Olive Oil, Declining Dementia & The Future of Aging: New Hope for a Longer, Healthier Life!

In today’s email:

• Dementia: Rates are decreasing in the US and Europe!

• Olive Oil: Key to a longer, healthier life?

• Summit: Insight on healthspan from cell to society.

TOP STORY

Turning Back Time? Dementia Rates Are Declining in Some Areas

For years, the forecast for dementia has been grim: an aging population leading to a surge in cases, straining healthcare systems and families. But a new study offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that the incidence of dementia (the number of new cases) is actually declining in some parts of the world, specifically in Europe and the USA.

Researchers analyzed 27 studies that tracked dementia rates over time and looked at the prevalence of key risk factors. They found that while the number of people with dementia is still expected to rise due to aging populations, the rate at which new cases are appearing is slowing down in certain regions.

What's driving this decline? The study points to changes in lifestyle and public health initiatives.

• Education: Increased access to education seems to be a major factor. People with more education tend to have better cognitive reserve, making them more resilient to brain changes associated with dementia.

• Smoking: Reduced smoking rates are also playing a role. Smoking is a known risk factor for vascular problems, which can contribute to dementia.

The not-so-good news: While education and smoking are improving, other risk factors are on the rise:

• Obesity, Hypertension, and Diabetes: These conditions, often linked to modern diets and sedentary lifestyles, are becoming more common and are contributing more to dementia risk than in the past.

• Location Matters: The positive trends are mostly seen in high-income countries. More research is needed in low- and middle-income countries, where the burden of dementia is highest.

• Japan defies the trend: Studies showed an increase in prevalence and incidence, a good reminder that the trend varies region by region.

The Bottom Line: This study suggests that we can influence our risk of dementia through lifestyle choices and public health policies. While the fight against dementia is far from over, this research offers a powerful message: Prevention matters! Compulsory education and reduction in smoking habits are associated with observed reduction and therefore future reduction of incidents of dementia. More studies are needed in low-income and middle-income countries where the burden of dementia is highest and continues to increase.

Pour It On! Olive Oil Linked to Longer Life

Want to live longer and healthier? Reach for the olive oil! A recent study from Italy suggests that a high intake of olive oil may be associated with a lower risk of death from all causes, including cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Researchers followed nearly 23,000 adults for over 13 years. They found that people who consumed the most olive oil (more than 30 grams per day, or about 2 tablespoons) had a:

• 20% lower risk of dying from any cause

• 23% lower risk of dying from cancer

• 25% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease

These benefits were seen even after the researchers accounted for other factors like age, sex, education, physical activity, and overall diet.

Why olive oil? Olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil, is rich in:

• Monounsaturated fats: These healthy fats can help improve cholesterol levels.

• Antioxidants: Olive oil contains powerful antioxidants that can protect cells from damage.

• Phenols: These compounds may help lower blood pressure and improve insulin sensitivity.

Important Note: The study simply shows an association, not a cause-and-effect relationship. However, other research supports the idea that olive oil is good for your health. Also, the study did not consider the brand of olive oil the participants were using. So it is not known if the individuals were using extra virgin, virgin or refined olive oil, which could lead to even better or worse results.

The Takeaway: While more research is needed, this study adds to the growing evidence that olive oil is a heart-healthy and potentially life-extending food. So, drizzle some on your salad, use it for cooking, and enjoy the delicious benefits!

Together with longevityfor.life

Unlocking Longevity: A Summit of Cutting-Edge Ideas

The quest for a longer, healthier life is heating up, and the Longevity Med Summit in Portugal offered a glimpse into the future of aging research. The summit brought together scientists, doctors, and entrepreneurs to discuss the latest breakthroughs in understanding and potentially reversing the aging process.

Key themes that emerged from the summit include:

• Advanced Diagnostics: New "aging clocks" are being developed to measure biological age, which can be very different from chronological age. These clocks use everything from DNA methylation to immune system markers to predict future health risks. One area of interest is the body's glycome which is the collection of glycoconjugates attached to lipids or proteins, provides insight into the immune system’s state and inflammatory tone.

• Targeted Therapies: Researchers are exploring a range of interventions to target the "hallmarks of aging," including drugs like metformin and rapamycin, senolytics (drugs that eliminate senescent cells), and supplements like NAD+ precursors.

• Personalized Approaches: The future of longevity medicine will be highly personalized, taking into account an individual's genetics, lifestyle, and biological age to create tailored interventions. Longevity nutrition and nutrigenomics which are tailored to individual genetic profiles are now feasible to improve effectiveness.

• The Power of Technology: Artificial intelligence, blockchain, and wearable sensors are playing an increasingly important role in longevity research and practice.

Important Considerations:

• Not classifying ageing can hinder funding: There is no consensus on when age-related functional decline becomes pathological making it challenging to acquire funding.

• Low Evidence slows progress: Slow development of the field has led to low levels of evidence for longevity-based interventions.

The Big Picture: The Longevity Med Summit highlighted the complexity of aging and the need for a multi-faceted approach. It's not just about living longer, but about living healthier and more fulfilling lives.

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