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By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 25 (HealthDay News) — two of the most common and dreaded illnesses in America may share a connection, with new research suggesting that having insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes raises your risk of developing the brain plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

After adjusting for other risk factors, the Japanese study found that people with the highest levels of fasting insulin had nearly six times the odds of having plaque deposits between nerves in the brain, compared to people with the lowest levels of fasting insulin.

Those with the highest scores on a measure of insulin resistance (where cells become less able to use insulin effectively) had about five times the odds of having brain plaques vs. those with the lowest scores on the insulin-resistance test, the study found.

In fact, “the risk of plaque-type Alzheimer’s disease pathology increases in a linear relationship with diabetes-related factors,” according to one study author, Dr. Kensuke Sasaki, an assistant professor in the department of neuropathology at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan.

Results of the study appear in the Aug. 25 online issue of Neurology.

Both type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease have been rapidly increasing in incidence, so much so that experts worry the illnesses may overwhelm the health-care system in the coming years if nothing is done.

While numerous studies have found a link between cognitive decline and dementia in people with type 2 diabetes, the current study sought to determine the reason for that link.

Using autopsies from 135 Japanese adults, the researchers were able to compare if different indicators of insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes correlated with the development of plaque deposits between the nerves in the brain (neuritic plaques) or neurofibrillary tangles, which are found in dying cells in the brain. Plaques and tangles are thought by many to be the two main causes of the destruction of brain tissue seen in Alzheimer’s disease.

All of those autopsied died between 1998 and 2003. in 1988, they had undergone numerous tests as part of an ongoing study on brain and heart health. the tests included an oral 2-hour glucose tolerance test, fasting blood sugar and insulin levels, and a measurement of insulin resistance using a test called homeostasis assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

The researchers adjusted the data to control for age, sex, blood pressure, cholesterol, body-mass index, smoking, exercise and cerebrovascular disease.

They found no association between diabetes risk factors and the development of tangles. however, higher levels of blood sugar two hours after eating, high fasting insulin levels and an elevated HOMA-IR score were associated with an increased risk of developing plaques. Fasting blood sugar levels were not associated with an increased risk of plaques, according to the study.

When the researchers compared varying levels of diabetes risk factors, such as fasting insulin, they found a linear association with the development of plaques. for example, fasting insulin was broken into three groups: low, medium and high. the low group didn’t have an increased risk of plaques, while the medium group had more than twice the risk of brain plaques, and those in the high group had a six times higher risk of plaques than those in the low group.

The researchers also performed a separate analysis to see if the presence of a gene long implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (ApoE4) would have an effect on the association between diabetes risk factors and the development of plaques. It did: Those with the ApoE4 gene has the strongest association between high blood sugar levels, insulin resistance and fasting insulin levels and the development of plaques.

“Research has been linking diabetes to dementia, and probably to Alzheimer’s, and this study is one more bit of evidence to say that we’d better get a handle on this,” said Dr. Richard Bergenstal, president of medicine and science for the American Diabetes Association.

Bergenstal said this study’s findings are likely applicable to people with both type 2 and type 1 diabetes, and possibly to those with pre-diabetes, as well.

“this study fits into a body of literature looking at the relationship between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. this area is being pretty aggressively researched for a number of reasons. Would better control of type 2 diabetes improve the cognitive fate of those with the disease, and is there some way we can intervene in glucose metabolism that might affect Alzheimer’s?” said William Thies, chief medical and scientific officer for the Alzheimer’s Association.

“If you have diabetes, it’s certainly a good idea to keep it under control while we’re sorting out the research,” Bergenstal said.

“Although we don’t know anything that can prevent Alzheimer’s disease right now, I do think there are a lot of good reasons for people to try to prevent type 2 diabetes, much of which can potentially be avoided with regular physical activity and weight maintenance,” said Thies. “Preventing or controlling diabetes is good for all kinds of reasons, and also because it might contribute to your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.”

More information

Learn more about what steps you can take to help maintain your brain health from the Alzheimer’s Association.

Copyright © 2010 HealthDay. all rights reserved.

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As any engineer would be more than happy to tell you, college students are busy — not just a little preoccupied, but absolutely buried under an avalanche of homework, projects and exams. never mind the countless hours spent on Stumble upon or watching football — students will convince you there’s barely enough time to get work done, much less explore downtown.

