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The aging analysis of nuclear power plant components and materials is crucial for the power plant's safety, and for its upgradation and life extension. The health monitoring of power plant materials, such as steel, is mostly done by employing conventional non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques. Considering the limitations associated with conventional NDE techniques, thermoelectric power based NDE (TNDE) is being explored. This paper presents the first ever development and successful demonstration of TNDE in Pakistan. Moreover, the aging analysis of carbon steel grade SA 106B is also being presented for the first time. The extractionsteam pipe samples (new and aged) of SA 106B, from a 46-years-old operating nuclear power plant, are being analyzed and the sensitivity of TNDE to aging induced changes in microstructure is demonstrated. Further, the aged SA 106B is simulated via heat treatment and the equipment is calibrated for its utilization in the nuclear power plant. The correlation between thermoelectric power (TEP) and Vicker hardness (HV) [TEP (µV/oC) = ~2x10-5 Hardness (HV) + 0.008] has been analyzed. It is revealed that the technique has the potential to analyze mechanical properties of aged extraction steam piping without cutting and taking the samples to the laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The oleo-gum resin of Commiphora wightii has been utilized for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Ruthless exploitation of this species with negligible conservation efforts has led to its inclusion in the International Union for Conservation of Nature assemblage of endangered plant species. Objectives: In this paper, the impact of plant aging and geographical variations of guggulsterone (GS) content in oleo-gum resin collected from different geographical regions of India has been examined. Materials and Methods: The oleo-gum resin samples of different age groups and geographical regions of India (Kutch, Morena, Jodhpur, Jaipur, and Pakistan border of Kutch) were collected directly from the site and examined to check the concentration of GS-E and Z by high-performance liquid chromatography. Comprehensive metabolomic profiling of samples was done through liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Results: The data showed that there is no significant variation was found in the concentration of GS-E and Z with the change in the age of C. wightti plant. The oleo-gum resin samples of Morena showed a high percentage range of GSs (0.88%–2.17% w/w), whereas Jaipur samples showed a lower percentage of GSs (0.56%–0.89% w/w). From metabolomics profiling, 11 high-intensity metabolites were identified in samples of all major regions of India. Conclusion: This study indicates that there is no impact of plant aging on the GS contents. The Indian regions such as Morena, Kutch, and Pakistan border near Kutch regions can be used as a potential source for mass multiplication of guggul plants to get the good quality of the oleo-gum resin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in researching ageing ethnic minority populations in the West. However, older people from such minority communities have received comparatively little attention in wide-ranging discussions on appropriate research methodologies. By a process of critically reflecting on our experiences of undertaking fieldwork for our Economic and Social Research Council New Dynamics of Ageing study of ‘Families and Caring in South Asian Communities', this paper maps out the key methodological and ethical challenges we faced and, in the process, highlights the importance of developing socially appropriate research methodologies and ethical frameworks for research with such populations. With a reflexive approach, we specifically explore the significance of gender, age, time and space to the fieldwork processes and the ‘field’ relationships formed at various stages of the research process. In particular, we explore three key emergent issues which conflicted with our formal research protocols and presented particular challenges for us and our older Pakistani Muslim participants: (a) structuring of time in daily life; (b) gendered use of public and private spaces; and (c) orality of informal social contexts and relationships. Using illustrations from our fieldwork which reveal the particular significance of these issues to our fieldwork experiences and performativities of public/private identities, we highlight important tensions between formalised ethical and methodological dimensions of conducting funded research and the realities of being in ‘the field’. We conclude the paper by emphasising the need to explore further not only the ways in which researchers can adopt more socially and culturally sensitive data collection processes and methodologies at the micro level of their interactions with research participants, but also contextualising the particular challenges experienced by researchers and their participants in terms of the wider research frameworks and agendas as well as the broader social contexts within which they live and work. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Despite a growing elderly South Asian population, little is known about the experience of diagnosis and care for those living with dementia. There have been a number of individual qualitative studies exploring the experiences of South Asian people living with dementia and their carers across different contexts. There has also been a growing interest in synthesizing qualitative research to systematically integrate qualitative evidence from multiple studies to tell us more about a topic at a more abstract level than single studies alone. The aim of this qualitative synthesis was to clearly identify the gaps in the literature and produce new insights regarding the knowledge and understanding of the attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs of the South Asian community about dementia. Methods: Following a systematic search of the literature, included qualitative studies were assessed by two independent reviewers for methodological quality. Data were extracted and pooled using the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument (QARI). Findings were synthesized using the Joanna Briggs Institute approach to qualitative synthesis by meta-aggregation. Results: Seventeen papers were critically appraised, with 13 meeting the inclusion criteria. Participants were mostly of South Asians of Indian background; followed by Pakistani with a few Sri Lankans. Missing South Asian countries from the current evidence base included those from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, and Nepal. Three meta-synthesis themes emerged from the analysis: (1) a poor awareness and understanding of dementia, (2) the experience of caregiving, and (3) the attitudes toward dementia care provision. Conclusions: A consistent message from this qualitative synthesis was the limited knowledge and understanding of dementia amongst the South Asians. Whilst symptoms of dementia such as 'memory loss' were believed to be a part of a normal ageing process, some South Asian carers viewed dementia as demons or God's punishments. Most studies reported that many South Asians were explicit in associating stigmas with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ageing is exactly the organic process of growing older and showing the effects of increasing age. The state of Pakistan is caught in the complicated web of various socioeconomic and political problems. In such scenario, efforts to voice the rights of elderly seem a bit surprising and out-of-priority box. Objective: The paper attempts to serve as an eyeopener for the policy makers both in public and private sectors to interrelate the factors deemed imperative for taking concrete steps to redress the menace arising out of ignoring ageing and dropping it from the national development agenda. Materials and Methods: Structured interview schedule was developed to collect information on Older Persons' health, economic and psychological status. In this regard, an extensive questionnaire was designed and pretested vigorously. Study Design: This paper is extracted out of the base-line exploratory study. Setting: Rawalpindi city. Period: Oct 2013 to Dec 2013. Results: 69.3% OPs reported various diseases, 19.7% respondents never visited the doctor. 25.1% respondents' last visit to the doctor was between six months to more than a year. 15.3% visited the doctor for a medical treatment. Older persons with no permanent income made them more vulnerable to suffer various illnesses. Conclusions: Pakistan is not an aged-friendly country that even lacks a policy at national level for the welfare rights of older persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Introduction: This paper discusses the perceptions and observations of undergraduate nursing students about elder abuse, observed during their clinical rotation while enrolled in Care of Elderly Course. Elder abuse is an act of harming elder individuals either intentionally or unintentionally. Method: Retrospective descriptive study design was used to analyze the discourse on Online Discussion Forum (ODF) to understand students' perceptions and observations about elder abuse in society. Findings: The discourse analysis revealed the data in three major themes including the causes, types and the prevention of elder abuse. Under the three major themes, participants reported several types of elder abuse including: physical, sexual, emotional, financial exploitation; neglect; abandonment; and self-neglect. These are reported to be due to diverse priorities, brain drain and lack of understanding of the care of elderly people. In consideration to these findings, the suggested strategies included appropriate program planning, caregiver empowerment with knowledge and skill, and government attention in developing laws and Acts to protect the rights of elderly individuals. Conclusion: The study findings clearly highlight the issues that need attention at individual, community and national level to improve quality of life for elderly population in society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Aging is a complex and multifactorial process. This study aims to is focus on mattering in older people. Mattering is the feeling of being important to others in ways that give individuals the sense that they are valued and other people care about them. However, for many, aging brings about the loss of self-esteem, and they feel useless, deprived and unwanted. The authors have adopted the partial least square structural equation modeling technique and Self-Esteem Scale of Rosenberg for evaluating the level of self-esteem in senior citizens of Pakistan. The results reveal a strong association between the predictor and the criterion variables, supporting the view that the communal integration construct is the strongest determinant in old age. Based on the results, the authors can argue that socioeconomic status, social relationships and daily activities and