Newswise — While modern science has yet to uncover a way to cure Alzheimer’s disease, researchers have disclosed ways we can delay its onset and severity. Dr. Roger Rosenberg, Director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center, shares five ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease:
- Aerobic exercise – Get your heart rate up to 125–130 beats per minute, for one hour, three times a week. Evidence suggests that good circulation is related to good mental health because it improves brain function, removes waste products, delivers sugar to the brain, and favors the formation of new brain cells.
- Mental exercise – Read, do crossword puzzles, and be social.
- Eat healthy – Beat other heart related disease, such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and cardiac arrhythmia by limiting sugar, carbohydrates, and alcohol.
- Watch your weight – Being overweight or obese increases your risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease, so be sure to maintain a healthy weight.
- >Get regular check-ups – You wouldn’t drive your car for 12 months without getting the oil changed and taking it to the mechanic for a tune-up. The same holds true for your body.
The onset of Alzheimer’s disease is directly related to aging, but staying physically and mentally active can stave off many of its symptoms, as well as improve your quality of life and decrease the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
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Media Contact: Gregg Shields
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4 tips to help Latino children lose weight
Latino children comprise the largest minority group of children in the U.S., and are among the most overweight and most at risk for developing obesity-related health conditions, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol. To combat this trend, both parents and pediatricians must work together.
“It’s important for pediatricians to offer clear, honest advice to parents of overweight children, especially those in high-risk groups,” said Dr. Christy Turer, a pediatrician at UT Southwestern Medical Center. “Primary care visits can be a great opportunity to do this, especially if parents are educated on what questions to ask.”
Based on Dr. Turer’s recent study findings that1 in 5 parents of overweight Latino children are not directly told their child is overweight, she encourages parents to do the following to help their child lose excess weight:
- If you are more comfortable communicating in Spanish, ask for a trained medical interpreter, even if you speak some English – medicine has its own language and it is critical that you receive high-quality medical-based Spanish interpretation. If someone is not available, ask if an interpreter can be called to speak with you by phone.
- Ask your pediatrician whether your child’s body mass index (BMI) is in the healthy range – while many children may appear healthy, the ratio of the child’s weight to his or her height is what indicates the increased risk for problems.
- If your child’s BMI is above the healthy range, ask your pediatrician about specific things that you can do to help your child lose weight, including plans for diet, activity, and follow up with the pediatrician.
- Share what culturally-specific foods your family enjoys and ask for ways to improve their healthfulness. For instance, try substituting low-carbohydrate, high-fiber tortillas for flour tortillas, water with lemon for sugary beverages, grilled fish for chorizo, and grilled bell peppers in place of potatoes.
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Media Contact: Remekca Owens
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5 ways to control caloric intake without using artificial sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners, such as those containing saccharine or aspartame, can induce glucose intolerance, which is a pathway to Type 2 diabetes. Recent research has left artificial sweetener aficionados questioning whether to relinquish their use altogether.
Dr. Jo Ann Carson, a nutritionist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says that while the research is intriguing, it warrants further study.
“It raises an issue and there may be something to this, but I would not say everybody needs to stop using artificial sweeteners because of this research,” said Dr. Carson. “There have been some carefully controlled studies that have shown that non-caloric sweeteners can play a role in weight loss.”
If you’ve been using artificial sweeteners to control weight and are concerned about using them, consider these five options for keeping your calorie-count down:
- Drink water or unsweetened tea instead of diet soda.
- Try flavoring water with a small amount of fruit juice.
- Instead of choosing a piece of sugar-free apple pie for dessert, order a slice of regular apple pie but only eat half.
- Eat half-dozen almonds instead of a sugar-free cookie for a snack.
- Change your coffee-shop order from a large, sugar-free, flavored latte to a small, skim-milk latte and then add a small amount (half a teaspoon or less) of regular sugar to sweeten it.
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Media Contact: Cathy Frisinger
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There are no butts about it; quitting smoking remains the number one way to prevent cancer
Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of cancer death today. If you use any tobacco products, your risk increases for cancer of the lungs, mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterus, cervix, ovary, and colon.
Many people struggle with quitting, which is both a mental and physical process.
Experts at UT Southwestern Medical Center provide valuable advice to future non-smokers:
- Set a quit date and prepare in advance.
- Eliminate temptations: Remove cigarettes, ashtrays, lighters, and matches from your house, purse or backpack, and car.
- Plan for activities that are incompatible with smoking: See a movie, go to the gym, or spend time with a supportive non-smoking friend.
- Avoid other smokers and designated smoking areas.
- Prepare for temptations you can't avoid. For example, plan what you will say to someone who offers you a cigarette.
- Get help! Talk to your physician about medications and other treatment options. Those who get help are far more likely to successfully quit.
“Success rates are highest when people turn to a combination of counseling and medication. Your doctor can help you choose the treatment that is right for you, and many times it is covered by health insurance. Some of the most popular treatments are available even over the counter.”
Those who obtain help are far more likely to successfully quit. Contact UT Southwestern’s Cancer Answer Line at 1-888-980-6050 or via email at [email protected].
Media Contact: Lori Soderbergh
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