Mental Attitude: Vitamin E and Alzheimer’s Disease.
An evaluation of data from 17 published studies indicates an association between low serum levels of vitamin E and an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease, possibly due to the vitamin’s anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, August 2017
Health Alert: Opioid-Linked Fatal Car Crashes on the Rise.
The number of drivers killed in car crashes under the influence of prescription painkillers has increased dramatically over the last two decades. In this study, researchers focused on male drivers who died within one hour of a motor vehicle crash and found that the prevalence of prescription narcotics increased from around 1% between 1995 and 1999 to about 6% between 2010 and 2015.
American Journal of Public Health, July 2017
Diet: Low-Calorie Diet May Slow Aging.
A study involving mice suggests that a low-calorie diet can slow the natural aging process. In the study, investigators discovered that as mice age, the biological clock in their stem cells shift its focus onto other cell processes. Basically, the stem cells become less concerned with maintaining tissue and more focused on dealing with activities like repairing damaged DNA. When the researchers placed the mice on a low-calorie diet, they noticed a delay in this shift, resulting in delayed tissue aging.
Cell, August 2017
Exercise: Resistance Training Benefits Those with MS.
New research suggests that resistance training can slow the progression of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In a new study, researchers followed 35 individuals with MS for six months. Half of the participants engaged in resistance training twice a week, while the others continued to live their normal routine. Using MR scans, researchers observed that participants who performed resistance training had less brain shrinkage during the course of the study. Researcher Dr. Ulrik Dalgas writes, “Over the past six years, we have been pursuing the idea that physical training has effects on more than just the symptoms, and this study provides the first indications that physical exercise may protect the nervous system against the disease.”
Multiple Sclerosis Journal, July 2017
Chiropractic: Does Osteoporosis Affect Spinal Alignment?
Women with osteoporosis are more likely to have greater curvature in their thoracic and lumbar spine than other females their age, suggesting they may have a greater risk for neck and back pain. This study also found that individuals with osteoporosis tend to score lower on quality of life assessments for physical activity, bodily pain, general health, and emotional wellbeing.
Osteoporosis International, August 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Avoiding Animal Bites.
The majority of animal bites are caused by a pet, either yours or someone else’s. While wild animal bites are rare, they can happen if the animal feels threatened or sick. To prevent animal bites, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following: never pet or feed an animal that you don’t know; watch your child closely if they are near an animal; spay or neuter your dog to make them less aggressive; vaccinate your pets against rabies; and wear long pants and boots if walking in areas with poisonous snakes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 2017