have a direct association with the elderly people's self-esteem. Design/methodology/approach: The Self-Esteem Questionnaire by Rosenberg (Rosenberg, 1965) and the Quality of Life Questionnaire by Bowling (Bowling, Banister, Sutton Evans and Windsor (2002) are two tested tools that were used to collect the sample data from various neighborhoods of Peshawar. The sample consisted of respondents who were 60 years of age or older. The current study only included men who were 60 years of age or older because men make up a higher number of retirees in the district (84%) than do women. A total of 312 male volunteers, representing a various cadre of job, were recruited at random. The research population's data were gathered through convenience sampling. Only volunteers who appeared to be healthy in both body and mind were chosen as participants. When older people were unable to complete questionnaires, researchers helped them read the questions and then helped them write down their answers. Out of the 500 survey forms that were sent, 312 were properly completed and used for the analysis. Findings: The results of this study suggest that the happiness and well-being of retired seniors are not only influenced by their general activities, health and socioeconomic status but also more strongly by their psycho-social integration, such as their close and intimate relationships with friends, family and relatives. The findings, therefore, urge the incorporation of social integration aspects in mental health treatment programs and public health policies to support the psycho-social well-being of the elderly. Social relationship variables might become a common aspect of practice through medical, psychiatric and psychological screening and examination. Research limitations/implications: Due to the fact that research participants were selected from just one city – Peshawar – the results cannot be generalized. As a result, findings are less likely to apply to older persons who reside in other provinces due to sample selection. Future research will be conducted all around the nation, though, and it could produce more precise and broadly applicable findings. Only male respondents applied to the second limitation. Only male participants were sought due to socioeconomic differences, social and cultural obstacles and the small number of female retirees. Therefore, it limits the spectrum of the study. Social implications: An individual's self-esteem is made up of intrapersonal and interpersonal elements. Regarding policy intervention, the present effort will be a crucial step in helping the elderly understand the value of maintaining social networks and will encourage them to maintain close relationships with family and friends to safeguard their well-being in later life. On the other side, this research will help academics, politicians and thinkers better comprehend aging, perspectives of conduct and psychological and emotional viewpoints. One of the most important aspects of life that affects how old people feel about themselves is the support from social networks. Therefore, through raising awareness and fostering a favorable environment for the welfare and self-worth of senior individuals, politicians and society are expected to care for enriching the lives of the elderly. By highlighting the importance of communal support from a multidimensional aspect of a person, this study offers a wider perspective on self-esteem. With this in mind, the authors advise academics to adopt a fresh perspective on interpersonal mechanisms that ultimately aim to improve self-esteem and social support. Social support is a key factor in fostering or inhibiting self-esteem in the elderly and is a strong predictor of mental health. A society must take action to boost older people's communal integration to improve their quality of life. Originality/value: This study makes the case for a broader perspective on self-respect or esteem by suggesting that self-esteem may be seen in a broader context rather than in terms of limited characteristics. The authors offer an integrated model of self-esteem that conceptualizes it as an interpersonal phenomenon influenced by multiple vital aspects using various metrics of old age. Self-esteem was envisioned as the result of a number of factors, including social position, activities and interpersonal interaction "relationships with relatives, family, and friends." The authors' conceptual framework's goal is to comprehend the different ways that senior citizens' lives affect their sense of self-worth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informal caregiving by close ones plays cardinal role in the health and life quality of chronically ill elderly people. Chronically ill older family members are largely dependent upon family caregiving to carry out everyday self-maintenance tasks identified as Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). The present paper examines experiences and problems of informal caregivers in providing care to their older family members suffering from serious chronic ailments in urban Lahore, Pakistan. The data for the present paper draws from the survey on Management of Chronic Conditions and Healthy Ageing carried out in 2006. Informal caregiving to chronically ill family members varied by gender, age and relationship to care receiver. Younger and female caregivers, particularly daughters-in-law bore the burden of caregiving. Working caregivers experienced stress and financial strain more than non working ones. Family caregivers expressed the need for formal