Eat Yogurt, it helps bone density

The largest observational study to date of dairy intakes and bone and frailty measurements in older adults has found that increased yogurt consumption was associated with a higher hip bone density and a significantly reduced risk of osteoporosis in older women and men on the island of Ireland, after taking into account traditional risk factors.

The study led by Trinity College Dublin in collaboration with St James's Hospital Dublin and co-investigators from Nutrition at Ulster University, Coleraine investigated participants from the Trinity Ulster Department of Agriculture (TUDA) ageing cohort study.

Total hip and femoral neck bone mineral density measures in females were 3.1-3.9% higher among those with the highest yogurt intakes compared to the lowest and improvements were observed in some of the physical function measures (6.7% better). In men, the biomarker of bone breakdown was 9.5% lower in those with the highest yogurt intakes compared to the lowest. This is an indication of reduced bone turnover.

To determine risk factors for being diagnosed as osteoporotic, the research team analysed a wide range of factors such as BMI, kidney function, physical activity, servings of milk or cheese, and calcium or vitamin D supplements as well as traditional risk factors for bone health (e.g. smoking, inactivity, alcohol etc.). After adjusting for all these factors, each unit increase in yogurt intake in women was associated with a 31% lower risk of osteopenia and a 39% lower risk of osteoporosis. In men, a 52% lower risk of osteoporosis was found. Vitamin D supplements were also associated with significantly reduced risks both in men and women.

Osteoporosis is a chronic condition associated with a reduction in bone strength and an increased risk of bone fracture. Over 300,000 people in Ireland are thought to suffer from the condition while the associated costs of osteoporotic fractures are estimated to be over €650 million annually in Europe.

Lead author of the study and research fellow at the Centre for Medical Gerontology, Trinity, Dr Eamon Laird said: "Yogurt is a rich source of different bone promoting nutrients and thus our findings in some ways are not surprising. The data suggest that improving yogurt intakes could be a strategy for maintaining bone health but it needs verification through future research as it is observational."

Dr Miriam Casey, senior investigator of this study and Consultant Physician at St James's Hospital Dublin said: "The results demonstrate a significant association of bone health and frailty with a relatively simple and cheap food product. What is now needed is verification of these observations from randomised controlled trials as we still don't understand the exact mechanisms which could be due to the benefits of micro-biota or the macro and micronutrient composition of the yogurt."

The study included 1,057 women and 763 men who underwent a bone-mineral-density (BMD) assessment and 2,624 women and 1,290 men who had their physical function measured. Yogurt consumption information was obtained from a questionnaire and categorised as never, 2-3 times per week and more than one serving per day. Other factors examined included daily intakes of other dairy products, meat, fish, smoking and alcohol and other traditional risk factors that affect bone health.

The TUDA study was funded by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Food Institutional Research Measure initiative and the Northern Ireland Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), Cross-Border Research and Development Programme: "Strengthening the all Island Research Base". The current research was a supported by the National Dairy Council, Ireland through a research award.

The above was taken from an article: Greater yogurt consumption is associated with increased bone mineral density and physical function in older adults, E. Laird, A. M. Molloy, H. McNulty, M. Ward, K. McCarrol, lL. Hoey, C. F. Hughes, C. Cunningham, J. J. Strain, M. C. Casey, Osteoporosis International, doi: 10.1007/s00198-017-4049-5, published online 1 May 2017.

Are you old, senior or elderly?

As more and more Canadians pass 65, it may be helpful to use gerontology terminology to describe our age group. Gerontologists divide "older adults" into four categories, by age:

· 65 to 74 is "young old"

· 75 to 84 is "middle old"

· 85 to 99 is "older old"

· 100+ is "very old"

So, I am young old and will be for a few more years. My friends and I approve of the terms "senior" and "old age," when followed by the words "discount”. For the most part, we agree that "elderly" should be reserved for people who are frail with diminishing faculties, and not used automatically for anyone over, say, 65.

And, we think that the tendency to use words like "elderly" without consideration, indicate an aspect of ageism.

Some of us think that ageism is beginning to fade, in part because as famous baby boomers enter their senior years, they're not stepping out of the spotlight. Yet others think it still exists in spades, just watch the Saturday Night Live episode of May 13th to see ageism in action.

