Coffee May Stall Memory Loss in Women

Cutting calories could help stave off dementia, Alzheimer's

(NEWSER) - Eating less could help you remember more, a study suggests. Among volunteers with an average age of 60, the Telegraph reports, those instructed to eat 30% fewer calories improved their memory test scores by 20% compared to those asked to maintain their diets or eat 20% more. The finding fuels hope for progress combating dementia, of which memory loss is an early sign. More»

Many adults deficient in crucial nutrient

(NEWSER) - Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause memory loss, particularly in the elderly, reports the BBC. People short on the nutrient were 6 times more likely than individuals with normal levels to experience brain shrinkage, which is strongly linked to dementia, a new study shows. Forty percent of people are believed to have deficient levels of B12, which is found in meat, fish, and milk —and that percentage is even higher among the elderly. More»

From diet to depression, here's what to watch

(NEWSER) - New research suggests our lifestyle choices affect memory loss almost as much as aging. Forbes looks at 10 surprising factors, positive and negative, that determine how sharp you'll stay:

1. Tofu—eating too much can increase dementia in the elderly.

2. Carbs—likewise, too many derail Alzheimer's-fighting enzymes in the brain.

3. Hot flashes—women who suffer have trouble remembering names.

Daily caffeine helps protect the brain from damaging cholesterol

(NEWSER) - A daily fix of caffeine helps shield the brain from the damaging effects of cholesterol, which is apparently the way coffee helps reduce the risk of dementia, new research suggests. The "blood-brain barrier" protects the brain from toxins in the bloodstream, but scientists have discovered that cholesterol makes it leaky. The strength of the barrier was boosted in rabbits given the caffeine equivalent of a daily cup of joe, reports the BBC. More»

Women under 50 derive benefit; hormone is 'harmful' after 65

(NEWSER) - Women under 50 who've had their ovaries removed double their risk of disorders like dementia and Parkinson's disease later in life if they don't undergo estrogen-replacement therapy, new research reveals. The findings may lead to more aggressive treatment for premenopausal women who don't produce estrogen naturally, Time reports. More»