Mental Attitude: Does Internet Use Reduce Dementia Risk?
Using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, researchers observed that middle-aged adults who regularly used the Internet were 40% less likely to develop dementia during a ten-year follow-up period. The authors of the analysis note that “additional studies are needed to better understand the potential causal mechanisms underlying this association.”
Aging & Mental Health, August 2017
Health Alert: Drug Prescriptions Have Doubled in the Last 20 Years.
According to the research firm Quintile IMS, about 55% of Americans regularly take a prescription medication. Additionally, the number of prescriptions filled by Americans rose 85% between 1997 and 2016, from 2.4 billion to 4.5 billion a year. By contrast, the population of the country only rose 21% during this time. Experts fear that many of these medications may be unnecessary and might do more harm than good.
Consumer Reports, August 2017
Diet: Artificial Sweeteners May Be Counterproductive for Dieters.
Using artificial sweeteners to help lose weight may backfire. In a new study, researchers offered fruit flies diets with different amounts of carbs and sweeteners and then tracked their food intake. The research team found that artificial sweeteners combined with a low carbohydrate diet significantly increased the quantity of calories consumed by the flies. This increase varied according to the dose of sweeteners provided and was not observed among flies that consumed unsweetened foods.
Cell Metabolism, August 2017
Exercise: Yoga Eases Depression.
The American Psychological Association reports that engaging in an eight-week yoga program can significantly ease depressive symptoms while also improving quality of life, optimism, and mental and physical function.
American Psychological Association, August 2017
Chiropractic: Manipulative Therapy Helps Patients with Jaw Pain.
A literature review on the effective management of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) notes that, “[For] the reduction of pain and disability, non-thrust mobilization and high-velocity, low amplitude thrust manipulation techniques to the TMJ [temporomandibular joints] and/or upper cervical articulations that directly and indirectly target the TMJ joint capsule [are] generally supported in the literature.”
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, July 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Protecting Kids from Lead.
Exposure to lead during childhood can cause lifelong learning disabilities and behavioral problems. To protect your family, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following: if your home was built before 1978, have it tested for lead; if you’re doing repairs, make sure the work is done properly to prevent the release of lead dust; prevent children from playing near old, peeling, or chipping paint; cover dirt near an older home with grass or mulch; have children wash their hands regularly, especially before eating; dust and mop frequently; remove shoes before you come inside; use only cold water for drinking, cooking, or mixing baby formula; and feed kids a nutritious, balanced diet, which can help them absorb less lead.
American Academy of Pediatrics, August 2017
