Reduce salt intake, sleep better
Scientists in Japan have uncovered a link between consuming too much salt and the need to wee at night. Nagasaki University found 321 men and women who had trouble sleeping and a high salt intake. About two-thirds lowered their salt intake from an average of 10.7 grams a day to eight grams a day. In doing so, they lowered the average number of times they woke up to wee from 2.3 to 1.4 a night. Ninety-eight of them increased their salt intake from 9.6 grams to 11 grams, and found they had to get up more often — increasing from 2.3 times a night to 2.7. “This is the first study to measure how salt intake affects the frequency of going to the bathroom, so we need to confirm the work with larger studies,” said Dr Matsuo Tomohiro, who led the study. “Night-time urination is a real problem for many people, especially as they get older. This work holds out the possibility that a simply dietary modification might improve the quality of life for many people.”
‘How the aged can keep heart healthy
After a heart attack, ask your grandparents to make their bed, do laundry or carry groceries as it may start the road to recovery soon, suggests a study. According to researchers, a daily walk is proven to be beneficial, and tai chi, yoga and balance training can also help, but encouraging patients to do more chores around the house is the simplest way to get people moving. The study said patients should be encouraged to do everyday household chores instead of simply given medication. The document said simple household tasks can improve strength and balance and reduce frailty — particularly among elderly patients. The study suggests exercise training is still a daunting challenge for the majority of older patients with cardiovascular disease.
Uplift mood by going on spiritual trips
Apart from enhancing well-being, people who spend their time on spiritual, meditative and religious retreats are likely to have changes in the brains systems associated with mood and social behaviour, sleep, memory, says a study. The findings showed that the changes in the dopamine — responsible for mediating cognition, emotion and movement — and serotonin — involved in emotional regulation and mood — systems in the brains may prime the brain for spiritual experiences. The post-retreat scans revealed decreases in dopamine transporter (around 5-8 per cent) and serotonin transporter (around 6.5 per cent) binding, which could make more of the neurotransmitters available to the brain. This is associated with positive emotions and spiritual feelings.