Health Alert: Heavy Drinking Earlier in Life Can Have
Long-Term Consequences.
Using data from the Whitehall II cohort, researchers identified a link between heavy alcohol intake before midlife and hypertension, impaired liver function, increased stroke risk, a larger waist circumference, and a higher body mass index (BMI) later in life, even if heavy drinking stopped before age 50.
Addiction, March 2020
Diet: Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Help Schizophrenia Patients.
The current research suggests that inflammation in the brain may be the cause of some of the cognitive impairment observed in schizophrenia patients. In a study that involved 72 individuals with schizophrenia, researchers observed that participants who consumed a daily omega 3 fatty acid supplement—which is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and brain health benefits—experienced both a reduction in inflammatory biomarkers and an improvement in cognitive performance.
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, April 2020
Exercise: How Often Should You Exercise?
The Department of Health and Human Services currently recommends engaging in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week in addition to strength training all major muscle groups at least twice a week.
Mayo Clinic, March 2020
Chiropractic: Effectiveness of Manual Therapy for Non-Specific Neck Pain.
Among a group of 37 non-specific neck pain patients treated with manual therapies, researchers observed that those who received treatment targeting both the cervical and thoracic spine experienced greater reductions in pain and disability than participants who only received treatment applied to the neck.
JPMA, March 2020
Mental Attitude: Mental Health Issues After Delivery Reduce Odds of More Children.
An analysis of data on over 410,000 women who gave birth to their first child showed that those who developed conditions such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia within six months postpartum were about 18% less likely to have additional children. Study leader Dr. Xiaoqin Liu notes, “If they avoided another pregnancy due to fear of relapse, an important clinical message to them is that prevention of relapse is possible.”
Human Reproduction, March 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Prevent Osteoporosis.
To reduce the risk for osteoporosis, experts from the Department of Veterans Affairs recommend the following: eat foods rich in calcium, such as low-fat dairy, leafy green vegetables, and sardines; ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake; perform weight-bearing exercises for 30 minutes, five or more days a week; walk, dance, and weight train; know your family history; and consider having a bone density screening test with your healthcare provider.
Department of Veterans Affairs, March 2020