WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE
Wednesday, April 15th, 2020
Courtesy of: Michael Ellis D.C.
Health Alert: Make Sure to Completely Remove Leaves in the Fall. New research suggests that raked leaves left at the edge of a lawn or woodland can lead to a three-fold increase in blacklegged ticks in the spring. Researcher Dr. Robert Jordan writes, “The thing homeowners need to keep in mind is that accumulations of leaves and other plant debris provide ideal host-seeking and survival conditions for immature black-legged ticks... On properties with considerable leaf fall, the best option would be complete removal of leaves from areas most frequently used—such as lawns, outdoor seating areas, and in and around play sets.” Journal of Medical Entomology, March 2020 Diet: Eat More Fruits and Veggies. The results of a ten-year study involving over 2,000 adults suggest that individuals who consume more servings of fruits and vegetables per day and fewer servings of processed foods have a lower risk for heart disease than those who eat fewer servings of produce and more processed food products. American College of Cardiology, March 2020 Exercise: Exercise and Postpartum Depression. The current research suggests that women who exercise throughout pregnancy have a reduced risk for postpartum depression. Obstetrics and Gynecology, April 2020 Chiropractic: Manipulation for Dizziness? Among a group of ten patients with dizziness and accompanying cervical dysfunction, researchers observed that manipulative therapy applied to the upper cervical spine resulted in improvements in range of motion, dizziness intensity, pain, and functional capacity. Cervical spinal manipulation, a treatment performed by doctors of chiropractic, can reduce joint dysfunction in the neck, often improving symptoms such as dizziness. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, February 2020 Mental Attitude: Weak Grip May Hint at Greater Depression Risk. Past research suggests that weak grip strength, which can imply low physical fitness, may indicate an elevated risk for several poor health outcomes. In a study involving 8,470 adults, researchers observed that participants with a weak grip had an elevated risk for depression four years later. However, those whose grip strength increased during that time frame did not appear to have an increased risk for depressive symptoms. Journal of Affective Disorders, March 2020 Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D May Help Sarcopenia Patients. Sarcopenia is a disease associated with the loss of skeletal muscle mass during the aging process, and it affects around 12% of the elderly. In a twelveweek study, researchers observed that older women who raised their vitamin D levels via supplementation experienced improvements with respect to muscle strength, muscle function, and body composition. Methods in Molecular Biology, March 2020 Quote: “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent.” ~ John Donne