Heart Health

3 Surprising Roadblocks Standing Between You and a Healthy Heart

Despite a widespread obsession with health, the incidence of heart disease is steadily rising in the United States. Many people are eating healthier, exercising more and otherwise trying to maintain a healthy heart. However, there are three surprising things that may be holding you back.

1. Your Cold and Flu Medicine

Most of us think nothing of reaching for their favorite syrupy medicine at the first signs of a cold or flu. Although these medications can be very effective for symptoms such as fever and cough, the American Heart Association warns that they can have a negative effect on cardiovascular health.

In addition to ibuprofen, acetaminophen and other anti-inflammatory medications, cold and flu medications often have the decongestants pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. These decongestants behave very similarly to epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) in the human body. They constrict blood vessels, which is why they are so effective at relieving a running nose. Like epinephrine, they can also raise blood pressure to a measurable degree.

Although a healthy person can handle these side effects without any problems, people with hypertension or underlying heart disease should avoid decongestants. Doctors recommend taking an antihistamine such as Benadryl instead.

If you are tempted to simply take an ibuprofen for your fever and aches, think again. The class of medications that ibuprofen belongs to, called NSAIDs, also have been linked to serious heart events. Although NSAIDs are generally regarded as safe for young and healthy people, elderly people have three times the risk of heart attack in the week after taking them.

The next time you have cold and flu symptoms, get plenty of rest and chicken soup. Ask your doctor before taking any medications — even over-the-counter ones.

2. Yo-Yo Dieting

Every new year, people across the country choose a new fad diet. By February, the diet is gone and the pounds are back. Although many people can lose weight easily, most of us quickly gain it back. How is this affecting our heart health?

Researchers looked at two groups of people: one that was assigned to the Mediterranean diet and one that was instead given the low-sodium DASH diet. Both of these diets have been shown to have cardiovascular benefits in prior studies.

People ate the special diets for 5-6 weeks and then underwent extensive cardiac testing. Unsurprisingly, their hearts were healthier than ever. However, they were then allowed to return to their former diet. After several weeks, the cardiovascular health of both groups was measurably worse.

The weight fluctuations caused by yo-yo dieting have been shown in several other studies to be bad for both cardiovascular health and metabolism. However, those extra pounds also are a cardiac risk factor.

What is a person to do? According to health experts, the answer is to make sustainable lifestyle changes that will gradually impact both your heart health and your waistline. Although this takes more time and discipline than the endless crash diet cycle, it will lower your risk of almost all classes of disease.

3. Unstable Income

It was once an accepted fact that the average person’s income would steadily increase over their working years. In modern times, however, this cannot be assumed. Incomes are more volatile now than they have been for almost forty years. Many people are not sure what they will be making in a few months, much less a few years or decades.

How is this economic uncertainty affecting your heart? According to researchers, it may be raising our risk of heart disease as well as your risk of death from cardiovascular events. According to research performed in four American cities over three decades, even young people with financial instability are at markedly higher risk.

This risk factor is not as easy to change as others. After all, most people would choose a stable income if they truly had the choice. However, it is important to remember the context of this correlation. People with unstable incomes are likely to be under more stress, sleep more poorly, have poorer mental health and indulge in cheap, unhealthy foods. These all can contribute to heart disease and can be more easily changed than your income.

Keeping a Healthy Heart

These factors are all surprising because they are common in our society, yet are not commonly associated with heart health. However, they are not the only things that are contributing to our steady decline in cardiovascular health. Many of the best ways to preserve your heart health are common-sense lifestyle changes, such as:

Eat healthy food, including plenty of fiber, healthy oils and plants.
Exercise enough to raise your heart rate several times a week.
Avoid smoking, drinking and other unhealthy substances.
Get eight hours of high-quality sleep every night.
Actively manage your stress so you are not anxious on a regular basis.

Are any of these surprising roadblocks standing between you and the cardiovascular health you desire?

Red Meat Boosts Heart Disease Risk Via Influence on Gut Bacteria

Jan 23 by Ewcopywriting

Consuming large quantities of red meat has long been thought to have a negative impact on heart health. In the past, it was assumed this correlation was due to higher levels of saturated fats or cholesterol present in red meat, as opposed to other meats like chicken or fish. Now, a new study reveals that red meat boosts heart disease risk via its influence on gut bacteria.

