Wellness/Prevention: Lowering Diabetes Risk Among Pre-Diabetics.

University of Michigan Medical School researchers have found that healthy weight-loss strategies can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes among prediabetics by as much as 28% over a three-year period. British Medical Journal, February 2015

Quote: “Remember, darkness does not always equate to evil, just as light does not always bring good.” ~ P.C. Cast

Diet: Experts Say a Little Fat & Sugar OK for Kids if Diet Is Healthy.

Children’s eating habits are a growing concern due to the high prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States and other Western countries. A leading group of pediatricians suggests that a little sugar and fat is okay in a child’s diet if it helps them eat more fruits and vegetables. Researcher Dr. Robert Murray comments, “Think of sweeteners, fat, salt, and spices as ways to make nutrient-rich foods more palatable to children.” Pediatrics, February 2015

Health Alert: Frequent Sauna Use Linked to Reduced Risk of CVD.

After reviewing twenty years of data concerning 2,315 Finnish men, researchers found that those who used a sauna at least two to three times per week were 22% less likely to experience sudden cardiac death, 23% less likely to experience fatal coronary heart disease (CHD), had a 27% lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) death, and had a 24% lower risk of all-cause mortality during the course of the two-decade study. The authors write, “This study provides prospective evidence that sauna bathing is a protective factor against the risk of sudden cardiac death, fatal CHD, fatal CVD, and all-cause mortality events in the general male population. Our results suggest that sauna bathing is a recommendable health habit, although further studies are needed to confirm our results in different population settings.” JAMA Internal Medicine, February 2015

Mental Attitude: Sound of Mom’s Voice Aids Fetal Brain Growth.

A new study suggests that babies experience a brain boost when they hear the voice of their mother while in utero. Researchers found that sound centers in babies’ brains grew more quickly when they heard recordings of their mother versus other normal daily sounds. Babies who are born prematurely often suffer from hearing and language problems and these findings may explain why. Co-author Dr. Amir Lahav adds, “Babies begin to hear at 25 weeks’ gestation, and they’re exposed to the mother’s voice and heartbeat. If you put them inside the incubator for five to six weeks, you’re actually depriving them of these maternal exposures to the mother’s voice… The practice of encouraging mothers to visit their premature babies in the newborn nursery should be continued as it has so many other valuable effects.” Proceedings of the American Academy of Sciences, February 2015

Wellness/Prevention: Mindfulness Helps Seniors Sleep Better.

Mindfulness practices encourage individuals to focus their attention on the present, instead of the past or future, and to take an objective look at their thoughts and emotions. A new study finds that mindfulness meditation may help older adults get a better night’s sleep. In the study, those who learned mindfulness practices slept better within six weeks and also showed a greater reduction in depression symptoms and daytime fatigue. Co-author Dr. Adam Spira writes, “Cognitive behavioral therapy is highly effective… What I found most interesting about this [mindfulness] approach is that it’s a non-drug option, and it’s accessible to the community at large.” JAMA Internal Medicine, February 2015

Chiropractic: The Future of Chiropractic Research.

While data continues to grow regarding benefits of spinal manipulation for musculoskeletal conditions such as neck pain and low back pain, a new wave of chiropractors with clinical research training is investigating the profession’s potential to help in areas not typically associated with chiropractic care. Such areas include brain injury, work disability prevention, undifferentiated chest pain, hip osteoarthritis, and prevention of pain in children and adolescents. Though case studies and small-scale studies have shown promise, it’s hoped that larger and higher quality research in areas beyond the spine will help doctors of chiropractic better serve both musculoskeletal pain patients with non-musculoskeletal co-occurring/co-morbid conditions as well as non-musculoskeletal pain patients seeking alternative treatments. Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, March 2015

Exercise: Moderate Exercise Can Help Women’s Hearts.

Just a few bouts of moderate exercise each week can reduce a middle aged woman’s risk for heart disease, blood clots, and stroke by 20% when compared with women who do little or no exercise. Moderate exercise examples include walking, gardening, and cycling. Lead author Dr. Miranda Armstrong concludes, “To prevent heart disease, stroke and blood clots, women don’t have to be super athletes or strenuously exercise daily to experience the benefits of physical activity.” Circulation, February 2015