Wellness/Prevention: Winter Weather Can Deprive You of Vitamin D.

Many residents of snowy, high latitude cities are most likely at risk of vitamin D deficiency, claims nutrition researcher Dr. Peter Horvath. For example, during the winter months almost 50% of Buffalo, New York residents have insufficient amounts of vitamin D and 25% are considered vitamin D deficient. Deficient levels of vitamin D may result in lower bone density, a weakened immune system, increased risk for type 2 diabetes, higher susceptibility to some cancers, an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and cognitive impairment in older adults. Dr. Horvath advises that spending more time in the sun during the warmer months along with increased dietary/supplement intake of vitamin D can be helpful maintaining healthy levels of vitamin D well into the winter season. University at Buffalo, February 2015 Quote: “Maybe everyone can live beyond what they’re capable of.” ~ Markus Zusak

Chiropractic: Abnormal Neck Posture Associated with Headache Risk.

After comparing neck x-rays of patients with cervicogenic headaches (or headaches originating from dysfunction in the neck) to neck x-rays of healthy controls, researchers found that just a 3-4° difference in cervical lordosis (curve) is associated with an 8% increased risk for developing this type of headache. Physical Therapy, February 2015

Diet: Are Fruits and Vegetables Good for Your Lungs?

A meta-analysis of 38 studies indicates that eating fruits and vegetables can have a protective effect on the lungs. After reviewing data concerning nearly five million individuals, researchers conclude that consuming up to two servings of fruit and two servings of vegetables per day is associated with as much as a 16% reduced risk for developing lung cancer. Lung Cancer, February 2015

Health Alert: Immune System Development Influenced Early in Life.

New research shows that exposure to a variety of bacteria during gestation and infancy can promote a more diverse population of bacteria in the gut. A healthy population of gut bacteria can aid in the development of the immune system and reduce a child’s risk for allergies and asthma. Research leader Dr. Christine Cole Johnson comments, “For years now, we’ve always thought that a sterile environment was not good for babies. Our research shows why. Exposure to these micro-organisms, or bacteria, in the first few months after birth actually help stimulate the immune system. The immune system is designed to be exposed to bacteria on a grand scale. If you minimize those exposures, the immune system won’t develop optimally.” Henry Ford Health System, February 2015

Mental Attitude: Stroke Increases Dementia Risk.

Taiwanese researches followed 10,884 first-time stroke patients with no history of dementia and found that such patients are six-times more likely to be diagnosed with dementia during the following five years than a similar population with no history of stroke. Current Alzheimer Research, March 2015

Wellness/Prevention: Visibility Enhancement Systems May Not Improve Driver Safety.

While it’s logical that technological advances to improve roadway visibility should always reduce a driver’s risk of hitting an unseen obstacle, new research published in the Journal of Safety Research claims otherwise. In the study, drivers in cars equipped with a Visibility Enhancement System were more confident, less stressed, drove faster, and had nearly twice as many collisions with unexpected obstacles than drivers in cars without such technology. Journal of Safety Research, June 2014 Quote: “One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing is what we do for others.” ~ Lewis Carroll

Exercise: Using a Wii May Be Helpful for Reducing Cardiovascular Risk.

Exercise videogames have been widely marketed to Americans in an attempt to increase fitness, but do they help? A new study examined the benefits of exercise video game use among individuals with hypertension. Participants completed a twelve-week program that included 36, one-hour sessions. The researchers noted significant improvement in physical activity minutes, peak heart rate, and resting systolic blood pressure at the conclusion of the study, along with improvements in general health, vitality, and emotional health. The findings support the use of exercise video games to improve both cardiovascular fitness and psychosocial health. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, February 2015

Health Alert: Cancer Survival Rates Have Improved Since the 1990s, But…

A new study finds that while survival rates have increased for individuals with breast, prostate, lung, liver, and colon cancers over the past 20 years, the improvements have been less remarkable among elderly cancer patients. Lead researcher Dr. Wei Zheng advises that further research is needed to identify reasons for the slower improvement in cancer survival among older adults in hopes of further reducing cancer mortality rates in the senior population. JAMA Oncology, February 2015

Mental Attitude: Binge Drinking Increases Suicide Risk Among Females.

Women with no history of major depression who binge drink (4 drinks < 2 hours at least once every two weeks) are 2.57 times more likely to attempt suicide than their non-binge drinking peers with no history of major depression. The authors of the study advise that efforts to reduce binge drinking among females should be incorporated in community-wide suicide prevention strategies. Addictive Behavior, April 2015

Wellness/Prevention: Eat More Carrots to Reduce Diabetes Risk!

A diet rich in alpha-carotene and beta-carotene can reduce a person’s risk for developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 22%. The most common source of carotenes in the American diet is carrots; however, pumpkin, winter squash, sweet potato, spinach, and broccoli are also great food sources of alpha-carotene and/or beta-carotene. Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases, December 2014 Quote: “And in the end it is not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.” ~ Abraham Lincoln