Treating Hearing Loss May Reduce Cognitive Decline in At Risk Older Adults
In a randomized controlled trial, researchers assigned 490 adults aged 70 to 84 years to receive hearing aids and counselling on living with hearing loss. Another 487 received health education on chronic disease prevention. After three years, cognitive decline did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, when researchers specifically looked at participants at higher risk for cognitive decline, they found the hearing intervention did make a difference.
Several possible mechanisms have been hypothesized for the observed connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline. People with hearing loss may avoid opportunities for social interaction, resulting in less exposure to cognitively stimulating experiences. This may result in receiving less sensory information, leading to functional and structural changes in the brain.
If you suspect you are not hearing as well as you used to, have your hearing checked, and don’t hesitate to get a hearing aid if recommended. You will not only improve your interactions with the world around you, but also potentially slow cognitive decline as you age. If you suspect hearing loss in a loved one, consider raising the issue and encouraging testing, sooner rather than later.
“Weekend Warrior” and Routine Activity Associated with Similar Cardiovascular Benefits
For overall health, guidelines recommend we all aim for two-and-a-half hours (150 minutes) a week of moderate to vigorous physical activity. A recent study suggests it may not matter if we spread that activity out or do it all at once.
The study looked at data from nearly 90,000 people who wore accelerometers to measure their activity for a week. People who got less than 150 minutes of physical activity (“inactive”) were compared to those who achieved that goal by moving throughout the week (“regular active”) and those who got all of the recommended 150 minutes in just one or two days (“weekend warriors”). Both activity patterns were associated with lower risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and irregular heartbeat than being inactive.
Fit in physical activity whenever you can, whether it is all at once or a little bit mixed in with your normal routine.
FDA Warns of Potentially Toxic Botanical Weight Loss Supplements
Laboratory analysis of certain products labeled as Nuez de la India found the packets contained highly toxic yellow oleander seeds instead of the similar-looking India seeds (also known as India nuts or candlenuts). These products, marketed for weight loss, are available online through third-party platforms including Amazon, Walmart, and eBay. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises consumers to stop using Nut Diet Max and Todorganic Natural Products brand Nuez de la India seeds and exercise caution with other brands.
Yellow oleander seeds can cause severe (or even fatal) neurologic, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular effects. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cardiac changes. If you have taken these products, contact your healthcare provider for an appropriate evaluation. If you are experiencing symptoms, get emergency medical help.
Dietary supplements, even botanicals and other natural products, are not tested or regulated like prescription medications. Currently, there is no evidence that over-the-counter dietary supplements are effective for weight loss, yet they may lead to unwanted adverse effects.
Daily low dose aspirin may increase stroke risk.
Risks from Daily Low-Dose Aspirin Use May Outweigh Benefits in Healthy Older Adults
Aspirin has a blood thinning effect that can reduce risk of blood clot formation. For this reason, taking a small daily dose of aspirin has long been recommended for preventing ischemic strokes (those caused by blood clots). Emerging research suggests the risks of this practice may outweigh the benefits in healthy older adults.
A new study randomized over 19,000 older adults to receive either 100 milligrams (mg) of aspirin or a placebo. All participants were free from symptomatic cardiovascular disease at the start of the study. After a median of 4.7 years of follow-up, the aspirin takers did not have fewer ischemic strokes than those in the placebo group. The aspirin group did, however, have more cases of intracranial bleeding (bleeding in the brain), including hemorrhagic strokes.
If you take daily low-dose aspirin, ask your healthcare provider to evaluate if this practice is still a good option for you.