|
Increasing Life Expectancy in the Elderly
|
A study published in September 2004 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) demonstrated the powerful influence of a healthy lifestyle on life expectancy in the elderly. Careful attention to diet, exercise, not smoking, and alcohol consumption reduced the risk of dying by 65% over 10 years. The study group involved 1,500 elderly people aged 70 to 90 from 11 European countries who were followed for over 10 years. The researchers looked at both the individual and combined effects on life expectancy of four primary areas:
1. Following a Mediterranean diet, which is high in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, and fish while being low in red meat and dairy products) |
2. Being physically active (30 minutes a day)
3. Moderate alcohol use (4 glasses of wine a week)
4. Being a non-smoker.
When the elderly person adopted all four measures the risk of dying was 65% lower over 10 years.
Bottom Line: The knowledge of your older client’s lifestyle can impact the quality of offers you get.
Click here to review article. |
|
Walking, Older Women, Cognitive Function
|
A study published in September 2004 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) demonstrated that long term physical activity, including walking, was associated with better cognitive function (i.e. reasoning and problem solving) and, as important, less cognitive decline.
The study involved women between the ages of 70 to 81 from the United States who were followed between 1995 and 2003.
Testing during this period included general cognition, verbal memory, category fluency, and attention. |
This study offers important information about the possible role of physical activity to delay or prevent Alzheimer’s disease. A similar study on men was recently released with similar findings.
Bottom Line: Document the level of physical activity of older clients. Find out if they walk on a daily basis or do other forms of exercise and how often. This information can be used to support a more optimistic LE assessment.
Click here to review article about older women and walking
Click here to review article on older men and walking |
|
Red Wine and Prostate Cancer—Good News
|
Drinking a glass of red wine a day may cut a man's risk of prostate cancer in half, and the protective effect appears to be strongest against the most aggressive forms of the disease, according to a new study led by investigators at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington.
The study found that men who consumed four or more glasses a week reduced their risk of prostate cancer by 50%. |
Beer, hard liquor or white wine did not have any affects on reducing the risk of prostate cancer.
Bottom Line: This is a small study but one that points to an antioxidant called resveratrol, which is abundant in the skins of red grapes as a powerful weapon in cancer prevention.
Click here to review details about the study
|
| Medication TutorTM |
|
| An investigational drug for Alzheimer’s disease called Ampalex® (Cortex Pharmaceuticals) is being studied on individuals with MCI (mild cognitive impairment). To learn more about MCI, see this previous RiskTutor newsletter Early memory loss and Underwriting. |
The goal is to prevent the progression from MCI to Alzheimer’s disease. Similar studies are also being done medications that are currently being used to treat Alzheimer’s disease (i.e. Aricept®).
Click here to read more about the studies |
| The RiskTutor Advantage… |
|
| RiskTutor offers a wide variety of underwriting and coaching resources for agents. Custom branded websites, exceptional speakers for agent’s meetings, unique client seminar programs, and the most effective underwriting screening program in the industry are just a few of our resources. |
If you would like to more about how RiskTutor can help your agency or organization, send us an email at rtutor1@ix.netcom.com or call us 818-591-3882. |
