Menu

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE 

Tuesday, May 12th, 2020

 Courtesy of: Michael Ellis D.C.

Health Alert: Paper Towels or Air Hand Dryers? Washing one’s hands after using the restroom is vital for reducing the spread of germs, but new research suggests that how hands are dried is also important. The study found that contamination on doorknobs and in the surrounding area is ten times greater in restrooms that use air hand dryers than in restrooms that offer paper towels. European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, April 2020 Diet: Fruits and Veggies May Cut Risk for Stomach Cancer. A comparison of dietary questionnaires completed by 415 gastric cancer patients and 830 individuals with no history of gastric cancer showed that a higher intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with up to a 42% reduced risk for stomach cancer. European Journal of Nutrition, April 2020 Exercise: The Best Exercise for Mental Fitness? A review of findings from 80 published studies found that participating in sports that require complex movement patterns and interaction with other players may be more effective than other forms of exercise at slowing age-related cognitive decline. Nature Human Behaviour, April 2020 Chiropractic: Manual Therapy for TMD. A recent literature review concluded that manual therapies, such as those provided by doctors of chiropractic, are effective for reducing pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache, March 2020 Mental Attitude: Greenery Is Good for You. New research suggests the greenspace may be good for both the mind and body. In this study, researchers looked at the long-term health outcomes of over 219,000 city-dwelling adults and compared the incidence of stroke and dementia with the amount of available greenspace near their residence. The results showed that individuals living in urban areas with more parks and trees had a reduced risk for both stroke and dementia than their peers residing in neighborhoods with little-to-no greenery. Environmental Research, April 2020 Wellness/Prevention: Job Strain Raised PAD Risk. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that deliver blood to the head, stomach, arms, and legs, and it is associated with an elevated risk for leg amputation, cardiovascular disease, and death. An analysis of long-term health data concerning 139,132 adults from four European countries revealed that a high level of job strain is associated with a 41% increased risk for PAD. Journal of the American Heart Association, April 2020 Quote: “Thinking will not overcome fear but action will.” ~ W. Clement Stone