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Posted on 2012-05-17 09:36:30
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Dementia! The number of people globally with dementia is set to rise from its current 35.6 million, to 65 million by 2030 and 115 million by 2050. Currently, $604 billion are spent each year worldwide on treating and caring for individuals with dementia. This toll includes the provision of health and social care, as well as loss of income of the dementia patients and their caregivers, as many caregivers have to give up their jobs to look after a person with dementia. World Health Organization, April 2012
Health Alert: America's Obesity Epidemic. The scope of the obesity epidemic in the US has been greatly underestimated. Researchers found that the Body Mass Index (BMI) substantially under-diagnoses obesity when compared to the Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan, a direct simultaneous measure of body fat, muscle mass, and bone density. The study found 39% of Americans who are classified as overweight based on BMI are actually obese as measured by DXA. The BMI is an insensitive measure of obesity, prone to under-diagnosis, while direct fat measurements are superior because they show distribution of body fat. PLoS ONE, April 2012
Diet: How Should You Take It? For reversing damage and promoting repair to cartilage, the supplements Chondroitin Sulfate and Glucosamine have been shown to be more effective if taken together, as the mixture of the two allows them to act synergistically. Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 2006
Exercise: Caffeine & Exercise? According to a 14-week study conducted on mice, caffeine and exercise may cut the risk of developing skin cancers caused by sun exposure. Researchers found 62% fewer non-melanoma skin tumors and the size of tumors reduced by 85% in the caffeine and exercise group when compared to the control group (no caffeine, no exercise). The results of the caffeine and exercise group also exceeded the other two groups in the study (caffeine, no exercise and exercise, no caffeine). American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting, April 2012
Chiropractic: Another Endorsement For Chiropractic! “I found the best way is to use Chiropractors, not only after injury, but also before injury.” ~ Arnold Schwarzenegger – Actor, Retired Body Builder and Former Governor
Wellness/Prevention: Still Smoke? 7,000 chemicals and chemical compounds are present in tobacco and tobacco smoke, including 93 HPHCs (harmful and potentially harmful constituents). Food and Drug Administration, April 2012
Quote: “I look to the future because that's where I'm spending the rest of my life.” ~ George Burns
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Posted on 2012-05-11 05:44:10
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Less Distress If Active! Researchers found that older adults who experienced any level of psychological distress were more likely to experience physical functional limitations than those who did not. Psychological distress scores indicated that 8.4% of all older adult participants experienced some level of psychological distress and older adults who experienced even a moderate level of psychological distress were the most likely group to experience a functional limitation -- almost seven times more likely than those who did not report any psychological distress! Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, April 2012
Health Alert: Super Markets and Waist Size. People who shop at discount supermarkets or in supermarkets in areas with poorly educated consumers have higher than normal body mass indices (BMI) and waist circumferences. According to the study’s author, Basile Chaix, “A public health strategy to reduce excess weight may be to intervene on specific supermarkets to change food purchasing behavior, as supermarkets are where dietary preferences are materialized into definite purchased foods.” PLoS One, April 2012
Diet: Red Wine & Fruit For Fat. Piceatannol is a compound found in red wine, grapes, blueberries and passion fruit. It’s able to block cellular processes that allow fat cells to develop, opening a door to a potential method to control obesity. Journal of Biological Chemistry, April 2012
Exercise: Regular Walking Regimen. Cancer patients can literally take a step-by-step approach to combat fatigue following surgical treatment. This fatigue doesn't go away with sleep, affects daily activities (doing your personal hygiene in the morning, getting up and getting dressed, going from the bedroom to breakfast, etc.) and can also lead to anxiety and depression. Patients who underwent an operation as part of their cancer treatment and then started a regular walking regimen experienced less fatigue than cancer survivors who did not do the walking program. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, April 2012
Chiropractic: Keep Your Blood Flowing. Patients with atherosclerosis are associated with increased disk degeneration and subjective low back pain. Atherosclerosis slows blood flow to the disk complex, which, in turn, leads to degeneration. Spine, 1997
Wellness/Prevention: Cancer Is A Preventable Disease! Only 5-10% of cancer cases are due to genetic defects. The other 90-95% of cancer cases are due to environmental and lifestyle factors including smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet, obesity, infectious agents, environmental pollution and radiation. Pharmaceutical Research, September 2008
Quote: “When somebody challenges you, fight back. Be brutal, be tough.” ~ Donald Trump
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Posted on 2012-05-03 14:13:49
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Berry Good News. Men who regularly consume foods rich in flavonoids (such as berries, apples, certain vegetables, tea and red wine) may significantly reduce their risk for developing Parkinson's disease. Flavonoids are naturally occurring, bioactive compounds present in many plant-based foods and drinks. Neurology, April 2012
Health Alert: Stressed? The risk for coronary heart disease and stroke increases by 30% in a person whose partner has cancer. The cause is probably the negative stress to which the cancer patient's partner is exposed. Previous studies show that stress can affect the nervous system, blood pressure, and inflammation, increasing the risk of developing coronary heart disease and stroke. Centre for Primary Healthcare Research in Malmö, April 2012
Exercise: Being Fit. Improving or maintaining physical fitness appears to help obese and overweight children reach a healthy weight. During a four-year study, obese and overweight girls and boys who achieved fitness were 2.5 to 5 times more likely to reach a healthy weight than those who stayed underfit. Obesity, April 2012
Chiropractic: Slowing Degeneration? Morphologic changes in the endplate that occur with advancing age or degeneration can interfere with normal disk nutrition and further the spinal degenerative process. Degeneration decreases the ability of the spine to move through a full range of motion, which alters the integrity of the proteoglycans and water concentration, reducing the number of viable cells with decreased movement of solutes in and out of the disk. Pain, 2004
Wellness/Prevention: Unhealthy Snacks, Sodas and Watching TV. In a study of obesity among European children, Dr. Yannis Manios, Assistant Professor at Harokopio University in Athens, writes, "We found that many countries are lacking clear guidelines on healthy eating and active play. However, there is good evidence linking sedentary behavior (like TV watching) with subsequent obesity. Therefore, TV-watching in kindergartens should be replaced by more active, non-competitive, fun activities which will promote the participation of the whole class and help children to achieve optimal growth, health and well-being. Similarly at home, TVs in the bedroom and unhealthy snacks in the kitchen cupboard are a bad idea. Parents should also remember that their role is not only to provide healthy food and drink options but to act as a role model themselves, since kids are copying their behaviors." Obesity Reviews, March 2012
Quote: “Simple diet is best; for many dishes bring many diseases; and rich sauces are worse than heaping several meats upon each other.” ~ Pliny
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Posted on 2012-04-27 06:01:02
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Meditation. Adults with memory impairment and memory loss may benefit from mantra-based meditation (12 minutes of meditation per day for 8 weeks). Mantra-based meditation has demonstrated a positive effect on patients’ emotional responses to stress, fatigue and anxiety. Findings revealed a substantial increase in cerebral blood flow in the patients' prefrontal, superior frontal, and superior parietal cortices, and also better cognitive function. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, March 2012
