Mental Attitude: Learning and Stress.
Stressed and non-stressed persons use different brain regions and different strategies when learning. Non-stressed individuals applied a deliberate learning strategy, while stressed subjects relied more on their gut feelings.
Journal of Neuroscience, August 2012
Health Alert: Calcium and Vitamin D?
It has been a long standing protocol for men at risk of bone loss from hormonal treatment for prostate cancer to take Calcium and vitamin D supplements. New research shows this type of supplementation does not prevent bone loss and may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and aggressive prostate cancer.
The Oncologist, July 2012
Diet: Deep Fried?
Fairs and boardwalks serve up plenty of deep-fried diet disasters. From fried cheesecake (around 500 calories), to fried macaroni and cheese (roughly 610 calories), and gigantic turkey legs (about 1,136 calories and 54 grams of fat), most eat-while-you-walk foods are a huge calorie overload, not to mention the grease!
American Heart Association
Exercise: Lower Your Diabetes Risk.
The World Health Organization estimates that 346 million people have diabetes, and deaths related to it are expected to double between 2005 and 2030, with more than 80% of them occurring in low and middle income countries. Men who weight train 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week may be able to lower their risk for type 2 diabetes by up to 34%. Also, men may be able to lower their risk further (by 59%) if they combine weight training with aerobic exercise, like brisk walking or running. The effects are probably due to increased muscle mass and improved insulin sensitivity.
Archives of Internal Medicine, August 2012
Chiropractic: Neck Posture and Whiplash.
Abnormal, pre-injury curves of the neck increase the risk of whiplash injury to the facet capsules, and predispose the patient to accelerated post traumatic long-term, degenerative changes of the spine.
Journal of Biomechanics, June 2005
Wellness/Prevention: 6 Tips For Injury Prevention In Young Athletes.
1) Take at least 1 day off a week to give your body time to recover. 2) Take breaks to reduce risk of injury and prevent heat illness. 3) Use correct gear that is right for the sport and fits properly, and don't assume because you are wearing protective gear you can perform more dangerous and risky things. 4) Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after exercise to avoid heat illness. Coaches should reduce or stop practices when heat or humidity is high. 5) Use proper technique at all times. 6) Coaches should play it safe and enforce strict rules against head-first sliding, spearing, and body checking, and stop the activity if there is any pain.
American Academy of Pediatrics
Monday, September 24, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, September 17th, 2012
Mental Attitude: Positive Emotion.
Older adults display more positive emotions and are quicker to regulate out of negative emotional states than younger adults. Older adults may be better at regulating emotion because they tend to direct their eyes away from negative material or toward positive material.
Current Directions in Psychological Science, August 2012
Health Alert: Alzheimer's Research.
The global market for Alzheimer's disease therapeutics could soar to $8 billion once therapies are approved that actually change the course of the disease. The current therapeutic market is valued at $3-4 billion and is shared among drugs that temporarily delay disease progression or address the symptoms but do not alter the underlying disease. Despite all the research on amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, there is still a debate on whether these biological phenomena are causative or symptomatic of Alzheimer's. Once scientists can clearly and unequivocally define key factors related to the actual biology of the disease itself, therapeutic advances could take place much more quickly.
Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, August 2012
Diet: Summer Time Blues!
Barbequed hot dogs and sausages are common summer time treats, but are they the right choice for your diet? It's not just the high levels of fat or calories that are cause for concern, most hot dogs, bratwurst, and other sausages are also very high in sodium. The average hot dog contains 280 calories, 15 grams of fat, and 1,250 mg of sodium.
American Heart Association
Exercise: Micronutrients and Physical Fitness
Adolescents' blood levels of micronutrients are correlated with how well they perform in physical fitness tests. For cardio-respiratory fitness, concentrations of hemoglobin, retinol, and vitamin C in males and beta-carotene and vitamin D in females was positively associated with VO2 max (peak oxygen uptake).
Journal of Applied Physiology, Aug 2012
Chiropractic: Lack of Motion.
Back in 1933, a study showed lack of proper joint motion can cause Degenerative Joint Disease (osteoarthritis). An immobilized joint will develop cartilage changes similar to those of osteoarthritis.
Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics, 1933
Wellness/Prevention: Nutrition and IQ.
