3/29/09

Exercise and Longevity

As I mentioned in my previous posts here and here, exercise can be beneficial to older adults for a number of reasons. Exercise is perhaps one of the most important weapons in the fight against aging because of its myriad of positive effects on the body. This paper summarizes the results from a number of studies and concludes that regular aerobic exercise an increase mood, energy levels, strength, balance, and coordination. This sounds remarkably like the effects of HGH supplementation. In addition to these immediate effects, regular exercisers also had lower overall death rates than their sedentary counterparts. In fact, the individuals in any given age group (accounting for gender) with the lowest death rates were also the most active. In addition to even this is the increased independence for older adults who exercise regularly. Being physically fit can decrease the chances of a fall, and reduce the effects of one on the body. Stronger bones are more resistant to fracture, after all. The National Acadamie's Institute of Medicine suggests that all Americans aim for 60 minutes of physical activity each day.

3/27/09

Capromorelin - New Drug to Prevent Frailty in Old Age?

The American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has recently released a new drug that holds promise to reduce the effects of aging. Capromorelin has been shown to increase levels of human growth hormone in elderly patients. The effects of this increase in HGH include lean muscle gain, improved balance, and improved coordination. Human growth hormone levels typically peak from late childhood to around puberty, when growth is most rapid. From then on, levels decline steadily and then drop off quickly after about age sixty. This decrease is associated with a lack of energy, less powerful immune system, and more rapid 'wear and tear' on the body. Theoretically, bringing HGH levels back up to near-puberty levels could bring back some youthful vigor to an otherwise frail individual. While this may be the case, it is also possible to raise HGH levels naturally through exercise, proper diet, and adequate sleep. For the time being, these may be safer options for healthy people considering a drug to increase their growth hormone production.

3/26/09

Osteoporsis - Preventative Measures

One of the leading causes of debilitation of women over the age of 50 in the United States is osteoporosis. Bones are constantly being broken down and rebuilt by osteoclasts and osteoblasts, respectively. This process is known as bone remodeling. Osteoporosis is condition in which bones are destroyed at a rate faster than they are rebuilt and therefore become weaker over time. Since an increase in osteoclast activity can lead to a reduction in bone mass, it has been proposed that estrogen (which stimulates osteoblast activity) could be used to combat the effects of osteoporosis. This theory also explains why osteoporosis affects primarily post-menopausal women (women who are producing less estrogen than they previously were).

Preventing osteoporosis is a worthy goal, and there are several ways to go about it. First and most importantly is calcium intake. Calcium in the bloodstream is necessary for both slowing bone breakdown and promoting bone formation. Increasing dietary calcium can lead to this desired effect. Secondly, vitamin D is needed to promote absorption of calcium. Vitamin D can be absorbed through the skin from sunlight, and can also be ingested. Vitamin D fortified milk is an excellent source of both calcium and vitamin D.

Finally, exercise is a great way to slow osteoporosis. Bones respond to stress by building more bone. Running, for example, will help strengthen the bones of the lower body and help prevent the onset of frailty. It is important to note that impact exercies should be undertaken gradually in order to reduce the risk of developing stress fractures in individuals who already are experiencing some early form of osteoporosis.

3/22/09

Assistive Technology for Older Americans

While this may not be directly related to orthopedic surgery, I feel that I should discuss the current situation of assistive technologies for older adults. This is because older adults are a large (and growing) population that is prone to conditions that sometimes warrant surgery and other times require technological assistance, such as a mobile scooter or a walker. These kinds of technologies can be crucial in maintaining a senior citizen's mobility and independence, but they are not cheap. It can be difficult for an individual to afford these items, or other more expensive technologies like modified bathrooms, and there is limited funding available to help support these cases. According to the Executive Director of the American Society on Aging, Gloria Cavanaugh, the major hurdle is often proving that these devices or home modifications are 'medically necessary.' Healthcare providers are often hesitant to approve funding for assistive technologies, since they claim that they are essentially frivolous. The fact of the matter though, is that these assistive technologies can dramatically improve the quality of life for an older individual by preserving independence and eliminating the need for a personal caretaker. This is a great reason to approve funding, in my opinion. One of the most difficult aspects of aging in America is the dependence that is associated with it. Prolonging the independence of a senior citizen should always be a priority.
 
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