WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE
Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019
Courtesy of: Michael Ellis D.C.
Mental Attitude: Self-Esteem and Close Friendships. Investigators reviewed 52 studies that examined the impact selfesteem and friendships had on over 47,000 men and women and discovered that having strong social support and acceptance translated into having stronger self-esteem. Furthermore, the analysis showed that poor self-esteem and weak friendships undermined one's ability to develop strong social connections. Study author Dr. Michelle Harris explains, “The reciprocal link between self-esteem and social relationships implies that the effects of a positive feedback loop accumulate over time and could be substantial as people go through life.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, September 2019 Health Alert: High BMI at Midlife Linked to Higher Cancer Risk. An analysis of 42 years of data concerning 221,274 European adults found that being overweight (body mass index over 25) at age 40 was associated with a 15% increased risk for developing cancer. The findings suggest that maintaining a healthy weight at midlife may reduce one’s risk for cancer. International Journal of Epidemiology, September 2019 Diet: Eat More Fruits and Veggies! A comparison of the diets of 690 bladder cancer patients and 665 age-matched adults without a history of any type of cancer revealed that consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with up to a 38% reduced risk for cancer of the bladder. Cancer Epidemiology, September 2019 Exercise: Get Fit, Stay Fit! The World Health Organization notes that physical inactivity is the fourth most common risk factor for premature death. Additionally, the current data show that staying fit can slow the aging process and delay or reduce the risk for osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension, and musculoskeletal injuries. Federal guidelines recommend engaging in 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week and resistance training at least twice a week. Medical News (Poland), September 2019 Chiropractic: Screen Time Linked to Back Pain in Kids. Questionnaires completed by 1,628 students revealed that nearly half (46.7%) experienced an episode of back pain in the previous twelve months. Further analysis showed an association between an increased risk for back pain and spending three or more hours per day watching TV or using a tablet, laptop, or smartphone. The findings suggest that reducing screen time could lower the risk for back pain among children and teens. Journal of Pediatrics (Brazil), September 2019 Wellness/Prevention: Managing Hypoglycemia. There are a variety of causes for reactive hypoglycemia (low blood sugar following a meal), which range from drinking alcohol to metabolic disorders. Common symptoms include weakness, shakiness, and lightheadedness. To manage reactive hypoglycemia, the Mayo Clinic suggests doing the following: eat a balanced diet with lean meat, fiber, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables; avoid sugary foods and processed simple carbohydrates; eat food while drinking alcohol; and eat several small meals and snacks throughout the day. Mayo Clinic, October 2019 Quote: “The secret to my success is that I bit off more than I could chew and chewed as fast as I could.” ~ Paul Hogan