New Research Confirms Red Meat Boosts Heart Disease Risk

A recent study confirms that where people get their protein may affect their risk for heart disease. Specifically, the researchers found that diets rich in red meat raised levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a substance produced by gut bacteria, by more than three times when compared to people who derived their protein from white meat and other sources. The higher level of the TMAO compound is alarming because earlier research has found that high levels of TMAO can be unhealthy, particularly in relation to heart health. Specifically, TMAO encourages plaque to develop in the arteries, which affects blood flow and the heart’s ability to circulate blood.

This study, conducted at Ohio’s Cleveland Clinic, found that red meat influenced the production of TMAO in a couple of ways. As gut bacteria produce high levels of TMAO, that compound changes platelets in the blood and promotes a higher risk of blood clot formation. It does this by increasing the level of calcium in the platelets, which influences how those platelets respond to the body’s indicators that blood clotting is needed. This means dangerous clots can form in the blood even if the blood pressure and cholesterol levels are at healthy levels.

This new research has been supported by other studies as well. A study at the University of Leicester revealed that people suffering from acute conditions of heart failure responded less successfully to treatment if they had high TMAO levels. Under these circumstances, incidences of heart attack and stroke resulted in death more often than in patients with lower levels of TMAO.

Protein Choices Can Affect Heart Health

In the most recent study, which was engineered to examine how red meat boosts heart disease risk, 113 participants were divided into three groups. Following a general detox diet that helped flush toxins out of the body, each group was assigned a different diet. Each diet was planned according to varying sources of protein.

One group was assigned a diet that derived 12 percent of its calories from beef, pork and other types of lean red meat. The second group obtained protein from a comparable portion size of white meat, such as poultry. In the third group, participants consumed 12 percent of their calorie intake from non-meat protein sources. These consisted of legumes, nuts, whole grains and soy products. An additional 13 percent of calorie intake consisted of proteins derived from dairy products and vegetables for all three groups.

Four weeks into the study, individuals on the red meat plan had notable increases of TMAO in their blood and urine samples. On average, TMAO levels tripled for the red meat eaters, but, in some cases, the level of TMAO was up to ten times higher.

The study also yielded an unexpected finding. Throughout the study, participants on the red meat diet exhibited inhibited kidney function. The higher levels of TMAO weren’t processed as efficiently by the kidneys, though the high levels of the compound did dissipate after the participants were instructed to resume a healthier diet. While this indicates that red meat does affect our heart health via the production of trimethylamine N-oxide, the research also suggests that risk can be reduced by simple dietary changes. The research also indicates that diets consisting of white meat and non-meat protein sources are healthier for the heart.

More Ways to Boost Heart Health

While eliminating red meat from your diet is an excellent way to improve heart health, it’s not the only dietary change you can make. The following foods and beverages also improve heart health in different ways. By adding some of these items to your daily diet, you can improve your overall health.

Green Tea

Most people already know that green tea is packed with several antioxidants. These compounds help lower blood pressure and reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol in the body. Green tea can be enjoyed warm or cold.

Olive Oil

Ditch the vegetable and canola oils that you usually cook with and replace them with olive oil. This natural oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acid, which affects cholesterol in two ways: While it reduces the level of LDL cholesterol, it also increases the level of HDL or good cholesterol in the body. Olive oil is also rich in disease-fighting antioxidants.

Fiber

People who eat high amounts of fiber are less likely to experience heart attacks. You can get the fiber you need from whole grain breads and cereals, wheat bran, oats, and beans. Typically, you should be eating between 25 to 35 grams of fiber each day.

Fish

As long as you’re trying to eliminate red meat from your diet, why not replace it with salmon, tuna or anchovies. These fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which boosts heart health. Some research indicates that just one serving of fish per week reduces your risk of a heart attack by 52 percent or more.

In addition to controlling what foods you eat, your daily activities have an effect on your heart health. Getting daily physical activity and ensuring you’re getting enough quality sleep are more ways to promote better heart health. Additionally, if you are concerned about the condition of your heart, discussing your concerns with your doctor can also help.

Exercise Affects Gut Bacteria, Regardless of Diet

Nov 14 by Ewcopywriting

In the past year, scientists have examined how exercise alone has the power to alter the bacterial balance of the gut. Now, a group of researchers taking a poke at further unpacking the mechanisms behind how exercise affects gut bacteria have focused their research efforts on endurance exercise in particular. According to a new study, irrespective of changes to one’s diet, endurance training increases the production of metabolism-boosting microbes while decreasing the presence of those known to cause inflammation. The new study has been published and is now available in the scientific journal Frontiers in Microbiology.

