Weekly Health Update — Back Pain and Neck Pain are a Major Cause of Missed Work.

Chiropractic: Back Pain and Neck Pain are a Major Cause of Missed Work.
An evaluation of data concerning over 8,000 Spanish workers reveals a correlation between chronic neck and back pain, and missing one or more days of work for health-related issues. Individuals who reported having frequent neck and back pain were 44% more likely to be absent from work for more than 30 days out of the year.
Spine, May 2014

Mental Attitude: Bullied Teens Carry Weapons to School.
Bullied teens are 31 times more likely to bring weapons, such as guns and knives, to school compared with teens who have not been bullied, according to a new study. Lead investigator Dr. Lana Schapiro warns, "With estimates of more than 200,000 victims of bullying carrying a weapon to high school, more effective prevention efforts and intervention strategies need to be identified."
American Academy of Pediatrics, May 2014

Health Alert: Many Parents Not Following Recommended Sleep Practices for Babies.
Half of infants in some regions of the United States (US) aren’t being placed on their back during sleep despite the fact it would reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, SIDS is responsible for more deaths among infants aged one month to one year old than any other cause, killing more than 2,000 babies in 2010 alone. Study author Dr. Sunah Hwang writes, "Although the precise cause of SIDS is still unknown, we do know that safe sleep practices, such as sleeping on the back, reduces the risk of infant death in the first year of life."
American Academy of Pediatrics, May 2014

Diet: Vitamin E May Prevent Brain Damage from Stroke.
Tocotreinol, a little-known type of vitamin E, may prevent or reduce brain damage during stroke. Researchers claim that tocotreinol increases the diameter of existing arteries in response to oxygen demand. It is this process that may prevent brain damage by offering a "collateral" blood supply. Study leader Dr. Cameron Rink adds, "We know that people who have good collaterals have better recovery from strokes. We think that tocotrienol helps improve the function of collaterals, which would offer someone better protection from an initial or secondary stroke." Dr. Rink further adds that one day vitamin E may be used as a common treatment for stroke prevention.
Ohio State University Center for Clinical and Translational Science, May 2014

Exercise: Yoga During Pregnancy Good for Health.
Stress during pregnancy can have negative effects on both mother and child, but a new study suggests that yoga could reduce the risk of developing anxiety and depression during pregnancy. Researchers analyzed questionnaires and performed stress hormone assessments on yoga participants and found that a single session of yoga reduced self-reported anxiety by 33% and stress hormone levels by 14%. They suggest yoga could help mothers and their children become healthier while reducing healthcare costs.
Depression and Anxiety, April 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Millions of Deaths Could be Prevented by Risk Factor Reduction.
A new report suggests that reducing six modifiable risk factors to specific target levels could prevent 37 million premature deaths over the next 15 years. Target levels for reducing risk factors include a 30-50% reduction of tobacco use, 10% reduction of alcohol consumption, 30% reduction in salt intake, 25% reduction in high blood pressure, and halting the rise of the obesity and diabetes prevalence. If all the targets are met, there would be a reduction in risk of dying prematurely from cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disease, cancers, and diabetes by 22% in men and 19% in women.
The Lancet, May 2014

Weekly Health Update — Heavy School Bags Contribute to Musculoskeletal Pain in Children.

Chiropractic: Heavy School Bags Contribute to Musculoskeletal Pain in Children.
A study of 532 Ugandan youths reveals that 35.4% of their musculoskeletal pain is associated with the weight of their schoolbags. Researchers recommend having lockers available to avoid long-term back pain issues among students.
BMC Research Notes, April 2014

Mental Attitude: ADHD Kids Often Suffer from Family Issues.
A new report reveals that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to come from a family background of poverty, divorce, community violence, and substance abuse. Study author Dr. Nicole Brown adds, "Knowledge about the prevalence and types of adverse experiences among children diagnosed with ADHD may guide efforts to address trauma in this population and improve ADHD screening, diagnostic accuracy and management."
American Academy of Pediatrics, May 2013

Health Alert: Global Nutrition Threatened by Rising CO2 Levels.
If rising carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations reach expected levels by 2050, researchers warn that global crops may have reduced nutritional levels of iron and zinc. If these nutrients are reduced, it may represent a significant health threat to the entire world population. Lead author Samuel Myers explains, "Humanity is conducting a global experiment by rapidly altering the environmental conditions on the only habitable planet we know. As this experiment unfolds, there will undoubtedly be many surprises. Finding out that rising CO2 threatens human nutrition is one such surprise."
Nature, May 2014

Diet: A Gluten-Free Diet During Pregnancy May Protect Offspring Against Type 1 Diabetes.
An animal study in Denmark has found that expectant rodents experienced a change in intestinal bacteria when fed a gluten-free diet. This change in intestinal bacteria appears to offer a protective effect against development of type 1 diabetes for both mother and offspring. Researchers are optimistic that these finding can be applied to humans.
Diabetes, April 2014

