More Sex And Grapefruit to Keep You Young?

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Sperm, Grapefruit Slow Aging

Spermidine found to increase lifespans of fruit flies, worms

The fountain of youth may be filled with grapefruit and human sperm, according to Austrian researchers. The scientists found that spermidine, a chemical compound abundant in both sperm and grapefruit, increased longevity by around a third in fruit flies and worms when it was added to their diet. Human immune cells also lived longer when cultured in the compound. The spermidine slowed the aging process by making cellular processes more efficient, according to researchers.

"Clearly we have to do a lot more research to discover if it can have a direct effect on aging in humans," the lead researcher told Chemistry World. "What is interesting is that spermidine is a natural compound which probably has no side effects. People could try to stay young by eating a lot of grapefruit and having a lot of sex. It might not work but I don't think it would do much harm."

Comment: People could try to stay young by eating a lot of grapefruit and having a lot of sex—it might not work but I don't think it would do much harm. - Frank Medeo of the University of Graz, Austria. Source: Newser, Oct 8, 2009

Journal
Madeo F, Eisenberg T, Büttner S, Ruckenstuhl C, Kroemer G. Spermidine: a novel autophagy inducer and longevity elixir. Autophagy. 2010 Jan;6(1):160-2.

So, you want to know how more sex and grapefruit can keep you young? CLICK HERE the complete research paper.

Psoriasis and Metabolic Syndrome

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Psoriasis, characterized by red, scaly patches of skin topped by silvery flakes, affects around 3% of Americans and, according to the NIH, is believed to be an autoimmune reaction that abnormally increases skin cell turnover and accumulation.

Patients with the chronic inflammatory skin disease psoriasis may be at an increased risk for the metabolic syndrome.

In a study of more than 6,500 noninstitutionalized civilian US population, aged 20 to 59 years, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher among patients with psoriasis than among those without (40% among psoriasis cases and 23% among controls).

The most common feature of the metabolic syndrome among patients with psoriasis was abdominal obesity, followed by hypertriglyceridemia and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Thorvardur Jon Love et al said their findings may explain the increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic morbidity and mortality among psoriasis patients that has been reported in previous studies.

They added that a diagnosis of psoriasis should "trigger a high clinical suspicion and investigation for a potential coexistence of the metabolic syndrome."

Metabolic syndrome increase the risk for coronary artery disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and liver cancer. Click here for our earlier on metabolic syndrome.

What this means to you as a patient with psoriasis is that you should discuss with your doctor about tests for the following risk factors :

- Raised Blood Pressure,

- Elevated Waist Circumference,

- Low HDL or “Good” Cholesterol,

- Raised Triglyceride Levels and

- Raised Fasting Plasma Glucose Levels.

Journal Reference:

Love TJ, Qureshi AA, Karlson EW, Gelfand JM, Choi HK. Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome in Psoriasis: Results From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003-2006. Arch Dermatol. 2011;147(4):419-424.

Shingles : Prompt Treatment Avoids Complications

Shingles is caused by the herpes zoster virus, the same one that causes chickenpox.

After chickenpox subsides, the virus becomes inactive (dormant), until an unknown factor triggers its reemergence as shingles-- a painful, blistering rash.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says you're more likely to develop shingles if you're 60 or older, had chickenpox before you were 1 year old, and have a condition that's caused a weakened immune system.

The agency says these symptoms are typical of shingles:

• Pain in the abdomen.
• Difficulty moving facial muscles.
• Droopy eyelids.
• Fever and chills.
• Lesions near the genitals.
• Headache.
• Hearing loss.
• Joint pain.
• Inability to fully move the eyes.
• Swollen glands.
• Taste and vision problems.

There is no cure for shingles, but early treatment may shorten the length of illness and prevent complications.

As soon as you are diagnosed with shingles, your doctor probably will start treatment with antiviral medicines.

Antiviral agents like acyclovir(Avorax, Zovirax), famciclovir, or valacyclovir should be started within 72 hours after the onset of rash; they are unlikely to be helpful after lesions have crusted. Early treatment lower chance of having later problems, such as postherpetic neuralgia which can be serious and resistant to treatment.

Other treatment options include :

• Oral pain medicines, such as paracetamol (Panadol, Uphamol) or ibuprofen (Brufen, ), to help reduce pain during an attack of shingles.
• Topical anesthetics, such as lignocaine gel (Axcel), to numb the area.
• Topical capsaicin cream (Menzza NP) may provide some relief from pain.

Complications of Shingles

Postherpetic Neuralgia, the most common complication of shingles. Postherpetic neuralgia occurs when damaged nerve fibers send confused and exaggerated messages of pain from your skin to your brain causing pain that lasts for months or years.

Other complications include:

Vision loss
Shingles in or around an eye (ophthalmic shingles) can cause painful eye infections that may result in vision loss.

Neurological problems
Depending upon which nerves are affected, shingles can cause:

• Encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain
• Hearing or balance problems
• Facial paralysis

Skin infections
If shingles blisters aren't properly treated, bacterial skin infections may develop.