Mental Attitude: “Bad” Cholesterol Tied to Alzheimer’s.
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL or the “bad” cholesterol) may play a role in the development of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, researchers observed that individuals with high LDL cholesterol levels had an elevated risk for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease when compared to participants with lower LDL levels, even after controlling for a genetic mutation linked to high LDL cholesterol. Lead researcher Dr. Thomas Wingo notes, “If there is a causal link between Alzheimer’s disease and cholesterol, we might need to revise targets for LDL cholesterol levels to help reduce Alzheimer’s risk.”
JAMA Neurology, May 2019
Health Alert: Epilepsy Linked to Increased Risk for Second Stroke.
Using data from six published studies concerning over 16,000 adults, researchers estimate that patients with epilepsy who experience either a hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke may have up to double the risk for a subsequent stroke.
Epilepsy & Behavior, June 2019
Diet: Energy Drinks and the Heart.
According to a new study, consuming two energy drinks can result in a significant change in the time that the chambers of the heart need to contract and relax. This measure is called the QT interval, and when this number rises, a person’s risk of experiencing life-threatening arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death also increases.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, May 2019
Exercise: Take More Steps.
Health and activity tracker data collected from over 17,000 older women revealed that increasing the number of steps taken per day from 2,700 steps to 4,400 steps may reduce the risk of death in the next four years by up to 41%.
JAMA Internal Medicine, May 2019
Chiropractic: Oscillatory Mobilization and Sustained Stretch Mobilization.
Cervical radiculopathy is a relatively common disorder that compels patients to seek chiropractic care. In this study, researchers compared the effects of two forms of mobilization therapy (oscillatory vs. sustained stretch) on 46 cervical radiculopathy patients and found that both were effective at improving pain, range of motion, and disability. However, the patients in the oscillatory mobilization group experienced greater improvements with respect to functional ability and range of motion. Doctors of chiropractic commonly use a variety of mobilization techniques along with other treatment approaches, such as spinal manipulation, to reduce pain and improve function in patients with musculoskeletal pain, including cervical radiculopathy.
Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, May 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Do You Have IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a collection of symptoms that usually does not exhibit visible signs of damage or disease in the digestive tract, and individuals who have family members with IBS are at a greater risk of developing the condition themselves, as are individuals with high stress levels and those who have experienced a gastrointestinal event. The National Institutes of Health states that symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, and whitish mucus in the stool. The organization recommends that you should seek care if you believe you have symptoms consistent with the condition.
National Institutes of Health, June 2019