Health Alert: Diabetics And Stroke. 26 million Americans have diabetes, and more than half are younger than 65. The longer you have diabetes, the higher your risk for stroke. Compared to people without diabetes (after considering other factors such as age, smoking history, physical activity, history of heart disease, blood pressure and cholesterol), the risk of stroke increased 70% in people with diabetes for less than 5 years, 80% in people with diabetes for 5-10 years and three-fold in people with diabetes for 10 years or more. American Heart Association, March 2012
Diet: Seeing Things? Hungry people see food-related words more clearly than people who've just eaten. This change in vision happens at the earliest perceptual stages, before higher parts of the brain have a chance to change the messages coming from the eyes. Psychological Science, March 2012
Exercise: Good Reasons. Exercise helps to alleviate low-back pain, helps to reduce the amount of insulin required to control blood sugar levels in Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetics and improves mental alertness. Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996
Chiropractic: Hold Your Head Up! “Head in forward posture can add up to thirty pounds of abnormal leverage on the cervical spine. This can pull the entire spine out of alignment. Forward head posture (FHP) may result in the loss of 30% of vital lung capacity. These breath-related effects are primarily due to the loss of the cervical lordosis, which blocks the action of the hyoid muscles, especially the inferior hyoid responsible for helping lift the first rib during inhalation.” ~Rene Cailliet M.D., famous medical author and former Director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Southern California
Wellness/Prevention: Avoid Absenteeism. The US is losing $226 billion per year due to employee absenteeism. A worker is less likely to take sick leave if their supervisor offers support (lightened work load or stress management training) when an employee is experiencing psychosomatic stress symptoms. The worker feels inclined to reciprocate the supportive treatment by keeping their work effort high. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, January 2012
Quote: “Anything is possible. You can be told that you have a 90% chance or a 50% chance or a 1% chance, but you have to believe, and you have to fight.” ~ Lance Armstrong
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Posted on 2012-04-19 11:42:32
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Get Your Sleep! Older adults with poor sleep habits have an altered immune system response to stress that may increase their risk for mental and physical health problems. Stress leads to significantly larger increases in a marker of inflammation in poor sleepers compared to good sleepers; a marker associated with poor health outcomes and death. Poor sleepers report more depressive symptoms, more loneliness and more global perceived stress relative to good sleepers. As people age, a gradual decline in the immune system occurs, along with an increase in inflammation. Heightened inflammation increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other illnesses, as well as psychiatric problems. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, March 2012
Health Alert: Slow Down -- You Move Too Fast? People who are considered ambitious, attend the best colleges and universities, have prestigious careers and earn high salaries don't necessarily lead more successful lives. Ambition has its positive effects (in terms of career success, it certainly does) but ambitious people are only slightly happier than their less- ambitious counterparts and they actually live somewhat shorter lives. Journal of Applied Psychology, March 2012
Diet: Fish Oil. Six weeks of supplementation with fish oil significantly increased lean mass and decreased fat mass in test subjects. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, October 2010
Exercise: Good Reasons. Exercise helps you maintain proper muscle balance, reduces the rate and severity of medical complications associated with hypertension, helps alleviate menstrual symptoms and lowers your heart rate response to submaximal physical exertion. Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996
Chiropractic: Adjustment or Microdiskectomy for Sciatica? 60% of patients with sciatica (symptoms of unilateral lumbar radiculopathy secondary to lumbar disk herniation at L3-4, L4-5, or L5-S1) who had failed other medical management (patients must have failed at least 3 months of nonoperative management including treatment with analgesics, lifestyle modification, physiotherapy, massage therapy, and/or acupuncture) benefited from spinal manipulation to the same degree as if they underwent surgical intervention. JMPT, October 2010
Quote: “Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.” ~ Albert Einstein
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Posted on 2012-04-12 11:49:04
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Music and Emotions. Music can evoke positive emotions, which in turn can lower stress levels. In a survey study, positive emotions were experienced more often and more intensively in connection with music listening. The more the participants liked the music, the less stress they experienced. To get the positive effects of music, you have to listen to music you like. University of Gothenburg, March 2012
Health Alert: Slow Brain Growth In Babies Linked To Depression During Pregnancy! Many women experience a roller coaster of emotions during pregnancy: stress, confusion, fear, sadness and depression. Babies whose mothers are depressed during pregnancy have a greater chance of growing slower, resulting in the head and body showing retarded growth. Also, antidepressants increase the risk of slow growth in the development of babies' brains. Archives of General Psychiatry, March 2012
Diet: High-Fat Diets Increase Colon Cancer Risk. Eating too much fat and sugar puts a person at greater risk for colon cancer and obesity. In normal tissue from patients with colon cancer, they found that epigenetic marks on genes involved in breaking down carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids (abundant in the fatty Western diet) appeared to have been retrained. Epigenetic marks are chemical modifications that serve as on/off switches for many genes. These foods are changing the methylation patterns on a person's insulin genes so that they express differently, pumping out more insulin than the body requires. Cancer Prevention Research, March 2012
Exercise: Exercise Linked To Change In DNA. Exercise almost immediately alters DNA in healthy but inactive men and women. Although the genetic makeup is not altered, DNA molecules change structurally and chemically when a person exercises. One researcher noted, "Our muscles are really plastic. We often say 'You are what you eat.' Well, muscle adapts to what you do. If you don't use it, you lost it and this is one of the mechanisms that allow that to happen." Cell Metabolism, March 2012
Chiropractic: Is Chiropractic Safe? YES. Chiropractic's non-surgical, drug-free approach to health places it among the safest of all health care practices. Remember, chiropractic takes nothing out of the body and puts nothing in. As a result, chiropractors enjoy one of the lowest malpractice rates of all health care professionals. Massachusetts Chiropractic Association
Wellness/Prevention: How Much Selenium? While too much selenium may result in the development of type 2 diabetes, high selenium intake has been shown to protect against certain cancers, such as lung, colorectal, bladder, and prostate cancer. It also increases male fertility and has positive effects on antiviral function. Low selenium intake has been linked to memory and brain decline, low immune system quality, and a greater risk of death. The Lancet, March 2012
Quote: “The main goal of the future is to stop violence. The world is addicted to it.” ~ Bill Cosby
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Posted on 2012-04-06 06:05:24
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: The Brain, Aggression & The Media. Research over the past few decades has shown that viewing physical violence in the media can increase aggression in adults and children. A new study has also found that onscreen relational aggression (including social exclusion, gossip and emotional bullying) may prime the brain for aggression. Aggressive Behavior, March 2012
