Health Alert: Cleaner Teeth May Lead to a Healthier Heart.
A review of data concerning more than 161,000 South Korean adults revealed that those who brushed their teeth three or more times a day had a 10% lower risk for atrial fibrillation and a 12% reduced risk for heart failure over the following decade. The researchers suspect that frequent tooth brushing may reduce the presence of potentially harmful germs between the teeth and gums, preventing the bacteria from entering the bloodstream and causing an inflammatory response that is associated with an elevated risk for atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, December 2019
Diet: Eat More Peas and Beans for Heart Health?
New research suggests that consuming several servings of legumes per day is associated with a reduced risk for coronary heart disease, hypertension, and obesity. Study co-author Dr. Hana Kahleova writes, “Americans eat less than one serving of legumes per day, on average. Simply adding more beans to our plates could be a powerful tool in fighting heart disease and bringing down blood pressure.”
Advances in Nutrition, November 2019
Exercise: Fitness Consultation Key to Motivating Child Cancer Survivors.
Questionnaires completed by child cancer survivors revealed that just one exercise physiology consultation was enough to improve exercise levels among nearly three quarters of these patients. The findings suggest that tailored guidance from an exercise professional should be a standard in the treatment of child cancer survivors due to the potential lifelong benefits.
Heart and Mind, November 2019
Chiropractic: Forward Head Posture and Neck Pain.
Forward head posture is a common postural fault that’s associated with excessive screen use. A systematic research review has determined that adults with neck pain are more likely to exhibit forward head posture than individuals without neck pain. It’s hypothesized that forward head posture places added stress on the upper trapezius, erector spinae, and the neck extensor muscles, potentially raising the risk for musculoskeletal pain in the cervical and thoracic spine. Doctors of chiropractic often address postural faults—such as forward head posture—with spinal manipulation and neck-specific exercises.
Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, November 2019
Mental Attitude: Vitamin D Levels and Dementia.
Poor vitamin D status has been linked to several adverse health outcomes, including an increased risk for cognitive decline and dementia. In an effort to understand whether maintaining healthy vitamin D levels throughout life offered neuroprotective benefits, researchers compared the rate for dementia among individuals with genetically high vitamin D levels and the general population. The results showed that the genetically high vitamin D group had a significantly reduced risk for dementia, which suggests maintaining healthy vitamin D levels throughout life my slow cognitive decline or even stave off the development of dementia.
Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, December 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Retainer Care Tips.
Keeping your retainer clean can be difficult, but it’s important for preventing cavities and infection. The California Association of Orthodontists suggests these retainer care tips: wash your hands before and after handling your retainer; soak your retainer often in a vinegar-and-water solution; never boil your retainer, as you can ruin the custom mold; clean with a baking soda scrub or a non-harsh toothpaste; and use a denture cleaner twice per week.
California Association of Orthodontists, December 2019
