The Caruso Homeopathy Blog

A large population-based study from the Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics (C.A., O.B.), Angers University Hospital, Angers University Memory Center, UPRES EA 2646, University of Angers, UNAM, Angers; Department IMER (A.M.S.), Lyon University Hospital, EA 4129, RECIF, University of Lyon, Inserm, U831, Lyon; Department of Geriatrics (Y.R.), Toulouse University Hospital, INSERM U558, University of Toulouse III, Toulouse; Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics (H.B.), Montpellier University Hospital, University of Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France; and Department of Rehabilitation and Geriatrics (F.R.H.), Geneva University Hospitals, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

Abstract

Background: Serum vitamin D concentrations are associated with global cognitive function among older adults. The benefits of vitamin D intake to treat or prevent cognitive impairment remain unknown. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether weekly dietary intake of vitamin D could be associated with global cognitive performance among older adults.

Methods: A total of 5,596 community-dwelling women (mean age 80.5 ± 0.1 years) free of vitamin D drug supplements from the Epidémiologie de l'Ostéoporose (EPIDOS) study were divided into 2 groups according to baseline weekly vitamin D dietary intake (either inadequate <35 μg/wk or recommended ≥35μg/wk). Weekly vitamin D dietary intakes were estimated from a self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Cognitive impairment was defined as a Pfeiffer Short Portable Mental State Questionnaire (SPMSQ) score <8. Age, body mass index, sun exposure at midday, season, disability, number of chronic diseases, hypertension, depression, use of psychoactive drugs, and education level were considered as potential confounders.

Results: Compared to women with recommended weekly vitamin D dietary intakes (n = 4,802; mean age 80.4 ± 3.8 years), women with inadequate intakes (n = 794; mean age 81.0 ± 3.8 years) had a lower mean SPMSQ score (p < 0.001) and more often had an SPMSQ score <8 (p = 0.002). We found an association between weekly vitamin D dietary intake and SPMSQ score (β = 0.002, p < 0.001). Inadequate weekly vitamin D dietary intakes were also associated with cognitive impairment (unadjusted odds ratio = 1.42 with p = 0.002; full adjusted odds ratio = 1.30 with p = 0.024).

The research conducted found that mothers whose diet contained a specific group of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), like those found in fish and walnut oil influenced the development of the baby’s gut substantially. It’s suggested that the PUFAs improve the gut immune cells and make the chances of the baby suffering from allergies lower. Read on

Around 2.8 million cases of cancer worldwide are preventable, and are largely linked to diet, physical activity, and weight, according to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).

"The policy of simply relying on identifying and treating these cases when they occur is simply not a sustainable solution" in any country, said Martin Wiseman, FRCP, FRCPath, project director at WCRF International. "We need to focus on preventing disease in the first place, so that we have the resources to detect and treat the cases that do occur." Read on

How often have you heard or read, “Healthy food is expensive”? I hear this assumption a lot, as it’s frequently pegged as one of the causes of America’s obesity crisis. Fruits and vegetables, in particular, are mentioned as overly pricey and inaccessible for many people Read on

A modest weight loss of 5 percent led to an easing of erectile dysfunction and improved sexual desire within eight weeks, and these improvements continued for 12 months, according to the study published Aug. 5 in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. Problems with urinary tract function also improved, the team added. Read on

NEW ORLEANS – Patients with severe psoriasis face a 6% higher 10-year risk for a cardiovascular event than do comparable people without psoriasis, according to the findings of a prospective cohort study of nearly 18,000 people.

This added cardiovascular risk can have substantial implications, as it can move psoriasis patients into a higher Framingham Risk Score category and shift the way physicians need to think about cardiovascular risk management of these patients, Dr. Nehal N. Mehta said at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology. Read on

Strontium found helpful in antifracture effects over a 10 year study, read on

CHICAGO – Regular use of proton pump inhibitors is associated with an elevated risk of hip fractures, even after adjusting for important lifestyle risk factors, according to the findings of a prospective evaluation from the Nurses’ Health Study.

