WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE
Wednesday, October 16th, 2019
Courtesy of: Michael Ellis D.C.
Mental Attitude: Pets Can Help Buffer the Loss of a Spouse. Compared to those without a pet, older adults with an animal companion who have recently lost a spouse are significantly less likely to feel lonely or report depressive symptoms. The findings are particularly meaningful because loneliness and depression are known risk factors for death and other health problems. Gerontologist, August 2019 Health Alert: More Hot Flashes May Signal Greater Odds of Heart Trouble. Suffering from frequent hot flashes may be more than a mere annoyance. A twenty-year study that included about 3,300 menopausal women found that those who had frequent hot flashes were twice as likely to experience heart trouble. Lead author Dr. Rebecca Thurston explains, “The [heart events] were not explained by things like blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, exercise, or smoking, which are our usual suspects.” Dr. Thurston notes that further studies are needed to determine how hot flashes increase cardiac risks. North American Menopause Society, September 2019 Diet: Eat More Fiber! Among a group of 463 head and neck cancer patients, researchers observed that those with a higher intake of dietary fiber had a significantly reduced risk for cancer recurrence and cancer-related mortality. Nutrients, September 2019 Exercise: Just Two Weeks on the Couch… In this study, 28 healthy active adults were asked to cut their activity drastically. After just two weeks of a sedentary lifestyle, the volunteers experienced a 4% decrease in cardiorespiratory fitness, a .3-inch increase in waist circumference, a .2% increase in liver fat, a .5% increase in total body fat, and a slight increase in insulin resistance and triglyceride levels. Fortunately, these measurements improved within fourteen days after returning to an active lifestyle. European Association for the Study of Diabetes, September 2019 Chiropractic: Manual Therapies Can Help Patients with Cervical Radiculopathy. A recent study compared the effects of manual traction, manual intervertebral foramen opening technique, and a combination of the two techniques for three weeks in 40 patients suffering from cervical radiculopathy. The findings revealed that all treatment approaches were equally effective at decreasing pain and disability levels, and improving cervical mobility among participants. Chiropractors are known to utilize many manual therapy techniques when managing cervical radiculopathy patients. Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, September 2019 Wellness/Prevention: Gaining Weight the Healthy Way. The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that being underweight can be associated with problems such as anemia and fertility issues. To gain weight in a healthy way, the academy recommends the following: add healthier calories to your diet by eating nuts, seeds, and cheeses; eat highprotein meats; enjoy snacks that contain protein and healthier carbohydrates; eat small meals throughout the day; perform strength training exercises; and consult with your doctor before making changes to your diet or exercise routine. American Academy of Family Physicians, September 2019 Quote: “Don’t be intimidated by other people’s opinions. Only mediocrity is sure of itself, so take risks and do what you really want to do.” ~ Paulo Coelho