Mental Attitude: Are Parents to Blame for Narcissistic Kids?

If you want to avoid raising a narcissistic child, then the authors of a new study recommend not overvaluing your son or daughter. The researchers found the children whose parents described them as “more special than other children” and who “deserve something extra in life” scored higher on tests of narcissism. Study co-author Dr. Brad Bushman adds, “Children believe it when their parents tell them that they are more special than others. That may not be good for them or for society.” Dr. Bushman and his colleagues recommend that parent training interventions could teach parents to express affection toward their children without telling them that they are better than others. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, March 2015

Chiropractic: Here’s Why Preventing and Managing Knee and Back Pain Is So Important…

For those wishing to maximize their quality of life during their later years, take steps now to manage and or prevent both knee and back pain. Researchers surveyed nearly 3,000 men and women over age the age of 50 and found that knee pain and/or back pain are associated with a greater quality of life reduction than most chronic diseases. PM & R: The Journal of Injury, Function, and Rehabilitation, March 2015

Exercise: Jumping Exercise May Help Knee Osteoarthritis.

Progressive high-impact training appears to improve patellar cartilage quality in postmenopausal woman. High-impact loading (jumping type of exercise) has long been thought to be harmful to articular cartilage; however, a new study found that a twelve-month supervised progressive high-impact exercise program that included jumping and versatile rapid movements actually improved the quality of patellar cartilage in postmenopausal woman with mild knee osteoarthritis. The findings suggest that despite the presence mild knee osteoarthritis, individuals should be encouraged to implement high-impact loading exercises to maintain and improve their health and functional ability. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, February 2015

Diet: High-Energy Breakfast with Low-Energy Dinner Helps Type 2 Diabetics.

Type 2 diabetics who consume a high-energy breakfast and a low-energy dinner have better control of their blood sugar than those who eat a low-energy breakfast and a highenergy dinner. This dietary approach results in lower post-meal glucose levels and higher levels of insulin, C-peptide (a component of insulin), and glucagon-like-peptide 1 hormone (GLP-1 and also known as incretin: an indicator of glucose metabolism that stimulates insulin release). Study co-author Dr. Oren Froy concludes, “A person’s meal timing schedule may be a crucial factor in the improvement of glucose balance and prevention of complications in type 2 diabetes and lends further support to the role of the circadian system in metabolic regulation.” Diabetologia, February 2015

Health Alert: Fluoridated Drinking Water Associated with Higher Rates of Thyroid Problems.

United Kingdom researchers have found a correlation between the amount of fluoride in public drinking water and an increase in the incidence of underactive thyroid. They found that when fluoride levels exceed 0.3 milligrams per liter, the risk for having an underactive thyroid increases by 30%. The researchers believe that efforts to strengthen dental health should move away from fluoridated water and focus on topical fluoride-based and non-fluoride-based interventions. Dr. Terry Davies, a professor of medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in New York City writes, “This dramatic increase in thyroid dysfunction associated with fluoridation of the water supply adds to previous studies indicating that fluoride has an inhibitory effect on the thyroid gland.” Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, February 2015

Wellness/Prevention: Mobile App Promotes Sun-Safety.

Personalized, real-time sun protection advice provided by a smartphone app may help keep users from receiving a harmful dose of ultraviolet radiation by encouraging them to seek out shade. Participants in a recent study who used the Solar Cell mobile app were more likely to use wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen, protective clothing, and stay in the shade than non-app users when researchers followed up with them seven weeks later. JAMA Dermatology, February 2015

Quote: “There must be those among whom we can sit down and weep and still be counted as warriors.” ~ Adrienne Rich

Wellness/Prevention: Protect Against Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas that can quickly lead to deadly consequences. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, the Colorado State University Extension suggests the following: never run your car inside the garage, don’t burn charcoal inside an enclosed living area, don’t attempt to install or service a combustion appliance without proper knowledge, never attempt to heat your home with a gas range or dryer, and do not run an unvented gas-burning appliance inside a building. Colorado State University Extension, February 2015 Quote: “There was another life that I might have had, but I am having this one.” ~ Kazuo Ishiguro

Exercise: Yoga Gaining in Popularity in the United States.

Between 2002 and 2012, the percentage of adults who tried yoga increased from just under 6% to over 10%, with a similar trend observed among children and seniors. Yoga is described as an ancient art based on harmonizing the body, mind, and spirit which can lead to a sense of peace, well-being, and a feeling of being at one with the environment. National Center for Health Statistics, February 2015

Mental Attitude: Violent Crime Risk Rises with Depression.

An analysis of more than 47,000 Swedish men and women suggests that individuals with depression may be more likely to commit a violent crime that those without depression. Investigators found that nearly 4% of depressed men and 0.5% of depressed women in the study committed a violent crime in the three years following their depression diagnosis. In comparison, during the same time frame, the violent crime rates were just over 1% of men and 0.2% of women among Swedes in the general population without a depression diagnosis. Study author Dr. Seena Fazel adds, “One important finding was that the vast majority of depressed persons were not convicted of violent crimes, and that the rates reported are below those for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and considerably lower than for alcohol or drug abuse.” Lancet Psychiatry, February 2015