The Sexual activity of the elderly, let’s talk…..

发表评论 / Aging well / 作者：

这些好处包括降低血压、缓解慢性疼痛、改善睡眠质量、降低患心脏病和前列腺癌的风险。然而，老年人可能面临身体能力变化、激素水平下降和性需求不同等挑战。重新定义性对您和您的伴侣意味着什么非常重要。有很多方法可以保持牢固、健康的性关系，而不必总是依赖定期性交。这可能意味着改变你们彼此取悦的方式、遵循的惯例和频率。沟通在任何关系中都至关重要，谈论性也很重要。大多数合作伙伴都是开放的，如果有机会的话愿意讨论和分享。重点应该放在情感联系上，并在身体方面之外共度美好时光。. These benefits include lowering blood pressure, easing chronic pain, improving sleep quality, reducing the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer. However, older adults may face challenges such as changes in their physical abilities, declining hormone levels, and different sexual needs. It is important to redefine what sex means to you and your partner. There are many ways to continue a strong, healthy sexual relationship without always relying on regular intercourse. It could mean changing how you pleasure each other, routines you follow, and frequency. Communication is vital in any relationship and talking about sex is important. Most partners are open and willing to discuss and share if given a chance. The emphasis should be on emotional bonding and spending quality time together beyond the physical side.

PF4 and Brain Aging: Rejuvenating Cognitive Function

发表评论 / Aging well / 作者：

Scientists have discovered exciting new insights about how to improve brain health as we age. They’ve found that a special hormone called klotho, young blood infusions, and exercise can all help our brains work better, especially in older mice and humans. These discoveries were a mystery until recently.

In a set of three scientific papers published in respected journals (Nature, Nature Aging, and Nature Communications), researchers made a breakthrough. They explored how the hormone klotho, a part of our blood called Platelet Factor 4 (PF4), exercise, the creation of new brain cells (neurogenesis), and thinking abilities are all linked as we get older. These studies show that Platelet Factor 4 (PF4), which comes from our blood, might be a big reason why exercise is good for our brains.

Study 1: Platelet Factor 4 (PF4) and Better Thinking as We Age

This research looked into ways to help our brains stay sharp as we get older. It turns out that Platelet Factor 4 (PF4), which is in our blood, can pass on the benefits of young blood to an aging brain. When they gave old mice young blood with lots of platelets, it helped their brains work better. This was because PF4 reduced inflammation in a part of the brain called the hippocampus, which is important for memory. This discovery suggests that PF4 could be a key to reducing inflammation and improving memory as we age.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06436-3

Study 2: Klotho and How It Boosts Brainpower

This study explored how a hormone called klotho affects our brains. Klotho makes our blood release Platelet Factor 4 (PF4), which is good for our brains. Giving PF4 to young mice improved their thinking and the connections between brain cells. Even when PF4 was missing in mice with klotho, they still had better brain function. This means there might be other unknown things that help klotho improve our brains. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10501899/

Study 3: How Exercise and Platelet Factor 4 (PF4) Keep Our Brains Young

This research focused on how exercise and Platelet Factor 4 (PF4) can help our brains stay young. Platelets, which are in our blood, play a big role in the brain benefits of exercise. PF4, a special thing released by platelets during exercise, boosts the growth of new brain cells and makes our thinking better. Giving PF4 to older mice worked like exercise and improved their brainpower. This study shows that PF4 can fight the decline in brain function that happens with age.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-39873-9

Putting It All Together: These three studies tell us that Platelet Factor 4 (PF4) from our blood is a major player in keeping our brains healthy and thinking well. When we exercise, our platelets release PF4, which helps our brain cells grow and function better. These findings open doors for new treatments to fight age-related brain problems. Using Platelet Factor 4 (PF4) could lead to new ways to keep our brains sharp as we get older.

Age-Related Hearing Loss: Understanding How Hearing Declines and deal with it as we Age

Aging well / 作者：
hummingbird, leucochloris albicollis, white throated hummingbird-7817550.jpg

Hearing is a critical sense that enables us to communicate, socialize, and navigate the world around us. The process of hearing begins with sound waves entering the outer ear and traveling through the ear canal to the eardrum. The eardrum vibrates in response to the sound waves, and these vibrations are transmitted to the middle ear where the tiny bones, called ossicles, amplify and transmit the sound to the inner ear. In the inner ear, the sound is converted into electrical signals that are sent to the brain for interpretation.

Age-related hearing loss (or presbycusis) is the gradual loss of hearing as we age. One in three adults over age 65 has hearing loss. Because of the gradual change in hearing, some people are not aware of the change at the beginning. Most often, it affects the ability to hear high-pitched noises such as a phone ringing or the beeping of a microwave, but the ability to hear low-pitched noises is usually not affected.

This loss may be caused by a variety of factors, including exposure to loud noises, we genetics, and medical conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Additionally, certain medications may cause hearing loss as a side effect. Hearing loss can range from mild to severe, and it may affect one or both ears.

If you suspect that you may have hearing loss, it is important to undergo testing to determine the extent of the problem. A hearing test typically involves wearing headphones and listening to sounds at different frequencies and volumes. The test may also involve speech recognition tests to evaluate how well you can understand spoken words. Based on the results of the hearing test, your healthcare provider can help you determine the best course of action.

