Too many are afflicted with #Alzheimer"sDisease - does it have to be? - http://clapway.com/2015/08/23/study-alzheimers-disease-caused-by-unhealthy-lifestyle-422/

The cause of one of the widespread health issues all over the world, Alzheimer’s disease still remains unsure to this day. It is calculated that at present, 44 million people have Alzheimer’s worldwide, making the need of a cure more and more urgent.

The idea of living a life without being able to remember anything from the past and the present seems hopeless, but, actually, that’s what Alzheimer’s patients deal with everyday, often not even recognising their own children. On a brighter note, A new study, published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, may be the key to uncover the disease.

LIFESTYLE INFLUENCING ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

The team of scientists studied, identified and analyzed the factors from 323 surveys that had been conducted in the past, from 1968 to 2014. What the study showed was that Alzheimer’s may be prevented by a healthy lifestyle.

Low education, obesity, depression, high blood pressure, frailty, high levels of certain amino acids, low education and a narrowing of the carotid artery in the neck, are some of the most common factors reported among two-thirds of Alzheimer’s patients. In addition, Alzheimer’s disease was found to be associated with diabetes and smoking among Asians but the findings are insufficient, although there is a clear correlation with one another.

Related Post: Does Alzheimer’s Disease Affect Races Differently?

On the contrary, protective effects against Alzheimer’s seem to have four medical exposures — statin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antihypertensives and estrogen — along with folate, vitamins E and C, and coffee. Also, patients that suffer from heart disease, metabolic syndrome, cancer, and arthritis were associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Jin-Tai Yu, associate specialist in neurology at the University of California and senior editor of the study, notes that this research can prove important to people “if they correctly address the potentially modifiable risk factors that might help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.”

THE NUMBERS ARE POSITIVE

Another study published in The Lancet Neurology Journals unveils that dementia rates have been stabilizing in Europe with healthy lifestyle and regular exercise playing important parts. However, scientists are pointing out that mental diseases still remain an issue, especially since the costs involved in taking care of sufferers are extremely high and those afflicted have little chance of recovery.

Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of Britain’s Alzheimer’s Society says that the study shows that the percentage of people in particular age groups developing dementia is getting smaller but the overall number of patients will increase as more people live into their 80s and 90s.

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Catch up on the week with Clapway’s Best of the Week:

Study: Alzheimer"s Disease Caused by Unhealthy Lifestyle

Want to change the world? Of course you do. Here are 5 easy ways to #live #greener lives. - http://clapway.com/2015/08/20/six-easy-ways-to-be-greener-352/

(PHOTO SOURCE: GI2C.ORG)

We all care about the environment and strive to be greener. But because things that we use everyday are often considered ecologically destructive, it can feel like a be greener lifestyle would be impossible or impractical to adopt.

But that’s not necessarily true. Here are six easy ways to be greener that cost little, but could make a big difference:

1. DRINK FAUCET WATER

The pollution of plastics is horrible for the environment. Only 5 percent of the plastic that we use is ever recovered. If you’re like me and you think that bottled water tastes better, don’t worry – use a purifying water filter with your faucet and you won’t be able to tell the difference.

2. BRUSH YOUR TEETH WITH THE WATER OFF

I don’t think that I’m alone in having forgotten to do this, and it applies to shaving and hand-washing, too. Most people brush their teeth twice a day; can you imagine how much water we collectively waste by leaving the sink on? And like numbers three and five on this list, turning the water off is good for your wallet.

3. CONSERVE ENERGY

You’ve probably heard this one before, it deserves repeating: according to Sustainable Baby Steps, energy is the source of 90% of greenhouse gases and 23.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide. And aside from helping you be greener, conserving energy will save you some money.

4. USE THE DISHWASHER

Paige Greenfield at Prevention writes: “Dishwashers use half the energy, one-sixth of the water, and less soap than hand-washing dishes, reports a German study.” Citing EPA figures, Greenfield explains that opting for the dishwasher can yearly save 100 pounds of carbon dioxide.

5. BIKE OR WALK TO WORK

Obviously, a bike or walk commute is easier on the environment than the most popular methods of transportation. But it’s also good cardio, and it’s much cheaper than driving or taking the train daily.

6. EAT LESS MEAT

You don’t have to become a vegetarian, but being a little less carnivorous is an easy way to be greener. And it’s worth considering: beef may be more ecologically destructive than cars.

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Lepow Poki External Battery Charger has the cutest name:

https://youtu.be/WTVNoUGw144

Six Easy Ways To Be Greener

And how you can, too! - http://clapway.com/2015/06/25/how-the-dutch-are-nailing-the-perfect-lifestyle/

Biking Like The Dutch Just Might Be The Answer!

The first thing people associate The Netherlands with is biking. It is not an exaggeration to say that bikes are the primary mean of transportation for almost every single Dutch, regardless of age or gender. In fact, in a country where bikes are more common than people and is geographically the flattest in Europe, it comes as no surprise. But biking just might be the answer!

