Search results for " aging."
showing 10 items of 556 documents
Immunity and Aging
2016
In the elderly, many alterations of innate and acquired immunity have been described and viewed as deleterious, hence the term immunosenescence. Immunosenescence is a complex process involving multiple reorganizational and developmentally regulated changes, rather than simple unidirectional decline of complete immune function. On the other hand, some immunological parameters are commonly notably reduced in the elderly, and reciprocally good function is tightly correlated to health status. Whereas innate immunity is relatively well preserved in elderly, acquired immunity is more susceptible due to both the functional decline associated with the passage of time, and to antigen burden to which…
Biomarkers of aging
2010
Aging is a complex process that negatively impacts the development of the different systems and its ability to function. Moreover, the Aging rate in humans is not the same, principally due to genetic heterogeneity and environmental factors. The aging rate is measured as the decline of functional capacity and stress resistance. Therefore, several attempts have been made to analyse the individual age, ( so-called biological age) compared to chronological age. The biomarkers of aging are age-related body function or composition, these markers aim to assess the biological age and predict the onset of age-related diseases and/or residual lifetime. Such biomarkers should help in one hand to chara…
Slow-Ageing Diets
2019
Ageing is a complex, unavoidable phenomenon than cannot be exhaustively defined. However, it has been described as a process leading to death, characterized by a gradual decrease of the ability to adapt to stress, causing a decline in functional capacity. This event, marked by a progressive loss of physiological integrity of many interrelated systems, determines an increased risk of morbidity and mortality (Avery et al. 2014). With increase of the proportion of older adults worldwide (United Nations 2017), it is necessary to carry out prevention policy for a healthy ageing (HA). Good nutrition plays a significant role in determining the well-being of older people, and in delaying and reduci…
How Important Are Genes to Achieve Longevity?
2022
Several studies on the genetics of longevity have been reviewed in this paper. The results show that, despite efforts and new technologies, only two genes, APOE and FOXO3A, involved in the protection of cardiovascular diseases, have been shown to be associated with longevity in nearly all studies. This happens because the genetic determinants of longevity are dynamic and depend on the environmental history of a given population. In fact, population-specific genes are thought to play a greater role in the attainment of longevity than those shared between different populations. Hence, it is not surprising that GWAS replicated associations of common variants with longevity have been few, if an…
A SOCIAL EXPERIMENT TO OVERTURN PREJUDICES ON ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE IN NURSING HOMES USING ARTISTIC PHOTOGRAPHY
2016
It is widely known that Alzheimer’s disease is burdened with strong prejudices with negative connotations. This may contribute to increase patient’s isolation and marginalization, and to render Nursing Homes places of confinement and seclusion. Residents with dementia have trouble in relating with the outside world and in expressing themselves about their own disease, due to their cognitive decline, but also because of marginalization. We used artistic photography as an accessible and effective tool to bring down barriers and encourage residents’ communication. Artistic photography is the most immediate and accessible form of art for all people. The aim of our social experiment was to help …
OXIDATIVE STRESS AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
2012
Introduction: Brain tissue is particularly susceptible to oxidative damage, which has been associated with pathological findings of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), such as amyloid plaques and protein fibrils. Oxidative stress alterations, including increased production of reactive oxygen metabolites, decline of antioxidant systems, and decreased efficiency in repairing damaged molecules, have been linked to the development of AD. Postmortem studies on brain tissue from AD patients have shown several oxidative damage markers, such as increased lipid peroxidation, oxidative damage of proteins, glyco-oxidation, and reduction of antioxidant enzyme systems. Methods: We studied 40 patients referred to …
Nutritional prevention of cognitive decline and dementia.
2018
Cognitive impairment results from a complex interplay of many factors. The most important independent predictor of cognitive decline is age but other contributing factors include demographic, genetic, socio-economic, and environmental parameters, including nutrition. The number of persons with cognitive decline and dementia will increase in the next decades in parallel with aging of the world population. Effective pharmaceutical treatments for age-related cognitive decline are lacking, emphasizing the importance of prevention strategies. There is extensive evidence supporting a relationship between diet and cognitive functions. Thus, nutritional approaches to prevent or slow cognitive decli…
Oral magnesium supplementation improves vascular function in elderly diabetic patients
2010
Magnesium (Mg) ions directly influence vascular tone and responsiveness and are cofactors for acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation. Alterations in extracellular Mg are able to modify the formation and release of nitric oxide (NO), altering arterial smooth muscle tone. Previous in vivo studies in humans have shown that parenteral or oral Mg supplementation increase endothelial-dependent vasodilation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Mg oral supplementation on endothelial function in elderly diabetic and hypertensive subjects. Sixty elderly (≥ 65 years) diabetic patients were recruited (mean age: 71.1 ± 6.1 years; M/F: 35/25). Endothelial function,…
Magnesium Role in Health and Longevity Final
2018
Reduced Magnesium (Mg intake) is a frequent cause of Mg deficit with age. A decreased intestinal Mg absorption and an increased Mg loss may also contribute, as well as the use of medicaments. Mg requirements may be higher with aging. Alterations of Mg metabolism with age, cellular Mg transport systems and problems with measurement methods are discussed. Mg contained in water is more bio-available than Mg in food and it is a possible alternative to Mg supplementation in the correction of Mg deficiencies. Mild to moderate Mg deficits are generally asymptomatic and clinical signs are usually absent or non-specific. Hyperemotionality, tremor, asthenia, sleep disorders, and amnesic and cognitive…
ANORESSIA SENILE
2009
Malgrado l’elevata e crescente prevalenza del sovrappeso, il principale problema nutrizionale nell’anziano è rappresentato dalla malnutrizione per difetto spesso secondaria a riduzione dell’introito alimentare ed alla perdita di motivazione all’assunzione di cibo. Ciò fa pensare alla presenza nell’età senile di problemi correlati alla regolazione del bilancio energetico ed al controllo del senso della fame e della sazietà. L’anoressia conseguente all’invecchiamento rappresenta una causa comune di malnutrizione che è associata ad un aumento della mortalità e della disabilità funzionale.