The association was most striking for women with a history of smoking, observed Dr. Hamed Khalili of Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

The Food and Drug Association recently issued an advisory regarding a potential link between PPIs and fractures. While acid-suppressing medications have been hypothesized to increase the risk of osteoporotic fractures, studies examining this association have been inconsistent. These analyses have mostly been based on retrospective studies of small populations that have not controlled for important dietary and lifestyle confounders, and they have ascertained PPI use only at a single time point, Dr. Khalili said Read on

Research carried out by experts at Tufts Medical Center shows that eating a diet high in vitamin D, as well as the nutrients betaine and methionine, might help reduce the risk of macular degeneration.

For the study, entitled 'Smoking, Dietary Betaine, Methionine and Vitamin D in Monozygotic Twins with Discordant Macular Degeneration: Epigenetic Implications', scientists analysed the records of identical twins from the US World War II Twin Registry. read on

The latest research on the relationship between folate intake and colorectal cancer suggests that consuming folate in any form may reduce risk of colorectal cancer. The research also finds that folic acid — the man-made form of this vitamin that’s used to fortify foods and in dietary supplements — does not, as had been worried, increase risk of developing that cancer. Read on

Metabolic syndrome is a group of symptoms where someone has the symptoms of diabetes such as an increased size of waistline, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and higher risk of cancer and heart disease. An interesting study reports that metabolic syndrome is linked to psoriasis.

PHOENIX -- Psoriasis increased the odds for metabolic syndrome by 40%, and the strength of the association grew with the severity of the skin disease, investigators reported here. Read on

If you are like me, you may wonder why someone would put a young and developing brain on anti-psychotic medications at a tender age. Have a look at this artcile that finds those kids treated with medications of this sort, tend to lead to weight gain, metabolic syndrome and increased body fat percentage.

SAN DIEGO -- Antipsychotics appear to increase body fat and increase the risk of metabolic abnormalities in children and adolescents, researchers said here.

Those taking atypical antipsychotics for three months had significant increases in body weight and insulin resistance over baseline, John Newcomer, MD, of the University of Washington, and colleagues reported at the American Diabetes Association meeting here. Read on

Vitamin D3 may improve survival among older women, particularly those who are institutionalized, according to a meta-analysis of randomized trials Read on

Q: Can you tell me which B vitamins will protect me from Alzheimer’s, and how much I should take? — Anonymous
Read more at the San Francisco Examiner

An interesting report on our vitamin stores and aging finds that we do lose our stores over time. Read on.

Anyone who has tried a high-protein diet has probably heard this warning: You may lose weight, but you risk kidney damage.

The idea is that processing large amounts of protein strains your kidneys, which filter blood and remove waste. But there is little research backing that assertion. Read on

A protein called tyrosine phosphatase epsilon (PTPe, for short) plays a key role in obesity, according to study results published in the journal Cell Metabolism by researchers at Israel's Weizmann Institute.

Prof. Ari Elson and his team in the institute's molecular genetics department made the discovery when working with female mice that were genetically engineered to lack PTPe. Originally intending to investigate osteoporosis, they had removed the mice's ovaries. This typically causes mice to gain weight to the point of obesity.

However, the scientists were surprised to find that the genetically engineered mice remained slim. Even after eating a specially formulated high-fat diet, they burned more energy and had more stable glucose levels as well. Read on

Many people have heard of celiac disease, which is an immune reaction to gluten found in wheat, barley, spelt, rye, oats and barley. Typically it is diagnosed with a blood test or biopsy of the intestinal mucosa. People who have celiac disease suffer when they eat gluten. Their intestinal mucosa becomes inflamed which impairs their ability to digest and absorb other foods. They may suffer with gas, bloating and diarrhea. However, a great number of people have decided to adhere to a gluten free diet with many health benefits. Why? Although some don't find they are gluten intolerant with traditional medical testing, they feel better avoiding gluten. Some of the symptoms that people are seeing benefit from a gluten free diet are:
-Schizophrenia
-Anxiety and depression
-Bloating and gas
-Constipation alternating with diarrhea
-Diarrhea
-Autism and asperger's syndrome
The regular grocery store has a wide variety of gluten free products available. For more information on gluten sensitivity contact the clinic