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

Diet: Fiber Helps People Lose Weight.

A new study indicates that a simple high-fiber diet can help lower blood pressure, reduce blood sugar, and aid in weight loss. Researchers found that increasing dietary fiber led to a host of other healthy dietary changes, likely because consuming more high-fiber foods can lead to a decrease in consumption of unhealthy foods that are high in fat and sugar. Study author Dr. Yunsheng Ma writes, “For people who find it difficult to follow complex dietary recommendations, a simpleto-follow diet with just one message — increase your fiber intake — may be the way to go.” Annals of Internal Medicine, February 2015

Mental Attitude: Kids Can Suffer from Migraines Too.

According to the American Migraine Foundation, about 6% of children and more than 25% of teens ages 15-17 suffer from migraines. Many factors can contribute to childhood migraines, including too little or too much sleep and abnormal stress. Children with migraines should be evaluated by a healthcare professional for potential treatment options. American Migraine Foundation, February 2015

Wellness/Prevention: Keep Young Children Cavity-Free.

Starting good dental habits at an early age is vital when it comes to the health of a child’s teeth. Dr. Gretchen Henson, a dentist at Interfaith Medical Center in New York, recommends that parents clean infant gums with a soft cloth after feeding and never let infants and toddlers sleep with bottles of milk or juice. Because tooth decay bacteria are highly contagious, she recommends that parents never lick a pacifier to clean it or share utensils with their child. Her other recommendations include limiting sugary drinks, avoiding all day snacking, brushings teeth twice daily, and start flossing early when two teeth touch. Interfaith Medical Center, February 2015

Chiropractic: Quick Recovery for Spinal Degeneration?

Lumber spinal stenosis is a condition that eventually leads to compression/choking of spinal nerve roots in the lower back that can produce tingling, weakness, or numbness that radiates from the low back and into the buttocks and legs. A recent study found that just one spinal adjustment resulted in immediate improvements in perceived pain, spinal mobility, and hip flexion among men who suffer from osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis. Further long-term studies are needed, but the findings are hopeful for those who are searching for relief from spinal degeneration symptoms. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, September 2014