Several recent news (including video of our recent panel discussion):
1) Study Finds Improved Cognitive Health among Older Americans (Journal of the Alzheimer's Association)
- "Societal investment in building and maintaining cognitive reserve through formal education in childhood and continued cognitive stimulation during work and leisure in adulthood may help limit the burden of dementia among the growing number of older adults worldwide".
- "Cognitive impairment dropped from 12.2 percent in 1993 to 8.7 percent in 2002 among people 70 and older."
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Steven Edwards at Wired Blog writes a post titled Yoga Boosts Brain's GABA Levels, saying that "Participants in the yoga group had a 27% increase in GABA levels, while those in the reading group remained unchanged. Co-authors Chris Streeter from BUSM and Domenic Ciraulo pointed out that this research shows a method of treating low GABA states. Fairly obvious --- yes --- but this shows a nonpharmacological method for increasing GABA levels that people can act on now, without waiting for a drug to go through FDA approval."
Having attended last week a conference where neuropharma executives presented all their future drugs against obesity, anxiety, depression...I couldn't agree more. The rates of serious side effects of these drugs are astounding, yet as a society we seem to prefer to rely on taking drugs when are sick rather than proactively taking charge of our health and lifestyles and do our best (which not always is enough) to protect our fitness and wellness.
The press release Steven talks about: Yoga and Elevated Brain GABA Levels [PhysOrg]. Quotes: Continue Reading »