One option for managing hearing loss is to use a hearing aid. Hearing aids are small electronic devices that amplify sounds and help make them more understandable. There are a variety of hearing aid styles to choose from, including in-the-ear, behind-the-ear, and completely-in-canal models. Your healthcare provider can help you select the best hearing aid for your needs based on your degree of hearing loss and your lifestyle.

In some cases, surgery may be recommended to treat hearing loss. For example, if the hearing loss is caused by damage to the middle ear bones, a procedure called a stapedectomy may be performed to replace the damaged bone with a prosthesis. Another surgery, called a cochlear implant, may be recommended for individuals with severe or profound hearing loss who do not benefit from hearing aids.

In conclusion, hearing is an important sense that allows us to communicate and navigate the world around us. As we age, our ability to hear may decline, and it is important to undergo testing to determine the extent of the problem. Depending on the degree of hearing loss, a hearing aid or surgery may be recommended to improve hearing function and quality of life.

Are there changes in sensory function that can be related to dementia and brain health?

发表评论 / Aging well / 作者：
landscape, nature, lake-7805399.jpg

Vision: Research has found that changes in visual function, such as reduced contrast sensitivity, impaired depth perception, and decreased visual acuity, are associated with an increased risk of dementia. Studies have also found that people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia often have vision problems, such as difficulty recognizing faces or reading.

 

Hearing: Hearing loss is a common age-related condition, and studies have shown that it may be a risk factor for dementia. In a large study of older adults, those with hearing loss had a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia than those with normal hearing.

 

Smell: The sense of smell can also decline with age, and research suggests that this decline may be associated with dementia. In one study, older adults with a poor sense of smell were more likely to develop dementia over a five-year period than those with a better sense of smell.

 

Touch: Changes in the sense of touch can also occur with age, and some research has suggested that these changes may be related to cognitive decline. For example, one study found that older adults with reduced tactile sensitivity had a higher risk of cognitive impairment.

 

In general, changes in sensory function can be an important indicator of brain health and may be an early sign of cognitive decline or dementia. Regular monitoring of sensory function, along with other cognitive assessments, can help identify individuals who may be at risk for dementia and allow for earlier interventions to improve outcomes.

Aging, inflammation and foods

发表评论 / Aging well / 作者：
tulip, flower, girl-7797846.jpg

Aging and inflammation are two interrelated biological processes that have a significant impact on overall health and longevity. As we age, our bodies undergo various physiological changes that can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases and impair our ability to maintain physical and cognitive function. Inflammation, a complex immune response, can exacerbate these age-related changes and contribute to the development of many chronic conditions.

Inflammation is a normal biological response to injury or infection that helps the body to fight off harmful pathogens and repair damaged tissues. In a healthy individual, inflammation is regulated by the immune system and resolved once the threat has been neutralized. However, in older individuals, the regulation of inflammation can become disrupted, leading to persistent low-grade inflammation known as “inflammaging.” This chronic, low-level inflammation can contribute to the decline in immune function that occurs with aging and increase the risk of developing age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Aging is associated with numerous changes in the immune system, including a decline in the number and function of immune cells and an increase in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These changes can result in an increased susceptibility to infection and a decreased ability to clear infections and resolve inflammation. This in turn can further exacerbate the pro-inflammatory state, leading to a vicious cycle of age-related chronic inflammation.

In addition to its effects on the immune system, aging and inflammation can also contribute to the development of other chronic conditions. For example, chronic inflammation can cause oxidative stress and cellular damage, leading to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Inflammation can also impair insulin signaling and contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. In the brain, chronic inflammation can exacerbate age-related neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

To minimize the impact of aging and inflammation on health and longevity, it is important to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and stress management. Additionally, anti-inflammatory diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, can help to reduce systemic inflammation and improve overall health.

In conclusion, aging and inflammation are interrelated biological processes that have a significant impact on overall health and longevity. Chronic, low-level inflammation, or “inflammaging,” can exacerbate the decline in immune function that occurs with aging and increase the risk of developing age-related diseases. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits and following an anti-inflammatory diet can help to minimize the impact of aging and inflammation on health and longevity.

 

are there some supplement or food good for the anti-inflammation?

Yes, there are several dietary supplements and foods that have anti-inflammatory properties. Some of the most recommended dietary supplements for reducing inflammation include:

  1. Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel, as well as in plant-based sources like flaxseeds and chia seeds, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects.
  2. Turmeric: This spice contains a compound called curcumin, which has potent anti-inflammatory properties.
  3. Ginger: Like turmeric, ginger also has anti-inflammatory properties and has been used for centuries to relieve pain and swelling.
  4. Vitamin D: Vitamin D is important for regulating the immune system and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. Good food sources of vitamin D include fatty fish, mushrooms, and fortified foods.
  5. Probiotics: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in the gut and can help to regulate inflammation. Good food sources of probiotics include yogurt, kefir, and fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut.

There are also many anti-inflammatory foods that can help to reduce inflammation. Some of the best anti-inflammatory foods include:

  1. Leafy green vegetables: Leafy greens like spinach and kale are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
  2. Berries: Berries like blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
  3. Nuts and seeds: Nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, and chia seeds are rich in anti-inflammatory fatty acids.
  4. Tomatoes: Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, including lycopene.
  5. Olive oil: Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and has anti-inflammatory properties.

It’s important to note that while these supplements and foods may help to reduce inflammation, they should not be relied upon as a substitute for a balanced diet and lifestyle. Additionally, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new dietary supplement regimen.

zh_CNChinese
en_USEnglish zh_CNChinese