Exercise Changes the Microbial Composition of the Gut

In late 2017, researchers from the University of Illinois conducted a pair of studies that were designed to help isolate changes in gut bacteria that were caused by exercise as opposed to other factors like antibiotic consumption or dietary intake. The two studies provided first-time evidence of exercise’s ability to change the microbial composition of the gut on its own accord. Their research successfully demonstrated in both mouse and human trials that exercise alone was enough to alter the types of bacteria present within the gut in a beneficial manner.

The team’s research shown exercise to increase the number of microbes that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In particular, it created a significant increase in a particular SCFA — butyrate — that is known to boost energy, encourage the health of intestinal cells and reduce inflammation. According to their data, exercise may also increase the body’s resistance to inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis. The levels again declined when the subjects returned to sedentary lifestyles.

One interesting observation was that the lean subjects were found to have the largest increase in their SCFA levels, likely because their levels were significantly lower at the start of the study. The ratios of microbes present in the guts of obese participants and lean participants differed throughout the entire duration of the study, a clear demonstration that the gut microbiota of a lean person versus an obese person will respond very differently to exercise.

Narrowing in on Endurance Exercise’s Effects on Gut Bacteria

In a collaborative effort among institutions, scientists from the University of Jyväskylä, the University of Turku and nonprofit research organization FISABIO came together to delve deeper into how exercise affects the gut microbiota. In order to conduct their experiments, the team of researchers developed a six-week exercise program for overweight women who were previously sedentary but otherwise healthy. Over the six-week window, the participants took part in three separate endurance training sessions each week utilizing a bicycle ergometer. The researchers controlled the endurance training intensity by monitoring the heart rates of the participants. The women were asked not to make any lifestyle changes — such as dietary intake or alcohol consumption — during the study in order to zero in on the effects of exercise.

Throughout the study, the researchers analyzed gut composition and changes in gene activity utilizing 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing technology. The team observed that overall, after only six weeks of endurance training, there was a notable decrease in microbes known to cause inflammation (Proteobacteria) and an increase in those known to boost metabolism (Akkermansia).

In regards to gene functionality, there was little change observed over the course of the study. Pekkala commented, “The abundance of the functional genes did not change much, which was perhaps to be expected because the diet did not change during training. If the training period had been longer, greater effects probably would have been seen.”

The Cardiometabolic Benefits of Endurance Exercise: Could Akkermansia Microbes Be the Driving Force?

While there was no significant weight loss from the endurance training alone, there were other notable health benefits of the activity. According to research fellow Satu Pekkala from the University of Jyväskylä, “We found that phospholipids and cholesterol in VLDL particles decreased in response to exercise.” She explains, “These changes are beneficial for cardiometabolic health because VLDL transports lipids from the liver to peripheral tissues, converts into ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol in the circulation, and thus has detrimental cardiovascular effects.”

The endurance training regimen also decreased the activity of what is referred to as “vascular adhesion protein-1”, a molecule whose presence is associated with increased inflammation, though the authors report they were unable to determine the underlying mechanism for this in their study.

Other studies have observed a higher prevalence of Akkermansia bacteria in people who are more physically active, with some researchers looking to prove how Akkermansia may be a viable preventative against diabetes and obesity. But whether the alteration in gut microbes is the force behind all the beneficial changes observed here is a matter for future investigations. As Pekkala notes, “[More] studies are needed to prove that Akkermansia might mediate some of the health benefits of exercise.”

Increasing Prebiotics in Your Diet Improves Digestive Health, Sleep and More

Oct 22 by Ewcopywriting

Confused about the difference between probiotics and prebiotics and how they work together? Here, we will take a brief look at what probiotics and prebiotics are, break down the differences between these important digestive helpers and learn how increasing the prebiotics in your diet not only improves digestion but also supports immune function, promotes sleep, lowers stress and provides many other benefits.

What Are Prebiotics?

Prebiotics are types of nondigestible fibers and sugars found in certain foods. Because your body can’t break them down completely, these substances pass undigested through the upper parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Once the prebiotic compounds reach the colon, they’re fermented by the bacteria residing in the gut. There, they feed the communities of bacteria that make up the gut’s microbiota.