Exercise: Not Enough Disabled People Exercise.
Approximately one-half of the 21 million Americans with a disability do not exercise, which unfortunately jeopardizes their health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ileana Arias, principal deputy director at the CDC, adds, "We are very concerned about this, because working-age adults with disabilities who get no aerobic physical activity are 50 percent more likely to have cancer, diabetes, stroke, or heart disease than those who get the recommended amount of physical activity." Physical disabilities can be a significant barrier to exercise, but experts explain that depending on the disability, exercise options can include aquatic exercise, chair yoga, Tai Chi, wall push-ups, balance exercises, and gym ball exercises.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Breast Feeding Encourages Gut Bacteria in Children.
A study that tracked over 300 children during their first three years of life found that breastfeeding for longer periods encouraged beneficial bacteria to flourish in their digestive tracts. Senior author Tine Rask Licht concludes, "We have become increasingly aware of how crucially important a healthy gut microbial population is for a well-functioning immune system. Babies are born without bacteria in the gut, and so it is interesting to identify the influence dietary factors have on gut microbiota development in children's first three years of life."
Applied Environmental Microbiology, May 2014

Weekly Health Update — Parents Seek Alternative Care for Kids.

Chiropractic: Parents Seek Alternative Care for Kids.
Recent research suggests that about 60% of parents who have children with chronic neurological conditions have sought chiropractic, massage, and other complementary therapy treatments to help their children live a normal, pain-free life.
PLOS ONE, April 2014

Mental Attitude: Does Yawning Cool Down the Brain?
Australian researchers suggest that yawning might cool an overheated brain. Investigators found that contagious yawning was most prominent in the summer compared to the winter and most likely to occur when the temperature was about 68 degrees Fahrenheit (about 20 degrees Celsius). They suggest that cooling the brain boosts performance, so contagious yawning may be an evolutionary trait meant to improve alertness in groups of people.
Physiology & Behavior, May 2014

Health Alert: “Bad” Cholesterol Involved in Cancer Spread.
Researchers in Spain and Australia have identified “bad” cholesterol as a culprit in cancer metastasis. According to this new study, low density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol helps cancer cells un-stick from one another so they can more easily spread to other parts of the body. However, the presence of high density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol appears to help counter this activity.
Cell Reports, May 2014

Diet: Vitamin A and the Fight Against Breast Cancer.
Laboratory tests indicate that retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, may someday act as a weapon in the fight against breast cancer. Researchers exposed pre-cancerous breast cells to retinoic acid and observed the cells transform back into normal, healthy cells. However, cells that had already become cancerous were unchanged suggesting there may be a narrow window of opportunity for retinoic acid to be helpful in stopping the progression of breast cancer. Further research is needed to see if this approach is viable in animal -- and eventually human -- models.
International Journal of Oncology, March 2014

Exercise: Exercise Crucial for Women's Heart Health.
Lack of physical activity appears to be the strongest indicator of a woman's risk for heart disease, even more so than smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure. Dr. Nieca Goldberg, a cardiologist and medical director of the Women's Heart Program at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, concludes, "If you want to do one thing to prevent heart disease, you should exercise. We need people to become more active again, and the way you can do that is to make it part of your life, like brushing your teeth."
British Journal of Sports Medicine, May 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Focus on High BMI to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk, Not Waist Circumference.
While a large waist circumference, regardless of body mass index (BMI), is associated with a greater risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers, this does not seem to be the case for post-menopausal breast cancer. Using long-term data on nearly 29,000 women, researchers found no greater risk for breast cancer among post-menopausal women with a large waist circumference once BMI was taken into account. According to Dr. Mia Gadet, "The message is that if you have a high BMI, regardless if you are pear or apple shaped, you are at higher risk of breast cancer. Most prior studies on this issue looked at BMI or at waist circumference, but had not looked at them together. This study brings some clarity to the association between obesity and risk of breast cancer."
Cancer Causes & Control, June 2014

Weekly Health Update — Chronic Low Back Pain Associated with Depression and Fatigue.

Chiropractic: Chronic Low Back Pain Associated with Depression and Fatigue.
A survey of over 500 chronic low back pain patients who have been on work disability for between two and ten months shows that 69.7% report experiencing substantial fatigue as well. Those reporting fatigue are more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms and are also more likely to still be in pain 3, 6, and 12 months after completing their initial survey.
Pain Medicine, April 2014

Mental Attitude: Premature Menopause Can Lead to Mental Decline.
According to a new study, premature menopause can increase a woman’s risk of mental decline in her later years. Menopause usually begins after age 50; however, premature menopause begins at or around age 40. In the study, the premature group was more likely to do poorly on verbal and visual memory tests and they also had a 35% higher risk of decline in psychomotor speed compared to women who began menopause after age 50. Further research is needed to address treatment options to reduce risks of mental decline in women who enter menopause at younger ages.
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, May 2014

