Trends to Watch, July 2018

Mindfulness Could Thwart Dementia

Mindfulness and meditation could stave off dementia, new research suggests. Analysis of studies involving 30,000 people found that those who suffered moderate to severe anxiety in midlife were more likely to develop dementia years later. The researchers from the University College London said responses to stress may speed up brain cell aging and degenerative changes in the central nervous system, increasing vulnerability to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. However, they said therapies such as mindfulness and meditation, which have been found to reduce anxiety, might reduce that risk. So spend about 15 minutes a day sitting quietly, feeling your breath move in and out of your body, and letting your awareness of everything else fall away. 

Pack the Pycnogenol

Good news for travelers. A new study shows that the natural French maritime the pine bark extract Pycnogenol, a powerful superantioxidant shown to boost blood circulation and act as a natural anti-inflammatory, is effective in reducing lower leg swelling (edema) and relieving jet lag often associated with long flights and road trips. Edema is one of the major risk factors of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can result from lack of activity or being confined in an airplane or car for long periods of time. Participants were tested for blood clots and vein compression before and after each flight. Results show that those
who supplemented with Pycnogenol experienced significant improvement of their edema symptoms. Pycnogenol was also found to improve jet-lag symptoms, helping travelers feel more rested. 

Try: Solgar Pycnogenol 100 mg