Rote Learning Improves Memory in Seniors

A new study offers older adults a simple way to combat memory loss: memorization. Researchers found that seniors who engaged in an intensive period of rote learning followed by an equally long rest period exhibited improved memory and verbal recall. The study was presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
"We didn't see an immediate improvement following the intensive memorization period," said Jonathan McNulty, B.Sc., H.Dip., of Diagnostic Imaging at the School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin in Ireland. "However, after a six-week rest, the volunteers manifested both metabolic changes in the brain and improved memory performance."
As people age, they often begin to experience forgetfulness and may have difficulty learning new material. Approximately 40 percent of people over age 60 have some kind of memory difficulty. Mild, age-related memory loss is caused by the loss of brain cells over time, along with changes in brain chemistry. The researchers studied how repeated cognitive exercise impacts memory and recall, as well as the health of brain cells involved in memory.
The study involved 24 healthy older adults between the ages of 55 and 70. The volunteers engaged in six weeks of intensive rote learning, memorizing a newspaper article or poem of 500 words, followed by six weeks of rest.
An extensive battery of learning and memory tests was administered before and after the six-week learning period. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), a special type of magnetic resonance imaging, was performed on half of the volunteers before and after the intensive learning session, and again six weeks later. MRS was used to measure changes in Nacetylaspartate, creatine and choline, three metabolites in the brain that are related to memory performance and neural cell health.
At the end of the six-week learning session, no changes in the brain metabolism or memory performance were observed. But following the rest period, all of the volunteers experienced improvements in their verbal and episodic memory they were better able to remember and repeat a short story and a list of words and to recall events that occurred earlier in the day or week. These behavioral changes correlated with metabolic changes identified by MRS in the left posterior hippocampus, a memory-related brain structure.
"Unlike other studies on memory involving specific training regimes, memorizing is an everyday activity that anyone can undertake," said co-author Richard Roche, Ph.D., of the Department of Psychology at National University of Ireland in Maynooth. "The brain is like a muscle that should be exercised through the retirement years as a defense against dementia, cognitive lapses and memory failure."

The Benefits of Garlic

Garlic is one of the most powerful foods on the planet, known for its pungent aroma, its strong taste and its healing power. The plant we know as garlic has been cultivated for more than 5000 years, and garlic has long played a role in natural healing and traditional medicine.
Garlic is thought to play a role in providing natural protection against some forms of cancer, and the compounds in this herb continue to be studied as possible cancer treatments. It is thought that many of the compounds found in garlic have the ability to neutralize many cancer causing compounds, and that the compounds found in garlic may even be able to slow the growth of tumors.
In particular, many of the sulfur compounds found in garlic are thought to be of particular value, and choosing the most fragrant and aromatic cloves of garlic at the supermarket is one of the best ways to ensure a strong sulfur content. Many shoppers feel that organically grown garlic contains a higher sulfur concentration than its non-organic competition, thereby providing a greater healing power.
While garlic is certainly a safe food, some people are sensitive to the herb, and excessive consumption of garlic may result in short term digestive issues. For those unaccustomed to cooking with garlic, the best advice is to start out slowly and increase the amounts gradually.
It is also important to realize that garlic acts as a natural blood thinner, so those scheduled for surgery should cut back on their garlic consumption in the days and weeks prior to any scheduled surgical procedures.
Garlic is available in many forms, including natural cloves, garlic powder and garlic paste. In addition, garlic supplements are available in convenient pill form, offering all the benefits of garlic, with none of the unpleasant aroma. Garlic supplements are widely available in health food stores, grocery stores and on the internet.

Men's Fashion Tips: Develop Your Own Individual Style

Men’s fashion and style interest men more today than ever as they realize that looking good is an asset in every aspect of their lives: business, personal, or social.
The fact is that a well-groomed man will get a second look. Your personality may be great, but first impressions count.
If you are serious about making the right impression, you need to check out men’s fashion and adapt it to your own personalized style.

Get a stylish look you’re comfortable with
Some men feel confident enough to do this for themselves; for those who are less confident an image consultant can be employed to give help and advice.

Fashion and style
In today's world, to stay one step ahead, it's important to look your best. That means developing your own sense of style and this does not simply mean following fashions and trends. There is a big difference between being stylish and just following the latest men’s fashion trends for the sake of them. A fashion victim is someone who wants to follow all the latest men’s fashion trends regardless of whether they suit his body shape, looks, or age.
Looking your best does require a certain amount of effort, but ultimately, your clothes have to fit right and suit your style, image, and personality. Keep in mind, it's not about the clothes you wear it's about how you wear them.
The most important aspect of developing your own style is remaining true to yourself. Just because something looks great on a model doesn't necessarily mean it's for you! There are enough styles out there so that everyone can be comfortable finding his own

Be yourself
Wear what you think looks good, not what others believe is trendy.
You should always feel comfortable with what you're wearing, so stick to items that suit your personality and style, while keeping the occasion and setting in mind. David Beckham may be able to get away with wearing a sarong but this probably is not the best look for you! The key to men’s fashion is always to match it to your personality, age, and personal features.

