Support your health and happiness with the latest research insights.
Words: Chantelle Pattemore
AGE WELL: Mind matters
Stress and depression are known to impact all areas of physical health, from the gut and heart to appetite and pain levels. Now, a Swedish study has revealed how these mental health concerns can influence cognitive conditions – specifically mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers compared the data of over 44,000 individuals aged 18-65 who were diagnosed with chronic stress and/or depression, to data from more than 1.3 million people of the same age with neither concern. They saw that those with either chronic stress or depression were more than twice as likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s, while individuals with both had a four times greater risk.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of high stress or depression, it’s important to speak with your doctor about receiving proper treatment. Alongside therapy and medication, other steps that may help reduce symptom prevalence include:
● Following a healthy, balanced diet.
● Taking time to connect with family and friends.
● Engaging in regular physical activity.
● Trying mindfulness or meditation.
● Getting a good night’s sleep.
AGE WELL: Step to it
While regularly hitting 10,000 steps a day might be unachievable for many, making smaller changes can still positively impact your health, both now and later on in life. A recent study involving adults aged 68-78 who previously walked around 4,000 steps a day, asked participants to add 3,000 steps to their daily count. The result was notably reduced blood pressure, equivalent to an 18% reduction in heart disease risk and a 36% reduction to stroke risk.
Meanwhile, a separate study revealed that walking up just five flights of stairs a day may cut your risk of heart disease by 20%. Time to grab your pedometer!
LIVE WELL: Lasting impressions
We’ve all heard of long Covid – but scientists at Queen Mary University of London have revealed that ‘long colds’ may also exist. For some people, recovery from non-Covid acute respiratory infections – such as the flu, colds or pneumonia – can also see persistent symptoms including coughing and stomach pains. But, while ‘long cold’ symptoms can last for over four weeks after initial infection, the researchers note there is still not enough evidence to suggest they endure at the same intensity or duration (some long Covid symptoms last well over a year). The r
