Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, December 29th, 2014

 Mental Attitude: People Want Leaders to Look Healthy.

Dutch researchers say that it is more important for potential business or political leaders to look healthy than to appear intelligent. Their statement is based on the response of 148 adults who were asked to choose a new CEO by looking at photos of individuals made to look more or less intelligent or more or less healthy. The researchers found that participants chose a healthier look 69% of the time. Lead author Dr. Brian Spisak adds, "Here we show that it always pays for aspiring leaders to look healthy, which explains why politicians and executives often put great effort, time, and money in their appearance."
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, November 2014

Health Alert: COX-2 Inhibitors Associated with Increased Risk of Death from Stroke.
Some commonly prescribed drugs for arthritis and pain may increase a patient's risk of dying from a stroke. According to a new study, users of COX-2 inhibitors are 19% more likely to die after a stroke when compared with non-users. COX-2 inhibitors include medications such as diclofenac, etodolac, nabumetone, meloxicam, celecoxib, and rofecoxib. Study author Dr. Morten Schmidt adds, "While newer versions of these COX-2 inhibitor drugs have been pulled off shelves, older ones are still frequently prescribed. Our study provides further important evidence solidifying the risks of certain arthritic pain relievers and death from stroke."
Neurology, November 2014

Diet: Gluten May Not Be the Only Culprit in Celiac Disease.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley and is known to cause health problems in individuals with celiac disease. New research suggests that some individuals with celiac disease also react to non-gluten proteins. The authors of the study note that the role of non-gluten proteins in celiac disease has been largely ignored and further research is needed.
Journal of Proteome Research, November 2014

Exercise: Exercise May Help Recovering Methamphetamine Addicts.
An animal study conducted by scientists at the Scripps Research Institute has found that exercise appears to reduce drug-seeking behavior in rats during methamphetamine withdrawal.
Brain Structure and Function, October 2014

Chiropractic: Highly Rated By Patients!
According to the American Chiropractic Association, "Chiropractic physicians are the highest-rated healthcare practitioners for low-back pain treatments with their patient-centered, whole-person approach that provides greater interaction and communication for appropriate diagnosis and developing more cost-effective treatment planning."
American Chiropractic Association, June 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D Deficiency Associated with Increased Risk of Asthma Attacks.
Adults who are vitamin D deficient and suffer from asthma are 25% more likely to experience an asthma attack than asthmatics with normal vitamin D levels, suggests research from Tel Aviv University in Israel. Study author Dr. Ronit Confino-Cohen explains, "Our results add more evidence to the link between vitamin D and asthma, suggesting beneficial effects of vitamin D on asthma exacerbations. We expect that further prospective studies will support our results. In the meantime, our results support a recommendation for screening of vitamin D levels in the subgroup of asthma patients who experience recurrent exacerbations. In those with vitamin D deficiency, supplementation may be necessary."
Allergy, October 2014

Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, December 22nd, 2014

Mental Attitude: Shift Work Can Impair Brain Functioning.
Working shifts, rather than fixed hours, may impair brain function over time. Investigators found that long-term shift work for ten or more years has a negative impact on brain health. The researchers believe that disruption of circadian rhythms is the most likely cause of psychological stressors that lead to impairment. They note that the effects can be reversed, but the process may take up to five years. The research team writes, "The cognitive impairment observed in the present study may have important safety consequences not only for the individuals concerned, but also for society as a whole… given the increasing number of jobs in high-hazard situations that are performed at night."
Occupational & Environmental Medicine, November 2014

Health Alert: Medicare Penalties Will Hurt Vulnerable Patients with COPD.
Experts say that new polices regarding hospital readmissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will penalize at-risk patients. Since 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has reduced payments to hospitals that exhibit excessive readmission rates for conditions like heart failure, heart attack, and pneumonia. Recently, they added elective hip and knee replacements and chronic lung disease to this list. Poor or medically complex patients are at a higher risk for readmissions because of an assortment of socioeconomic and health factors. Many are seen at teaching hospitals and “safety-net” hospitals, which will bear the brunt of the new guidelines. The experts explain that no interventions are known to effectively reduce COPD readmissions so it's unclear what a hospital can do to prevent them. Their findings suggest that the policy should be changed due to penalties that target hospitals that care for vulnerable patients.
American Journal of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine, November 2014

Diet: Drink More Water and Less Cola to Avoid Kidney Stone Recurrence.
Recently released evidence-based guidelines from the American College of Physicians recommend that patients with a history of kidney stones can help reduce their risk for kidney stone recurrence by increasing their fluid intake so as to produce at least two liters of urine per day and decreasing their cola consumption, the most common dietary source of phosphoric acid.
Annals of Internal Medicine, November 2014

Exercise: Fun Physical Activity Helps Young Students.
New research reveals that just four minutes of high-intensity interval exercise can improve the behavior of elementary school students. Researchers found that a brief period of in-classroom physical activity led to reduced fidgeting and inattentiveness in the classroom during the following 50 minutes.
Nutrition and Metabolism, October 2014

