Live Longer With Fewer Calories

Cutting daily calorie intake may put the brakes on the aging process, delay the development of age-related diseases such as cancer and type 2 diabetes and result in a longer life span.

The earlier calorie intake is reduced, the greater the effect. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have now identified one of the enzymes that hold the key to the ageing process.

”We are able to show that caloric restriction slows down ageing by preventing an enzyme, peroxiredoxin, from being inactivated. This enzyme is also extremely important in counteracting damage to our genetic material," says Mikael Molin of the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology.

By gradually reducing the intake of sugar and proteins, without reducing vitamins and minerals, researchers have previously shown that monkeys can live several years longer than expected. The method has also been tested on everything from fishes and rats to fungi, flies and yeasts with favourable results. Caloric restriction also has favourable effects on our health and delays the development of age-related diseases. Despite this, researchers in the field have found it difficult to explain exactly how caloric restriction produces these favourable effects.

Using yeast cells as a model, the research team at the University of Gothenburg has successfully identified one of the enzymes required. They are able to show that active peroxiredoxin 1, Prx1, an enzyme that breaks down harmful hydrogen peroxide in the cells, is required for caloric restriction to work effectively.

Ageing can be delayed

The results, which have been published in the scientific journal Molecular Cell, show that Prx1 is damaged during ageing and loses its activity. Caloric restriction counteracts this by increasing the production of another enzyme, Srx1, which repairs Prx1. Interestingly, the study also shows that ageing can be delayed without caloric restriction by only increasing the quantity of Srx1 in the cell. Repair of the peroxiredoxin Prx1 consequently emerges as a key process in ageing.

”Impaired Prx1 function leads to various types of genetic defects and cancer. Conversely, we can now speculate whether increased repair of Prx1 during ageing can counteract, or at least delay, the development of cancer.”

Peroxiredoxins have also been shown to be capable of preventing proteins from being damaged and aggregating, a process that has been linked to several age-related disorders affecting the nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The researchers are accordingly also considering whether stimulation of Prx1 can reduce and delay such disease processes.

The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by The Zestfulness Team) from materials in the University of Gothenburg news release of October 26, 2011

The article has been published in the journal Molecular Cell: Mikael Molin, Junsheng Yang, Sarah Hanzén, Michel B. Toledano, Jean Labarre, Thomas Nyström. Life Span Extension and H2O2 Resistance Elicited by Caloric Restriction Require the Peroxiredoxin Tsa1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Molecular Cell, 2011; 43 (5): 823 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2011.07.027

For expert comments in the same issue : Elizabeth A. Veal, Monika Oláhová. Translating a Low-Sugar Diet into a Longer Life by Maintaining Thioredoxin Peroxidase Activity of a Peroxiredoxin. Molecular Cell, 2011; 43 (5): 699 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2011.08.016

Perubahan Gaya Hidup Yang Mudah Dapat Menambah Sedekad atau Lebih Usia Sihat Anda Kepada Purata Jangka Hayat

Clyde Yancy, profesor perubatan dan ketua kardiologi di Sekolah Perubatan Feinberg Universiti Northwestern, mencadangkan tujuh perubahan gaya hidup untuk mencapai potensi kesihatan yang optimum.

Dr Yancy menyampaikan kuliah dasar pada majlis pembukaan Kongres Kardiovaskular Kanada di Vancouver pada 23 Oktober, 2011. Beliau memberitahu perwakilan bahawa mereka yang mengikuti tujuh faktor gaya hidup yang mudah mempunyai 90 peratus peluang untuk hidup sehingga umur 90 tahun atau 100 tahun, bebas tidak hanya penyakit jantung dan strok tetapi dari beberapa penyakit kronik yang lain termasuk kanser.

1. KEKAL AKTIF: Tidak melakukan sebarang kegiatan boleh mengurangi hampir empat tahun dari jangka hayat seseorang. Orang yang tidak aktif secara fizikal adalah dua kali ganda lebih berkemungkinan menghadapi risiko untuk penyakit jantung atau strok.