Health Alert: Don’t Be Like A Brit? Britons are dying early because of ignorance and denial of cancer symptoms. If Britain matched the best cancer survival rates in Europe, 11,500 fewer people would die every year. Matching just the European average would save 6,000-7,000 lives every year. Britain's poor record in early diagnosis is to blame. A survey asked Britons about warning signs and symptoms of cancer. 75% failed to mention pain, coughing, bladder and bowel problems; 66% failed to list bleeding; and only 25% mentioned weight loss or mole changes. 37% who spotted early signs of cancer said they may delay getting checked because they worried about the result. 37% said they may delay getting symptoms checked because it would be difficult to make an appointment to see their GP. 25% said it might be a waste of their doctor's time. Cancer Research, 2012
Diet: Added Sugar, Obesity And Diabetes. Fructose intake from added sugar is linked with the epidemic rise in obesity, metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors that raises a person's risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. Metabolic syndrome currently affects 25% of Americans. If you compared two diets of similar calorie intake (more fructose vs. more starch), the higher fructose diet will lead to greater accumulation of fat around organs and higher insulin resistance. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, March 2012
Exercise: Take A Break From Sitting. Interrupting prolonged periods of sitting with regular, two-minute breaks of light or moderate intensity activity, like walking, may be good for overweight and obese people's health. Such activity helps their bodies keep glucose and insulin levels under control after consuming a high calorie meal. Diabetes Care, March 2012
Chiropractic: Tennis Anyone? “A Chiropractor was instrumental in putting my body back together…alternative therapies will play a bigger role in our lives. After all, people like what works” ~ Martina Navratilova - former WTA World No. 1 and 9x Wimbledon Singles Champion
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D And Fractures. Vitamin D intake can lower stress fracture risk in girls, especially in regards to injuries caused by high impact activities. There was no evidence that calcium and dairy intakes were protective against developing a stress fracture or that soda intake was predictive of an increased risk of stress fracture or confounded the association between dairy, calcium or vitamin D intakes and fracture risk. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, March 2012
Quote: “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” ~ Dalai Lama
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Posted on 2012-03-30 07:14:11
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Memory and Stress. Anyone who has ever experienced chronic stress knows it can take a toll on both your emotions and your ability to think clearly. Researchers have discovered a neural mechanism that directly links repeated stress with impaired memory. This study also provides critical insight into why stress responses can act as a trigger for mental illnesses. Neuron, March 2012
Health Alert: Sleeping Pill Dangers! Sleeping pill sales increased by 23% from 2006-2010 and generated about $2 billion in annual sales. Sleeping pills (including Ambien and Restoril) are linked to a 4.6 times higher risk of death and a significant increase in cancer. Among patients who were prescribed just 1-18 sleeping pills per year, the risk of death was 3.6 times higher. Rates of new cancers were 35% higher among patients who were prescribed at least 132 doses a year, compared with those who did not receive prescriptions. BMJ Open, March 2012
Diet: Rosemary Essential Oil On My Mind? Blood levels of a rosemary oil component correlate with improved cognitive performance. Results indicate, for the first time in human subjects, that concentration of 1,8-cineole in the blood is related to an individual's cognitive performance, with higher concentrations resulting in improved performance. Both speed and accuracy were improved, suggesting that the relationship is not describing a speed-accuracy trade off. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, March 2012
Exercise: Yoga And Stress. Yoga may be effective for stress-related psychological and medical conditions such as depression, anxiety, high blood pressure and cardiac disease. The theory could be used to develop specific mind-body practices for the prevention and treatment of these conditions in conjunction with standard treatments. Medical Hypotheses, March 2012
Chiropractic: Safety of Adjusting. No one pays closer attention to injury statistics than Malpractice Insurance carriers. Scott Haldeman, M.D., D.C. reviewed malpractice claims records for a 10-year period between 1988 and 1997. In reviewing 134.5 million chiropractic adjustments, there were 23 cases of stroke or vertebral artery dissection. 10 of these had complicating factors such as high blood pressure, use of oral contraceptives, or a history of smoking, all associated with vascular disease. The incidence of stroke or vertebral artery dissection following neck adjustments was one per 5.85 million. On average, a chiropractor would have to work for 1430 years (48 full chiropractic careers) for this to happen once! Driving to the office is probably more dangerous. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2001
Wellness/Prevention: Irregular Heartbeat? An irregular heartbeat, atrial fibrillation, is a strong predictor of cognitive decline and the loss of independence in daily activities in older people at risk of cardiovascular disease. This is just another good reason to maintain your heart health and get checked to prevent heart problems. Canadian Medical Association Journal, March 2012
Quote: “The more serious the illness, the more important it is for you to fight back, mobilizing all your resources - spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical.” ~ Norman Cousins
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Posted on 2012-03-23 06:12:23
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Standby Mode? When the metabolic energy supply to brain cells is low (such as in comatose patients, in babies with serious neurodevelopmental disorders, and for a short period in some babies born prematurely) the brain enters a state called “burst suppression.” Researchers believe burst suppression is a type of intermittent standby mode, where cells remain inactive until metabolic energy levels increase enough to resume normal brain activity. Massachusetts General Hospital, Feb 2012
Health Alert: Stomach This? The bacterium Helicobacter pylori is found in the stomachs of half the world's population. Although persistent infection with H. pylori increases an individual's risk of developing stomach cancer, it also decreases the risk of developing asthma. Researchers found that H. pylori modulated immune cells known as dendritic cells such that they did not activate an aggressive immune response but instead activated what is known as a tolerogenic immune response, which ultimately protects against allergic asthma. Journal Of Clinical Investigation, Feb 2012
Diet: Weight On The Brain? One-third of US adults are obese. A big part of the environment that encourages weight gain is the availability and consumption of calorie dense, high-fat foods. In particular, what we eat can alter the brain regions that regulate body weight. Leptin is a key hormone secreted from fat tissue and its main function is to inhibit appetite. Eating a high-fat diet reduces the actions of leptin in the brain. This miscommunication can lead to increased food intake and weight gain. Evolutionary speaking, we are designed to want to eat foods high in fat and gain weight because it made it easier to survive times when food was scarce. That is no longer a real concern since food is always available, but we still have a biological desire to eat calorie dense foods. Cell Metabolism, Feb 2012
Exercise: Good Reasons. Exercise helps you maintain proper muscle balance, reduces the rate and severity of medical complications associated with hypertension, and helps to alleviate certain menstrual symptoms. Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996
Chiropractic: Growing. In 1970, there were an estimated 13,000 chiropractors in the United States. In 1990, the number swelled to approx. 40,000. As of 2012, there are nearly 58,000 licensed chiropractors in the United States. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, 1997 & MPA Media, 2012
Wellness/Prevention: Fish Oil. Omega-3 fatty acids help adolescents and young adults (ages 12-25) who are at elevated risk for severe psychiatric disorders to function better in school, work and other social environments. National Institute of Mental Health, Feb 2012
