People who drank more than 4 sodas (sugar-sweetened or diet) per day were 30% more likely to be diagnosed with depression than those who consumed none. Those who drank 4 cans of fruit punch per day (sugar-sweetened or diet) were 38% more likely to become depressed. Consuming diet versions of soda and fruit punches was associated with a greater risk for depression than consuming versions sweetened with regular sugar. Interestingly, those who drank 4 cups of coffee per day were 10% less likely to develop depression than those who drank none.
National Institutes of Health, January 2013
Health Alert: Prescription Drug Abuse.
Prescription drug abuse is just behind marijuana as the United States’ most widespread drug issue, with 22 million people beginning use of non-medically prescribed pain alleviating drugs since 2002. Rates of abuse span from 3.6% in Iowa to 6.4% in Oregon. Addressing prescription drug misuse remains a top public health priority. The key is educating the public on the serious health risks involved.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, January 2013
Diet: Fast Food and Asthma.
Children who eat three or more fast food meals a week have a 39% greater risk for severe asthma.
British Medical Journal, January 2013
Exercise: Good Reasons.
Exercise reduces blood viscosity, enhances your muscles’ abilities to extract oxygen from your blood, and increases your productivity.
Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996
Chiropractic: Macro vs. Micro Trauma?
Macro-trauma is an accident such as a car accident or falling down. Many people think this is the only way injury occurs. Micro-trauma is a cumulative effect from simple acts of daily living over a long period of time (weeks, months, or years) that ultimately leads to pain and dysfunction. These activities may be just one thing (like excessive computer use with bad posture) or multiple things you do throughout the day.
Wellness/Prevention: Drowsy Drivers.
4% of United States adults have fallen asleep or dozed off while behind the wheel. Sleepy driving is more common among adults who sleep less than six hours per night, snore, or fall asleep randomly during the day, compared with people who do not. Ways used to stay awake while driving, such as opening the window, turning up the AC and radio, are usually unsuccessful. Warning signs of sleepiness include hitting a rumble strip, drifting from one’s lane, missing exits, yawning or blinking, and trouble remembering driving the last few miles.
CDC, January 2013