Children fed healthy diets at a young age may have a higher IQ when tested at eight years old. A study looked at the link between the eating habits of children at six months, 15 months and two years, and their IQ at eight years of age. Children breastfed at six months and who had a healthy diet regularly including foods such as legumes, cheese, fruit and vegetables at 15 and 24 months, had an IQ up to two points higher by age eight. Those children who had a diet regularly involving biscuits, chocolate, sweets, soft drinks and chips in the first two years of life had IQs up to two points lower by age eight.
University of Adelaide, Aug 2012
Older adults display more positive emotions and are quicker to regulate out of negative emotional states than younger adults. Older adults may be better at regulating emotion because they tend to direct their eyes away from negative material or toward positive material.
Current Directions in Psychological Science, August 2012
Health Alert: Alzheimer's Research.
The global market for Alzheimer's disease therapeutics could soar to $8 billion once therapies are approved that actually change the course of the disease. The current therapeutic market is valued at $3-4 billion and is shared among drugs that temporarily delay disease progression or address the symptoms but do not alter the underlying disease. Despite all the research on amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, there is still a debate on whether these biological phenomena are causative or symptomatic of Alzheimer's. Once scientists can clearly and unequivocally define key factors related to the actual biology of the disease itself, therapeutic advances could take place much more quickly.
Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, August 2012
Diet: Summer Time Blues!
Barbequed hot dogs and sausages are common summer time treats, but are they the right choice for your diet? It's not just the high levels of fat or calories that are cause for concern, most hot dogs, bratwurst, and other sausages are also very high in sodium. The average hot dog contains 280 calories, 15 grams of fat, and 1,250 mg of sodium.
American Heart Association
Exercise: Micronutrients and Physical Fitness
Adolescents' blood levels of micronutrients are correlated with how well they perform in physical fitness tests. For cardio-respiratory fitness, concentrations of hemoglobin, retinol, and vitamin C in males and beta-carotene and vitamin D in females was positively associated with VO2 max (peak oxygen uptake).
Journal of Applied Physiology, Aug 2012
Chiropractic: Lack of Motion.
Back in 1933, a study showed lack of proper joint motion can cause Degenerative Joint Disease (osteoarthritis). An immobilized joint will develop cartilage changes similar to those of osteoarthritis.
Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics, 1933
Wellness/Prevention: Nutrition and IQ.
Children fed healthy diets at a young age may have a higher IQ when tested at eight years old. A study looked at the link between the eating habits of children at six months, 15 months and two years, and their IQ at eight years of age. Children breastfed at six months and who had a healthy diet regularly including foods such as legumes, cheese, fruit and vegetables at 15 and 24 months, had an IQ up to two points higher by age eight. Those children who had a diet regularly involving biscuits, chocolate, sweets, soft drinks and chips in the first two years of life had IQs up to two points lower by age eight.
University of Adelaide, Aug 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, September 10th, 2012
Mental Attitude: Think You Are Fat?
Researchers found that normal weight teens who perceive themselves as fat are more likely to grow up to be fat. 59% of girls who felt fat as a teen became overweight in adulthood while 31% of girls who did not consider themselves fat during adolescence were found to be overweight. Normal weight girls were more likely than boys to rate themselves as overweight (22% of girls vs. 9% of the boys). One reason for weight gain in later years may be due to psychosocial stress, which can be associated with gaining weight. Under this scenario, the psychosocial stress related to having (or not having) an ideal body type, along with the perception of oneself as overweight, can result in weight gain. Another explanation may be that young people who see themselves as fat often change their eating habits by skipping meals, which can lead to obesity. Also, a diet you can't maintain over time will be counterproductive, as the body tries to maintain the weight you had before you started to diet.
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, July 2012
Health Alert: Depression Is A World-Wide Problem.
It's widely believe that depression is a phenomenon of Western culture, but researchers who analyzed studies involving over 480,000 people across 91 countries have found the opposite is true. They estimate the rate of depression in Middle Eastern and some Asian countries (~9%) is twice that found in countries like the United States and Australia (~4%).
World Health Organization, 2010
Diet: Bad BBQ News!