Quote: “Just because something doesn't do what you planned it to do doesn't mean it's useless.” ~ Thomas A. Edison
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Posted on 2012-03-16 06:25:50
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Depression and Negative Peer Relationships At School. Often, the assumption is that problematic peer relationships drive depression; however, it was found that depression symptoms predicted negative peer relationships. No evidence was found to suggest that peer relationships forecasted depression among a school-based sample of adolescents. Child Development, Feb 2012
Health Alert: Weighty Physician? Physicians with a normal BMI, as compared to overweight and obese physicians, were more likely to engage their obese patients in weight loss discussions, 30% vs. 18%, and more likely to diagnose a patient as obese if they perceived the patient's BMI met or exceed their own, 93% vs. 7%. Obesity, Jan 2012
Diet: Vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked with muscle weakness, increased fall risk, and bone fractures. 26% of the distal radius fracture patients were vitamin D insufficient (having vitamin D serum levels between 20-32 mg/ml), compared to 11% in the control group. Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Feb 2012
Exercise: Tai Chi And Parkinson's. A new exercise study has shown significant benefits for patients with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease. A tailored Tai Chi training program of 60-minute exercise sessions 2x/week for 24 weeks resulted in improved postural stability and walking ability, and reduced falls in the participants. New England Journal of Medicine, Feb 2012
Chiropractic: Alf! Famous neurosurgeon Dr. Alf Breig reviewed the adverse mechanical tensions on the central nervous system from abnormal postural loads. He concluded that abnormal posture affects the nervous system, which in turn, affects the sympathetic nervous system, which plays a large part in controlling the immune system. Breig, 1976
Wellness/Prevention: Waist-Hip Ratio and the Cardiovascular System. The Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) is the ratio of a person's waist circumference with hip circumference. The smallest waist measurement is taken just above the navel and is divided by the hip circumference at its widest part. In a thin person, the waist is measured at its narrowest point. For the larger person with a big belly, it is measured 1 inch above the belly button. Hips are measured at the widest point of the buttocks in the lean person and at the great trochanters in larger individuals. If an adult female has a 27-inch waist and 36-inch hips, her WHR is .75. (27 divided by 36). WHR for men: < 0.9 means he has a very low risk of having cardiovascular health problems; from 0.9 to 0.99 means he is at moderate risk of cardiovascular health problems; > 1 means his risk of cardiovascular problems is high. WHR for women: < 0.8 means she has a very low risk of having cardiovascular health problems; from 0.8 to 0.89 means she is at moderate risk of cardiovascular health problems; > 0.9 means her risk of cardiovascular problems is high.
Quote: “You Chiropractic doctors are really miracle workers.” ~ Arnold Schwarzenegger
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Posted on 2012-03-08 14:09:58
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Facebook. Social networking is the #1 online activity, used by 1.2 billion people worldwide. Nearly one in 5 minutes online is spent on social networking websites, and 75% of that is on Facebook. Facebook has 845 million active worldwide users. Researchers found the biological signals in the brains of Facebook users correspond to what they describe as the "Core Flow State." Core Flow is a state that people reach in which their skills are challenged and they are highly aroused and enjoying what they do, a biological signal that makes people want to repeat their experience. Some studies have found flow is linked to quality of performance and quality of life. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, Feb 2012
Health Alert: Air Pollution. Air pollution at levels experienced by most Americans or considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency is linked to higher risk of cognitive decline and stroke. Archives of Internal Medicine, Feb 2012
Diet: A Sweet Dessert In The Morning? In a surprising discovery, researchers found that dessert, as part of a balanced 600-calorie breakfast that also included proteins and carbohydrates, helped dieters lose more weight. On average, those in the group who ate dessert with breakfast lost just as much weight as the control group (no dessert with breakfast), approx. 32 lbs. However, after a 16-week follow up period, the no dessert group gained back all but 3.5 lbs and the group who ate dessert with breakfast lost another 13 lbs, on average. In the morning, the body's metabolism is most active and able to work off the extra calories throughout the day. Attempting to avoid sweets entirely can create a psychological addiction to these same foods in the long-term. Adding dessert items to breakfast can control cravings throughout the rest of the day. Tel Aviv University, Feb 2012
Exercise: A Pulse. Champion cyclist, Lance Armstrong has a resting heart rate of about 32 beats per minute. Ideal normal pulse rates at rest, in beats per minute: Newborn baby: 120 to 160; Baby aged from 1-12 months: 80 to 140; Baby/toddler aged from 1-2 years: 80 to 130; Toddler/young child aged 2-6 years: 75 to 120; Child aged 7-12 years: 75 to 110; Adult aged 18+ years: 60 to 100; Adult athlete: 40 to 60. Checking your own heart rate: With your hand palm up, gently place 2 fingers on the thumb side of your wrist. You will feel your pulse beating. Count the beats for one minute. National Health Service
Chiropractic: Bad Posture. “The beginning of the disease process starts with postural distortions.” ~ Dr. Hans Seyle, Nobel Laureate
Wellness/Prevention: Dare To Compare. Comparing yourself to others with the same health problem can influence your physical and emotional health. Focusing on similarities between you and people doing well will likely lead to feeling good, as will focusing on differences between you and people doing poorly. But, if you focus on differences between you and someone doing well, or similarities between you and someone doing poorly, you'll likely feel worse. Health Psychology Review, Feb 2012
Quote: “Awards become corroded, friends gather no dust.” ~ Jesse Owens
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Posted on 2012-03-02 06:10:47
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Think About It… Smoking? In 2010, the number of dementia diagnoses around the world was estimated at 36 million with numbers increasing and predicted to double every 20 years. In a study of 6000+ men (average age 56 years), those who smoked were linked to a more rapid cognitive decline. However, those who quit smoking at least 10 years before the start of the study had similar scores as non-smokers. Archives of General Psychiatry, Feb 2012
Health Alert: Memory Boost? 6 million Americans and 30 million people worldwide are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease each year. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the US and the 5th leading cause of death for those aged 65 and older. New research shows that stimulating key areas of the brain can improve memory. A research team looked at 7 epilepsy patients who already had electrodes implanted in their brains. When nerve fibers in the patients' entorhinal cortex were stimulated during learning, they later recognized landmarks and navigated better, reflecting improved spatial memory. This may lead to neuro-prosthetic devices that can activate during certain stages of information processing or daily tasks. New England Journal of Medicine, Feb 2012
Diet: Soft Drinks, Smoking and Asthma. A high level of soft drink consumption is associated with asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 13.3% of participants with asthma and 15.6% of those with COPD reported consuming more than half a liter of soda per day. Furthermore, smoking makes this relationship even worse, especially for COPD. Compared with those who did not smoke and consume soft drinks, those who consumed more than half a liter of soft drink per day and were current smokers had a 6.6-fold greater risk of COPD. Respirology, Feb 2012