So, what exactly is the difference then between prebiotics and probiotics? The term “probiotics” typically refers to foods and supplements that contain live microorganisms known to be beneficial to gut health. Conversely, “prebiotics” are compounds that serve as food for the microorganisms that live in the gut. The also-related but less well-known “postbiotics” are the byproduct that occurs as a result of gut bacteria fermenting the prebiotic compounds. Individually, each of these components possesses a number of health benefits while also working together to improve digestive health and overall well-being.

Why Are Prebiotics Important?

The human body is a host to trillions of bacteria, the vast majority of which live within our large intestines. Many of these bacteria are critical to bodily functions. The bacteria in our guts not only aid in the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients but also help to regulate hormone production and neurotransmitter release, with a direct effect on the immune system and the body’s ability to cope with stress.

Because our guts are so integral to many bodily functions, the abundance and diversity of the good bacteria in our guts is important to our overall health. Prebiotics act as a food source for these bacterial colonies that reside within our GI tracts. Working together, prebiotics and probiotics have been shown to significantly improve health outcomes.

What Are the Benefits of Prebiotics?

Prebiotics improve digestion and promote a healthy gut. Acting as food for good bacteria, prebiotics encourage the growth of the beneficial microbes residing in our guts. When these otherwise nondigestible fibers are metabolized by friendly gut bacteria, the byproduct is another group of beneficial compounds known as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs strengthen the intestinal lining, aid digestion, improve the symptoms of inflammatory bowel conditions and may even lower the chances of developing colorectal cancer.

Prebiotics reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that combining prebiotics and probiotics helps to regulate insulin signaling, lower “bad” cholesterol, balance electrolyte levels and reduce blood pressure, all factors that greatly reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular problems.

Prebiotics aid weight loss and the chances of obesity. Numerous studies have indicated that gut dysbiosis can be a contributing factor to weight gain and obesity-related disorders. Increased fiber intake is known to help curb weight gain. Researchers have found that prebiotic fiber regulates the stimulation and suppression of gastrointestinal hormones that control the feelings of hunger and satiation and is associated with a lowered BMI.

Prebiotics can help to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is believed to be a contributing factor for chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and even some cancers. Studies have demonstrated that increased intake of prebiotic fiber lowers systemic inflammation. Research indicates that this association may be due to the production of SCFAs that occurs during prebiotic fermentation.

Prebiotics improve the body’s immune system response. A healthy gut is key to a strong immune system.Recent findings have shown that adding more prebiotics into your diet elevates SCFA levels and increases the expression of antibodies and antioxiants, important for helping the body to fight off illness and disease.

Prebiotics promote healthier, stronger bones. Imbalances to the gut microbiota have been tied to cases of disease and loss of density within bones. According to research, upping intake of prebiotics improves bone strength by increasing calcium absorption and bone density.

Prebiotics may improve sleep quality. Every cell in the human body responds to circadian rhythms, and this includes the microbial life within us. Under normal circumstances, subjects with a higher intake of prebiotics tend to spend more time in the restorative sleep phase, except for after stressful events, which observed longer periods of REM sleep, the phase of sleep thought to help recover from stress. This suggests that prebiotics encourage better, more restful sleep and help to ease stress. Prebiotics also alter the release of hormones such as melatonin and serotonin that are known to play a role in or have an effect on sleep and sleep quality.

Prebiotics help to regulate moods and hormone levels. As our knowledge of the gut-brain connection grows, it’s becoming more and more clear that many conditions, including mental health issues, are affected by gut health. Not only does our gut flora affect bodily function, but studies suggest that our gut’s microbial makeup may even be responsible for how bodily systems, such as our stress response system, are actually developed. Increased consumption of prebiotics has been shown to improve stress responses, reduce cortisol levels and alleviate feelings of depression and anxiety.

How to Incorporate More Prebiotics Into Your Diet

Want to know how you can increase your daily intake of prebiotics? There are a handful of prebiotic-rich foods that you can add to your diet. Remember that, as with most foods, cooking changes the nutritional makeup. For the most benefit, try to consume foods that are raw and unprocessed. Here are a few food choices that are packed with health-promoting prebiotics:

asparagus
chicory root
dandelion greens
garlic
jicama
leeks
onions
under-ripened bananas

Dietary supplements are also available for those unable to fit enough prebiotics into their diet. Look for supplements that combine both prebiotics and probiotics for the greatest impact.