Barbecue can sabotage your waistline. A 20 ounce T-bone steak can weigh in at 1,540 calories, with 124 grams of fat. A cheeseburger has 750 calories and 45 grams of fat. Pork or beef ribs come from the fattiest part of the animal. Healthier options include pork tenderloin, skinless chicken breast, and lean ground beef.
American Heart Association
Exercise: Good Reasons.
Regular exercise maintains or improves joint flexibility, improves your glucose tolerance and reduces workdays missed due to illness.
Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996
Chiropractic: Motion and Nutrition.
Cartilage is avascular, meaning it does not receive nutrition via blood vessels. Like a sponge, it takes in fluid and releases the fluid when compression is applied. This alternating compression and re-expansion allows it to receive its supply of nutrients and remove metabolic waste.
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 1984
Wellness/Prevention: Lose To Gain?
People who are overweight or obese could gain ten years worth of health benefits by simply losing 20 pounds. Modest weight loss (average 14 lbs) reduced the risk of individuals developing Type 2 diabetes by 58%. Weight loss of just 10% of a person's body weight has been shown to have long-term impact on sleep apnea, hypertension, quality of life, and to slow the decline in mobility that occurs as people age.
American Psychological Association, July 2012
Researchers found that normal weight teens who perceive themselves as fat are more likely to grow up to be fat. 59% of girls who felt fat as a teen became overweight in adulthood while 31% of girls who did not consider themselves fat during adolescence were found to be overweight. Normal weight girls were more likely than boys to rate themselves as overweight (22% of girls vs. 9% of the boys). One reason for weight gain in later years may be due to psychosocial stress, which can be associated with gaining weight. Under this scenario, the psychosocial stress related to having (or not having) an ideal body type, along with the perception of oneself as overweight, can result in weight gain. Another explanation may be that young people who see themselves as fat often change their eating habits by skipping meals, which can lead to obesity. Also, a diet you can't maintain over time will be counterproductive, as the body tries to maintain the weight you had before you started to diet.
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, July 2012
Health Alert: Depression Is A World-Wide Problem.
It's widely believe that depression is a phenomenon of Western culture, but researchers who analyzed studies involving over 480,000 people across 91 countries have found the opposite is true. They estimate the rate of depression in Middle Eastern and some Asian countries (~9%) is twice that found in countries like the United States and Australia (~4%).
World Health Organization, 2010
Diet: Bad BBQ News!
Barbecue can sabotage your waistline. A 20 ounce T-bone steak can weigh in at 1,540 calories, with 124 grams of fat. A cheeseburger has 750 calories and 45 grams of fat. Pork or beef ribs come from the fattiest part of the animal. Healthier options include pork tenderloin, skinless chicken breast, and lean ground beef.
American Heart Association
Exercise: Good Reasons.
Regular exercise maintains or improves joint flexibility, improves your glucose tolerance and reduces workdays missed due to illness.
Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996
Chiropractic: Motion and Nutrition.
Cartilage is avascular, meaning it does not receive nutrition via blood vessels. Like a sponge, it takes in fluid and releases the fluid when compression is applied. This alternating compression and re-expansion allows it to receive its supply of nutrients and remove metabolic waste.
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 1984
Wellness/Prevention: Lose To Gain?
People who are overweight or obese could gain ten years worth of health benefits by simply losing 20 pounds. Modest weight loss (average 14 lbs) reduced the risk of individuals developing Type 2 diabetes by 58%. Weight loss of just 10% of a person's body weight has been shown to have long-term impact on sleep apnea, hypertension, quality of life, and to slow the decline in mobility that occurs as people age.
American Psychological Association, July 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, September 3rd, 2012
Mental Attitude: Sleep and Stroke Risk!
Adults (in the normal weight range) who sleep less than 6 hours per night have a much greater risk of stroke symptoms during middle age and old age than their peers who sleep more than 6 hours per night.
University of Alabama, Aug 2012
Health Alert: Insecticides and IQs!
A study found a difference between how boys and girls respond to prenatal exposure to the insecticide chlorpyrifos. At age seven, boys had greater difficulty with working memory (a key component of IQ) than girls with similar exposures. MRI scans show that even low to moderate levels of exposure during pregnancy may lead to long-term, potentially irreversible changes in the brain. The chemical is used in agriculture, wood treatments, golf courses, parks, and road medians. Low-level exposure can also occur by eating fruits and vegetables that have been sprayed with chlorpyrifos.