Exercise: My Max Heart Rate. This is the maximum number of times your heart can beat per minute (bpm). It is a useful measure for workouts, to gauge training intensities. People over 35 years of age who are overweight or have not done exercise for a long time are advised to have their maximum heart rates clinically tested by a trained health care professional. Max Heart Rate For Adult Males: 220 minus your age. For a 25 year-old man it would be 195 bpm (220 minus 25). Max Heart Rate For Adult Females: 226 minus your age. For a 25 year-old woman it would be 201 bpm (226 minus 25). American Heart Association
Chiropractic: Important Posture. Poor posture is associated with asymmetries in motion, leading to accelerated degenerative spinal joint pathology that will, in time, adversely affect the nervous system. Koch et al, 2002
Wellness/Prevention: Constantly Changing. Your body is constantly sloughing off old cells and growing new ones. For example, you shed 600,000 particles of skin every hour, about 1.5 lbs a year. By 70 years of age, you will have lost 105 lbs of skin. Gray’s Anatomy
Quote: “Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love.” ~ Gandhi
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Posted on 2012-02-24 06:49:14
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Chewing Gum? Students who chewed gum for 5 minutes before taking a test did better on the test than non-gum-chewing students. "Mastication-induced arousal" is credited for the boost, which lasted for just the first 20 minutes of testing. Many studies have shown that any type of physical activity before an examination can produce a performance boost; this study points out that even mild physical activity can bring on such a boost. Chewing gum gave the subjects multiple advantages, but only when chewed for five minutes before testing, not for the duration of the test, so you can't chew gum and think productively at the same time. Appetite, Jan 2012
Health Alert: Graceful Age. The number of people over the age of 90 in the US will reach 9 million by 2050. To put the number in perspective, there were 720,000 people age 90 years or over in 1980, and today there are nearly 2 million. 74.1% of persons over 90 are women, with 88.1% of those being Caucasian. An average person who has lived to 90 years of age has a life expectancy today of 4.6 more years (versus 3.2 years in 1929-1931), while those who pass the century mark are projected to live another 2.3 years. U.S. Census Bureau, Jan 2012
Diet: Calories And Protein. In a study on overfeeding, researchers observed those in a low protein diet group gained considerably less weight (6.97 lbs) compared to 13.3 lbs in the normal protein diet group and 14.4 lbs in the high protein diet group. JAMA, Jan 2012
Exercise: Good Reasons. Exercise helps you to maintain your resting metabolic rate and reduces the risk of developing colon cancer. Exercise also increases your tissues' responsiveness to the actions of insulin (i.e., improves tissue sensitivity for insulin), helping to better control blood sugar, particularly if you are a Type II diabetic. Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996
Chiropractic: Chiropractic Before Surgery? A lumbar diskectomy is one of the most common spine surgical procedures, with an average charge of $7,841, not including lost wages and productivity. A recent study suggests that many patients will improve with nonoperative therapy (such as chiropractic manipulation) and that a trial of conservative management before surgery is appropriate. Spine Journal, June 2010
Wellness/Prevention: Another Cup Of Tea. Green tea contains catechins, polyphenolic compounds that are known to exert numerous protective effects, particularly on the cardiovascular system. Green tea catechins at doses ranging from 145 to 3,000 mg per day taken for 3 to 24 weeks led to statistically significant reductions in total and LDL ("bad"). Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Nov 2011
Quote: “In the end, you're measured not by how much you undertake but by what you finally accomplish.” ~ Donald Trump
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Posted on 2012-02-17 06:05:51
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Not So Smart At 45? A human's ability to remember data, to reason, and to understand things properly can begin to worsen at 45 years old (not at 60 years old, as previously believed). Mental reasoning among males aged 45-49 dropped by 3.6%, and 9.6% in the 65-70 age group. Among females, the decline was 3.6% for those aged 45-49, and 7.4% among those aged 65-70. This demonstrates the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles, particularly cardiovascular health, as there is emerging evidence that "what is good for our hearts is also good for our heads." Risk factors linked to cognitive decline: hypertension, obesity and high cholesterol levels. British Medical Journal, Jan 2012
Health Alert: The Uninsured! Lack of health insurance is associated with less preventive care, delays in diagnosis and unnecessary deaths. However, insurance status doesn't affect the quantity (or value) of imaging services received by patients in a hospital, in-patient setting. Uninsured hospital in-patients who underwent imaging received the same number of imaging services as insured persons. The uninsured received fewer interventional and image-guided procedures but more computed tomography (CT) studies. Journal of the American College of Radiology, Jan 2012
Diet: Diet And Brain Shrinkage. Elderly people with higher levels of vitamins B, C, D, E and omega 3 fatty acids in their blood had better performance on mental acuity tests and less of the brain shrinkage typical of Alzheimer's disease. Consistently worse cognitive performance was associated with a higher intake of the type of trans-fats found in baked and fried foods, margarine, fast food and other less-healthy dietary choices. Neurology, Jan 2012
Exercise: Good Reasons. Exercise helps to relieve constipation, expands blood plasma volume, reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer and helps to combat substance abuse. Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996
Chiropractic: Posture and Health. Posture and normal physiology are interrelated. Posture affects and moderates every physiological function from breathing to hormonal production. Abnormal posture is evident in patients with chronic and stress related illnesses. Homeostasis and nervous system function are ultimately connected with posture. American Journal of Pain Management
Wellness/Prevention: Licorice And Tooth Decay. Two substances in licorice (licoricidin and licorisoflavan A) kill the bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease, the leading causes of tooth loss in children and adults. Journal of Natural Products, Jan 2012
Quote: “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” ~ Albert Einstein
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Posted on 2012-02-10 05:54:35
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Emotions Not On My Sleeve? Contrary to what many scientists think, all people do not have the same set of biologically "basic" emotions and those emotions are not automatically expressed on the face. People do not scowl only when they're angry or pout only when they're sad. For example, people do a lot of things when they're angry, sometimes they yell and sometimes they smile. Current Directions in Psychological Science, Jan 2012
Health Alert: Ten Ways To Decrease Cancer Risk! 1.) Max BMI of 25; 2.) 5 or more servings of fruits & veggies daily; 3.) 7 or more portions of complex carbs daily; 4.) decrease processed foods & refined sugars; 5.) limit alcoholic drinks to 1/day for women and 2/day for men; 6.) limit red meat to no more than 3 oz daily; 7.) decrease fatty foods, particularly animal fats; 8.) limit intake of salted foods & use of salt in cooking; 9.) eliminate tobacco use; 10.) practice sun safety/recognize skin changes. American Cancer Society
Diet: Soy And Hot Flash. According to a placebo-controlled study, daily doses of a soy germ-based nutritional supplement containing S-equol decreased menopausal symptoms 59%, including significantly reducing hot flash frequency after 12 weeks. It is believed that S-equol, produced from the isoflavone daidzein during the fermentation of soy germ, interacts with specific estrogen receptors to promote the improvement in menopausal symptoms. Journal of Women's Health, Jan 2012
Exercise: Colds And Exercise. Different levels of exercise can significantly increase or decrease your chances of catching a cold. If you tend to be a couch potato, then you will catch 2-3 colds per year, on average. Regular moderate exercise can reduce the risk of catching cold-like infections by 33% (this effect has been shown to be the result of the cumulative effect of exercise leading to long-term improvement in immunity). Prolonged strenuous exercise, such as marathons, can make an individual more susceptible to catching colds. We are constantly exposed to viruses, but it is our immune system that determines whether we get sick or not. Association for Science Education Conference, Jan 2012