2. TAHU DAN KAWAL TAHAP KOLESTEROL: Hampir 40 peratus daripada orang dewasa Kanada mempunyai kolesterol darah yang tinggi, yang boleh menyebabkan pembentukan lemak dalam arteri anda - meningkatkan risiko untuk penyakit jantung dan strok.

3. IKUTI DIET SIHAT: Makan secara sihat adalah salah satu perkara yang paling penting yang boleh anda lakukan untuk meningkatkan kesihatan anda - kira-kira setengah penduduk Kanada memenuhi cadangan pemakanan yang sihat.

4. TAHU DAN KAWAL TEKANAN DARAH: Tekanan darah tinggi - sering dikenali sebagai pembunuh senyap - kerana ia tidak mempunyai tanda-tanda amaran atau gejala-gejala - mempengaruhi satu dalam lima penduduk Kanada. Dengan mengetahui dan mengawal tekanan darah anda, anda boleh mengurangkan risiko strok sehingga 40 peratus dan risiko serangan jantung sebanyak 25 peratus.

5. CAPAI DAN KEKALKAN BERAT IDEAL: Hampir 60 peratus daripada orang dewasa Kanada mempunyai sama ada berat badan berlebihan atau obes - faktor-faktor risiko utama untuk penyakit jantung dan strok. Menjadi gemuk boleh mengurangkan jangka hayat anda hampir empat tahun.

6. MENGAWAL KENCING MANIS: Menjelang 2016 dianggarkan 2.4 juta penduduk Kanada (atau 7% daripada 34.5 juta jangkaan populasi) akan hidup dengan diabetes. Diabetes meningkatkan risiko tekanan darah tinggi, aterosklerosis (penyempitan arteri), penyakit arteri koronari, dan strok, terutamanya jika paras gula dalam darah anda tidak dikawal.

7. BEBAS TEMBAKAU: Lebih daripada 37,000 penduduk Kanada mati lebih awal setiap tahun akibat penggunaan tembakau, dan beribu-ribu bukan perokok mati setiap tahun akibat dari pendedahan kepada asap rokok. Sebaik sahaja anda bebas dari merokok, risiko penyakit jantung dan strok mula menurun. Selepas 15 tahun, risiko anda akan hampir sama dengan bukan perokok.

Menurut Yayasan Jantung dan Strok, setiap tahun di Kanada kira-kira 250,000 tahun potensi hidup hilang disebabkan oleh penyakit jantung dan strok, iaitu dua daripada tiga punca utama kematian di Kanada.

“Kita tahu bagaimana untuk mencegah penyakit jantung dan strok, kini kita perlu untuk membina kaedah untuk memberi kuasa kepada rakyat kita untuk mengurus risiko mereka dan mencegah penyakit jantung”kata Dr Yancy.

Fokuskan tumpuan kepada strategi pencegahan akan menjimatkan berbilion-bilion ringgit dalam kos rawa.

Dr Yancy menyeru kerajaan untuk melabur dalam strategi pencegahan yang mantap dan terfokus. Beliau mengatakan bahawa inisiatif yang perlu termasuk perubahan dalam dasar natrium semasa, kemajuan yang berterusan dalam inisiatif pengawalan tembakau, meningkatkan kawasan hijau, dan pendidikan kesihatan.

Kisah di atas adalah berdasarkan bahan-bahan dari siaran berita oleh Kongres Kardiovaskular Kanada 2011 di Vancouver, BC.

The Zestzfulness Team percaya tujuh perubahan gaya hidup yang mudah seperti di atas juga relevan kepada orang bukan Kanada!

The Cure for Headache

DOM Oi Men shared with us this story (original author unknown):

The doctor said, "Joe, the good news is I can cure your headaches. The bad news is that it will require castration. You have a very rare condition, which causes your testicles to press on your spine, and the pressure creates one hell of a headache. The only way to relieve the pressure is to remove the testicles."