Chiropractic: Smoking Associated with Chronic Back Pain.
If you’re a smoker and have low back pain, here's another reason to kick the habit. A new study has found that people who smoke are three times more likely to develop chronic back pain than those who do not smoke. Using MRI, researchers observed that smoking increases brain activity in an area of the brain that has previously been associated with chronic pain development. Bottom line, in addition to seeking care to treat their back pain, smokers with chronic pain should also engage in a smoking cessation program.
Human Brain Mapping, October 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Pro-Inflammatory Diet Increases Prostate Cancer Risk.
Using data provided by about 2,700 adult Italian males, researchers have linked pro-inflammation diets to increased prostate cancer risk. A pro-inflammatory diet is one that includes high levels of sugar, polysaturated vegetable oils, trans fats, dairy products, feed-lot raised meat, red meat and processed meat, alcohol, refined grains, and artificial food additives.
British Journal of Nutrition, November 2014

Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, December 15th, 2014

Mental Attitude: A Purpose in Life is Important for Longevity.
Having a sense of meaning and purpose in your life may do more than just give you focus, it may help you live longer. Researchers interviewed more than 9,000 older adults and found that those who professed having a sense of purpose in life were less likely to die during the eight-year study. Research leader Dr. Andrew Steptoe adds, "[There] are several biological mechanisms that may link well-being to improved health, for example through hormonal changes or reduced blood pressure. Further research is now needed to see if such changes might contribute to the links between well-being and life expectancy in older people."
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, November 2014

Health Alert: Cigars Contain Harmful Toxins.
Many cigar smokers believe that cigars pose fewer health risks than cigarettes; however, a new report reveals that cigar smokers are exposed to high levels of cancer-causing agents, as well as other toxic substances. Investigators found that cigar smokers had higher levels of cotinine, NNAL, cadmium, and lead in their bodies than people who did not use tobacco. Lead author Dr. Jiping Chen writes, "Cigar smoking exposes users to similar types of harmful and cancer-causing agents as cigarette smoking." This is alarming as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that cigar use doubled between 2000 and 2011.
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, November 2014

Diet: Micronutrient Levels in Female College Students.
Blood samples from 308 female college students showed that nearly 44% had below-normal iron levels, 11.3% had low vitamin B12 levels, and nearly 100% had excess folate (vitamin B9) levels. It's hoped that future research will investigate the food choices and dietary behaviors that may be most responsible for these results.
Nutrients, November 2014

Exercise: Tips to Avoid Over-Training.
Over-training or over-exercising can be counterproductive to achieving your fitness goals. Over-training usually occurs when you do not allow your body to adapt, adjust, and recuperate in response to an exercise training regimen. Signs that you are over-training include decreased performance, increased resting heart rate and blood pressure, increased muscle fatigue, poor sleep, gastro-intestinal disturbances, depression, irritability, apathy, and even low self-esteem. Dr. Adrian Shepard from Butler University suggests the following to avoid over-training: gradually work your way into exercise, ask the staff at your fitness center about how to correctly use the equipment, and ask for a fitness assessment to determine current physical health status and fitness level so appropriate exercises can be recommended and goals can be set.
Butler University, January 2010

Chiropractic: Providers Should Consider Vitamin D for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain.
Because vitamin D deficiency is very common and has been associated with a myriad of health problems, many Chiropractors recommend vitamin D supplements to their patients as part of a healthy lifestyle. For patients with chronic non-specific musculoskeletal pain, vitamin D supplementation is known to help reduce symptoms and has little-to-no documented side effects.
The Lead South Australia, November 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Epinephrine Injections Save Lives in Schools.
Epinephrine injections are given when an individual is experiencing a life-threatening allergic reaction to an insect sting or food. In the United States, about 15% of school-aged children with food allergies have had an allergic reaction at school, and about one-fourth of epinephrine injections given at schools involved children who didn't know they had an allergy. Dr. Bryan Martin, vice president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, adds, "Stocking emergency epinephrine is a medical necessity for schools in every state."
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, November 2014

Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, December 8th, 2014

Mental Attitude: Binge Drinking During Teens Linked to Long-Term Brain Changes.
According to a new animal study, binge drinking during the adolescent years has lasting effects on brain function. In rat subjects, researchers found that binge drinking reduced myelin in the region of the brain crucial for decision-making and regulating emotions. The findings suggest that alcohol may negatively affect brain development in humans and have long-term consequences in parts of the brain that are important for controlling impulses and making decisions.
The Journal of Neuroscience, October 2014

Health Alert: Young Biker’s Brains Benefit from Universal Helmet Laws.
Young American motorcyclists who live in states that have mandatory universal helmet laws are 2.5 times less likely to experience a traumatic brain injury in the event of a crash than those living in states with less-strict or no helmet laws.
American College of Surgeons, October 2014

Diet: Mediterranean-Style Diet May Lower Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease.
Individuals who eat a Mediterranean-style diet may have up to a 50% lower risk for chronic kidney disease. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by the high-consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts, and whole grains, eating fish and poultry at least twice a week, reducing red meat consumption, and replacing butter with healthy fats.
Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, October 2014

