New analysis by WHO shows that negative or ageist attitudes towards older people are widespread. They also negatively affect older people’s physical and mental health. Fully 60% of respondents in the WHO "World Values Survey" reported that older people are not respected. More than 83 000 people in 57 countries took part in the survey which assessed attitudes to older people across all age groups. The lowest levels of respect were reported in high income countries. "This analysis confirms that...Read more

Less common menopausal symptoms Hot flushes and night sweats are the most common menopausal symptoms, affecting around 70 percent of women. But some symptoms are more unusual and you may not connect them with the menopause at the time. Or they can be easily confused with a long-term medical condition or nutritional deficiency. So which more unusual symptoms should you be looking out for? In the Summer 2016 issue of The Menopause Exchange newsletter, nurse consultant Debra Holloway takes a...Read more

Bingo boosting brain capacity for over 50s In light of Mental Health Awareness Week, did you know that bingo can actually help to boost your brain capacity? Research from the University of Southampton conducted in 2001 found that bingo is an effective way to slow and counter age-related decline in our thinking capacity. Experts believe the game has a positive impact on mental speed, the ability to scan information and memory. As well as being an awful lot of fun,...Read more

Don’t believe all the menopause myths Does smoking trigger an early menopause? Will HRT make you gain weight? Will you have a difficult menopause just like your mum did? And, most importantly, which menopause myths are true and which aren’t? In the Spring 2016 issue of The Menopause Exchange newsletter, advanced nurse practitioner Jan Brockie takes a look at some common menopause myths, including whether the menopause is linked to depression, whether or not HRT is natural and how long...Read more

Switch Diets In Middle-Age To Live Longer If you know your diet could be better, here’s an incentive to help you focus on improvements. Research from King’s College, London, shows that switching to a healthier diet can reduce your risk of a heart attack or a stroke by almost a third – even when changes are made after middle-age. The randomised controlled trial involved 165 healthy, non-smokers aged 40 plus. Half were assigned to an ideal diet that met all...Read more

More Good News for Garlic Several studies have shown that aged garlic extracts can protect against hardening of the coronary arteries by preventing a build-up of calcium. Researchers have now found that garlic extracts also inhibit, and may even reverse, the ‘soft’ furring up due to an accumulation of fatty plaques – at least in people with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome affects an estimated 20% of Western populations, and is associated with abdominal obesity, raised triglycerides, low ‘good’ HDL-cholesterol, high...Read more

Osteoporosis is a growing health concern - one in three women and up to one in five men over the age of 50 break a bone in their lifetime; there are more than 1.14 million postmenopausal women who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis in England and Wales and US data indicates that for women the chance of breaking a hip is equal to her combined risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer - so experts are delighted with new research...Read more

Why You Should Eat Less Salt Salt is added to food to enhance its flavour, act as a stabiliser, retain moisture and to help products last longer on the shelf. As a preservative, it prevents foods such as fish and meats from spoiling as most bacteria and moulds cannot grow in very salty environments. In fact, salt was so highly valued in fridge-free, Ancient Rome, that soldiers received a salt allowance as part of their pay. They were literally ‘worth...Read more

The death rate soars to the highest rate for nearly 50 years The ONS have published their latest (preliminary) mortality reports citing the annual death rate is the highest for 48 years with as total of 528,340 registered deaths a rise of 5.4% equating to nearly 27,000 on the previous year. The release of the data has led to experts warning of a crisis in care for the elderly. Though the reports over the years have been of dramatically falling...Read more

Over 50s health & exercise A recent report reveals the full extent exercise could have in preventing disease and treating many conditions. After two years analysing more than 200 separate pieces of research, the lead author, Scarlett McNally, a Consultant Orthopaedic surgeon, reveals the full impact that regular physical activity could have on the nation’s health. While savings to the NHS are incalculable, it is clear that many billions of pounds are being spent on treating diseases such as type...Read more