Exercise: Light Activity Good for Seniors’ Hearts.

Light physical activity appears to benefit older adults’ hearts even if they suffer from mobility issues. Research involving almost 1,200 elderly adults with limited mobility revealed that those who fit some movement into their day, such as light housework or slow walking, had a lower risk of suffering a heart attack over the following ten years. Senior researcher Dr. Thomas Buford adds, “I think this and other studies are showing us it’s never too late for people to benefit from physical activity.” Journal of the American Heart Association, February 2015

Diet: Unhealthy Foods on the Rise in Developing Nations.

While citizens in wealthier nations may be eating healthier foods, developing nations are consuming more processed meats and sugar-sweetened drinks than ever before. Senior study author Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian warns, “There is a particularly urgent need to focus on improving diet quality among poorer populations. If we do nothing, under-nutrition will be rapidly eclipsed by obesity and non-communicable diseases, as is already being seen in India, China, and other middle-income countries.” The Lancet Global Health, February 2015

Health Alert: Rivers a Factor in Antibiotic Resistance.

Flushing medications down the drain may be a major contributor to antibiotic resistance. Researchers found that water and sediment samples from rivers and waterways close to certain types of wastewater treatment plants had high levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Study co-author Dr. Elizabeth Wellington writes, “Antibiotic resistance naturally occurs in the environment, but we don’t yet know how human… waste is affecting its development… We’ve found that wastewater discharges affect resistance levels, and that improvements in our treatment processes could hold the key to reducing the prevalence of resistant bacteria in the environment.” The ISME Journal, February 2015

Mental Attitude: Workplace Bullying Problematic.

New research has found that bullying at work can increase anxiety levels in victims, leaving them less able to stand up for themselves and more vulnerable to further harassment. The researchers suggest that employers crack down on workplace bullies while also helping victims gain the skills to deal with difficult situations. Study co-author Dr. Sanz Vergel adds, “We are by no means victim-blaming here. Clearly employers need to have strong policies against workplace bullying. But training programs to help victims learn coping mechanisms could help to break the vicious cycle.” Anxiety, Stress & Coping: An International Journal, February 2015

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