Don’t overdo it
Don’t try and make so much of an effort to look fashionable that you end up overdoing it.
By all means buy fashionable pieces if they suit you. Mix and match them with the basics in your wardrobe. But you don't have to wear every single trendy item you own all at once.

Maintain balance

Keep a good balance of basic and fashionable clothes in your wardrobe.
As a rule of thumb, not more than half of your wardrobe should consist of trendy clothes, or worse, clothes that are out of style.

Don't be a slave to the media and brands
Don't base your look solely on what you see in magazines and on TV. Celebrities and models often overdo trends for attention and media exposure, and their look will not necessarily work well in the real world or for you.
Finally, don’t be influenced by brand names. Just because a brand has a great reputation doesn’t mean it will look good on you.

Health and Beauty Tips

Healthy Eating: Eating for Life
Eating correctly is essential, and no matter how old we get, many of us still don’t know what we should be eating.




High Blood Pressure Linked to Impatience
After following more than 3,000 men and women for 15 years, researchers found that impatient people are two to three times.



Anti-Aging Skin Care
The aging of your skin may be inevitable. But why rush it? There are ways to aslow down sagging nd wrinkles.




Benefits of Body Massage
What is a Body Massage?
The holistic application of physical touch to affect the systems of the body.




Body Fat and Age
With each decade above age 25, the body loses about 4% of its metabolically active cells, says Dr. Brian J. Sharkey in his book Fitness and Health.




The Importance of a Good Breakfast
Since 1962, researchers at the Human Population Laboratory of the California Department of Health had studied the relationship of health to various behaviors or habits.




Fashion Tips for Women
With so many designers and trends targeting the svelte body of the twenty-something, is it possible to look fashionable as the years.




How You Can Get Flawless Skin
Everybody wants flawless skin. The good news is you don't have to go to extremes to achieve it. We show you how…




First Aid for Bone Injuries
There are, broadly speaking, two types of bone injuries that concern a first-aider. The one is a fracture, the other a dislocation.





First Aid for Heart Problems
The heart is a muscular pump. Each heartbeat is the result of an electrical stimulation that originates from within the heart.




Men's Fashion Tips: Develop Your Own Individual Style
Men’s fashion and style interest men more today than ever as they realize that looking good is an asset in every aspect of their lives: business, personal, or social.





The Benefits of Garlic
Garlic is one of the most powerful foods on the planet, known for its pungent aroma, its strong taste and its healing power.



Rote Learning Improves Memory in Seniors
A new study offers older adults a simple way to combat memory loss: memorization.

First Aid for Heart Problems

The heart is a muscular pump. Each heartbeat is the result of an electrical stimulation that originates from within the heart. The most common cause of heart disease is a reduction in the amount of oxygen-carrying blood reaching the heart. This is mainly due to a narrowing of an artery or arteries.
ANGINA
Angina is a cramp-like pain caused by a reduction in oxygen reaching the heart. It is usually brought on by exercise or excitement. For a relatively large number of people, angina is an ongoing problem that has a familiar pattern. Casualties usually respond well to rest and medication.You may notice:
Crushing chest pain.
Pain may spread to the jaw, arms and hands.
A feeling of weakness.
Shortness of breath.
A tightening sensation in the jaw, arms and hands.
A sensation of heaviness in the arms. Treatment:
Sit the casualty down on the spot.
Assist the casualty to take his medication.
Allow the casualty to rest until he has completely recovered. When to call an ambulance:
This is the casualty's first angina.
The pain is more severe and extensive than the casualty normally experiences.
The pain does not respond to the casualty's medication.
The pain starts when the casualty is resting.
HEART ATTACK
Heart attacks usually occur because a part of the heart is suddenly starved of oxygen. It is usually due to a blood clot blocking an artery.You may notice:
Central chest pain, often described as a tight band around the chest, or intense pain under the breastbone.
Abdominal discomfort, often mistaken as indigestion.
Breathlessness.
Pale, cold and clammy skin.
Faintness or dizziness.
Rapid, weak pulse that's often irregular. Treatment:
Treat the casualty immediately.
Make the casualty comfortable in a semi-sitting position; ensure good support.
Dial emergency services.
Never leave the casualty unattended and always be ready to start resuscitation.
If the casualty has no objections and isn't allergic, give him an aspirin tablet to CHEW.
Constantly be aware of the casualty's overall condition, particularly if he seems to 'doze off'. Very often, collapse into cardiac arrest is sudden and unremarkable.

First Aid for Bone Injuries

There are, broadly speaking, two types of bone injuries that concern a first-aider. The one is a fracture, the other a dislocation.
When a bone injury occurs, it is not just the bone that is affected; the surrounding tissue and their functions are also affected.

