Dr Pete's Health Secrets

    Prevention is the number 1 antodote to illness, especially true for degeneratives diseases of the brain.  Our brains are bound to shrink as we age, it’s unavoidable. It reduces in volume at the average rate of 5% every decade from the age of 40. Symtoms of dementia may start to appear between 55 and 65yrs, this may accelerate after 70yrs. A large cohort study carried out in 2012 in the USA demonstrated that by the time the participants were 85, one third had moderate or severe dementia. In this article I will examine the risk factors for dementia and how to slow or reverse the degenerative process.  Protective factors that reduce cardiovascular risk, namely regular exercise, a healthy diet, and low to moderate alcohol intake, seem to aid the ageing brain.  It has been established that increased cognitive effort in the form of higher education or occupational attainment slows the shrinking process.  A healthy life both physically and mentally may be ...

          The active compounds in red wine are ethanol and a compound derived from red grapes known as resveratrol. Resveratrol's role in preventing heart disease is well established by many large scientific studies across continents. In addition it has the following proven health benefits. Excessive alcohol intake has its health drawbacks.   Two glasses of wine is the maximum safe daily limit for women and three for men. Prevents memory-loss Prof Shetty and his team in Texas conducted a research believing that the mentioned compound has positive effects on a part of the brain called the hippocampus, which is important to memory.  Based on the research, the control rats that did not get resveratrol still have good spatial learning ability. However, after around 22 months, their new spatial memories begin to decline significantly.  Meanwhile, rats treated with resveratrol have improved memory and spatial learning. Based on...