 years.(1)
The researchers conducted yearly interviews with participants for four years, and then every three years. Even after controlling for sex and age, health and different habits, the effect of a having close friends was clear, and those with the largest number of friends survived longest.

"By differentiating between friends, children and other relatives, we were able to show that it is friends, rather than children or relatives, which confer most benefit to survival later in life."

Certain factors, like diet, were not considered, and the analyses are based partly on the participants' own reports, which can be unreliable. Still, the researchers say they are convinced that the large number of people in their study and the detailed data they gathered has led to reliable conclusions.

"Ensuring that older relatives and friends are involved in society in some way seems to be a key factor in longevity. Perhaps facilitating contact, either by phone or in person, is a simple thing we can all do to help older people. This is a question for both individuals and policy makers to think about." said Lynne C. Giles, lead author on the study and a doctoral student at Flinders University in Adelaide.

1. The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, July 2005

Nutrition

Additives on food labels

Hershel-Beck Laboratories recommends you eat fresh food you've prepared yourself as often as possible, however sometimes this cannot be practicable.

Food additives have been used by mankind for centuries. Salt, sugar and vinegar were among the first and used to preserve foods. In the past 30 years, however, with the advent of processed foods, there has been a massive explosion in the chemical adulteration of foods with additives. Considerable controversy has been associated with the potential threats and possible benefits of food additives.

Most food additives are considered safe. However, some are known to be carcinogenic or toxic. Hyperactivity in children, allergies, asthma, and migraines are often associated with adverse reactions to food additives. Since 1987 Australia has had an approved system of labelling for additives in packaged foods. Each food additive has to be named or numbered.

Many processed foods contain additives which are not healthy. Look out for when reading nutrition labels are flavour enhancers 621, 627 and 635, commonly known as MSG. Emulsifiers, anti-caking agents, thickeners, hydrogenated soybean oil and hyrdolysed vegetable protein are other culprits. Check the Food Standards website of Australia and New Zealand for a full list:

http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/mediareleasespublications/publications/shoppersguide/index.cfm

Weight Management

Overweight and obesity is a major health problem not only in Australia, but around the world. Obesity is strongly linked with lowered testosterone levels.

For weight loss Hershel-Beck Laboratories recommend:

• Balanced diet including fresh fruit and vegetables, and eat more complex, natural foods
• Eat five regular smaller meals
• Regular varied exercise
• Use friends and family as support
• Use motivational tools, such as photographs
• Avoid shopping on an empty stomach
• Take healthy snacks to work
• Stay fully hydrated – as water also satiates appetite
• Grant yourself one day a week of reasonable treats, as a reward
• ALWAYS eat breakfast
• Use a training partner/buddy to keep you motivated
• Involve your family and friends in enjoyable exercise

For more weightloss information and products visit Xantrax

Reverse the Effects of Ageing

It's never too late to change… Changing poor lifestyle habits can help reduce and even repeal damage caused to your body.

Smoking

Smoking is the leading killer in cancer deaths in Australia. It is also conclusively linked to leukaemia, cataracts, pneumonia, and other various diseases. Smoking reduces the supply of oxygen to vital organs, as the carbon monoxide from cigarettes attaches to the blood and reduces its carrying capacity. This also reduces blood circulation to the face, causing premature aging. The blood then carries poisonous carbon monoxide around the body, polluting everything in its path. Nicotine, which is also contained in cigarettes, causes fatty build-ups in arteries, putting smokers at risk from strokes, and heart failure.

Reversing the effects of smoking can be easier than once thought. In as little as 20 minutes of finishing a cigarette, pulse rates, body temperature, and blood pressure begin to return to normal. Within approximately 8 hours after a cigarette, the concentration of oxygen in the blood returns to that of a non-smoker, and within 12 weeks circulation improves with an increase of 30% lung capacity, allowing daily activity to become less exhausting. The great news is that after 10 years of quitting, the risk of developing lung cancer is similar to that of a non-smoker.

Alcohol

Alcohol is harmful when consumed in large quantities, often referred to as binge drinking. Heavy drinking reduces the intake of Vitamin C and destroys Vitamin B stores. Drinking can also put you at risk of liver disease as well as hepatitis. Excessive drinking can lead to liver, breast, and oral cancers, impotence, memory loss, skin discoloration and aging.

The liver is known to have the ability to regenerate, allowing minor damage to heal. This can occur within 48 hours of damage. However, after prolonged binge drinking (more than 2 drinks a day for women and 4 for men) regeneration may not be possible. To help with the healing process, doctors recommend that healthy foods be consumed, which should include fruit, vegetables, nuts, and fish.

Drugs

Drugs are known for their mood altering effects, which can help people experience moments of euphoric highs. However, drugs are also known to produce effects of psychosis, memory loss, convulsions, dehydration, and vomiting, not to mention the long-term affects that are still unknown. Prolonged use of some drugs can cause dependence, paranoia, insomnia and nausea, however, illegal drugs can be unpredictable as they are not regulated, and almost anything can be put in them.