Chiropractic: Avoid Surgery? A patient with a symptomatic lumbar disk herniation should consider spinal manipulation before surgery. JMPT, Oct 2010
Wellness/Prevention: Cancer Rates Dropping. In the last 20 years, one million deaths from cancer have been avoided. From 1990-2008, death rates dropped 23% in males and 15% in females. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, Jan 2012
Quote: “There are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something.” ~Thomas A. Edison
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Posted on 2012-02-03 05:45:00
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Sleeping Problems? People who are poor sleepers exert a ton of energy trying to force sleep. Sleep is something that has to naturally unfold, so the more you engage in behaviors to try to sleep, the less likely you're going to fall asleep. Behavior Therapy, Dec 2011
Health Alert: Acid Reflux Up! Reports of acid reflux experienced at least once a week have increased by 47% in the last decade. The prevalence of any acid reflux symptoms rose 30%, while the more severe symptoms rose by 24%. There is concern that these findings will lead to an increase in cancer of the esophagus, a once rare but now more common malignancy that is very difficult to treat. Acid reflux, also known as gastro-esophageal reflux, is where the stomach contents (food and acidic digestive juices) escape upward into the esophagus. This can irritate the esophagus and cause heartburn and other symptoms. Being overweight is a risk factor for acid reflux. Gut, Dec 2011
Diet: Depression And Vitamin D. Because depression affects one in 10 adults in the US and low levels of Vitamin D have been linked to depression, researchers suggest that screening for vitamin D levels in depressed patients and perhaps screening for depression in people with low vitamin D levels might be useful. Vitamin D levels are now commonly tested during routine physical exams, and they are accepted as risk factors for a number of other medical problems such as autoimmune diseases; heart and vascular disease; infectious diseases; osteoporosis; obesity; diabetes; certain cancers; and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, multiple sclerosis, and general cognitive decline. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Jan 2012
Exercise: Good Reasons. Exercise helps to alleviate depression and increases your ability to adapt to cold environments. Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996
Chiropractic: What Did He Say? “The quality of healing is directly proportional to the functional capability of the central nervous system to send and receive nerve messages.” ~ Janson Edwards, MD. PhD
Wellness/Prevention: Don’t Smoke, Be Happy! Smokers have concerns that their quality of life may deteriorate if they stop smoking. However, a study found, in the long term, smokers who successfully quit experience no such deterioration due to quitting. If anything, they see some noticeable improvements. Specifically, compared with those who continued to smoke, quitters scored higher on measures of overall quality of life, health-related quality of life and positive emotions, both one year and three years on. They also felt they had fewer stressors by the third year. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Jan 2012
Quote: “Without Chiropractic I never would have won.” ~ Lance Armstrong
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Posted on 2012-01-27 07:56:53
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Do Video Games Enhance Cognitive Abilities? In a recent study, it was demonstrated that there is little solid evidence that games enhance cognition at all. On the other hand, it may be the people who have these enhanced abilities are more likely to play video games. Frontiers in Psychology, Dec 2011
Health Alert: Diabetes Worldwide! There are 366 million diabetics worldwide and 4.6 million die each year from the disease. In the US, 8.3% or 25.8 million children and adults have diabetes, with 79 million having prediabetes. Diabetes Atlas, Nov 2011 & American Diabetes Association, 2011
Exercise: Wide Waists Trim Lifespan. Since the mid-1970s, when Harvard published "The Nurses Study," we've been told women with waists over 40 inches raised their risk of early death by 40% vs. women who maintained waists in the 26-27 inch measure. Pounds add up. Studies show that obesity is starting earlier than ever. 18% of children ages 12-18 are reported as being obese and 66% of baby boomers (81 million born between 1946-1964) are either obese or overweight. New England Journal of Medicine, Sept 2011
Chiropractic: Chiropractic and the NFL. All 32 teams in the National Football League offer their players and personnel chiropractic physician services for both managing and preventing injuries. Professional Football Chiropractic Society
Wellness/Prevention: Too Much Booze, You Lose. Men are more likely to binge drink than women. Research shows that drinking even a small amount of alcohol increases cancer risks, though moderate amounts of alcohol can show cardiovascular benefits that outweigh such risks. Men can play it safe by having no more than two alcoholic drinks per day. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Nov 2011
Quote: “A revolution is coming - a revolution which will be peaceful if we are wise enough; compassionate if we care enough; successful if we are fortunate enough - but a revolution which is coming whether we will it or not. We can affect its character, we cannot alter its inevitability.” ~ President John F. Kennedy
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Posted on 2012-01-20 05:46:46
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: A Good Laugh. When we laugh heartily among friends, we exhale repeatedly without drawing breath. This physical effort leaves us exhausted and triggers the release of protective endorphins, one of the complex neuropeptide chemicals of the brain that regulate pain and promote feelings of wellbeing. Watching 15 minutes of comedy in the company of others can increase your pain threshold by an average of 10%. Laughter is 30 times more likely to happen when we are with others than when we are alone. Proceedings of the Royal Society, Dec 2011
Health Alert: Antibiotic Resistance. Overexposure to antibiotics has long been a concern in the medical community, most specifically the development of antibiotic resistant infections as a result of repeated use. Ophthalmologic antibiotics have been found to promote antimicrobial resistance too, prompting a call from Vanderbilt Eye Institute physicians to be more judicial in the administration of certain classes of antibiotics. Archives of Ophthalmology, Dec 2011
Diet: Protect Your Bones. A calorie-restricted diet higher in protein (mostly from dairy foods) and lower in carbohydrates, coupled with daily exercise, demonstrated a major positive impact on bone health. Bone health improvements were particularly evident due to the diet's high density of bone-supporting nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin D and dairy-based protein. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Dec 2011
Exercise: It’s Harder To Run As You Age. Runners who find it more difficult to run as they age can make the experience easier on themselves by adding strength training and flexibility exercises to their fitness routine. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Dec 2011
Chiropractic: Bad Posture. Asymmetries in posture and motion can cause tethering, the adverse prolonged stretching of the central nervous system. This can result in spinal cord ischemia (lack of blood flow) and consequently motor, sensory, and autonomic neurological dysfunction. Tethering of the spinal cord has been linked to demylenating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. Koch, 2002
Wellness/Prevention: Cancer Prevention In Your 50s. Cancer is more likely to show up in men over 50 years old. That's why the majority of cancer screening exams begin at age 50. Finding and treating cancer as early as possible is one of the best ways to beat this disease. In the case of prostate cancer (the most common cancer in men), treating the disease at an early stage means men may be less likely to experience long-term side effects, like impotence. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Nov 2011
Quote: “Money cannot buy health.” ~ Dorothy Parker
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Posted on 2012-01-13 05:42:05