Research Shows Simple Lifestyle Changes Increase Heart Health

Sep 15 by Ewcopywriting

New studies indicate that even minor lifestyle changes increase heart health, providing hope that drastic changes aren’t necessary to benefit the body.

Study Proves Simple Lifestyle Changes Increase Heart Health

A study conducted by researchers in North Carolina looked at how a 16-week lifestyle change would affect instances of hypertension. Their findings, which were disclosed at the American Heart Association’s Joint Hypertension 2018 Scientific Sessions, showed that the need for medication was decreased in the test subjects. The research evaluated results in 129 men and women ranging in age from 40 – 80 who were either clinically obese or significantly overweight and who had been diagnosed with high blood pressure. While all of the test subjects did qualify for hypertension medication, none were taking drugs through the study period.

The individuals were separated into three groups for the purpose of the study. Group one was asked to comply with the DASH diet, a plant-based diet that’s specifically designed to benefit heart health. This diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and whole grains, while also permitting poultry, beans and fat-free dairy products. Saturated fats are avoided as much as possible. Group one also attended counseling sessions and participated in monitored exercise sessions three days per week. Group two was asked to adhere to the same DASH diet, but otherwise their lifestyles were unchanged. The third group was allowed to live as they normally would, including eating their regular diet.

Group one benefited the most within the 16-week study, lowering their blood pressure levels and reducing weight. On average, they lost 19 pounds each and dropped their blood pressure by 16 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) systolic and 10 mm Hg diastolic. Group two did achieve some benefit from adhering to the diet alone, dropping their blood pressure levels by 11 mm Hg systolic and 8 mm Hg diastolic on average. The final group exhibited an average blood pressure drop of 3 mm Hg systolic and 4 mm Hg diastolic.

At the end of the study, each participant was examined to determine which individuals still qualified for hypertension medication. Only 23 percent of the participants from groups one and two still met the criteria for hypertension medication. Of the first group, which involved the DASH diet combined with exercise and counseling, only 15 percent still qualified for medication.

Dr. Alan Hinderliter, who led the study at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, says the results show that even brief lifestyle modifications can affect heart health. Slight modifications to one’s lifestyle can be enough change to eliminate the need for medication that lowers blood pressure. Dr. Hinderliter suggests more research should be done on the effects lifestyle has on blood pressure and hypertension. However, the American Heart Association (AHA) already recommends switching to a healthier diet and increasing physical activity to benefit overall health.

Taking Regular Walks May Prevent Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart isn’t pumping blood as efficiently as it should, and may be the result of a weakened heart. It can also be caused by the stiffening of the heart muscles. The condition affects more than 5 million people of all ages, but it’s found to be most common in women over the age of retirement. A lifetime of smoking, poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyles are the common causes of congestive heart failure.

A research team in Buffalo, New York wanted to examine how lifestyle changes increase heart health. Their goal was to see if two specific types of heart failure, reduced ejection heart failure (HFrEF) and preserved ejection fraction heart failure (HFpEF), could be prevented through changes in one’s lifestyle. The study was headed up by Michael LaMonte, an associate professor at the University of Buffalo. In HFrEF, the left side of the heart isn’t pumping enough blood to supply the rest of the body. Conversely, HFpEF is a condition in which enough blood is pumped from the heart, but the ventricles can’t hold enough of that blood to fuel the body. In the latter case, the ventricles become stiff, or they may shrink in size, so there’s not a large enough capacity. HFrEF is fatal more often, but HFpEF is more common, affecting women and minorities.

Researchers examined records for 137,303 participants in a Women’s Health Initiative survey. The survey provided insight into the health of postmenopausal women, particularly with how physical activity related to their overall health. The survey allowed LeMonte’s group to isolate 35,272 women who suffered from one or the other of the two types of heart failure their own research intended to examine. They found that walking significantly impacted heart health in women over 60 years of age. Spending just 30 to 45 minutes engaged in physical exercise each day helped to reduce the chances of heart failure by 9 percent. More specifically, the risks of developing HFpEF was cut by 8 percent, while physical activity cut the risks of HFrEF by a 10 percent margin.

