Last week I saw an article on sciencedaily.com how caffeine decreased memory loss in aged mice bred to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The article began with the suggestion that “Coffee drinkers may have another reason to pour that extra cup.” It went on to report on back-to-back studies published online July 6 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease that proved that caffeine significantly decreased abnormal levels of the protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease, both in the brains and in the blood of mice that had developed symptoms of the disease.
But, before you make a decision to add another cup of coffee to your morning routine, let me, Dr. Jamie Phillips add that also on the website, under “Related Stories,” were a couple of articles reporting on studies that professed to prove the not-so-healthy effects of caffeine, “Morning Jolt of Caffeine May Mask Serious Sleep Problems,” and “Coffee Consumption Linked To Increased Risk Of Heart Attack For Persons With Certain Gene Variation.”
Nearly every point of view, I’ve noticed, especially when it comes to health and longevity, can be confirmed, or at least supported, by other related studies. The “good/bad” studies related to caffeine naturally aren’t, by any means, the only ones. But, it did get me to thinking about the reasonableness that there will never be simply “one thing” that will absolutely help we, humans, to live longer, healthier lives. We are dynamic, biological creatures. We are free to participate in life. We’re not confined to a cage! And, moreover, though Alzheimer’s disease is likely on the rise, obviously none of us has been “artificially induced to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease,” so caffeine isn’t absolutely the “one thing” that is going to reverse or prevent it.
The human body is an exquisite, involved system that is designed to function homeostasis (balance). It is likely, then, that good health is about a healthy, balanced attitude towards living, rather than our being momentarily convinced by the latest health study and “doing” or “overdoing” one particular thing under the illusion that it will reverse all of the other immoderate and unhealthy things we have done to our bodies.
I believe, as a chiropractor in Santa Barbara, that every moment of the day we have an opportunity to make decisions that will assist us to live longer, healthier lives, healthy choices for our body and mind. We know what truly “feels” beneficial and what doesn’t when it comes to what is good for us. So, I just wanted to offer a little something for you to keep in mind the next time you consider having that extra cup of coffee or second glass of red wine. There is no “one thing” that will do “everything” for your age-related health issues.