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Watch This! A study compared mother-child communication while watching TV to reading books and the impact of each on child development. Watching TV led to less interaction between parent and child, with a detrimental impact on literacy and language skills. The team found that when reading a book with their children, parents used a more active communication style, bringing the child into contact with words they may not hear in every day speech, thereby improving their vocabulary and knowledge of grammar. Human Communication Research, Dec 2011
Health Alert: Hard To Swallow. 70,000 emergency visits each year are due to unintentional overdoses by children under the age of 18. Alarmed by this statistic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) set up the PROTECT Initiative, a collaboration of public health agencies, private sector companies, professional organizations, consumer/patient advocates and academic experts to stop unintended medication overdose in children. The study found that of the cases of accidental poisoning in young children in the United States, exposure to prescription medications accounts for 55% of emergency visits, 76% of admissions and 71% of significant harm. Journal of Pediatrics, Dec 2011
Diet: Have A Beer? Beer containing 5% alcohol and consumed at the rate of one pint a day compares to wine regarding positive effects on cardiovascular health. The study emphasizes that there is no place for binge drinking or any other form of heavy consumption. European Journal of Epidemiology, Dec 2011
Exercise: Good Reasons. Exercise increases your maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max-perhaps the best measure of your physical working capacity of your lungs). Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996
Chiropractic: Pain and Posture. Patients demonstrating postural instability (body swaying while standing upright) are more likely to suffer from chronic neck or back pain. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, May 2011
Wellness/Prevention: Cancer Prevention In Your 40s. As we age, our metabolism decreases, especially as we reach age 40! Making healthy food choices and staying active every day can help keep off unwanted pounds that may raise the risk of cancer. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Nov 2011
Quote: “Come to think of it attention to health is life's greatest hindrance.” ~ Plato
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Posted on 2012-01-06 06:50:22
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: I Can’t Remember. Older individuals' complaints about memory lapses (such as trouble remembering recent events) may indicate they are experiencing cognitive problems that are greater than typical age-related changes. The incidence of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias is expected to rise in the United States as adults 65 and older are projected to double in number over the next two decades. Clinicians are now incorporating cognitive screening tests as part of annual wellness visits for older people. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Nov 2011
Health Alert: Low-Dose Aspirin. The risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding needs to be considered when determining the potential preventive benefits associated with low-dose aspirin for cardiovascular disease and cancer. The risk is increased with the use of cardiovascular disease-preventing therapies. Low-dose aspirin is defined as 75 to 325 mg. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dec 2011
Diet: Soda Consumption. The average American drinks 44.7 gallons of soda a year. That much soda weighs about 375 pounds! AdAge, Dec 2011
Exercise: Benefits For Breast Cancer Survivors. For breast cancer survivors, the benefits of exercise outweigh the risks, including those who develop lymphedema, a chronic swelling that commonly occurs after breast cancer treatment. Balance the pros and cons of the activity one chooses, but keep in mind that even remaining sedentary has risks and being active is beneficial in many ways, including possibly reducing the risk of cancer recurrence. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, December 2011
Chiropractic: Nerve Interference. The pressure caused by just the weight of just one United States quarter on a spinal nerve can decrease nerve transmission by as much as 60%. Chang Ha Suh, PhD
Wellness/Prevention: Cancer Prevention In Your 30s. One begins to lose muscle mass after age 30. Strength training can prevent muscle loss, build bone density and help the body burn calories faster to keep you at a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can help decrease the risk of cancer. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Nov 2011
Quote: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” ~ Jackie Robinson
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Posted on 2012-01-02 05:25:48
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Purchases That Make Your Mouth Water. In certain situations, people actually salivate when they desire material things, like money and sports cars. Merely being exposed to the concept of money has been shown to have dramatic effects on behavior, and it has even been argued that money can be conceptualized as a drug in that it imitates the action of biological incentives in driving behavior. Journal of Consumer Research, Dec 2011
Health Alert: Uninsured! Approximately 50.2 million Americans live without health insurance. U.S. Census Bureau, Sept 2011
Diet: Fish And Alzheimer's Risk. 5.1 million people in the US have Alzheimer's disease. Eating fish once a week is good for brain health, as well as lowering your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment. This is the first study to establish a direct relationship between fish consumption, brain structure and Alzheimer's risk. Consuming baked or broiled fish promotes stronger neurons in the brain's gray matter by making them larger and healthier. This simple lifestyle choice increases the brain's resistance to Alzheimer's disease and lowers risk for the disorder. Eating dried or fried fish does not seem to help preserve brain volume or lower Alzheimer's risk. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Dec 2011
Exercise: Good Reasons. Exercise helps prevent intestinal ulcers. It also increases the density and breaking strength of ligaments, tendons and the disks of your spine. Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996
Chiropractic: Ringing In The Ears. Patients with somatosensory tinnitus may find relief from cervical adjustments. Clinics, Feb 2011
Wellness/Prevention: Probiotics. The average American experiences two to six colds each year, usually mild viral infections that resolve themselves after a few days. Probiotics seems to provide both children and adults with protection against many upper respiratory tract infections, including the common cold. People who consume probiotics are also less likely to end up taking prescription antibiotics for an upper respiratory infection. Probiotics are found in fermented foods like yogurt, soy yogurt, kefir and in supplement form. The Cochrane Library, Dec 2011
Quote: “The trouble about always trying to preserve the health of the body is that it is so difficult to do without destroying the health of the mind.” ~ G. K. Chesterton
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Posted on 2011-12-23 05:30:12
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Resist Temptation? How do you defeat the impulse to gratify desire and stick to your long-term goals of slimness or sobriety? Just say, “no thanks” and move on. Don't stop and think about it. The presence of temptation twists your cognitive abilities in ways that promote impulsive behavior. Psychological Science, Oct 2011
Health Alert: Prescription Painkiller Abuse Epidemic! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overdoses involving prescription painkillers have tripled in the past 10 years and now kill more Americans than heroin and cocaine combined. A significant proportion of deaths are from people who obtain prescription painkillers without a prescription and use them for recreational use. CDC Vital Signs, Oct 2011
Diet: The Skinny On Coffee. The more coffee an adult drinks, the lower the risk seems to be for developing basal cell carcinoma (BCC), a common type of skin cancer. Women who had at least 3 cups of coffee daily had a 20% lower chance of developing BCC, compared to those who consumed less than one cup per month. Men who consumed at least three cups of coffee per day had a 9% lower risk of BCC. Harvard Medical School, Oct 2011