Having lived in Utrecht, one of the country’s most charming cities and a suggested destination for anyone visiting The Netherlands, I have used my bike more than I used my feet or any other kind of transport mode. Night buses do not exist there, despite being one of the country’s biggest student cities, so biking back home after a night out is as normal for a Dutchie as a cup of coffee is for us every morning.

Recent findings from the country’s biggest university

The University of Utrecht is the largest higher education institution in The Netherlands, and a study from there recently discovered that Dutch bikers (or just the Dutch) live on average six months longer just because of their daily activity. Also, the study found out that in the Netherlands, as many as 11,000 premature deaths yearly are preventable thanks to biking.

The incredible infrastructure across the country makes biking extremely easy and it has become, throughout the years, a huge aspect of Dutch culture.

I often read articles on Denmark being a “bikers heaven”, but after moving to Jutland (one of the country’s regions) straight after living in Holland, I realised how those who think Denmark is the best country for biking have definitely not travelled to The Netherlands yet.

Biking also reduces polution

Biking has also other great benefits, such has reducing emissions in the atmosphere, contributing to greener and healthier environments. This has greater implications for bigger cities, where traffic is the biggest cause of air pollution. For this reason, mayors of large capitals such as London are pushing the use of bicycles and the development of proper infrastructure as much as possible. 

Cycling for a happier and healthier lifestyle

Also, very interestingly, one of the reasons why the countries in the north are considered among the happiest in the world (The Netherlands was ranked fourth last year), is because biking, as all sport activities do, triggers endorphins which are known for generating feelings of happiness in your body. Therefore, since this sport is a very big part of almost everyone’s daily life here, this could somehow explain why they are considered so happy on a world basis.

So as many of us are squashed on the subway every morning or running to catch the bus because we slept in, adopting a few tips for a healthier lifestyle from the Dutch might be a solution. And, why even compare a packed, stinky train carriage to the freedom of a morning bike ride?

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Get properly woken up for your morning commute with SensorWake:

How The Dutch are Nailing the Perfect Lifestyle

"Bringing these gadgets to travel with you on your adventures will break any cultural or language barrier, while boredom and fatal signs of caffeine withdrawal can be resolved in minutes." - http://clapway.com/2015/06/21/the-best-gadgets-to-travel-with-this-summer/

To me, the concept of travelling is one big oxymoron. On the one hand, it is fun. Going away anywhere new brings out that inner childlike excitement in me, a sense of adventure and occasionally, relaxation. However, this ideal notion of rest and de – stressing never normally lasts. Getting lost in East Harlem, ordering the wrong drink as a result of my bad French accent and being unable to contact anyone unless I am near a wifi friendly zone are just some of the first world problems I have recently faced on my travels. To make my life a little easier from now on, and yours too, I have come up with a list of life-changing (at times also saving) gadgets to travel with on my next get away:

iTranslate

We have all been there (I hope it’s not just me). Mispronouncing a word, nodding ferociously at anyone conversing with you (hoping they aren’t secretly telling you that you are weird) or ending up with Snail Pie after politely pointing at an exotic sounding dish from the menu. Now, thanks to iTranslate, language barriers can be broken. Free to download on Itunes, this app will translate words, phrases and text in over 90 languages.

Apple Airport Express

Want wifi? Check. Need to print your boarding pass? Check. Want to listen to your music through speakers? Go on then. The multi functional Apple Airport Express certainly knows how to spoil you. Allowing you to print wirelessly, share photos and manage your very own wifi network. What’s better, is that this device is just $99. Those airport waits are about to get a whole lot more fun.

Wacaco Minipresso

Travelling is tiring and sometimes you need the help of caffeine to get you through to the end of the day. Spending money in coffee shops can be expensive and depending where you are, they might be few and far between. The Wacaco Minipresso is a hand operated, compact espresso machine that is small enough to carry around in your bag and take out after your next energy slump.

Scrubba

If you are going to be backpacking around Europe this summer, you will be having to limit what you take. However, what happens when it comes to running out of clean clothes? Scrubba is a compact wash bag that allows you to wash your clothes wherever you are. What’s better, is that you can dry them too. Who needs a washing machine?

Satechi Smart Travel Router

I have lost count of the number of plug adaptors I have collected in the past few years. If you are unlikely to travel back to that country in the near future, it can lead to an expensive investment. This smart Satechi Smart Travel Router adapts to fit the most common plug configurations in one small, neat cube. Result – a fully charged phone to entertain me at the bus stop.

Bringing these gadgets to travel with you on your adventures will break any cultural or language barrier, while boredom and fatal signs of caffeine withdrawal can be resolved in minutes. Compact, light and forward thinking, these gadgets will send you back from your holiday as relaxed as when you arrived.

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To add to your list of gadgets to travel with, Lepow Poki’s External Battery Charger wants to make your acquaintance:

The Best Gadgets To Travel With This Summer