Newsbriefs: Preserving Muscle Mass; Alzheimer’s; Cardiovascular Risk; Longevity
Preserving Muscle Mass During Weight Loss
If you’re trying to lose weight, a new study suggests that adding weight training to your fitness routine can help ensure that you don’t lose lean muscle mass along with the extra pounds. The 18-month study (Obesity, November 2017) included 249 adults in their 60s who were overweight or obese. They were randomized into three groups: calorie restriction/no exercise, calorie restriction/aerobic exercise (in the form of a brisk 45-minute walk four times per week), and calorie restriction/weight training (four supervised sessions per week, exercising all of the muscle groups). The percentage of weight loss coming from muscle mass was 10 percent in participants who combined calorie restriction with weight training, compared with 16 percent in those who lost weight through calorie-restriction alone, and 20 percent in participants who combined calorie restriction with walking. While fat loss was associated with faster walking speed in all of the participants, loss of muscle was associated with reduced knee strength—and knee strength is vital for preserving your mobility and function as you age.
Benzodiazepines Raise Mortality in Alzheimer’s
Benzodiazepine and related drug use is associated with a 40 percent increase in mortality among people with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study (International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Nov. 15, 2017). The researchers compared 10,380 new users of these drugs with 20,760 people who did not use the drugs. The risk of death was increased right from the initiation of benzodiazepine and related drug use, and likely results from the adverse effects of these drugs, which include fall-related injuries such as hip fractures, as well as pneumonia and stroke. Several treatment guidelines state that non-pharmacological options should be the first-line treatment for anxiety, agitation and insomnia in people with dementia. Unfortunately, benzodiazepines and related drugs are still frequently used in the treatment of these symptoms.
Owning a Dog Lowers Cardiovascular Risk
According to a recent study, dog owners have a lower risk of death due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) or other causes, particularly if they live alone. Researchers writing in the journal Scientific Reports, Nov. 17, 2017 used national registries of more than 3.4 million people aged up to 80, with no prior CVD. About 13 percent of the participants were dog owners. Across a 12-year follow-up, dog owners who lived alone had a 33 percent lower risk of death and a 36 percent lower risk of CVD than single people who did not own a dog. The data don’t explain why dog ownership benefits single people, but it is possible that a pet dog helps alleviate social isolation, depression and loneliness. Dog owners also tend to get more exercise (an average 22 minutes more of moderate-pace walking, according to an earlier 2017 study). The benefits were lower in multiple-person households: an 11 percent decrease in death risk, and a 15 percent decrease in the risk of CVD-related death. The researchers posit that the difference could be due to the fact more family members take turns walking the dog in larger households.
Activity Boosts Longevity
You may hate folding laundry, washing dishes, and vacuuming, but simple activities like these may help you live longer, says a new study (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Nov. 16, 2017). The study looked at more than 6,000 women ages 63 to 99: Those who engaged in 30 minutes per day of light physical activity (as measured by a motion-tracking device) had a 12 percent lower risk of death. Women who got a half-hour each day of moderate-to-vigorous activity (such as brisk walking or leisurely bicycling) had a 39 percent lower mortality risk. These data show an association, not causation—but they suggest that doing something is better than nothing, even if you’re getting less than the recommended levels of physical activity.
The post Newsbriefs: Preserving Muscle Mass; Alzheimer’s; Cardiovascular Risk; Longevity appeared first on University Health News.
Powered by WPeMatico
