A comparison of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2002 and 2017 revealed a 43% decline in smoking among teens and a 27% decline in smoking among young adults, which experts credit to the banning of flavored cigarettes in 2009. … [Read more...]
Health News
Visual Memory and Alzheimer’s
New research suggests that declines in visual memory may become apparent in seniors at risk for Alzheimer’s disease before the onset of clinical symptoms. This finding may help in the creation of assessments for identifying future cases of … [Read more...]
Managing Chronic Neck Pain
In a recent clinical trial, researchers observed that neck-specific exercises and manual therapies are both effective interventions to address chronic, nonspecific neck pain, with manual therapies leading to faster improvements in pain perception and … [Read more...]
Low Fitness Linked to Depression
Grip strength is often used in scientific research as an indicator of physical function/fitness. In a study that included 867 teens and young adults, researchers observed an association between weak grip and an increased risk for depressive symptoms. … [Read more...]
Chocolate Heart Healthy?
A review of data from six studies that included more than 336,000 participants found that eating one or more servings of chocolate per week could reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 10%. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, July 2020 … [Read more...]
Low Zinc Intake?
Among a group of 142 female university students, researchers identified an association between low dietary zinc intake and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, short sleep duration, and daytime dysfunction. Biological Trace … [Read more...]
Quote of the Week
“There is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving.” ~ Henry Drummond … [Read more...]
Five Ways to Keep Your Heart Healthy
To reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease, the American Heart Association recommends: keep blood pressure under 120/80 mmHg and blood sugar under 100 mg/dl; maintain healthy body weight and blood lipid levels, and keep a consistent sleep schedule … [Read more...]
Factors for Midlife Mental Decline Risk
New research suggests that smoking, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes are both significant risk factors for mental decline in middle age. Neurology, July 2020 … [Read more...]
Hip Strengthening Aids in Low Back Pain Rehab
A review of data from five published studies suggests that incorporating hip-strengthening exercises into a low back pain treatment program can lead to greater improvements in both low back pain and disability. This finding is not entirely surprising … [Read more...]
Resistance and Impact Training Benefit Those at Risk for Osteoporosis
Among a group of 47 patients at elevated risk for osteoporosis, those who took part in a six-month impact and resistance training program experienced increased muscle strength and improved bone mineral density in the lumbar spine (3.8%) and femoral … [Read more...]
Certain Nutrients May Help Keep a Common Form of Vertigo at Bay
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is described as a spinning sensation that is usually triggered by changing one’s head position. In a recent study involving 900 BPPV patients, researchers found that taking a vitamin D and calcium … [Read more...]
Methanol-Based Hand Sanitizers Pose Dangers
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns not to use alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain methanol or wood alcohol, as they can be toxic if absorbed through the skin leading to nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, blindness, seizures, … [Read more...]
Quote of the Week
“Goodness is the only investment that never fails.” ~ Henry David Thoreau … [Read more...]