Health Alert: E-Cigarettes May Pose Risk to Developing Teenage Brains.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that e-cigarette usage by teenagers could be detrimental to their ongoing health. Experts from the CDC note that published studies indicate that nicotine exposure during adolescence can harm the areas of the brain responsible for thinking and language development, as well as short-term and long-term memory. Dr. Tim McAfee, the director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office on Smoking and Health writes, “Although e-cigarettes have some benefit among adult smokers if they are used as a complete substitute for all tobacco products, e-cigarettes should not be used by youth and adult non-tobacco users because of the harmful effects of nicotine and the risk of progression to other forms of tobacco use.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine, March 2015

Mental Attitude: Brains of Anorexics React Differently to Hunger.

An abnormal brain response to hunger signals appears to be the reason people develop the eating disorder known as anorexia nervosa. After analyzing the neural function of 23 women who had recovered from anorexia, researchers found a decreased reward response in the brain, even in the presence of hunger. Senior author Dr. Walter Kaye adds, “Our study suggests that brain circuitry differences in anorexics make them less sensitive to reward and the motivational drive of hunger. Put another way, hunger does not motivate them to eat.” Biological Psychiatry, March 2015

Chiropractic: Unstable Shoes May Help Back Pain Patients.

Shoes with curved soles, known as unstable shoes, were developed to help strengthen lower extremity muscles and reduce joint loading on the knees and ankles. A new study looked at the effect unstable shoes have on the mid-body and found that the use of such footwear increases muscle activity in the core, particularly in the muscles that help maintain posture. The researchers conclude, “[The] use of unstable shoes may have potential implications in promoting spine tissue health, particularly in strengthening trunk muscles in healthy population or in low back pain treatment.” European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine, April 2015

Exercise: Midlife Fitness Reduces Cancer Risk in Men.

Middle-aged men who are fit appear less likely to develop lung and colon cancer when they reach their later years. After treadmill testing nearly 14,000 men, researchers found that the more fit participants had roughly a 50% lower risk for lung and colon cancer and a 30% lower risk of death from such cancers when compared with the least fit men in the study. Lead researcher Dr. Susan Lakoski writes, “Importantly, fit men who developed prostate cancer in the current study had a lower risk of dying of cancer or cardiovascular disease. This speaks to the importance of being fit in midlife to improve survival, even if a man ultimately develops lung, prostate, or colorectal cancer.” JAMA Oncology, March 2015

Diet: Limit Alcohol Consumption and Maintain Healthy Weight to Lower Liver Cancer Risk.

While it may not surprise anyone that drinking three or more alcoholic drinks per day may raise an individual’s odds for liver cancer, a new study that analyzed data collected from 8.2 million men and women also found that being overweight or obese appears to raise an individual’s risk for cancer of the liver. World Cancer Research Fund International, March 2015

Health Alert: Deaths Rising Due to High Blood Pressure.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the overall death rate attributable to hypertension has increased 23% since 2000. Sadly, cardiac care experts agree that many fatal heart attacks and strokes could be prevented if individuals took measures to better manage their high blood pressure. Dr. Gregg Fonarow, a professor of cardiology at the University of California adds, “There is a critical need to facilitate and incentivize improvement in blood pressure control and heart health, as well provide optimal patient care.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March 2015

Mental Attitude: This Herb May Be a Potential Alternative Treatment for Depression.

Promising new research indicates that roseroot (Rhodiola rosea) could one day serve as an alternative treatment option for those suffering from mild-to-moderate depression. The herb has traditionally been used to promote work endurance, increase longevity, and promote resistance to several health conditions such as fatigue, altitude sickness, and depression. Researchers found that although study participants receiving a common anti-depressant were more likely to report improvements in their symptoms than those given the roseroot extract, the differences were not statistically significant. Furthermore, 63% of patients who received the anti-depressant reported side effects compared with only 30% of those in the roseroot group. Phytomedicine, March 2015

Wellness/Prevention: Are 80% of Strokes Preventable?

According to an article in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, four out of every five strokes could be prevented if individuals took measures to avoid cigarette smoke, eat a heart-healthy diet, exercise on a regular basis, and better control their blood pressure and cholesterol levels, among other strategies. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, March 2015

Quote: “Always remember, your focus determines your reality.” ~ George Lucas

Exercise: Type 2 Diabetics Should Exercise After Dinner.

Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered that people with type 2 diabetes can reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by exercising after eating supper. Participants in the study performed resistance exercises such as leg curls, calf raises, and abdominal crunches either before dinner, after dinner, or not at all. Compared with blood sugar tests conducted on non-exercise days, the researchers found that exercising either before or after dinner led to reductions in blood glucose levels. However, only exercise conducted after dinner was associated with reductions in cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Researcher Dr. Jill Kanaley explains, “This study shows that it is not just the intensity or duration of exercising that is important but also the timing of when it occurs… Results from this study show that resistance exercise has its most powerful effect on reducing glucose and fat levels in one’s blood when performed after dinner.” Journal of Applied Physiology, December 2014

Health Alert: Statins Linked to Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes.

Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may significantly increase a user’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The authors of a new study found that statins increase insulin resistance and also appear to impair the pancreas’ ability to secrete insulin. They also found that the risk of developing diabetes increased with higher statin doses. Diabetolgia, March 2015