support and special health services for frail and disabled elderly people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on dementia literacy in Chinese societies is still emerging, and this is especially the case among racially minoritized groups. The present study explored the knowledge, causal beliefs, and help-seeking behaviors of South Asian migrants in Hong Kong about dementia. It also investigated existing community barriers related to dementia knowledge and help-seeking. We conducted a qualitative study from a purposive sample of 38 older people and family caregivers from India, Pakistan, and Nepal who lived in Hong Kong. Focus groups and individual in-depth interviews were used to gather information, while thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. Five main themes were identified: normalization with stigmatization of dementia; spiritual and psychosocial attributions of dementia; familial responsibility despite potential caregiving burden; uncertainties versus openness to professional care; and barriers and opportunities in dementia literacy. Ethnic minorities recognized dementia as a disease of normal aging or a mental disorder. They also perceived spiritual and psychosocial factors as their main causes. While participants recognized the potential burden of dementia caregiving, families were their first point of help-seeking, as many of them expressed contrasting feelings of confidence or doubt toward professional services. Utilization of health education strategies, together with collaboration with community leaders, could address the barriers to dementia literacy. This is the first study to explore how ethnic minorities in Asia perceive dementia and its related help-seeking behaviors in their communities. South Asian migrants in Hong Kong have a limited understanding of dementia and may experience delays in obtaining relevant community services. While culture influenced their knowledge, health education may address their misperceptions and help-seeking behaviors toward dementia. Culture- and language-specific programs could also improve dementia knowledge and health service access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global population is ageing rapidly, with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) undergoing a fast demographic transition. As the number of older adults in LMICs increases, services able to effectively address their physical and mental health needs will be increasingly important. We review the health and socioeconomic resources currently available for older people in South Asian countries, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, to identify gaps in available resources and assess areas for improvement. We conducted a search of grey and published literature via Google Search, Compendex, EBSCO, JSTOR, Medline, Ovid, ProQuest databases, Scopus and Web of Science. Data on population demographics, human resources, health funding and social protection for older people were extracted. Local informants were consulted to supplement and verify the data. In the study countries, the number of health professionals with expertise in elderly care was largely unknown, with minimal postgraduate training programmes available in elderly medicine or psychiatry. Older adults are therefore cared for by general physicians, nurses and community health workers, all of whom are present in insufficient numbers per capita. Total average healthcare expenditure was 2.5–5.5% of GDP, with 48.1–72.0% of healthcare costs covered by out-of-pocket payments. Pakistan did not have a social pension; only India and Nepal offered financial assistance to people with dementia; and all countries had disproportionately low numbers of care elderly homes. Inadequate healthcare funding, a shortage of healthcare professionals and insufficient government pension and social security schemes are significant barriers to achieving universal health coverage in LMICs. Governing bodies must expand training programmes for healthcare providers for older adults, alongside increasing social protection to improve access to those in need and to prevent catastrophic health expenditure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymeric insulators have replaced ceramic insulators due to their obvious properties like low surface energy, which exhibits good hydrophobic performance, low weight, etc. However, electric utilities have concerns about their long-term performance. In that context, the long-term performance of two different types of polymeric insulators are investigated in this study: thermoset Silicone rubber (SiR) and thermoplastic elastomeric (TPE). Multi-stress aging was performed in the different orientations of both types of polymeric insulators. During multi-stress aging, insulators are exposed to varied loads in both vertical and horizontal orientations, simulating actual service environmental conditions. Experiments were done in a chamber where different types of stresses were simulated, which resembles the weathering conditions of Hattar, Pakistan, which is one of the most polluted industrial zones. Both insulators were stressed in a chamber under the designed weathering conditions for two years and six months at different orientations. Polymeric insulators made of SiR perform better in the vertical position than that in the horizontal position. Furthermore, the experimental results show that both materials are capable in a variety of situations. SiR, on the other hand, performed well due to its high hydrophobicity, which means it is less impacted by