Joe was shocked and depressed. He wondered if he had anything to live for. He couldn't concentrate long enough to answer, but decided he had no choice but to go under the knife.

When he left the hospital he was without a headache for the first time in 20 years, but he felt like he was missing an important part of himself. As he walked down the street, he realized that he felt like a different person. He could make a new beginning and live a new life. He saw a men's clothing store & thought, "That's what I need - a new suit."

He entered the shop and told the salesman, "I'd like a new suit." The elderly tailor eyed him briefly and said, "Let's see ... size 44 long." Joe laughed, "That's right, how did you know?" "Been in the business 60 years!" Joe tried on the suit. It fit perfectly.

As Joe admired himself in the mirror, the salesman asked, "How about a new shirt?" Joe thought for a moment and then said, "Sure." The salesman eyed Joe and said, "Let's see, 34 sleeve & 16-1/2 neck." Again, Joe was surprised, "That's right, how did you know?" "Been in the business 60 years!"

Joe tried on the shirt, and it fit perfectly. As Joe adjusted the collar in the mirror, the salesman asked, "How about new shoes?" Joe was on a roll and said, "Sure." The salesman eyed Joe's feet and said, "Let's see ... 9-1/2 E." Joe was astonished, "That's right, how did you know?" "Been in the business 60 years!"

Joe tried on the shoes and they fit perfectly. Joe walked comfortably around the shop and the salesman asked, "How about some new underwear?" Joe thought for a second and said, "Sure." The salesman stepped back, eyed Joe's waist and said, "Let's see... size 36."

Joe laughed. "Ah ha! I got you! I've worn size 34 since I was 18 years old." The salesman shook his head, "You can't wear a size 34. A size 34 underwear would press your testicles up against the base of your spine and give you one hell of a headache.

Vitamin C May Be Beneficial for Asthmatic Children

Children with asthma who consume a diet high in vitamin C may reduce the severity of attacks, depending on the age of asthmatic children, on their exposure to molds or dampness in their bedroom, and on the severity of their asthma according to a new study published in the journal Clinical and Translational Allergy.

Drs Mohammed Al-Biltagi from the Tanta University in Egypt and Harri Hemila from the University of Helsinki in Finland analyzed the effect of 0.2 grams per day of vitamin C on 60 asthmatic children aged 7 to 10 years. The effect of vitamin C on the forced expiratory volume per one second (FEV1) was modified by age and exposure to molds or dampness. In the younger children aged 7.0 to 8.2 years with no exposure to molds or dampness, vitamin C administration increased the FEV1 level by 37%. In the older children aged 8.3 to 10 years with exposure to molds or dampness in their bedroom more than one year before the study, vitamin C increased the FEV1 level by only 21%.

The effect of vitamin C on the asthma symptoms was modified by age and the severity of asthma symptoms. In the younger children aged 7.0 to 8.2 years with mild asthma symptoms, the benefit of vitamin C was greatest. In the older children aged 8.3 to 10 years who had severe asthma symptoms, the benefit of vitamin C was smallest.

The researchers concluded there is strong evidence that the effect of vitamin C on asthmatic children is heterogeneous, and more research is needed to confirm their findings and more accurately identify groups of children who would receive the greatest benefit from vitamin C supplementation.

Journal Reference:

Harri Hemila, Mohammed Al-Biltagi, Ahmed Baset. Vitamin C and asthma in children: modification of the effect by age, exposure to dampness and the severity of asthma. Clinical and Translational Allergy, 2011; 1 (1): 9 CLICK HERE for the full report.

Sex Advice from a Malaysian Doctor

Anonymous sent us this joke

A woman went to her doctor for advice.

She told him that her husband had developed a penchant for anal sex, and she was not sure that it was such a good idea.

"Do you enjoy it?" the doctor asked.

"Actually, yes, I do" she said.

''Does it hurt you", he asked?

"No, I rather like it!"

''Well, then," the doctor continued, "there's no reason that you shouldn't practice anal sex, if that's what you like, so long as you take care not to get pregnant."