Exercise: Good Reasons. Exercise gives you more energy to meet the demands of daily life, and provides you with a reserve to meet the demands of unexpected emergencies. Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996
Chiropractic: Posture and Health. Posture and normal physiology are interrelated. Posture affects and moderates every physiological function from breathing to hormonal production. Abnormal posture is evident in patients with chronic and stress related illnesses. Observe people over 50 and you will see that people with bad posture look unhealthy. American Journal of Pain Management, 1994
Wellness/Prevention: Preventable Strokes. One in six people will suffer a stroke and someone dies from a stroke every 6 seconds. 85% of these people have risk factors that can prevent a stroke, if identified. 6 steps to reduce stroke risk: 1) Learn the warning signs of a stroke: sudden numbness, in particular if it only affects one side of the body, loss of balance or sudden vertigo, sudden difficulty in speaking or seeing, and severe headaches with no apparent cause. 2) Check your personal risk factors: high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes. 3) Exercise regularly and keep physically active. 4) Eat a healthy diet and avoid becoming obese. 5) Avoid cigarette smoke and seek help to stop if you are a smoker. 6) Restrict your alcohol consumption. World Stroke Organization, Oct 2011
Quote: “To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” ~ Gautama the Buddha, 563 BC
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Posted on 2011-12-16 06:03:10
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: A Long, Happy Life. Older people have a 35% lower chance of dying if they are content, excited or happy during their typical day. This was true even after taking into account such factors as a person’s financial situation, physical health, mental health, chronic disease, physical activity, alcohol intake, depression and age. Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences, Oct 2011
Health Alert: For The Young. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), the world's largest non-governmental organization working in sexual and reproductive health, is calling to renew the focus on young people's reproductive health. Currently, 16 million adolescent girls become mothers every year and almost 40% of the 6,800 new HIV infections each day are among young people. International Planned Parenthood Federation, Oct 2011
Diet: Alcohol, Good Or Bad? Red wine has been shown in many studies to benefit the immune system and cardiovascular system, but women who drink even moderately (as few as three drinks a week) increase their risk of breast cancer. Women who abstain from all alcohol may find that a potential benefit of lower breast cancer is more than offset by the increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Harvard Medical School, Oct 2011
Chiropractic: A Benefit For The Elderly. Elderly patients suffering from dizziness experienced significant clinical improvement after just one month of Chiropractic care. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2009
Quote: “In health there is freedom. Health is the first of all liberties.” ~ Henri-Frederic Amiel
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Posted on 2011-12-09 05:31:53
Courtesy of Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Brain Games. Researchers have found risk/reward scenarios (such as playing games) stimulate nearly all areas of the brain. Since the brain’s primary purpose is to maximize our chance of survival and reproduction, it makes sense reward should be important for all cognitive functions, and thus most brain regions. Neuron, Oct 2010
Health Alert: Antibiotics. After 70 years, antibiotics are still the primary treatment for bacterial infections. The prevalence of antibiotic resistance is now outpacing the rate of new drug discovery and approval. The economic costs and health threats of antibiotic resistance have become so serious that the World Health Organization dedicated World Health Day to call global attention to the issue. Antibiotics are routinely sprayed on crops and fed to livestock, which helps cause antibiotic resistant bacteria to develop. That antibiotic resistance is then transferred to humans when they eat the food containing the antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is resistant to a broad range of antibiotics, causes infections in people with compromised immune systems, such as HIV and cancer patients. It's also responsible for hospital-related infections such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia and infections from burns. The fatality rate is about 50%. Hospital-acquired urinary tract infections by P. aeruginosa alone cost more than $3.5 billion a year in the US. WHO, Oct 2011
Diet: A Slice Of Watermelon! Watermelon reduces atherosclerosis in animals. The study involved mice with diet-induced high cholesterol. By week 8, animals given watermelon juice had lower body weight, due to decreased fat mass. They experienced no decrease in lean mass. Plasma cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower, with modestly reduced intermediate and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. University of Kentucky, Oct 2011
Exercise: Reduces Productivity? Exercise may reduce work productivity in employees with high stress jobs. The study’s authors recommend employees with more stressful jobs utilize other techniques to manage stress. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Oct 2011
Chiropractic: Yoga & Low Back Pain. A 12-week yoga program for adults with chronic or recurrent low back pain improved back function better than back pain education booklets. Annals Of Internal Medicine, Nov 2011
Wellness/Prevention: Stop Smoking! Smokers are twice as likely to have strokes, and on average, they have them 10 years earlier than non-smokers. Heart and Stroke Foundation, Oct 2011
Quote: “You can turn painful situations around through laughter. If you can find humor in anything, even poverty, you can survive it.” ~ Bill Cosby
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Posted on 2011-12-01 14:28:47
Courtesy of: Brodeur Family Chiropractic
Mental Attitude: Commuting To Work Is Bad For Your Health! Spending hours each day behind the wheel or crammed in a public train or bus, commuting to and from work is bad for your health. Those who commuted reported more everyday stress, exhaustion, missed work days and generally poorer health. Those with longer commutes reported even worse health. Duke University, Oct 2011
Health Alert: Under Construction! Nearly all construction workers will experience one or more work-related injuries or illnesses over a lifetime, plus a greater risk of premature death. Over a 45-year career, a construction worker has a 75% chance of a disabling injury, and a one in 200 chance of being fatally injured on the job. An individual who begins construction work at the age of 20 has a 15% chance of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and an 11% chance of developing dust-related parenchymal chest X-ray changes. Center for Construction Research and Training, Oct 2011
Diet: Strawberries & Stomach Ulcers. Scientists discovered strawberry consumption might help reduce and or slow the formation of stomach ulcers caused by alcohol consumption, viral infections and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, like aspirin and ibuprofen. Plos One, Oct 2011
Exercise: Good Reasons. Exercise helps speed recovery from chemotherapy treatments, increases the ability to supply blood to the skin for cooling and increases the thickness of the cartilage in your joints. Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996
Chiropractic: Wound Healing & Mechanical Stress. Exerting mechanical forces on an injury site immediately after healing begins significantly inhibits vascular growth into the bone defect region. However, after healing is underway, introducing mechanical forces on the injury site can lead to a more robust vascular network. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Oct 2011
Wellness/Prevention: Cranberry Juice vs. Cranberry Extracts. Cranberries have been recognized for their health benefits for years, especially in preventing urinary tract infections. However, it was found that drinking actual cranberry juice is much more effective in preventing a Urinary Tract Infection than simply consuming cranberry extracts. Food Science and Biotechnology, Oct 2011
Quote: “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
Want More?
• To Receive The “Weekly Health Update” Every Monday Via Email, Go To www.WeeklyHealthUpdate.com - Code: 02888BRODE
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• Check Out: www.DrGaryBrodeurBlog.com
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