Neurotoxicology and Teratology, Aug 2012
Diet: What Do They Eat?
Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman talks about the importance of nutrition and her post-workout staple: chocolate milk. Chocolate milk is a common athlete favorite because of its carb/protein ratio and vitamins for muscle recovery. Beach volleyball player Kerry Walsh eats almond butter and honey sandwiches before she competes. The sugar from honey is immediately energizing while the protein and fats in almond butter help sustain that energy boost. Polo player Ryan Bailey says his power breakfast is gluten-and-dairy-free buckwheat banana pancakes with fruit.
European Lung Foundation, July 2011
Exercise: 'Exergames'?
Active video games (AVGS, also known as "exergames") are not the perfect solution to the nation's sedentary ways since most AVGs provide only "light-to-moderate" intensity physical activity. It's recommended that the average adult get 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise each day.
Michigan State University, August 2012
Chiropractic: What Is A Stinger?
You may have heard of an athlete in a contact sport (football, rugby, ice hockey, wrestling) receiving a "stinger." This injury occurs when the head and neck are forced to the side and the nerves that branch off the spinal cord in the neck become compressed. This can cause a stinging or shooting pain down one arm, followed by numbness or weakness. These injuries often go unreported because symptoms can quickly resolve, but if left untreated, repeated trauma can result in persistent pain or arm weakness.
WebMD, 1999
Wellness/Prevention: Yoga and Depression During Pregnancy.
Many pregnant women experience hormonal mood swings during pregnancy, and 20% experience a major depression. Expectant mothers who participated in 90-minute yoga sessions over a 10-week period experienced a considerable reduction in depressive symptoms, and also reported having a stronger attachment to their babies in the womb.
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, August 2012
Adults (in the normal weight range) who sleep less than 6 hours per night have a much greater risk of stroke symptoms during middle age and old age than their peers who sleep more than 6 hours per night.
University of Alabama, Aug 2012
Health Alert: Insecticides and IQs!
A study found a difference between how boys and girls respond to prenatal exposure to the insecticide chlorpyrifos. At age seven, boys had greater difficulty with working memory (a key component of IQ) than girls with similar exposures. MRI scans show that even low to moderate levels of exposure during pregnancy may lead to long-term, potentially irreversible changes in the brain. The chemical is used in agriculture, wood treatments, golf courses, parks, and road medians. Low-level exposure can also occur by eating fruits and vegetables that have been sprayed with chlorpyrifos.
Neurotoxicology and Teratology, Aug 2012
Diet: What Do They Eat?
Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman talks about the importance of nutrition and her post-workout staple: chocolate milk. Chocolate milk is a common athlete favorite because of its carb/protein ratio and vitamins for muscle recovery. Beach volleyball player Kerry Walsh eats almond butter and honey sandwiches before she competes. The sugar from honey is immediately energizing while the protein and fats in almond butter help sustain that energy boost. Polo player Ryan Bailey says his power breakfast is gluten-and-dairy-free buckwheat banana pancakes with fruit.
European Lung Foundation, July 2011
Exercise: 'Exergames'?
Active video games (AVGS, also known as "exergames") are not the perfect solution to the nation's sedentary ways since most AVGs provide only "light-to-moderate" intensity physical activity. It's recommended that the average adult get 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise each day.
Michigan State University, August 2012
Chiropractic: What Is A Stinger?
You may have heard of an athlete in a contact sport (football, rugby, ice hockey, wrestling) receiving a "stinger." This injury occurs when the head and neck are forced to the side and the nerves that branch off the spinal cord in the neck become compressed. This can cause a stinging or shooting pain down one arm, followed by numbness or weakness. These injuries often go unreported because symptoms can quickly resolve, but if left untreated, repeated trauma can result in persistent pain or arm weakness.
WebMD, 1999
Wellness/Prevention: Yoga and Depression During Pregnancy.
Many pregnant women experience hormonal mood swings during pregnancy, and 20% experience a major depression. Expectant mothers who participated in 90-minute yoga sessions over a 10-week period experienced a considerable reduction in depressive symptoms, and also reported having a stronger attachment to their babies in the womb.
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, August 2012
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