The woman was mystified. "What? You can get pregnant from anal sex?"

"Of course", the doctor replied, "where do you think politicians from the opposite bench come from?"

Since this is an anonymous mail, The Zestzfulness Team is unable to confirm if the sender is a supporter of the ruling party or the opposition and if he/she is a member of the OWC

Exercise Boosts Health by Influencing Stem Cells to Become Bone, Not Fat

Endurance exercise doesn’t just improve muscle tone and fat loss but also increases blood production giving you a better oxygen carrying capacity and a better immune system.

McMaster researchers have found that working out triggers influential stem cells to become bone instead of fat, improving overall health by boosting the body's capacity to make blood.

The body's mesenchymal stem cells are most likely to become fat or bone, depending on which path they follow.

Using treadmill-conditioned mice, a team led by the Department of Kinesiology's Prof Gianni Parise has shown that aerobic exercise triggers those cells to become bone more often than fat.

The exercising mice ran less than an hour, three times a week, enough time to have a significant impact on their blood production, said Parise, an associate professor.

In sedentary mice, the same stem cells were more likely to become fat, impairing blood production in the marrow cavities of bones.

The research appears in a new paper published by the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (1).

"The interesting thing was that a modest exercise program was able to significantly increase blood cells in the marrow and in circulation," said Parise. "What we're suggesting is that exercise is a potent stimulus - enough of a stimulus to actually trigger a switch in these mesenchymal stem cells."

The composition of cells in the bone marrow cavity has an important influence on the productivity of blood stem cells.

In ideal conditions, blood stem cells create healthy blood that boosts the immune system, permits the efficient uptake of oxygen, and improves the ability to clot wounds. Bone cells improve the climate for blood stem cells to make blood.

But when fat cells start to fill the bone marrow cavity -- a common symptom of sedentary behavior -- blood stem cells become less productive, and conditions such as anemia can result.

The findings add to the growing list of established benefits of exercise, Parise said, and suggest that novel non-medicinal treatments for blood-related disorders may be in the future.

"Some of the impact of exercise is comparable to what we see with pharmaceutical intervention," he said. "Exercise has the ability to impact stem cell biology. It has the ability to influence how they differentiate."

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by The Zestfulness Team) from materials in the McMaster University Daily News of September 6, 2011

Journal Reference:

(1) J. M. Baker, M. De Lisio, G. Parise. Endurance exercise training promotes medullary hematopoiesis. The FASEB Journal, 2011; DOI: 10.1096/fj.11-189043

25 Ways to Make Time for Fitness

Too busy to work out? Doubtful.

The truth: Finding moments to move is entirely within your grasp.

We have excuses to avoid just about anything and exercise is certainly no exception.

If you want to exercise, you’ll make the time.

Experience Life team of reporters led by Gina DeMillo Wagner, interviewed psychologists, exercise scientists, celebrity trainers, authors and busy everyday people to get a handle on the 25 most promising strategies.

1. Make a plan.
2. Subdivide your to-do list
3. Find five minutes.
4. Limit screen time.
5. Be an active watcher.
6. Delegate like crazy.
7. Be motivated by money.
8. Think positive.
9. Be a hot date.
10. Do brisk business.
11. Socialize on the move.
12. Work it in.
13. Find a cheerleader.
14. Be yourself.
15. Bring the family.
16. Take your show on the road.
17. Hit “play.”
18. Rise and shine.
19. Ditch your drive.
20. Master the micro-workout.
21. Hit it hard.
22. Wear a pedometer.
23. Adopt a DIY mentality.
24. Work while you wait.
25. Phone it in.

It is certainly challenging to read all 25 strategies in one go but you need not have to do so. Just select any one or two to get you going. Come back for another couple, if the first two can’t get you started. And when you find exercise too boring or confusing, look up these strategies again to keep you motivated.

Experience Life magazine is a health and fitness publication that aims to empower people to live their best, most authentic lives, and challenges the conventions of hype, gimmicks and superficiality in favor of a discerning, whole-person perspective.