Since many will only have a few opportunities to check out the discounts during 30 Days of Blacksburg, it’s important to know what’s worth your time. With that in mind, here is a completely subjective guide to some of the best Blacksburg has to offer. no matter where you choose to spend your hard-earned dollars, it’s impossible to go wrong with so many great options.

Week 1: She-Sha Cafe and Hookah Lounge (Oct. 5)

What better way to kick off an event intended to bring students and businesses together than with the ultimate fusion of college life and commerce? She-Sha Cafe and Hookah Lounge is a Blacksburg mainstay, popular for its multitude of tobacco flavors and relaxing atmosphere. As far as freshmen year cliches go, sitting around a hookah table with your dorm buddies is on par with highlighter parties and being forcibly evicted by an amorous roommate.

Hookah is only part of the She-Sha experience. the soothing ambiance coupled with authentic Middle Eastern menu and decor create a great atmosphere that even non-smokers can enjoy. She-Sha also serves as a welcome study alternative to the library or soul-crushing Math Emporium, provided you’re not the easily distracted type.  

Week 2: Pretty in Pink Fundraiser (Oct. 12)

Not all of the promotions during 30 Days of Blacksburg are intended solely for promoting businesses. on Wednesday, Oct. 12, there will be a downtown-wide fundraiser benefiting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer foundation. ten percent of sales at locations such as Gillie’s, Mad Dog, Sharkey’s and Starbucks will go toward breast cancer research.

In addition, cupcakes and “pink passports” will be sold for $5 and $10 respectively for the opportunity to win prizes including tickets to the Lyric, a one-month unlimited pass to classes at in Balance Yoga and art from the Matrix Gallery. Participating locations will be marked with pink ribbons. More information, including a full participant listing, can be found at DowntownBlacksburg.com.

Week 3: PK’s Bar and Grill (Oct. 18)

Benny Marzano’s may have it beat for sheer size, but PK’s still holds the best of Blacksburg crown for tastiest pizza, and for good reason — the stuff is delicious. while every bar in Blacksburg is technically a restaurant as per Virginia law, PK’s rides that blurry line better than most.

Want to grab a drink and watch the game? PK’s has more TVs than the Architect in the “Matrix Reloaded.” looking to grab a good, affordable meal with family in town? Head on down and try the Italian Stallion specialty pie. Need a family meal and a stiff drink? of course you do — your parents are in town. Knock two birds out with one satisfying stone at one of Main Street’s best eateries.

Week 4: 310 Rosemont (Oct. 29)

If you belong to the demographic Lance Diamond would refer to as “frat stars,” 310 Rosemont is right up your aesthetic alley. the ostentatiously pastel look is not for everyone, but students who need their fix of margarita and salmon attire, not to mention the ever-popular fish belts, will feel right at home in this Main Street boutique.

Even with a 10 percent discount, 310 Rosemont is hardly light shopping. a starting point for most clothes is $50, with many reaching the $80 to $90 level. Hell, I spent $28 for a T-shirt last year. You’re paying for quality, however, and since new pledges are buying friends anyway, what’s another couple hundred for fresh digs?

A version of this article appeared in the Sep 30 issue of the Collegiate Times.

<a href="http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/18365/30-days-of-blacksburg-reviewtag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/18365/30-days-of-blacksburg-reviewThu, 29 Sep 2011 04:42:05 GMT 00:00″>30 Days of Blacksburg review – CollegiateTimes.com

I asked this before but only got one a couple of answers, so what is you favourite Al Fakher shisha flavour? or list of your favourites? cos im going to qatar in a couple of weeks and want to stock up on some gooood flava's!

I guess I'd go with the traditional 'apple'.

But I had coconut once, I don't know if it was Al Fakher though.

I've also had various fruit flavors mixed with 'rose' or 'rose water' flavor which were nice. Also cardamom flavor is nice mixed with fruits (like apple or peach) IMO

Nothing, extremely bad for you.

Apple, Pomegranate (Grenadine) &Mint
Mixed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

get watermelon & mint

simply amazing!

What is the best Al Fakher shisha?

So me and my boi were riding around my town, and we found this brand new hookah bar. We went in and said we were 18, the women who asked said "okay, you don't have to show me but if cops come in, they'll need to see your ID". So i was just wondering what kind of trouble i can get in if cops do come in and i have no ID that says im over 18?