Exercise: A Popular Supplement May Reverse the Effects of Exercise.
Resveratrol, an antioxidant compound found in red grapes and known for many health benefits, appears to negate the effects of exercise, according to the results of a recent double-blind study. Researchers found that after a four-week exercise trial, men who received resveratrol supplementation failed to see improvement in their fitness levels. Meanwhile, those who received a placebo, experienced the benefits typically associated with an exercise program. Research leader Dr. Brendon Gurd comments, "The results we saw suggest that concurrent exercise training and resveratrol supplementation may alter the body's normal training response induced by low-volume high-intensity interval training. The data set we recorded during this study clearly demonstrates that resveratrol supplementation doesn't augment training, but may impair the effect it has on the body."
Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism. November 2014

Chiropractic: 1 in 5 Americans Experience Chronic Pain.
A new survey involving roughly 35,000 households in the United States reveals that nearly 20% of Americans suffer with chronic pain. Among individuals with chronic pain, more than two-thirds have constant pain, while more than 50% say their pain can be unbearable and excruciating at times. Medications only relieve about a third or less of the chronic pain and can be completely ineffective in treating some types of chronic pain. The author suggests a variety of potential interventions, including physical and occupational therapy, exercise, dietary changes, weight loss, massage and psychotherapy, acupuncture, yoga, and chiropractic services to help patients manage chronic pain.
Journal of Pain, October 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Future Saliva Test May Detect Diseases Earlier and Easier.
Researchers are working on a simple saliva test that could be capable of the early detection of diabetes, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neurological disorders. In a comprehensive analysis of RNA molecules in human saliva, researchers found that saliva contains many of the disease-revealing molecules that are found in the blood. The overriding conclusion is that saliva has tremendous medical and scientific value, and in the future, saliva samples could indicate the presence of a variety of diseases.
UCLA, October 2014

Weekly Health Update For The Week Of Monday, December 1st, 2014

Mental Attitude: Is Telomere Length a Risk Factor for Depression in Young Girls?
Researchers found that 12-year-old girls with a family history of depression have shorter telomere lengths than girls with no family history of depression. Telomeres are found on the ends of chromosomes and help keep them from fraying or sticking together. They have been observed to naturally shorten in length with age, but oxidative stress and other DNA-damaging processes can also cause reduce their length. The research team states, "The results of this study indicate that healthy children at familial risk for depression have shorter telomeres than do their non-risk peers. Thus, telomere shortening appears to be an antecedent to, and potentially a risk factor for, the onset of depression."
Molecular Psychiatry, September 2014

Health Alert: Less Competition Among Doctors Results in Higher Medical Costs.
A new study has found that competition between medical practices leads to lower healthcare costs in the surrounding vicinity. Investigators found that medical practices charged 3.5 to 5.4% more for their services in regions of the United States with fewer competing clinics than in the areas with the most competition. These higher charges could translate to tens of billions of dollars in extra spending across the entire country each year.
Journal of the American Medical Association, October 2014

Diet: Reduced Epileptic Seizures Noted with Low-Carb, High-Fat Diets.
A review of the current research shows that diets high in fats and low in carbohydrates could be an alternative treatment for reducing epileptic seizures. Currently, about 35% of epileptics fail to respond to medications, so alternative treatments are very important. The investigators found that across all studies, 32% of ketogenic diet-treated patients and 29% of modified Atkins diet-treated patients achieved 50% or greater seizure reduction. They also found 9% of the ketogenic diet and 5% of the modified Atkins diet-treated patients achieved greater than 90% reduction in seizures. Unfortunately, most people eventually stop these types of diets in the long-term because of the cooking and social restrictions.
Neurology, October 2014

Exercise: Shoe Technology Detects Valuable Information for Runners.
Is it possible for a shoe to prevent injuries? One shoe company is working on a prototype running shoe that contains a microelectronic measuring system that can collect biomechanical parameters that characterize a runner’s technique. The information can be transmitted wirelessly to a cell phone or mobile application to provide real-time feedback such as whether a runner should change their running pattern or simply stop running in order to reduce their risk of injury.
Asociación RUVID, October 2014

Chiropractic: Teen Sleep Difficulties Can Lead to Musculoskeletal Problems!
Fifteen-year-old boys and girls with sleep problems are more likely to experience musculoskeletal pain two years later when compared with their peers who did not report having sleep problems at age 15. This finding suggests that difficulties such as disturbed sleep, daytime drowsiness, oversleeping, and poor sleep quality are risk factors for musculoskeletal pain (such as back pain and neck pain) among adolescents.
Pain Research & Management, September-October 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Colon Cancer Rates on the Rise Among Adults Under 50.
An analysis of data from 1975 to 2010 found that overall colon cancer rates in the United States fell by about 1% each year during that time span. However, rates rose by 2% per year among those ages 20 to 34 and nearly .5% annually among those aged 35 to 49. It is unknown why rates are increasing in this group but the researchers believe that doctors "should be more aggressive investigating reports of minor rectal bleeding in younger adults, which is usually dismissed as hemorrhoids but may in fact indicate colorectal cancer."
JAMA Surgery, November 2014