Mental Attitude: Cognitive Disorders.
Seniors (age 85 and older) were most likely to report one or more cognitive disorders, such as senility or dementia (18.4%) compared to seniors ages 75-84 (6%) and seniors ages 65-74 (1.1%). The average annual health care expense for seniors reporting one or more cognitive disorders totaled $15,549 a year, compared to $9,019 for seniors not reporting any cognitive disorders.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Health Alert: A Bad Fish Story.
Mercury contamination, a worldwide environmental problem, has been called "public enemy No. 1" in California's San Francisco Bay. Mercury mining and gold recovery in the mid-1800s, combined with present day oil refineries, chemical manufacturing plants and wastewater treatment plants have contributed enough mercury to threaten wildlife and prompt a fish consumption advisory in the Bay Area. Mercury is a naturally occurring element, but some 2,000 tons of it enter the global environment each year from human-generated sources. A small portion of mercury consumed by microorganisms converts to methylmercury, a highly toxic form that builds up in fish and the animals - and people - who eat them. Health effects include damage to the central nervous system, heart and immune system.
Environmental Science & Technology, January 2011
Diet: Depressed Over Trans Fats.
Consumption of trans fats, present in fast foods and mass-produced foods like pastries, may raise the risk of depression. A diet rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fats and olive oil appears to have a slight protective effect. People who consumed a high level of trans fats had a 48% higher risk of developing depression and the more trans fats consumed, the higher the risk.
Dietary Fat Intake and the Risk of Depression: The SUN Project", Jan 2011
Exercise: Eat Right!
Because 33% of children and 66% of adults in the US are overweight or obese, the new "Dietary Guidelines for Americans," places stronger emphasis on reducing calorie consumption and increasing physical activity. Good nutrition is an integral component of successful aging, the benefits of a healthy diet and regular physical activity may include a more robust immune system, higher energy levels, faster recuperation times, sharper mental acuity, and better management of chronic health problems.
The Gerontological Society of America, February 2011
Chiropractic: Fun Fact!
Humans have a 100 trillion cells!
Anatomy & Physiology, Guyton
Wellness/Prevention: Cool Down, Lose Weight.
Warmer winter temperatures in your home could be a factor in the current obesity epidemic. Increased time spent indoors, widespread access to central heating and air conditioning, and increased expectations of thermal comfort all contribute to restricting the range of temperatures we experience in daily life and reduce the time our bodies spend under mild thermal stress - meaning we're burning less energy.
Obesity Reviews, January 2011