No, hookah does not contain nicotine or any other drug and therefore you do not need to be 18.

Can i get in trouble for smoking at a hookah bar underage?

An American in Armenia; Day 2 – a Priceless Development

18:11, July 13, 2011

by Samuel Armen

Day 2 – a Priceless Development

“Be wary of making concrete judgments of people; everything is not factual but rather evidential. there are too many variables that filter and manipulate the actions and visible characteristics of people we watch and learn from. Everything is conjecture.”

It is these words I wrote down first on my notebook and these words I promised to adhere to throughout my trip, but I couldn’t help but notice the feeling of the new people and world around me materializing into solidity.

I was remembering names, birthplaces, qualities, accents, and particular feats of the individuals of our group, all the while notating street names such as Tumanyan and Sayat-Nova. I was already under the suspicion that several of these interns– these  new faces – would develop into friends I’d know forever.

Together we traversed the Opera House area from day until night.

During the afternoon, we would see families walking about or sitting on benches that immediately surrounded the theatre. Here, men would be reading newspapers, the women would hold hands as they walked together, and the children would be on bicycles, eating ice cream or playing in the outdoor arcades.

During sunset – when the blue sky is introduced to the imperialistic bursts of red and orange hues – we could most appreciate the neighboring attraction sites.

 to the south, we would enjoy the serenity of Lover’s Park (Siraharneri Aygi) – where couples whispered romance to each other in ancient dialects as the central pond (Karapi Lij – Swan Lake) mimmicked the sky as it slowly changed colors.

To the north, we could see the Cascade (Kaskadt) – a tremendous temple-like structure with 572 steps, standing 450 Meters (1,476 ft) at the top of the Alexander Tamanyan memorial. (That is several meters taller than the top of new York City’s Empire State Building) the exterior of the Cascade displayed cascading streams, gardens, and dozens of statues. the interior housed a museum of modern artwork ranging from paintings to glass sculptures. at the base, one could see cafes and quaint clothing boutiques.

During the nightime, Lover’s Pond, the actual Opera House, the Cascade, and the cafes, bars and lounges all illuminated with varying colors.

During this very night – the night of our first full day together – we celebrated. Together, 21 of us interns searched for a lounge. We passed by names like Grammy, Magnolia, Astral, and the Egyptian-themed club, Giza – with its giant, glowing red Eye of Horus – and decided on a place called Melody Cafe.

The waiters scurried about quickly, shifting 4-seaters to accomade our group with a tremendous communal table. in between the hours of bonding, laughing, drinking, shouting, and hookah-smoking, the girls asked our waiter to take pictures of us. After snapping nearly a dozen photographs, he asked if he could get in one of the pictures – so we would remember him.

When the night winded down we asked for our check. On this very first night we spent approximately 34,000 Dram – roughly equalling $90 – which our group found incredible considering we were 21 thirsty hookah-smokers. the average intern had a shot, one other drink (from Champagne to Kotayk Beer), and tried one of the two hookahs – what would be no less than $16 in the cheapest bar in Manhattan or Queens – which turned out to be less than 4 dollars and 1 quarter per person.

This added an essense to our night that was both surreal and eye-opening. An intern leaned close to our side of the table and whispered, “do you think it’s worth it?” Excluding the smile and sarcasm of the inquirer, the question remained in my mind as something remarkable. We celebrated for hours together – we grew closer, began remembering names, took dozens of photographs, created jokes, discovered mutual friends and relatives, introduced our talents, planned upcoming days, drank, and smoked hookah – and, at the end, forked over four dollars.

Again – this was our first night together.

<a href="http://hetq.am/eng/news/2900/tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://hetq.am/eng/news/2900/Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:17:30 GMT 00:00″>An American in Armenia; Day 2 – A Priceless Development

I'm now a sophomore in college, and have not smoked hookah yet. I've smoked your typical swisher sweet, black and mild, camel lights, etc, but never made it around to hookah. I'm going to broad ripple in indianapolis soon to try hookah at the egyptian there. if I like it, (which I'm assuming I will) i will seriously consider purchasing a hookah. I've looked up a lot of information on hookah and shisha, but want to know what you guys think (for those who have smoked). What's some of the better hookahs and flavors. Also about how long would a tin of 250 gram shisha cost, as well as some smaller tins such as 50 gram, (100 if they make it), etc. if you could let me know the ins and outs of hookah, it would be greatly appreciated. thanks a bunch, and happy smoking!
-Dave

I've been smoking for many years and tried various hookahs. My current hookah, and all-time favorite is Fumari's Medium Brass Hookah Pipe (26") – http://www.fumari.com/old-school-hookahs… It's a great size, super durable and sturdy, nice long hose for sharing, and easy to clean.

