Research appearing in the November 2007 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at vitamin D levels and aging. Specifically, the researchers measured telomeres in 2,160 women between the ages of 18 and 79, and measured vitamin D levels. Telomeres are part of a chromosome; they tend to shorten with age.  Longer telomeres […]

Researchers reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association(August, 2004) that vitamin E supplements can help ward off colds and upper-respiratory infections in the elderly. In the study of 617 nursing home patients aged 65 or older, those who swallowed a vitamin E supplement daily had significantly fewer common colds and a 20% overall

According to research appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association (January 23, 2008 Volume 299, Issue 3, Pages 308-315) measured nutrients in older individuals and found that low levels of vitamin E were associated with physical decline. The researchers looked at 698 individuals living in Tuscany, averaging 73.7 years of age. A baseline

Researchers at the University of Michigan and the University of South Florida say that older people are better at tolerating chronic pain than young adults. Subjects of the study included nearly 6,000 adults. It found that the subjects under the age of 50 were less able to cope with chronic pain. The participants over 50

Homocysteine is a toxic amino acid that has been linked to a number of health problems, including heart disease and osteoporosis. The body needs B12 and folic acid to convert it to a form that is not harmful to the body. Folic acid is also necessary for the body to make new cells. Folic acid

In April, 2005 the FDA asked manufacturers of anti-psychotic drugs that they were not designed to treat dementia in the elderly. Drugs included in the warning are Risperdal, Abilify, Seroquel, Zyprexa, Clozaril and Geodon; these are drugs that are used for treating schizophrenia and mania. Another drug that is used for the treatment of depression

Some scientists believe that a diet high in antioxidants can help protect your brain from injury or stroke, or help an individual have good memory and cognition into old age. Antioxidants are nutrients that protect against free radicals. Free radicals are like chemical “bullets” that damage tissue. Antioxidants are like chemical “bullet-proof vests”. They include

Amino acid supplementation may be one way to improve muscle function and exercise endurance in the elderly, according to research appearing in the American Journal of Cardiology (Volume 101, Issue 11, Supplement 1, 2 June 2008, Pages S104-S110). The subjects of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study were 95 senior citizens (aged 65-74) with chronic heart

Research appearing in the November 2007 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at vitamin D levels and aging. Specifically, the researchers measured telomeres in 2,160 women between the ages of 18 and 79, and measured vitamin D levels. Telomeres are part of a chromosome; they tend to shorten with age.  Longer telomeres