Quick Study: Walking may prevent memory problems in older people

THE QUESTION Might a regular walking regimen protect against the memory loss that occurs when the brain shrinks in old age?

THIS STUDY involved 299 people who averaged 78 years old and had no cognitive problems at the start of the study. The distances they walked weekly were recorded, MRI scans measured their brains' gray matter (the part of the brain responsible for thinking) and they were given standardized cognitive tests. After 13 years, 116 participants had diagnoses of mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Those who walked six to nine miles a week had greater gray matter volume nine years after the start of the study than those who walked less or not at all; walking farther showed no added benefit. They also were half as likely to have developed memory problems in the 13-year span as were the others.

WHO MAY BE AFFECTED? Older people. Walking has been shown to boost a person's energy and mood, benefit muscles and bones, help control weight and lower the risk for such health problems as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.

CAVEATS Data on walking distances were based on the participants' reports and were obtained only at the start of the study. The study did not rule out that other factors, such as ill health, might have led to reduced amounts of walking and loss of gray matter volume.

FIND THIS STUDY Oct. 19 issue of Neurology.

LEARN MORE ABOUT memory loss at http://www.familydoctor.org/ and http://www.nia.nih.gov/.

- Linda Searing

The research described in Quick Study comes from credible, peer-reviewed journals. Nonetheless, conclusive evidence about a treatment's effectiveness is rarely found in a single study. Anyone considering changing or beginning treatment of any kind should consult with a physician.

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Quick Study: Testosterone supplement may have cardiovascular risks for older men

THE QUESTION Testosterone supplementation has been shown to build muscle and strength in older men, who often experience a drop in this male hormone. But does it do the same if the men are not fully healthy?

THIS STUDY involved 209 men, who averaged 74 years old and had low testosterone levels and mobility problems. High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, high levels of blood fats and heart disease were also common in the group. They were randomly assigned to apply a testosterone gel (Testim) or a placebo gel daily. After six months, those using testosterone recorded greater improvements in lower-extremity strength and physical functioning. However, twice as many men in the testosterone group were evaluated for a medical problem. This included 23 men who had a cardiovascular problem (including high blood pressure, arrhythmia, stroke and a need for stenting), compared with five men in the placebo group, and seven (vs. one) who had an atherosclerosis-related problem (including heart attack, angioplasty and coronary artery bypass).

WHO MAY BE AFFECTED? Older men. Testosterone, which the body produces naturally, is key to the growth and functioning of male sexual organs and for the development of male characteristics. A decline in testosterone level that often accompanies aging can lead to low energy and loss of sexual desire as well as a loss of muscle mass. Supplementation is sometimes used to replace what the body no longer produces.

CAVEATS The study was stopped early because of the high incidence of cardiovascular problems among men using the testosterone gel. The study authors noted that, because of the relatively small number of problems, "the differences detected between the two trial groups may have been due to chance alone." The gels used in the study were provided by Auxilium Pharmaceuticals; one of the study's 26 authors received fees from the company.

FIND THIS STUDY July 8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

LEARN MORE ABOUT testosterone therapy at http://my.clevelandclinic.org and http://www.mayoclinic.com.

-- Linda Searing

The research described in Quick Study comes from credible, peer-reviewed journals. Nonetheless, conclusive evidence about a treatment's effectiveness is rarely found in a single study. Anyone considering changing or beginning treatment of any kind should consult with a physician.

View the original article here

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Fiber seems to be linked to a reduced risk of disease in people older than 50

THE QUESTION: Diets high in fiber have been shown to aid weight loss and help with digestive problems. Might fiber also offer other health benefits?

THIS STUDY analyzed medical and food consumption data on 388,122 adults older than 50. In a nine-year span, 31,456 of them died. People who routinely consumed the most fiber - an average of 24 grams daily for men, 26 for women - were 22 percent less likely to have died in this time than were those whose diets included the least amount of fiber. Among men, high fiber intake lowered the risk for dying from infectious diseases by 56 percent, from respiratory diseases by 31 percent and from cardiovascular disease by 24 percent; among women, risks fell by 59 percent, 46 percent and 34 percent, respectively. Higher consumption of fiber also lessened the chances of dying from cancer for men, but not for women. As intake of fiber from whole grains increased, the chance of dying from these diseases decreased. That did not apply to fiber from other sources, such as fruits.

WHO MAY BE AFFECTED? People who routinely include fiber in their diets. Current dietary guidelines recommend that women consume at least 25 grams of fiber daily and that men consume 38 grams. According to government estimates, most Americans take in, on average, just 15 grams a day. (A banana or apple contains about three grams of fiber, as does a cup of such cereals as Wheaties and Cheerios. A slice of whole-wheat or rye bread contains about 2 grams, a cup of green beans provides 4 grams and a cup of pinto beans contains roughly 15 grams.)

CAVEATS: Dietary data came from the participants' responses on questionnaires. Higher fiber intake might have reflected an overall healthier lifestyle, which could have affected the results. The authors theorized that the beneficial effects, especially against infectious and respiratory diseases, may stem from the anti-inflammatory properties of fiber.

FIND THIS STUDY: Feb. 14 online issue of Archives of Internal Medicine

LEARN MORE ABOUT dietary fiber at www.familydoctor.com and www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource .

- Linda Searing

The research described in Quick Study comes from credible, peer-reviewed journals. Nonetheless, conclusive evidence about a treatment's effectiveness is rarely found in a single study. Anyone considering changing or beginning treatment of any kind should consult with a physician.

View the original article here

Read More