contaminants and hence has a longer life and higher service performance than TPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging people in Pakistan are a growing population who face a shortage of old age home facilities. There is critical need to develop state-run old age homes for poor older people but to plan them while identifying protective factors for life satisfaction in currently housed residents. Our sample consists of 139 aging residents from six public sector old age homes across four cities. The qualitative results highlight barriers to life satisfaction and coping strategies of the aging population. Bivariate regression results show that aging residents have higher odds for life satisfaction when they are content with: (i) quality of life overall (AOR 5.99; 95% CI: 2.38–7.06); (ii) health (AOR 2.50; 95% CI: 1.02–4.14); (iii) finances (AOR 1.98; 95% CI: 0.67–3.72); (iv) religious and spiritual associations (AOR 1.90; 95% CI: 0.81–2.45); and (v) opportunities for learning (AOR 1.02; 95% CI: 0.42–2.41). We conclude with four salient social policy recommendations to improve life satisfaction for older populations living in old age homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapidly growing health expenditure is a matter of grave concern for households and governments. Every government is compelled to allocate a sufficient budget to improve people's health. This study, therefore, identifies some major factors that influence the trajectory of public health care expenditure (HCE) in Pakistan for the period 1974–2017. The ARDL-bounds test and Bayer-Hanck cointegration test consistently reveal that HCE and its specified determinants are cointegrated. Long-term estimates show that healthcare infrastructure and services, income, and environmental degradation exert a positive influence on HCE. Elderly population size has a negative association with HCE. Income elasticity is inelastic, showing that healthcare is a necessity. The findings suggest that the government must pay due attention to the fair distribution of health-related infrastructure and personnel in all regions of Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 50–75% of all cases, with a greater proportion of individuals affected at older age range. A single moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with accelerated aging and increased risk for dementia. The fastest growth in the elderly population is taking place in China, Pakistan, and their south Asian neighbors. Current clinical assessments are based on data collected from Caucasian populations from wealthy backgrounds giving rise to a "diversity" crisis in brain research. Pakistan is a lower-middle income country (LMIC) with an estimated one million people living with dementia. Pakistan also has an amalgamation of risk factors that lead to brain injuries such as lack of road legislations, terrorism, political instability, and domestic and sexual violence. Here, we provide an initial and current assessment of the incidence and management of dementia and TBI in Pakistan. Our review demonstrates the lack of resources in terms of speciality trained clinician staff, medical equipment, research capabilities, educational endeavors, and general awareness in the fields of dementia and TBI. Pakistan also lacks state-of-the-art assessment of dementia and its risk factors, such as neuroimaging of brain injury and aging. We provide recommendations for improvement in this arena that include the recent creation of Pakistan Brain Injury Consortium (PBIC). This consortium will enhance international collaborative efforts leading to capacity building for innovative research, clinician and research training and developing databases to bring Pakistan into the international platform for dementia and TBI research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to highlight the aging and elderly care in Pakistan, a country considered the seventh most populous country in the world with an estimated population of 220 million people (citation, 2017). In 2013, Pakistan signed a MoU with China for 56 billion in US$ to create opportunities for the youngsters, but there was no story of opportunity included for the senior citizens. An attempt has been made to raise awareness of the plight of seniors to the Pakistan Government's attention; however since there is no formal policy dedicated to elders from the Chinese mega MoU and political instability, only little has been accomplished to better the lives of older adults. Modernization has had a major impact on the life of older Pakistani, and not always a positive effect. This research focuses on the important issues that are making the lives of senior citizens more difficult. The issues include psychological factors, anxiety, physical issues, and environmental issues. The research concludes while many factors are making the lives of senior citizens problematic, seniors are still living a satisfied life because they are not depending on their children or others. Senior citizens demand and desire time with their children and grandchildren. Increases found in elders' psychological problems are likely correlated with modernization. Unfortunately, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the mega project remain totally for the younger population with no economic prospects for elders to directly benefit. Thus, the question remains what will be the outcome for Pakistani seniors? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is about dementia disease in the context of transnational migration. Focusing on the example of Pakistani immigrants in Norway, the article explores response processes surrounding signs and symptoms of dementia. Particular attention is lent to understanding how Norwegian-Pakistani families ‘negotiate dementia’ in the space between their own imported, culturally defined system of cure and care, and the Norwegian health-care culture, which is characterised by an inclination towards public care and biomedical intervention. Based on field observations and in-depth interviews with Norwegian-Pakistani families and hospital professionals working with dementia, we show that the centrality of the traditional family in Norwegian-Pakistanis' identity claims has significant implications for how Norwegian-Pakistanis relate to the Norwegian health-care culture, and for how signs and symptoms of cognitive decline are read and responded to in a migratory context. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Immune status is influenced by malnutrition, but how this factor interacts in developing countries and whether these differences are similar to those determined in industrialized countries, is unclear. To establish whether malnutrition-associated immune profiles in a developing country are similar to those in industrialized countries we analyzed peripheral blood immune cell phenotypes by polychromatic flow cytometry in 50 young and 50 elderly subjects. Data on anthropometrics and diet were collected through interviews. Plasma samples were analyzed for common clinical chemistry variables. Subjects in 4 BMI categories differed in their immune parameters demonstrating influence of nutritional status on immunity. This was greater within the young group and affected the CD4 subset more profoundly than the CD8 subset. No nutrition-associated differences were seen in B or NK cells. CD8+ cells as a percentage of CD3+ T cells were positively associated with plasma CRP levels but not other factors. We conclude that there are differences in the immune signatures of obese, overweight and underweight versus normal-weight young and elderly, which seem broadly similar to the more extensively-documented state reported in industrialized countries, despite the marked societal, nutritional and many other differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Living into older ages is changing from an exceptional to an expected part of the life course experience worldwide. Improvement in health and longevity across the lifespan also brings challenges for social work practice. At the same time, these changes are part of population aging trends that are not universal or inevitable. In addition, population aging discourse often reduces the complex dynamics of population aging to a problematic rise in older adults characterized as unproductive and dependent. Social workers can challenge the ageist construction of older adults by using our contextualized knowledge of how people age in their social environments. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article determines the effect of age on complications after surgery for colorectal cancer in Pakistani population. It is mentioned that a retrospective review of all patients who underwent surgery for pathologically confirmed colorectal cancer at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi between January 1999 and December 2008, conducted on the basis of patient demographics, tumor characteristics and postoperative complications.

Background: The effects of fasting on health in non-human models have been widely publicised for a long time and emerging evidence support the idea that these effects can be applicable to human practice.Methods: In an open label longitudinal follow-up, a cohort of 78 adult men (aged 20 to 85 years) who fasted for 29 consecutive days from sunrise to sunset (16 h fasting-referred to as recurrent circadian fasting) in Pakistan, were studied. The primary outcomes of the fasting study was weight loss/recovery and the associated changes in blood pressure and circulating levels of surrogate markers linked to organ and system functions-including cardiovascular, metabolic and inflammation. Post-fasting outcomes include the regulation of physiological biomarkers.Results: Recurrent circadian fasting with weight loss reduced blood pressure (140.6 vs. 124.2 mmHg) and markers of cardiovascular risk (~ 4-fold for resistin; triglycerides: p < 0.0001). Reduced glycemia (p < 0.0001) and the associated changes in the regulation of ketosis (β-hydroxybutyrate) were accompanied by a metabolic shift (PPARβ, osteoprotegerin), suggesting the involvement of the different physiological systems tested. Elevated orexin-A levels (p = 0.0183) in participants indicate sleep disturbance and circadian adaptation. All participants had CRP level < 2 mg/l during the fasting period and a similar trend was observed for TNFα. While most SASP molecules were decreased after the fasting period, heightened levels of IL-8 and IL-6 suggest that some inflammatory markers may be elevated by recurrent circadian fasting. Importantly, older adults reveal similar or more substantial benefits from fasting.Conclusions: Recurrent circadian fasting is beneficial at the cardiometabolic and inflammatory levels, especially for at-risk individuals-this is contingent on compliance towards the recommended dietary behaviour, which controls carbohydrate and caloric intake. These benefits from fasting may be particularly beneficial to older adults as they often exhibit abnormal cardiovascular, metabolic and inflammatory signatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]