WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE
Thursday, September 26th, 2019
Courtesy of: Michael Ellis D.C.
Mental Attitude: Cognitive Impairment Risk Factors… According to a recent study in which researchers monitored the brain health of 2,603 seniors for ten years, the following factors are associated with an elevated risk for cognitive impairment: low education attainment, no spouse, low economic status, low social engagement, reduced physical function, and low fruit and vegetable intake. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, August 2019 Health Alert: Older Adults Most Likely to Be Scammed By Family. Seniors are often the target of scammers seeking easy cash, but a new study that analyzed data from the National Center on Elder Abuse found that nearly two-thirds (62%) of cases of elder financial abuse are committed by a family member. University of Southern California, August 2019 Diet: High-Protein Bedtime Snacks Not a Problem for Active Women. In this study, researchers observed that female weightlifters who drank a protein shake 30 minutes before bedtime did not experience any differences in overnight local belly fat metabolism or whole-body fat burn when compared to participants who did not drink a protein shake prior to sleeping. Study author Dr. Michael Ormsbee adds, “For far too long, people have been led to believe that eating before bed causes metabolic disturbances and will make them gain fat… However, the data simply does not support this when the food we choose to eat before bed is protein-based and small in size.” Journal of Nutrition, August 2019 Exercise: Exercise Gives the Brain a Boost. New research suggests that a single 20-minute session of aerobic exercise can lead to short-term improvements in connectivity between the medial temporal and the parietal cortex and prefrontal cortex, which are regions of the brain involved in cognition and memory. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, August 2019 Chiropractic: Chronic Back Disorders in Canadian Adults. A review of nationwide health data suggests that about 18% of young and middle-aged adults in Canada suffer from a chronic back disorder. Further analysis showed that the risk for a back disorder increases with age, and the risk is also higher among women, rural dwellers, and sedentary adults. Doctors of chiropractic treat many back disorders in their practices with use of spinal manipulation, exercise, and nutrition. BMC Public Health, August 2019 Wellness/Prevention: How to Stay Healthy at Work. Harvard Medical School offers the following suggestions for staying healthy at work: avoid "stress eating"; avoid sugary drinks and salty snacks; bring nuts, fruits, and vegetables to work; when possible, stand up while working; walk around; choose the stairs instead of the elevator; and have a sense of humor, as it's associated with better cardiovascular health. Harvard Medical School, August 2019 Quote: “Find the good. It's all around you. Find it, showcase it and you'll start believing in it.” ~ Jesse Owens