Health Alert: E-Cigarette Vapor Potentially Harmful.
A new report suggests that e-cigarette vapor produces tiny particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs, potentially causing or accelerating respiratory diseases. Investigators are unsure whether these chemicals are harmful if you inhale them, as safety research is only known regarding ingestion of these chemicals. The authors believe researchers need to come together and set standards for researching e-cigarettes, given that there are so many different liquids and devices available to the public.
HealthDay, May 2014

Diet: Fruits & Vegetables Lower Stroke Risk.
Research from the American Heart Association indicates that eating fruits and vegetables can reduce a person's risk of stroke. Investigators found stroke risk decreased 32% for every 200 grams of fruit a person consumed each day. Furthermore, stroke risk decreased 11% for every 200 grams of vegetables consumed each day.
Stroke, May 2014

Exercise: 40 Not Too Old to Start Exercising.
Men who start exercising after age forty are likely to experience the same long-term heart benefits as those who have exercised since early adulthood. Study author David Matelot adds, "It's never too late to change your way of life and get more physically active. This will always be beneficial for the heart and well-being. And there's no need for a high level of training for many hours a week. Using the stairs rather than the elevator, or gardening regularly, can also be beneficial."
European Society of Cardiology, May 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Free Radicals Not So Bad?
Free radicals can stimulate apoptosis, also referred to as programmed cell death. This may be a way to avoid a cell becoming cancerous or to destroy viruses that have taken over a cell. In some cases, investigators observed that free radical apoptosis reinforces cell defenses, meaning a potential increase in lifespan. According to senior author Dr. Siegfried Hekimi, "People believe that free radicals are damaging and cause aging, but the so-called 'free radical theory of aging' is incorrect. We have turned this theory on its head by proving that free radical production increases during aging because free radicals actually combat - not cause - aging. In fact, in our model organism we can elevate free radical generation and thus induce a substantially longer life."
Cell, May 2014

Weekly Health Update—Many Reasons to Choose Chiropractic Care.

Mental Attitude: Horses Ease Alzheimer's Symptoms.
A new study suggests that caring for horses is an activity that can ease the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Investigators observed 16 individuals with Alzheimer's disease and found that equine therapy elevated the participants' mood and reduced negative behaviors. Besides the interaction with the horses, the researchers noted that the peaceful countryside setting of the farm may have also contributed to the positive results.
Anthrozoös, March 2014

Health Alert: Obesity at Age 25 Increases Risk of Severe Late-Life Obesity.
Individuals who are obese by age 25 have a much greater risk of severe obesity later in life. Researchers found that men who are obese at age 25 are 23% more likely to be severely obese at age 35, while woman who are obese at age 25 have a 46.9% risk for severe obesity a decade later. Unfortunately, this places these individuals at a higher risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, May 2014

Diet: Junk Food Diets Prompt Laziness.
New animal-based research indicates that consistently eating processed foods may lead to obesity, inactivity, and feelings of lethargy. This appears contrary to some beliefs that laziness leads to obesity and suggests that a long-term pattern of eating junk food is to blame for obesity and its accompanying health problems. Lead researcher Dr. Aaron Blaisdell writes, “We are living in an environment with sedentary lifestyles, poor-quality diet, and highly processed foods that is very different from the one we are adapted to through human evolution. It is that difference that leads to many of the chronic diseases that we see today, such as obesity and diabetes."
Physiology and Behavior, April 2014

Exercise: Increasing Physical Activity Reduces Heart Attack Risk in Seniors.
A new study suggests that individuals 65 years of age and older can reduce their heart attack risk and improve their overall heart health by maintaining or increasing physical activity. Using data on nearly a thousand seniors, researchers found that those with the highest current levels of physical activity were 11% less likely to suffer a heart attack or sudden cardiac death than their least active peers during the five-year study. Lead researcher Dr. Doireann Maddock explains, "It's well worth getting into the habit of keeping active, as we know it can help reduce the risk of heart disease along with many other conditions."
Circulation, May 2014

Chiropractic: Many Reasons to Choose Chiropractic Care.
Skilled spinal manipulation performed by a chiropractor is a safe and effective treatment for spinal pain. Benefits include reduced pain, decreased medication use, faster results from physical therapy, and a reduced need for passive forms of treatment, like bed rest.
Orthopedics Today, February 2003

Wellness/Prevention: FDA Not Backing Aspirin for Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Events.
After carefully examining available scientific data from major studies, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded that even though daily low-dose aspirin can help ward of heat attack or stroke, it is not for everyone. The agency believes the case has yet to be made for using low-dose aspirin to prevent an initial heart attack or stroke. Bottom-line: If you have not had a heart attack or stroke, there is no known benefit of using low dose aspirin for prevention. However, people who have had a heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular problems, daily aspirin therapy is worth considering.
Food and Drug Administration, May 2014