Taking vitamin D supplements may slow or reverse the progression of low-grade prostate tumors. In a new study, many of the men who received vitamin D supplements demonstrated improved outcomes while the men who received a placebo either experienced no change to their tumors or their tumors got worse. Researcher Dr. Bruce Hollis comments, “We don’t know yet whether vitamin D treats or prevents prostate cancer. At the minimum, what it may do is keep lower-grade prostate cancers from going ballistic.” American Chemical Society, March 2015
Health Alert: Secondhand Smoke Places Kids at Risk for Heart Disease Later in Life.
Children whose parents smoke have a higher risk of developing heart disease when they reach adulthood than children raised in smoke-free households. In a newly published study in the journal Circulation, researchers found that adults who were exposed to secondhand smoke from one or both parents during childhood were 1.7 times more likely to have carotid artery plaque buildup than those whose parents did not smoke. The authors note that their findings add to growing evidence that childhood exposure to secondhand smoke can have long-lasting effects on heart health. Circulation, March 2015
Mental Attitude: Adopted Kids Have Higher IQ Scores Than Their Non-Adopted Siblings.
A recent study has discovered that adopted children tend to have a slightly higher IQ than their siblings who were raised by their biological parents. The difference, which equated to about 4 IQ points, appears to be the result of above average educational levels among the adoptive parents. While four points may not seem like much, it is the equivalent to moving up 10% in cognitive ability compared with the rest of the population. Study co-author Dr. Eric Turkheimer adds, “The more educated the adoptive parents are, the bigger the advantage for the child.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, March 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Does Xylitol Prevent Tooth Decay?
Researchers have found that the available evidence on the effects of xylitol (a natural sugar substitute used in candy, gum, and toothpaste) is insufficient to prove it prevents tooth decay. The investigators found low-quality evidence that tooth decay was lower among children who used a fluoride toothpaste containing xylitol when compared with children who used a fluoride-only toothpaste. An analysis of the rest of the data covering other xylitol-containing products like xylitol syrup, lozenges, and tablets found little or no evidence the sugar substitute prevents tooth decay. The authors also highlighted the fact that several of the studies did not give sufficient information about xylitol’s side effects, such as bloating, diarrhea, and laxative effects. Cochrane Database Systematic Review, March 2015
Quote: “Trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.” ~ Molière
Chiropractic: Back Pain Increases Insomnia Risk!
Lack of quality sleep has previously been associated with a number of poor health outcomes including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, and stoke. After questioning 481 chronic low back pain patients, a team of South Korean researchers reports that 43% of the patients developed mild-to-severe insomnia after they developed back pain. They further note that back pain patients who also had musculoskeletal pain in at least one other body site were over eight times more likely to report sleeping difficulties. The Korean Journal of Pain, April 2015
Exercise: Improve Flexibility with Yoga!
Can yoga help seniors remain flexible as they age? To test this premise, 22 older adults practiced yoga and 20 elderly men and women practiced calisthenics for a year, while 24 seniors served as a control group. One year later, the researchers found the control group experienced a reduction in overall flexibility while the yoga and calisthenics groups scored higher on flexibility assessments compared to their scores from the start of the study. However, those in the yoga group scored four times higher on flexibility assessments than those in the calisthenics group suggesting that the slow and passive movements found in yoga are more helpful in improving flexibility than the fast and dynamic movements of a calisthenics routine. International Journal of Yoga Therapy, September 2014
Diet: Flavonoids Reduce Mortality Risk!
Flavonoids are compounds found in foods such as tea, chocolate, red wine, fruit, and vegetables that have been associated with a reduced risk of death from cancer and some cardiovascular-related diseases. A new study that followed 1,063 elderly women for five years found that those with the highest intake of flavonoids were over 30% less likely to die from any cause over the course of the study than the participants with the lowest flavonoid intake. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, April 2015
Health Alert: Are Your Kitchen Towels Making You Sick?
A new study finds that cloth towels can easily become contaminated with the dangerous germs that can cause foodborne illness and may be the top contamination hazard in your kitchen. Previous studies have found that bacteria commonly found in raw meat and poultry can grow on cloth towels overnight, even if they are washed and rinsed in the sink. Food Protection Trends, March 2015
Mental Attitude: Can Boredom Be Good for You?
Mental Attitude: Can Boredom Be Good for You?
The conclusion of a new report suggests that boredom can actually lead to creativity. Researchers found that participants who completed a boring task were more creative afterwards than a control group that was assigned more interesting work. University of Central Lancashire psychologist Dr. Sandi Mann believes it is important for children to be bored. She adds, “Unlike so many parents today, I am quite happy when my kids whine that they are bored. Finding ways to amuse themselves is an important skill.” The Psychologist, March 2015
Chiropractic: Workplace Bullying Affects the Body Too!
Chiropractic: Workplace Bullying Affects the Body Too!
An analysis of twelve previously published studies regarding workplace bullying estimates that 11% of employees are subjected to abuse at some level. Along with the emotional problems that arise from such workplace conflict, the authors of the study note that victims are also at greater risk for musculoskeletal complaints, especially neck pain. Innovations in Clinic Neuroscience, February 2015
Aberdeen Chiropractic 