But on the other hand, just look at some of the stars that are still around, The Rolling Stones, or Tina Turner I watched Dolly Parton on television last night. I don't call Dolly Parton old! (In case you missed Dolly's last birthday: she's 71.)

So, our gerontologists talk about the 'young old,' the 'middle old,' the 'older old,' and the 'very old.' So, the 'young old' would be 65 to 74, 'middle old' is 75 to 84, 'older old' is 85 and over, and then the 'very old' are centenarians. Which leads me to my question:

How would you like to be referred to when you're over 60 (ish)?

1. Give it to me straight: I'm old

2. I think "senior" has an air of dignity to it

3. I like the technical terms: young old, middle old, etc.

4. Why are you trying to put me in a box?

5. Other: Zoomer, Older Boomer, Sonic Boomer or ...

Let me know. My answer is Other "I am a Sonic Boomer"

Clear Blue Skies

Looking up through a blue sky this morning. Unbelievable! When you look up do you see the same? Brilliant clear, cerulean, indigo, cobalt-kind-of-magical? There really are no words for it. Beautiful even pales. And to think we get to live under it every single day of our life, knowing that even with the darkest and bleakest weather, just above the fog there exists such lustrous brilliance. 

As if to hint at what forever might look like, to remind you of your eternal reach, and to make clear life's perfection. Because if such beauty can exist in the sky alone, with only a palette of azure, imagine what else is out there for us? 

Sometimes, to be frank, it’s all so gorgeous it makes my soul leap.

Ever hear voices?

Did you ever hear voices or your name being called, only to spin around and see absolutely no one? It has happened to most of us, some say it is fate, others say the voice is a vision, or a warning, or a omen, but hearing your name called is a relatively common experience.

Statistics vary, but it’s generally accepted that between 3 and 10% of the population hear voices that other people don’t. If you include one off experiences (like hearing someone call your name when you’re out shopping, or feeling your phone vibrate in your pocket) this figure goes up to 75%. So, having at least one experience of hearing or seeing something that others around you don’t is incredibly common. Those that have never had this experience are in the minority.

There are lots of different theories and ideas to explain why people hear voices or see visions. These include:

§  A special gift or sensitivity

§  Trauma or adverse life experiences

§  Dissociation

§  Spiritual experiences

§  Biochemical (e.g. excess dopamine)

§  Paranormal experiences

§  Emotional distress

§  Physical health problems

§  Cognitive error (misattribution of ‘internal speech’)

§  Individual difference

The truth is that we do not know why people hear voices or see visions. A study published in The Lancet Psychology is the result of an online survey and in-depth analysis of people who have heard voices. What the researchers found was that there is huge variation in ways that people "hear things." For example, the stereotype of a person with schizophrenia is that they hear angry voices telling them to do terrible things — we've all seen this in countless bad movies. But many people who hear voices say that they aren't so much "voices" as they are characters, with personalities, who are trying to hold conversations. Often, they are internal voices and don't say anything aloud. It's almost as if they are exaggerated of the kinds of internal dialogues we have in our heads every day, as we debate what to do after work or whether we should really blow a bunch of money on the new MacBook.

Indeed, Durham University researcher Angela Woods, who led the study, noted that as many as 15 percent of people who report hearing voices haven't been diagnosed with any psychological disorder. She and her colleagues believe that "hearing voices" is far more complicated than anyone had ever realized — sometimes they even involve physical sensations like tingling in the hands and feet. People who hear voices say that they can be troubling, but they can also be friendly. Often, therapies can help them understand the voices as parts of themselves, cluing them into subconscious concerns.

So, it may not be the Universe, or God or a Deity calling you, but it may be someone you miss and in the depths of your mind you know misses you that you think they are talking as if you can hear them.

So don’t worry, there is not a spirit waving about its arms excitedly as it speak, it is not getting so carried away that they have ended up volunteering you for "Dancing with the Angels" by blurting your name out so loud that it broke the time-space barrier. That would be exciting, but there is probably a relatively mundane reason for this voice calling to you.