Latest news with #CHAP
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Local charity completes 18-mile fundraising walk from Kilmarnock to Ardrossan
CHAP staff, board members and members of the public took part in the Killie 2 Coast fundraiser to raise vital funds for the charity. Staff and trustees from CHAP completed an 18-mile walk from Kilmarnock to Ardrossan, raising over £2,500 in essential funds to support the delivery of their vital housing, welfare, and money advice services across Ayrshire. The Killie 2 Coast walk took place as part of Mental Health Awareness Week. The event highlighted the importance of mental wellbeing and of encouraging people to reach out for help and support when facing financial challenges. The event brought together staff, board members, and members of the public who had signed up to participate in the challenge. Setting off from CHAP's outreach hub at CentreStage in Kilmarnock, the walkers followed a scenic route to finish at the organisation's main office in Princes Street, Ardrossan, all in the soaring temperatures of the recent heatwave. Debbie Alexander, CHAP's Chief Executive Officer, said: "We were very fortunate with the weather – although a few degrees cooler would have been welcome at times! "Killie 2 Coast was our first fundraising walk and we've been delighted with the response. We're incredibly proud of everyone who took part – from our dedicated staff and board members to the members of the public who chose to take on the challenge alongside us. "All donations will go directly towards supporting our frontline advice services at a time when demand for them is higher than ever." The money raised will support CHAP's work across North and East Ayrshire, providing free support on housing and homelessness, welfare rights, money and debt advice. CHAP has been overwhelmed by the generosity shown by supporters in the lead-up to and during the walk. The team has been touched by the kind donations, messages of encouragement, and local enthusiasm for the event. Debbie added: "We can't thank everyone enough - from those who joined us on the walk, and all who donated, to the local businesses who helped us out. We really appreciate all the support we've received for the K2C walk." The event was made possible thanks to the generous support of a number of local businesses who sponsored or donated essential supplies, and community groups offering the use of their facilities to walkers along the route. CHAP would like to extend sincere thanks to the following: Active Office Group, ASDA Ardrossan, Ardeer Community Centre, Barry Devlin Services, Brownings the Bakers, Card Factory Saltcoats, CS Recovery Ltd, Dreghorn Library, Kilwinning Community Sports Club, Tesco Extra Kilmarnock and The Working Wardrobe. If you would like to support CHAP, donations remain open and can be made through JustGiving page here. To access CHAP services, please call Freephone on 030 0002 0002 or visit their website.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
7 Habits That Could Lower Your Dementia Risk, According to a New Study
Reviewed by Dietitian Annie Nguyen, M.A., RDA new study published in JAMA Network Open found a connection between dementia risk and seven heart-healthy habits. Habits like eating a balanced diet, staying active and maintaining a healthy weight can support heart and cognitive health. Those who followed the habits closely had 19% lower levels of a biomarker of brain and heart are closely related—what affects one often affects the other. We've previously reported on how certain heart conditions can influence brain health. In that study, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and coronary heart disease were associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment. Researchers surmised that one of the connecting factors could be inflammation. To continue searching for the connections, researchers from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and the University of California delved deeper, wondering if there was any association between cardiovascular health (CVH) and biomarkers of neurodegeneration. A handy framework of heart-healthy habits from the American Heart Association helped them gauge CVH among adults over the age of 65. They published their findings on March 11, 2025, in JAMA Network Open—here's what they found. Related: The #1 Drink to Limit to Reduce Dementia Risk, According to Dietitians Researchers took their data from a previous long-term study called the Chicago Health and Aging Project, which was conducted from 1993 to 2012. While the total CHAP cohort included 10,802 men and women aged 65 and older, these researchers used data from just 1,018 CHAP participants. Those participants had the extra information researchers needed, which included bloodwork that measured two biomarkers of neurodegeneration: neurofilament light chain (NfL) and total tau (t-tau). Participants had an average age of 73, and about 61% were female and 60% were black. Approximately 35% of the participants carried at least one gene variant that increases the risk of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Demographic information was collected, including age, sex, race, BMI, education level and medical history. Depressive symptoms were measured using a validated scale. Cognitive activity was assessed based on their participation in certain activities, including reading, writing letters, visiting the library and playing games like chess and checkers. Each participant was given a cardiovascular health score based on the American Heart Association's Simple 7, a list of seven habits or health factors that affect your heart health. The seven include: Eating better Getting physically active Maintaining a healthy weight Not smoking Managing blood pressure Controlling cholesterol Reducing blood sugar In 2022, the AHA began using Life's Essential 8, which adds getting high-quality sleep to the list of habits. The original seven habits were assessed through a variety of questionnaires, plus reporting preexisting medical conditions like hypertension or diabetes. Researchers also took participants' blood pressure every three years during follow-up visits. The CVH score for each participant ranged from 0 to 14, with higher scores indicating better cardiovascular health. Blood samples were assessed for the concentration of NfL or t-tau concentrations. Everyone has these biomarkers, but the more either of these biomarkers is present, the higher the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, which include Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Lewy body dementia, Parkinson's disease, spinal muscular atrophy and Friedreich's ataxia. Related: The #1 Habit to Help Prevent Dementia, According to a New Study After running several statistical analyses, researchers found that a higher CVH score was associated with a lower serum concentration of NfL. They also found that compared with participants with the lowest CVH scores (0 to 6 points), those with the highest CVH scores (10 to 14) had about 19% lower serum levels of NfL. Over time, participants with a CVH score of 0 to 6 points had an annual rate of increase in NfL of just over 7%, and those with a CVH score of 10 to 14 points had an annual rate of increase in NfL of just over 5%. Researchers found that these associations held true independently of age, sex and race. As for t-tau, researchers found no association between blood levels of t-tau and CVH. Related: 8 Things You Shouldn't Do When Trying to Prevent Cognitive Decline This study suggests that a healthy diet, regular exercise, healthy BMI, nonsmoking status and the absence of high blood pressure, dyslipidemia (i.e., high cholesterol and triglycerides) and diabetes are associated with lower serum levels of NfL, a biomarker of neurodegeneration. We've long reported on the connections between lifestyle and heart and brain health. Diet, physical activity, managing your stressors and getting plenty of quality sleep are top factors that, in turn, influence other factors—like weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Eating healthy can be one of the trickiest things to figure out, especially with lots of conflicting information out there. If you want some guidance, we encourage you to meet with a registered dietitian who can offer individualized attention. Or consider one of our dietitian-curated meal plans for healthy aging and brain health, like our Simple 7-Day Cognitive Health Meal Plan or our 30-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan for Healthy Aging. Related: The Best Protein for Better Brain Health, According to Dietitians This study suggests there is a connection between a biomarker related to neurodegeneration and certain health factors. While we all have some level of NfL in our blood, higher levels of it place you at an increased risk of conditions like dementia. To keep levels low, eat a balanced and varied diet, engage in regular physical activity, manage your stress, get plenty of quality sleep, try to stop smoking and keep track of health metrics, including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides. And, because loneliness has been linked with a higher risk of dementia, be sure to set aside time to spend with friends and family. Related: Cancer Rates Are on the Rise for Young People–Can Diet & Lifestyle Choices Lower the Risk? Read the original article on EATINGWELL
