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Unusual Calcium-Cognitive Link Uncovered
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Posted On :
Sep-07-2011
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Article Word Count :
404
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Calcium is one of the overarching most popular
natural supplements around. There is no doubting its
importance, particularly for women of postmenopausal
age. This study takes a different route, one that warns
against having too high calcium -- in particular, what it
does to the brain.
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Calcium is one of the overarching most popular natural
supplements around. There is no doubting its importance,
particularly for women of postmenopausal age. This study
takes a different route, one that warns against having too
high calcium -- in particular, what it does to the brain.
Older adults worried about declining mental function may
want to have their calcium levels checked every so often.
That's because a team of Dutch researchers have just found
that high levels of blood calcium -- rather than calcium in
the bone -- are linked to a faster decline in cognitive ability.
In other words, high blood calcium is a signal that your
mind might be weakening more quickly. Signs that your
brain function may not be what it used to be include
generally what one would assume: a slipping memory;
difficulty concentrating; inability to pay attention as well;
inability to learn new things easily; simple thinking
becoming more challenging; and use of language is not as
sharp anymore.
Previous studies have illustrated that small rises in calcium
within nerve and brain cells can actually kill those cells.
While it's known that calcium can slip from the blood into
the brain, the link between the mineral and one's mental
ability has never been clear. High blood calcium levels can
be caused by several diseases, including cancer, kidney
failure, and thyroid problems -- and they could be a factor
in the link.
But the researchers also suggest that each person has a "set
point" and that, once the blood calcium levels reach it,
cognitive decline can ensue. To try to figure it out, they
studied 8,000 adults over the age of 75 for more than a
decade. This included 600 people followed from age 85 to
90.
Amongst everyone, the higher the blood calcium, the
worse
the cognitive function. This notably included memory.
Among those aged 75, higher blood calcium levels made
people more likely to have faster mental decline. The link
was quite strong and needs to be studied further (as is
usually the case).
The question of the future: how are calcium levels inside
and outside nerve cells hurting the mind? The answer for
today: get those levels checked out a few times each year
as
part of a regular doctor's visit. And keep exercising your
mind and body to stave off age-related cognitive decline as
long as possible.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Unusual Calcium-Cognitive Link Uncovered_80377.aspx
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Author Resource :
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Keywords :
calcium, cognitive decline, natural supplements,
Category :
Health and Fitness
:
Health and Fitness
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