I see that some research carried out at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, and published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, indicates that browning meat in the oven, grill or frying pan (ie cooking meat) produces chemicals which may increase the risk of developing dementia.
A short-term analysis of people over 60 suggested a link between high levels of AGEs in the blood and cognitive decline.
However, whilst (according to experts) the results were "compelling" they do not provide "definitive answers".
Derek Hill, a professor of medical imaging sciences at University College London, is quoted by the BBC:
"The results are compelling.Dr Simon Ridley, from the charity Alzheimer's Research UK, said:
Because cures for Alzheimer's disease remain a distant hope, efforts to prevent it are extremely important, but this study should be seen as encouraging further work, rather than as providing definitive answers.
But it is grounds for optimism - this paper adds to the body of evidence suggesting that using preventative strategies might reduce the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias in society and that could have very positive impact on us all."
"Diabetes has previously been linked to an increased risk of dementia, and this small study provides some new insight into some of the possible molecular processes that may link the two conditions.Whilst those with scientific backgrounds are clearly flagging that the findings are not definitive, and that further work and study is required, pound to a penny the scaremongers and Nanny's little helpers will mount a campaign against cooked meat.
It's important to note that the people in this study did not have dementia. This subject has so far not been well studied in people, and we don't yet know whether the amount of AGEs in our diet might affect our risk of dementia."
Therefore in one step we will end up back to the age of the caveman (pre discovery of fire) when we ate raw meat.
Still, I for one am very fond of steak tartar.
Steak tartars all round!
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If AGEs are the problem, we better ban "healthy" vegetarianism as well then
ReplyDeletehttp://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/sugar-and-sweeteners/vegetarians-age-faster-2
Oh no, all we can eat is raw meat..... :-)
Yes they will certainly mount their campaign. Couple that with the declaration that more research needs to be done and it's tax payer funding all round!
ReplyDeleteThe primary cause of dementia is indeed age (in the conventional meaning of the word). One can't help but wonder if they have invented a new acronym to intentionally muddy the waters and seed confusion in the minds of average, chemically-averse members of the public. Perhaps as part of the ongoing disinformation campaign to convince people they would live forever if they weren't so politically-incorrect. They wouldn't be trying to soften us up for the introduction of the UN's "Codex Alimentarius" would they?
ReplyDeleteThere has been research in the past which suggested a lower incidence of dementia among smokers (yes, this doesn't constitute proof nor does it imply causation, but by the usual standard of today's silly "studies" it does). So, free fags for over-60s... let nanny tie herself in knots over that one!
My mother's mother had Alzhiemers in her late 70's, my mother has now Alzhiemers in her early-to-mid 80's, they say it's not necessarily passed down the family line, but I'm scared shitless right now in my 50's.
ReplyDeleteI'll be doing whatever's necessary to avoid this horrible affliction. I'm healthy, don't smoke (never have), don't drink much, have an active sporting life (I play volleyball and hockey every week) and try to eat as much stuff that puts the right gear inside me (vitamin E for one) as well as the occasional fatty treat.
Just hope that in the next few years something turns up that prevents dimentia/alzhiemer's, even if it can't fix it for my mum.
It must be horrible to be in that situation and having to consider courses of action. An alternative way of thinking is that if in some cases it is genetic and you have been unlucky enough to inherit it, lifestyle choices may have no appreciable impact (but nobody really knows). So there is an argument for, particularly in your later years, doing whatever you like that makes you feel good, not doing anything you don't like and generally making the most of your remaining life.
DeleteDifferent people have different views of course, though the one thing risk-aversion will never prevent is ultimate death. It must be incredibly sad to suffer the onset of dementia but it must also be incredibly sad to be dying of something else, looking back on one's life and thinking "I wish I'd had a go at that".
Be wary of any dietary advice - that's not to say that it is wrong but more to say that nobody truly knows. Even vitamins, generally regarded as universally beneficial, are not that simple: like all substances (water included) their effect depends on dose and too much is actually toxic. For some, e.g. vitamin C, the toxic dose is so high it would be practically impossible to consume that quantity even as pure powder - however this is not the case for some others, particularly the fat-soluble vitamins. "Everything in moderation" seems to be as good an adage now as it has ever been - eating a wide, varied diet without worrying too much about the contents of particular meals is quite probably a good idea. And keeping life interesting with plenty to occupy the mind as well as the body can't be a bad thing.
Regarding smoking (or not), past research has suggested that smokers actually seem slightly less prone to dementia than non-smokers, though no causative link has been demonstrated. Not that I'm suggesting you start smoking (if you never have done so far into your life you probably wouldn't enjoy it, and that's what matters) but what I suppose I'm trying to say is don't avoid things you would enjoy on the basis that it is assumed or suggested, without significant proof, that they are "unhealthy" and would increase your risk.
Thanks for that informed reply. Basically, I don't want to take any chances. Reckon my odds are, if it's generic, 50/50 as I seem to have taken my dad's genes (I look and sound like him...and went bald early thanks to him!!) and he's 85 and absolutely fine, other than general ageing r/e postrate trouble.
DeleteI'll do anything to keep dimentia away...stuff that's proven or otherwise. Sure, a hockey ball could kill me tomorrow (hey, that's the way I wanna go...saving the team with the ball on my head just befor it goes in - keeps had better save the penalty!!) and you've no idea what the future will hold (except more taxes and nanny interferance) but I enjoy the healthy lifestyle far more than ten burgers and chips all day!!
Fingers crossed for everyone on this blog!