Effects of mild use of recreational drugs may be reversed, however, prolonged use can cause damage far beyond repair. A healthy lifestyle can help improve damage caused by engaging in aerobic exercise, eating healthy, and a steady intake of vitamins. This allows an increase in the flow of endorphins, the body's natural 'happy drug'.

Poor Diet and no Exercise

Poor diet and no exercise are largely becoming a wide spread epidemic here in Australia. Poor diets are associated with fatigue, obesity, poor sleep, stress, bowl problems, aging, bad breath, limited development and depression. The effects can be limitless depending on how bad a diet is. One third of all cancers are linked to this lifestyle factor, which is increasing.

In order to reverse the damages caused by this behaviour, a proper diet must be applied to include fruit, vegetables, fish, and wholegrain foods. Foods with a high human interference level should be avoided; avoid processed food. Carbohydrates are important for concentration and sleep, meanwhile fibre is also important for digestion and reducing the risk of colon cancer, which is the second most common cause of death in Australia. Omega 3 can help with depression, lower the risk of heart attacks, and is also an excellent source of protein.

Lack of exercise can be largely attributed to today's busy lifestyles, however, without proper exercise various problems can occur such as; heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, mental health problems, the list is endless. Exercise allows the circulation of blood to reach parts of the body that are not regularly stimulated. Without this blood flow, tissues and organs become weak, smaller, and less flexible.

Exercise improves co-ordination, increases muscle tone and strength, and eases the pain of arthritis in older people. Exercise can also aid in the development of self-confidence, as well as release endorphins, which can make people happy. Thirty minutes of brisk walking is beneficial to circulation, however, to be fit and healthy, weight resistance training, as well as cardiovascular exercise is recommended.

Sun Exposure

Sun exposure in Australia is the prime culprit for premature aging of the skin. Around 400,000 people are treated for melanoma each year with more than 1,300 people fatally diagnosed. Sunburn does not need to be present for damage to occur. Short accumulated exposures can result in the same diagnosis as those who spend large amounts of time in the sun.

In this case, prevention is much better than a cure. Campaigns such as the; slip, slop, and slap adds try to teach children and parents to protect themselves whilst in the sun, so future damage can be avoided. Cosmetic solutions such as chemical peels or treatments are not permanent procedures, and many spots, freckles, and wrinkles will return. However, if minimal sun damage is caused then there are better chances of recovery. The best method for minimal damage is to cover up with sunscreen, which is shown to reduce the penetration of the suns harmful UV rays.

Back Pain

Back pain can reduce the quality of life than a person can experience. Back pain can reduce our physical activity, work performance, and minimise quality sleep. Most pain can be attributed to our working habits. Often, many people have to sit during long periods of time, compressing the discs in the vertebrae, allowing the fluid to be deflated out from between the discs. As we age, the fluid becomes thinner so that the discs are not as well protected.

Regular exercise can help reverse the causes of some back pain, as well as correct posture and regular stretching. The abdominal muscles can help to support the back; so strong abs can mean minimal pain. Rowing, yoga, and Pilate's provide techniques that help strengthen back muscles around the spine, which will alleviate pressure and pain.

Caffeine

Caffeine actively works against the absorption of calcium and iron, therefore puts the person at risk of osteoporosis and anaemia. Caffeine increases the signs of aging end reduces skin elasticity due to its diuretic effect. Caffeine, like alcohol, can lead to impaired memory, and because of its stimulating effect, can also lead to insomnia. Drinking high levels of caffeine whilst pregnant can also increase the risk of a miscarriage by one third.

Caffeine withdrawals can cause headaches and irritability, and it is suggested that caffeine intake be reduced slowly. Circulation will increase once caffeine is limited or stopped, and skin may appear more plump and full.

A Prostate protection plan

A prostate protection plan can enable you to sidestep problems down the line.

First clean up your diet. Research from the national cancer institute recently found that a diet heavy in fats from foods such as meat, cheese mayonnaise and salad dressings increased the risk of aggressive prostate cancer, while fats from fish and chicken lowered risk. Salmon and other cold-water fish are particularly protective because of their abundance of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, which have proven cancer preventive effects. If you're not a fan of fish take two 1000-milligram capsules of fish oil a day.

Vegetables and fruits are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that guard against cancer. Topping the list are lycopene rich tomatoes. A 2002 Harvard study showed that two to four servings per week of tomato sauce cut risk of advance prostate cancer in half. Tomato is most beneficial when cooked.

Soy foods are also beneficial because they contain isoflavones that blunt harmful hormonal influences and inhabit prostate cancer proliferation. And don't forget green tea, which contains a polyphenol called epigallcatechin gallate that binds to proteins on cancer cells and curbs their growth.