Related Episodes for Buffering the Negative Effects of Chronic Stress with Meditation

“Vascular dysfunction, the loss of normal endothelial tone and permeability of blood vessels, is a common feature of most forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. People who carry the APOE4 gene are at greater risk for vascular dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease.”

“Preventing dementia requires a lifelong and multipronged approach that involves keeping inflammation (and its aging effects) at bay and making healthy lifestyle choices, such as exercising and consuming omega-3 fatty acids.”

“Genetic predisposition, altered glucose uptake in the brain, high blood pressure, and other factors can weaken the barrier's integrity, allowing endotoxins and inflammatory immune cells to infiltrate the brain and increasing a person's risk for dementia.”

Hormesis is a compensatory defense response to a stressor that conditions the body against future stressors. Heat exposure – from sauna use, hot tubs, or eve...

“A four-week pilot study in people with type 2 diabetes reported improved insulin-stimulated glucose disposal after oral alpha-lipoic acid, while a three-week randomized trial found that intravenous 600 milligrams per day reduced diabetic neuropathy symptoms.”

“Animal studies indicate that omega-3 deficiency may also reduce GLUT1 transporters in the brain. Other studies suggest that omega-3 supplementation reduces VCAM1 levels – a protein elevated with normal aging, which could be related to the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier.”

“However, the ability to translate data from non-human animals to humans can be limited and the use of laboratory animals can raise ethical concerns. In this clip, Dr. George Church describes the pros and cons of animal research and how we could move beyond its use with advanced technologies.”

“The mechanisms that drive the effects of sauna bathing include activation of heat shock proteins and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines; decreased blood pressure and arterial stiffness; and multiple improvements in cardiovascular function.”

“Approximately 25 percent of people living in the United States carry a genetic variant of this lipoprotein called APOE4, which is associated with higher circulating levels of LDL cholesterol and an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease.”

“Approximately 25 percent of people in the United States – roughly 75 million people – carry a genetic variant of this lipoprotein called APOE4, which is associated with higher circulating levels of LDL cholesterol and an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease.”