Mental Attitude: Is COPD Linked to Dementia? For those needing more reasons to avoid cigarette smoke and other forms of air pollution, a new study notes an association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and mild cognitive impairment, a risk factor for dementia. Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, March 2015

Health Alert: New CPR Devices Approved by FDA. The ResQCPR system involves two new devices that can be used together to aid people who require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The first device is called the ResQPump, which attaches to a person’s chest with a suction cup, making it easier for the rescuer to compress and decompress the chest during CPR. The second device, the ResQPod, fits onto a rescue mask or breathing tube to help reduce pressure inside the victim’s chest, which helps draw more blood to the heart. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that when used together, the devices help increase the amount of oxygenated blood that circulates through the patient’s body during CPR and thus increases their chance of survival. Food and Drug Administration, March 2015

Diet: Vegetarian Diet May Reduce Risk of Colon Cancer. A new study involving more than 77,000 adults has found that a vegetarian diet may cut an individual’s risk of colorectal cancer by 20%. The researchers believe the benefit is mainly the result of eating less red and processed meat (both of which have been associated with a high risk for colorectal cancer) and eating more fiberrich foods in the form of fruits and vegetables (which have been linked to a reduced risk for the disease). JAMA Internal Medicine, March 2015 Exercise: How to Shop for Athletic Shoes. It is essential to wear a properly fitted and supportive pair of shoes when exercising. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society offers the following tips: shop at a specialty store to take advantage of their expertise, try on shoes at the end of the day when your feet are largest, wear the socks you usually wear when exercising, make sure you can easily move your toes after lacing them up, walk or run a few steps to test that the shoes firmly grip your heels, and look for a sportspecific shoe if you plan to play a particular sport. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, March 2015

Chiropractic: How Whole Body Vibrations Increase Back Injury Risk… While exposure to whole body vibrations (WBV) has been identified as a risk factor for a work-related back injury, previous research hasn’t determined why this is the case. In a recent study, volunteers lifted a box in front of them from ground level to a waist height platform to the left of their bodies repeatedly during two hour-long sessions. Before one of the sessions, participants sat for an hour on a vibrating platform. An analysis of body movements from both sessions showed that WBV exposure resulted in faster and more exaggerated twisting motions by participants. Over time, such behavioral changes during repeated lifting tasks following WBV exposure may increase an individual’s risk for an injury to the lower back. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, March 2015

Wellness/Prevention: Focusing on Sleep Quality and Stress Reduction Helps Reduce Diabetes Risk! For those at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, a new study recommends focusing on reducing stress and getting quality sleep in addition to increasing physical activity and eating better. Researcher Dr. Mariam Kashani explains, “By taking sleep and stress into account, we factor in important hormonal processes to better manage glucose. When we are stressed, our bodies release extra glucose and when we are tired, we tend to make poor food choices. In this context, people often regain weight, and in doing so, they may revert back to worsening blood glucose levels.” American College of Cardiology’s 64th Annual Scientific Session in San Diego, March 2015

Quote: “The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again.” ~ Charles Dickens

Chiropractic: Stretching Can Help Office Workers with Neck and Shoulder Pain.

For office workers with chronic neck and shoulder pain, a recent study found that performing neck and shoulder stretching exercises at least three days a week led to significant improvements in both pain and function. Clinical Rehabilitation, March 2015

Wellness/Prevention: Benefits From Diet & Exercise.

A healthy diet combined with exercise can lead to many benefits. The Weight-Control Information Network lists the following benefits of exercise: keeps your body energized for work and play, improves ability to manage stress, promotes a positive self-image, improves the fit and look of clothing, tones muscles, and creates a positive example for family and friends. The Weight-Control Information Network, March 2015

Exercise: Exercise’s Effect on the Brain Could Improve Mobility as We Age.

A small study conducted at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago indicates that staying physically active in adulthood may ward off mobility problems later in life. In a study involving 167 seniors, those with a history of physical exercise had higher mobility scores than their peers who were mostly sedentary during their working years, even in the presence of brain deterioration typically associated with movement difficulty among the elderly. Neurology, March 2015

Diet: Could This Olive Oil Compound One Day Fight Cancer?

Oleocanthal, a compound in extra virgin olive oil, has been observed to cause cell death in cancer cells; however, scientists have been unable to determine how it worked. Now, researchers claim that oleocanthal acts by rupturing the lysosomes found in cancer cells, causing cell death within 30 minutes while leaving noncancerous cells untouched. Study co-author Dr. Paul Breslin notes, “The mechanism of killing cancer cells and sparing healthy cells, lysosomal membrane permeabilization, has been hypothesized as a possible mechanism of effectively killing cancer cells and sparing healthy tissues but has never been realized before. Our realization of this makes this paper of particular therapeutic interest for cancer treatment.” Molecular & Cellular Oncology, January 2015

Health Alert: Family History of Prostate Cancer May Be Linked to Breast Cancer Risk.

A family history of prostate cancer may be tied to a woman’s risk of breast cancer. Researchers found that women whose father, brother, or son have had prostate cancer may have a 14% greater risk of developing breast cancer when compared with women whose male family members have not had prostate cancer. They also found that women with a family history of both prostate and breast cancer have a 78% greater risk of developing breast cancer when compared with women whose family histories have neither. The findings call attention to the need for women to know their complete family medical history, particularly cancer diagnosed among first-degree relatives, including fathers, brothers, and sons. Cancer, March 2015

Mental Attitude: Does IQ Determine How Much Alcohol a Young Man Drinks?

Swedish researchers have found that lower male IQ scores are linked to greater risks for heavy and binge drinking behaviors. The research team separated the nearly 50,000 male study participants into nine groups based on IQ scores from highest to lowest. They found that the risk of heavy drinking increased 20% and the risk of binge drinking increased 9% as they moved each level downwards towards the group with the lowest IQ scores. While it’s believed that many factors may influence an individual’s alcohol consumption, those with higher IQ scores may be more likely to make lifestyle choices that would steer them clear of situations that encourage heavy drinking. Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, March 2015

Wellness/Prevention: Weight Loss Should Be Part of Cancer Prevention Strategies!

Current research shows that obesity is associated with a higher risk for ovarian and endometrial cancers, as well as postmenopausal breast cancer in women. Though the precise mechanism behind the elevated risk for such cancers is unknown, it’s suspected obesity-related changes to a woman’s sex hormone levels, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation may be to blame. Obese women are also at greater risk for cancer recurrence and mortality. Experts recommend that obese women adopt a healthier lifestyle as part of a cancer prevention strategy. Best Practice & Research, Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology, February 2015

Chiropractic: Advanced Diagnostic Imaging for Seniors with Back Pain?

While most treatment guidelines generally advise against CT/MRI scans for younger adults with new onset back pain, guidelines for older adults allow for early imaging. However, it’s unknown if this improves outcomes or possibly worsens them if such imaging leads to treatments that may have serious adverse effects. To find out, researchers followed 5,239 seniors for the year after their initial visit regarding back pain. Of the group, 349 received either a CT or MRI scan within six weeks of their first appointment. One year later, outcome assessments focused on measuring disability found that early advanced imaging was not associated with better treatment outcomes. JAMA, March 2015