A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Bike helps lung disease patients
A MODERNISED version of the world's first bicycle could help some people with emphysema get around more easily, a small pilot study suggests. The study, published in the journal Chest, looked at a walking aid dubbed the "modern draisine". The draisine, invented in 1817, was a pedal-free prototype for today's bicycle. Manufacturers are making a draisine-like device as a walking aid for people with mobility problems, who sit on the seat, hold the handlebars and propel themselves using their feet on the ground.
Survey shows extent of seasonal overindulgence
MORE THAN 80 per cent of Irish people report gaining weight over the Christmas period, according to new research.
A quarter of Irish people tend to gain approximately three pounds or 1.5 kilos in weight and a further 23 per cent gain two pounds or a kilo, meaning that almost half of all Irish adults report significant weight gain during the Christmas period while 83 per cent reported some weight gain.
The research was carried out by Aviva Health Insurance in December and involved more than a thousand adults.
It will not come as a surprise to note that almost half (47 per cent) of people eat one and a half times more over the Christmas period than throughout the rest of the year and a further 24 per cent say they eat twice as much.
A total of 62 per cent of participants admit to eating larger dinner portions, 61 per cent of respondents stated chocolate was their main vice, and 46 per cent stated that “constantly snacking” was their downfall. Furthermore, over a quarter (27 per cent) of respondents said they consumed 10 more units of alcohol over the Christmas holidays in one week compared with a normal week.
The research was published to mark the launch today of the annual Aviva Get Fit Action Plan, a national campaign calling on all men and women across Ireland to take positive action to be more proactive about their health in 2012.
It will feature Henry McKean, reporter and presenter on Newstalk; radio and TV presenter Maireád Farrelll; former Masterchef Ireland contestant Pierce Maher; and new mother and model Sarah McGovern.
RONAN McGREEVY
Vitamin and fish rich diet reduce Alzheimer's risk
VITAMINS AND fish oil fatty acids can help prevent the brain shrinkage in older age linked to Alzheimer’s disease, a study has found.
Conversely, unhealthy trans-fats found in some convenience foods and margarine spreads were likely to promote brain shrinking.
Scientists studied 104 individuals with an average age of 87 and few risk factors for memory and thinking problems.
Tests were carried out to determine the levels of various nutrients in participants’ blood samples.
All the volunteers also underwent tests of their memory and thinking skills. In addition, 42 had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to measure their brain volume.
The study, which was published online in the journal Neurology, found that people with diets high in omega 3 fatty acids and levels of C, D, E and B vitamins were less likely to experience brain shrinkage.
They also had higher mental performance scores than those with diets low in those nutrients.
Omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin D are primarily found in fish, while B vitamins and vitamins C and E can be obtained from meat, fruits and vegetables.
In total, 7 per cent of the study participants were deficient in vitamin B12 and 25 per cent were deficient in vitamin D.
Study author Dr Gene Bowman, from Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, US, said: “These results need to be confirmed, but obviously it is very exciting to think that people could potentially stop their brains from shrinking and keep them sharp by adjusting their diet.”