I found this to be a very interesting article which has good links to other things that have come out recently which indicate that scientific studies are now seeing that the decline of cognition can be tracked back to mid-40s, which fits with what we've had on Lumigrate for a while now related to hormones and their effects on the body/brain systems. Not that I'm saying "I have the answers", but as with EVERYone, I have my thoughts, and I believe there's something in what this research is pointing to which has hormones at least as part of the equation.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16679028
Here's an excerpt, the section that is specifically about gender differences:
But some scientists believe the difference could be explained by gender alone.
For example, studies have shown a person's sex can influence how exercise benefits the body and mind.
In women, exercise is associated more with a mortality benefit, whereas in men, the positive effect of exercise is more of a cognitive improvement.
In an accompanying editorial, Dr Kenneth Rockwood of Dalhousie University in Canada, said: "For some men, MCI represents incomplete disease expression; alternately, they resist dementia development more.
"MCI in men could lend some insight into what prevented dementia might look like."
Professor Derek Hill, of University College London, said: "By the time people get clinical dementia, it may well be too late to treat them.
"This study shows that MCI is a very complicated mix of factors, and that different types of MCI arise and progress quite differently.
"This information could be important in improving diagnosis to identify patients who will benefit from current or future treatments."
Please look for information initiated by a topic by Dr Spurlock here at Lumigrate related to estrogen/hormones and the brain, which tracks back to 2010, then has additional comments from 2011 from ITC Pharmacy/Gary King as well as Robin Thomas, who discusses her personal connection and appreciation for information about hormones and supplementation.
Dr Spurlock has studied at the A4M, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, since 1992 I believe, so 20 years now. (Here's the link for those who are in the website, this is from the chronic illness/fatigue/fibromyalgia section of Lumigrate, where Dr Spurlock posts on a semi-regular basis, since that is his specialty area. www.lumigrate.com/forum/use-your-brain-estrogen-testosterone-and-dementia-supplementing-bioidentically-versus-bigpharm
There are others who believe that supplementation at more 'physiologic' doses are best, such as ITC's founders and co-presidents, Gary King and Allan Jolly, so I work to have them be part of things as well at Lumigrate so that we get the varying perspectives. And there are those who believe in not supplementing hormones, that it's gotten at through good health practices with nutrition and balancing the body systems. Most in integrative medicine will say that they use hormone supplementation the same as they would an herb or a pharmaceutical medication, only as needed and when other functional/underlying things are not what is needed.
Everyone has a different reality and truth and that makes it very difficult for providers to know how to treat everyone. That's why I encourage people to get in touch with their core/center and be better able to navigate who they go to for what type of treatments, as there are many MANY options today!
Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better!! ~~ Mardy
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Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! is my motto. I'm Mardy Ross, and I founded Lumigrate in 2008 after a career as an occupational therapist with a background in health education and environmental research program administration. Today I function as the desk clerk for short questions people have, as well as 'concierge' services offered for those who want a thorough exploration of their health history and direction to resources likely to progress their health according to their goals. Contact Us comes to me, so please do if you have questions or comments. Lumigrate is "Lighting the Path to Health and Well-Being" for increasing numbers of people. Follow us on social networking sites such as:
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