FRACTURES

A fracture is a break or crack in a bone. Adult bones require considerable force to break, but children's bones are more flexible and supple. These young bones sometimes split instead of breaking. This is called a greenstick fracture.
The elderly's bones aren't as resilient as they used to be and are prone to breaking more easily. The elderly usually break the head of the femur (the upper leg bone) where it connects with the hip.
A fracture where the bone protrudes through the skin is called an open fracture. A fracture without a surface wound is a closed fracture.
Fractures are caused by either direct or indirect force. Direct force is a blow that affects the bone under its impact, causing it to break. Indirect force is when the impact caused a fracture at a distant point, e.g. a twisting action in the ankle breaks a bone in the lower leg or, by falling on outstretched arms you break the collar bone.
Priorities:
If the casualty is unconscious, ensure that the casualty's airway is open, that the casualty is breathing and that there is a carotid pulse.
Control bleeding, but do not apply direct pressure. Press firmly next to the fracture, this is called indirect pressure. Never touch the bone, because this could lead to severe infection.
Immobilize the fracture.
You will notice:
Discomfort around the fracture.
You may notice:
Swelling and bruising.
Pain.
Shortening of the affected limb.
Unusual shape to the affected area.
A grating sound if the bone ends move.
Difficulty and discomfort in movement.
With fractures of the small bones in the hands and feet, there may be normal movement accompanied by severe discomfort, but little visible signs of injury.
Note:
With fractures of bones that protect the body's organs (skull, ribs, pelvis etc.) always suspect underlying organ injuries.
DISLOCATIONS
Following a strong wrenching force or a violent contraction of muscles, it is possible for a bone to become displaced at a joint. It most commonly happens at the shoulder, finger, thumb and jaw.
You will notice:
Swelling.
Discomfort.
You may notice:
Pain.
An unusual shape to the affected joint.
Bruising. Treatment:
Do not try to force the dislocated part back in its socket.
Put a cold compress on the affected area.
Seek medical attention. FRACTURES
A fracture is a break or crack in a bone. Adult bones require considerable force to break, but children's bones are more flexible and supple. These young bones sometimes split instead of breaking. This is called a greenstick fracture.
The elderly's bones aren't as resilient as they used to be and are prone to breaking more easily. The elderly usually break the head of the femur (the upper leg bone) where it connects with the hip.
A fracture where the bone protrudes through the skin is called an open fracture. A fracture without a surface wound is a closed fracture.
Fractures are caused by either direct or indirect force. Direct force is a blow that affects the bone under its impact, causing it to break. Indirect force is when the impact caused a fracture at a distant point, e.g. a twisting action in the ankle breaks a bone in the lower leg or, by falling on outstretched arms you break the collar bone.
Priorities:
If the casualty is unconscious, ensure that the casualty's airway is open, that the casualty is breathing and that there is a carotid pulse.
Control bleeding, but do not apply direct pressure. Press firmly next to the fracture, this is called indirect pressure. Never touch the bone, because this could lead to severe infection.
Immobilize the fracture.
You will notice:
Discomfort around the fracture.
You may notice:
Swelling and bruising.
Pain.
Shortening of the affected limb.
Unusual shape to the affected area.
A grating sound if the bone ends move.
Difficulty and discomfort in movement.
With fractures of the small bones in the hands and feet, there may be normal movement accompanied by severe discomfort, but little visible signs of injury.
Note:
With fractures of bones that protect the body's organs (skull, ribs, pelvis etc.) always suspect underlying organ injuries.
DISLOCATIONS
Following a strong wrenching force or a violent contraction of muscles, it is possible for a bone to become displaced at a joint. It most commonly happens at the shoulder, finger, thumb and jaw.
You will notice:
Swelling.
Discomfort.
You may notice:
Pain.
An unusual shape to the affected joint.
Bruising. Treatment:
Do not try to force the dislocated part back in its socket.
Put a cold compress on the affected area.
Seek medical attention.

How You Can Get Flawless Skin

Everybody wants flawless skin. The good news is you don't have to go to extremes to achieve it. We show you how…
Not only does clean, healthy skin make you look and feel better, but it is also an indicator that you are in good health. While there are a lot of products out there to rejuvenate, hydrate or clear the skin, nothing is as important to healthy skin as a good, clean, nutritious diet.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment for aging skin, but taking care of your skin today will no doubt help it to look better, more radiant and above all healthier. Stock up on lots of fruit and veggies and eliminate all processed foods from your diet. Fish such as salmon and haddock have been associated with good skin while nuts are great snack-sized bites that contribute to healthy, more radiant skin.
In addition to eating good, clean foods, water is essential in maintaining that healthy, glowing skin. Water helps to flush out the toxins in your body; some of these, such as acne, may appear on the face. Water also helps to hydrate the skin, making it feel and look years younger. Ideally, you should consume a minimum of eight glasses of water a day.
Another sure-fire way to get the skin looking great is to invest in a quality skincare range, ideal for your skin. Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, normal skin or combination skin, using the product that works for your skin is an absolute must. The bigger, more reputable skin companies will be able to advise you on which product is best. However, before you buy, ensure you try the product for a few days to see how your skin reacts to it. Ask your beauty consultant for a trial-sized cleanser, toner and moisturizer. If they refuse to give these to you, try another house.
In closing, if you are following a good diet and taking care of you skin, but are still not seeing the results, consult with your dermatologist for a more professional opinion.