Mental Attitude: Are Men the More Narcissistic Gender?

Based on information collected over 30 years from more than 475,000 people, researchers from the University of Buffalo School of Management claim they can explain why some females fail to break the corporate glass ceiling: women just aren’t narcissistic enough. The results of the study showed that men scored consistently higher than women in narcissism, regardless of age. Study author Dr. Emily Grijalva explains, “Narcissism is associated with various interpersonal dysfunctions, including an inability to maintain healthy long-term relationships, unethical behavior, and aggression. At the same time, narcissism is shown to boost self-esteem, emotional stability, and the tendency to emerge as a leader. By examining gender differences in narcissism, we may be able to explain gender disparities in these important outcomes.” Psychological Bulletin, March 2015

Staying motivated to achieve your health and fitness goals can be easier if you have a strong support system. The American Council on Exercise recommends communicating with a partner or loved one about your goals, finding an accountability buddy to encourage you, and connecting with others who are focused on improving their health. The American Council on Exercise, March 2015

Diet: Vitamin B1 Deficiency May Affect from 1 in 6 to Nearly 1 in 3 Obese Adults.

Between 15.5% and 29% of obese patients seeking bariatric surgery are thiamine (also known as vitamin B1) deficient. Though important for metabolism, nerve conduction, and muscle contraction, thiamine is not produced by the body and must be derived from food sources. Thiamine deficiency has been associated with weakness, fatigue, psychosis, and nerve damage. While obesity is thought to be a disease of excess nutrition, this finding suggests that it may also be a disease of malnutrition. Advances in Nutrition, March 2015

Health Alert: Nearly Two Out of 3 People with Invasive Cancer Are Surviving 5 Years or More.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the overall five-year survival rate for patients following a cancer diagnosis is now just over 60%. While prostate and breast cancer — the two most common body sites for cancer in the United States — have high five-year survival rates (97% and 88%, respectively), there’s significant room for improvement with lung cancer patients as their five-year survival rate is just 18%. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March 2015

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