Reviews: Why Ellen Rosskam's Holistic Approach is Necessary: Excess Baggage: Leveling the Load and Changing the Workplace,Joining Sustainable Design and Substainable Livelihood: Beyond Child's Play,Sustainable Product Design in the Global Doll-Making Industry,Emerging Theories: Healthy Aging: Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging with a Closer Look at Alzheimer's & Parkinson's Diseases

Abstract

Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging, with a Closer Look at Alzheimer's & Parkinson's Diseases, a report published by Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Science and Environmental Health Network (2008), explains emerging theories about contributors to and prevention of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Replete with graphics, maps, and diagrams, the report links a surprising number and variety of toxic exposures early in life to these neurodegenerative diseases diagnosed later in life. It also describes their relationships in what is described as the “Western disease cluster.” Evidence that good nutrition, physical activity, comfortable socio-economic status, and social and intellectual engagement throughout life are associated with a sturdier cognitive status late in life is presented.

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References

Stein

. Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging, With a Closer Look at Alzheimer's & Parkinson's Diseases (Boston: Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility and Science and Environmental Health Network, 2008).

Neuropathology Group of the Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Aging Study (MRC CFAS), “Pathologic correlates of late onset dementia in a multicentre, community based population in England and Wales,” Lancet 357 (9251) (2001): 169–175.