WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE
Thursday, November 14th, 2019
Courtesy of: Michael Ellis D.C.
Mental Attitude: PTSD Linked to Stroke Risk Among Young Adults. The results of a thirteen-year study that included over one million veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan revealed that those who had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were 62% more likely to have a stroke and two times more likely to have a transient ischemic attack (TIA) than veterans without a history of PTSD. The research team adds that this is the first study to reveal a link between PTSD and the risk of TIA and stroke in young and middle-aged adults. Stroke, October 2019 Health Alert: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Is a Growing Problem. An analysis of data from the United Kingdom has revealed that the number of individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased 50% during the last twenty years. Though there are no known cures for IBD, researchers note that one can reduce their risk for the condition by not smoking, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise. United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week, October 2019 Diet: Some Ketogenic Diets May Exacerbate Skin Conditions. The ketogenic diet triggers ketosis, which is a metabolic process in which the body breaks down fats and proteins and transforms them into energy for the body. According to a new study, when researchers placed mice with a psoriasis-like skin inflammation on a ketogenic diet high in medium-chain triglycerides (such as those in coconut oil or palm oil), their condition worsened. However, long-chain triglycerides (found in foods such as olive oil, soybean oil, fish, nuts, and avocado) did not exacerbate skin inflammation in the test subjects. Co-author Dr. Barbara Kofler adds, “This study leads to a broader understanding of possible effects of ketogenic diets with a very high fat content on skin inflammation and underlines the importance of the composition of fatty acids in the diet.” Journal of Investigative Dermatology, October 2019 Exercise: Just Ten Minutes a Day. Using data from the Framingham Heart Study, researchers report that engaging in just ten minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity a day is enough for a middle-aged individual to experience cognitive benefits. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, October 2019 Chiropractic: Chronic Neck Pain? Among a group of 48 female dentists with chronic neck pain, those who participated in an eight-week therapeutic exercise program experienced improvements related to neck pain, disability, posture, and overall health status that were not observed in participants in a control group who did not receive exercise instruction. Doctors of chiropractic often treat chronic neck pain patients using a combination of spinal manipulation, mobilization, and exercise recommendations. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, October 2019 Wellness/Prevention: Keeping Childhood Asthma Under Control. The current research suggests that staying physically active, eating a low-inflammatory diet, and reducing sedentary time may help children with asthma better manage their condition. Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine, October 2019 Quote: “The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.” ~ Eden Phillpotts