My Decision on Retirement

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I have made a commitment to work and to share what I learn with others; this is my responsibility and contribution to life. Work has richly educated me, and I am very grateful for the many opportunities I have been given to learn and to share.

Tarthang Tulku

Low Magnesium Levels Do What?

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Scientists from the University of South Australia measured blood samples from 172 middle aged adults, finding a strong link between low magnesium levels and high amounts of a genotoxic amino acid called homocysteine. University of South Australia. “Low magnesium levels increase disease risk.” ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240812123307.htm (accessed August 13, 2024).

Journal Reference:

Varinderpal S. Dhillon, Permal Deo, Michael Fenech. Low magnesium in conjunction with high homocysteine increases DNA damage in healthy middle aged Australians. European Journal of Nutrition, 2024; DOI: 10.1007/s00394-024-03449-0

Whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, bananas, avocados and dark chocolate are magnesium-rich foods.

    Multifocal Positive Margins After Prostate Cancer Surgery

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    In Cox multivariable analyses, compared with negative surgical margins, positive surgical margins were significantly associated with a 1.7- and 2.2-fold increased risk of cancer-specific and all-cause mortality, respectively, in patients with intermediate-risk and high-risk disease, respectively, Ugo Giovanni Falagario, MD, of Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, and colleagues reported in European Urology Oncology. Positive surgical margins were also significantly associated with a 1.8-fold increased risk of adverse pathologic characteristics, including Grade group 4 or higher, pT3 or higher, pN1, or PSA persistence. Multifocal Positive Margins After Prostate Cancer Surgery Up Mortality Risks – https://www.renalandurologynews.com/news/multifocal-positive-margins-after-prostate-cancer-surgery-up-mortality-risks/

    Reference:

    Pellegrino F, Falagario UG, Knipper S, et al; ERUS Scientific Working Group on Prostate Cancer of the European Association of Urology. Assessing the impact of positive surgical margins on mortality in patients who underwent robotic radical prostatectomy: 20 Years’ report from the EAU Robotic Urology Section Scientific Working Group. Eur Urol Oncol. 2024 Aug;7(4):888-896. doi:10.1016/j.euo.2023.11.021

    Just 2-4 Cups of Fruits and Veggies Does What?

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    Lowers blood pressure, improves kidney health, improves CVD risk factors.

    In a randomized control trial over a five-year period, investigators divided the cohort of 153 patients with hypertension into three groups:

    1. Study participants adding 2-4 cups of base-producing fruits and vegetables in addition to their usual daily food intake
    2. Study participants prescribed NaHCO3 (acid-reducing sodium bicarbonate, which is common baking soda) tablets in two daily doses of 4-5 650 mg tablets
    3. Study participants receiving standard medical care from primary care clinicians

    The results of the study show that both fruits and vegetables and NaHCO3 improved kidney health, but only fruits and vegetables, and not NaHCO3, reduced blood pressure and improved indices of cardiovascular disease risk.

    The trial supports fruits and vegetables as foundational hypertension treatment to reduce chronic kidney disease progression and cardiovascular disease risk.

    Elsevier. “Eating more fruits and vegetables to reduce dietary acid lowers blood pressure and improves kidney and heart health in patients with hypertension.” ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240806131316.htm (accessed August 11, 2024).

    Journal Reference:

    1. Nimrit Goraya, Nicolaos E. Madias, Jan Simoni, Maninder Kahlon, Nazan Aksan, Donald E. Wesson. Kidney and Cardiovascular Protection Using Dietary Acid Reduction in Primary Hypertension: A Five-Year, Interventional, Randomized, Control Trial. The American Journal of Medicine, 2024; DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2024.06.006

    I had two cups of fruit in my breakfast bowl this morning.

    What did you eat for breakfast?

    The T2D-GENE Trial

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    The prevalence of type 2 diabetes was significantly lower in the lifestyle intervention group than in the control group.

    University of Eastern Finland. “Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by diet and exercise even in individuals with a high genetic risk.” ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240807122749.htm (accessed August 10, 2024).

    Effects of Genetic Risk on Incident Type 2 Diabetes and Glycemia: The T2D-GENE Lifestyle Intervention Trial – The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, dgae422, https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgae422

    Remember, Stay as Thin as You Can as Long as You Can.

    A Broad Range of Flexible Retirement Arrangements

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    A Phased Retirement Program

    Emory University is one of the few employers that offers a phased retirement program. Here’s a breakdown of how its program works:

    • The phased retirement commitment must be for a defined duration, spanning a minimum of six months to a maximum of three years.
    • Throughout this period, you’ll adjust your work hours, reducing them by anywhere from 10% to 50%, while maintaining a minimum of 20 hours per week.
    • By participating, you agree to retire at the end of the specified time frame.
    • Your pay will be adjusted to reflect the reduced workload during phased retirement.

    Source: Phased Retirement: What Does It Mean And How Does It Work? — https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/retirement/phased-retirement/

    Sign me up (when I’m ready).