What was interesting to the researchers was that the intensity level of exercise didn’t affect the findings. The results were the same, whether the women walked, jogged or engaged in other activities. The only determining factor was the amount of time spent engaged in the physical activity. As long as they engaged in 30-45 minutes of activity, they did benefit from improved heart health.

These findings provide hope for older adults who may want to act to change their heart health statuses. The research indicates that making drastic changes or overexerting oneself aren’t necessary for improving heart health. By simply selecting physical activities you enjoy, such as walking through a park, and participating in them regularly, your heart health can improve.

Recent Breakthroughs in Dementia and Cognitive Decline

Sep 07 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Recent research has brought to light a few key factors that can significantly contribute to your risk of dementia. Here, we highlight some of the newest findings regarding dementia and cognitive decline.

A Healthy Brain Starts With a Healthy Heart: How Improving Your Heart Health Could Lower Your Risk of Dementia

In a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, a team of researchers demonstrated that steps taken to improve heart health have the added benefit of lowering one’s risk of experiencing dementia or cognitive decline in late life. Using the seven heart health metrics defined by the American Heart Association, the team assessed a combination of modifiable health behaviors and biological components and their link to cognitive decline. According to the team’s findings, each individual parameter reduces the risk of developing dementia by 10 percent, for a total risk reduction of 70 percent if all metrics are kept in check.

Seven Steps to Improve Cardiovascular Health and Lower Dementia Risk

Eat a healthful diet.
Stay physically active.
Maintain a healthy weight and BMI.
Keep cholesterol levels under control.
Maintain a healthy blood pressure.
Reduce blood sugar levels.
Don’t smoke cigarettes.

While the authors admit the limitations of the study, it nevertheless demonstrates that steps taken to better heart health are strongly associated with a decreased risk of dementia and cognitive decline, and that addressing even one area positively impacts the risk of cognitive decline. INSERM’s Cécilia Samieri commented, “In practice, this objective appears more realistic, making it possible to reach a larger number of people and therefore have a greater impact. While health promotion is a collective challenge for public authorities and healthcare professionals, it also involves each individual taking ownership of their own health.”

Belly Fat Linked to Cognitive Decline: How Your Waist-to-Hip Ratio Impacts Your Brain

Bearing a direct impact on cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels, a person’s body mass index (BMI) affects nearly all facets of cardiovascular health. In fact, obesity is one of the top risk factors for cardiovascular disease and, according to researchers from Trinity College in Dublin, cognitive decline as well. The study, which was published in the British Journal of Nutrition, examined the health data over more than five thousand Irish adults over the age of 60 and found that higher waist-to-hip ratios were associated with a decline in cognitive abilities.

With the number of obese people on the rise around the globe and the prevalence of dementia expected to increase to upwards of 80 million by the year 2040, these findings could have “significant implications” for many. Senior study author Conal Cunningham, an associate professor at Trinity College said in a press release, “While we have known for some time that obesity is associated with negative health consequences our study adds to emerging evidence suggesting that obesity and where we deposit our excess weight could influence our brain health. This has significant public health implications.”

How Pregnancy, Reproductive History, and Hormone Therapy Impact Cognitive Decline

New findings shared at this year’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) drew attention to sex differences among dementia and Alzheimer’s patients over the lifespan. “More women than men have Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias; almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women,” said Dr. Maria Carrillo, the Alzheimer’s Association’s Chief Science Officer. According to the 2018 Facts and Figures Report published by the Alzheimer’s Association, 3.4 million out of 5.5 million elderly Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are women. Here are a few of the top findings on women’s health presented at this year’s conference.

A Woman’s Reproductive History is Linked to Dementia Risk

Researchers from Northern California investigating different facets of reproduction with regards to incurred dementia risk uncovered associations between the risk of dementia and numerous reproductive factors. “Possible causes of dementia in women, in particular reproductive factors, are not well understood,” explained Dr. Paola Gilsanz, a staff scientist at Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California Division of Research. “In our study, we aimed to identify female-specific risks and protective factors impacting brain health, which is critical to diminishing the disproportionate burden of dementia experienced by women.”