For tobacco, my favorites are:
Fumari Mint Chocolate Chill
Fumari White Peach
Fumari Island Papaya
Starbuzz Blue Mist
Starbuzz Melon Blue

You will also want to buy quality coals that won't change the taste of your tobacco. Fumari's coal is good and so is the Three Kings brand. When you get a coal ready for smoking, make sure you burn it well so the whole top layer is burned off along with the chemicals that allow the coal to start up quickly.

When buying a hookah you'll get the base, stem, plate, hose, bowl and sometimes grommets to seal where parts join (keep it air-tight). but you'll also need foil or a bowl screen, mouthpieces, cleaning brushes, tongs to handle the coals and a toothpick or poker to punch holes in foil.

To calculate how much tobacco you need, you can figure that every 100 grams will make about 5 bowls (a little more or less depending on the size of your bowl). And for each bowl, you'll need about 4-5 pieces of the Fumari type of coal or 2-3 pieces of the Three Kings type of coal.

And last, here are some tips to help get the best out of your hookah:
http://www.fumari.com/hookah-tips

What do I need to know about hookah and etc.?

NEW YORK, May 31 (UPI) — Legislators and health advocates are taking action against what they call the newest front in the ever-shifting war on tobacco: the hookah, or water pipe.

Bills that would ban or limit hookah bars have been introduced in California, Connecticut and Oregon, while Boston and Maine have stopped exemptions to their indoor-smoking laws that had allowed hookah bars to operate, the new York Times reported Monday.

A blend of tobacco, molasses and fruit known as shisha is smoked in the glass and metal water pipes, with many users believing the water filters harmful chemicals from the tobacco smoke.

That’s a myth, health advocates say.

“Teens and young adults are initiating tobacco use through these hookahs with the mistaken perception that the products are somehow safer or less harmful than cigarettes,” Paul G. Billings of the American Lung Association said. “Clearly that’s not the case.”

Because hookah sessions can last up to an hour, with smokers taking deep breaths, the smoke inhaled can be equal to that of 100 cigarettes or more, a 2005 study by the World Health Organization found.

Hookahs have been a fixture in university dorms and fraternity houses, but many schools have begun to expand their anti-smoking policies to include hookahs.

Local governments are also moving to modify anti-smoking laws, many of which had exempted hookah bars as “tobacco specialty shops” because they did not serve food or alcohol.

<a href="http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2011/05/31/Hookahs-facing-increasing-resistance/UPI-20041306866736/tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2011/05/31/Hookahs-facing-increasing-resistance/UPI-20041306866736/Tue, 31 May 2011 19:15:11 GMT 00:00″>Hookahs facing increasing resistance

i'm going to venice tomorrow to buy a hookah
and its my first time getting one
i only have about 50 dollars
and i was wondering if i can get a good hookah for that amount of money
i want to use it for me and a couple of my friends
maybe a mini hookah?
i dont know
can someone give me suggestions?

Good cheap hookah in venice?

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I just ask, because when we were in OIF I, we were told by our Commander that as long as it wasn't an artifact and we didn't raid a museum, anything found in the palaces we occupied were fair game. Whatever you could fit in your quad cons that customs deemed appropriate for shipment back, and no contraband, basically. A lot of people brought home fine china, golden trinkets, furniture,simple jewelry and even Persian rugs. of course, standard items like silk hijabs, mink blankets, portraits of Saddam, and cleaned out hookahs topped the most popular list. when there was still some for the taking , of course wine cellars were raided and consumed too.

My question is, was this looting? Or was it acqusition of the spoils of war? I mean, the palaces were occupied and people had to survive.

I'm with m1a1mike on this. this was looting. Sorry.

Your Commander was uninformed, incompotant or just plain wrong. according to the documents M1A1 cited. what you describe is looting. I would report this matter to your chain of command. If that don't work take it to the MPs.

Is non-artifact, non-museum/cultural legal during war?