According to their findings:

Women who have had three or more children are 12 percent less likely to develop dementia when compared with women who have had only one child.
Each incidence of miscarriage increases the risk of dementia by 9 percent when compared to women who have had no miscarriages.
Women who started their first period at the age of 16 or older are 31 percent more at risk of dementia than those who have their first period at the average age of 13.
Women who experience the onset of natural menopause at the age of 45 or younger have a 28 percent greater risk of developing dementia when compared to women who naturally enter menopause after 45.
The length of a woman’s reproductive period averaged around 34 years. Women whose reproductive periods span 21 to 30 years in length are 33 percent more at risk of dementia when compared to women whose reproductive periods span between 38 to 44 years.

Pregnancy History Affects the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease in Women

In order to investigate possible associations between Alzheimer’s risk and a woman’s reproductive history, researchers from the University of California at Los Angeles collected pregnancy histories and measures of dementia symptoms and found that the cumulative months of pregnancy could serve as a “significant predictor” for the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. According to their data, women who spend 12.5 percent more months pregnant than an otherwise identical woman are 20 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. The researchers believe that the body’s immune response during the first trimester of pregnancy may be the mechanism underlying the reduced risk.

“We are intrigued by the possibility that pregnancy may reorganize the mother’s body in ways that could protect her against developing Alzheimer’s later in life. These results also suggest that the story might not be so simple as being all about estrogen exposure, as previous researchers have suggested,” said Dr. Molly Fox, an assistant professor at UC Los Angeles.

Hormone Therapy is Not Always Linked to Cognitive Decline

Researchers reviewing recent studies regarding cognition and hormone therapy found that only under certain circumstances was hormone therapy associated with cognitive impairment. In particular:

Women who begin hormone therapy between the ages of 50 and 54 encountered no negative cognitive effects.
Women who start hormone therapy between the ages of 65 and 79, however, saw decreased cognition, impaired memory and reduced higher functioning.
Women with type 2 diabetes undergoing hormone therapy were found to have a higher risk of cognitive decline than either diabetic women not on hormone therapy or non-diabetic women who were on hormones.

Dr. Carey Gleason of the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center commented, “These findings add to our understanding of the complex effects of hormones on the brain. These data are sorely needed to guide women’s healthcare during and after the menopausal transition and to help women make personalized and informed decisions regarding management of their menopausal symptoms and the prevention of future adverse health outcomes.”

A Woman’s Verbal Memory Advantage Could Mask the Earliest Stages of Alzheimer’s

Data suggests that, throughout the aging process, women possess an advantage when it comes to remembering words and verbal materials. Many of the current tests used for diagnosing Alzheimer’s rely on verbal memory and word recall, story recollection and other verbal items. Researchers hoping to form a better understanding of these sex differences in verbal memory in the aging brain found that, even though their brains presented moderate signs of Alzheimer’s degradation, women indeed maintained higher levels of cognitive performance in the earlier stages of the disease when compared to men, though the advantage diminished as the disease progressed.

“These findings may help to explain why women show a more rapid decline across a wide range of cognitive abilities after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. While the female advantage may be functionally beneficial, it could mask early stages of Alzheimer’s, resulting in a more severe burden of disease at the time of diagnosis, with more rapid deterioration thereafter,” said Dr. Pauline Maki, Senior Research Director at the University of Illinois’s Center for Research on Women and Gender.

The use of diagnostic tests based upon gender improved the accuracy of diagnosis in both men and women, which suggests a need for further research into alternative diagnostic approaches.

Painkillers Used to Treat Chronic Pain in Dementia Patients Can Triple Harmful Side Effects

Also presented at this year’s AAIC were a pair of studies highlighting the effects of opioid painkillers in people living with dementia and the potential mechanisms underlying these effects.

Approximately half of dementia patients in care facilities live with “clinically significant pain,” which is often mismanaged or even undiagnosed. Researchers found that the opioid-based painkillers commonly used to treat pain increased the negative side effects — like confusion, lethargy, and mood swings — by threefold in dementia patients.

“Pain is a symptom that can cause huge distress and it’s important that we can provide relief to people with dementia. Sadly, at the moment, we’re harming people when we’re trying to ease their pain. We urgently need more research in this area, and we must get this dosing right. We need to establish the best treatment pathway and examine appropriate dosing for people with dementia,” commented the University of Exeter’s Professor of Age-Related Diseases, Clive Ballard.

While opioid painkillers are an effective treatment, dementia patients require smaller doses for pain relief and seem to more sensitive to negative side effects of the drugs. Research suggests that this may be because dementia patients’ bodies appear to overproduce its natural endogenous opioids.