Weekly Health Update — Strong Support for Manual Therapy to Treat Back Pain.

Chiropractic: Strong Support for Manual Therapy to Treat Back Pain.
Two independent reviewers analyzed data from 360 studies published between 2000 and 2013 related to the use of manual therapies -- such as chiropractic care -- to treat acute, subacute, and chronic non-specific low back pain. For all levels of low back pain, the reviewers found strong evidence for the use of manual therapy to both decrease pain and improve function.
The Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy, May 2014

Mental Attitude: Tinnitus Affects How Sufferers Process Emotions.
Tinnitus is a condition in which patients hear noises that aren’t really there such as ringing, whooshing, whistles, and whines. According to experts, individuals with persistent tinnitus are more likely to experience increased stress, anxiety, irritability, and depression. To investigate how tinnitus affects the brain, researchers evaluated brain responses to different emotions by individuals both with and without tinnitus using functional magnetic resonance imaging. When compared to participants with normal hearing, they found tinnitus patients had decreased brain activity in the amygdala, the area of the brain that processes emotion and stress; however, they had increased activity in the parahippocampus and insula, areas of the brain that are also associated with emotions. This indicates that in order to cope with the stress of persistent noise, the brains of tinnitus patients have reduced activity in the amygdala and rerouted some of its functions to other regions.
Brain Research, June 2014

Health Alert: Serious Allergic Reactions with Some Acne Products.
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to consumers who use certain over-the-counter skin products for acne due to the risk of extreme allergic reactions. The active ingredients benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid are suspected to cause these reactions, which can include feeling faint, breathing difficulties, throat tightness, and swelling of the eyes, lips, face, and tongue. Products containing the active ingredients benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid are available as face washes, solutions, cleansing pads, gels, lotions, toners, and face scrubs. The FDA recommends consumers to stop using products containing these ingredients if they develop hives or itching.
Food and Drug Administration, June 2014

Diet: Fruits & Veggies May Not Help Weight Loss.
Adding more servings of fruits and vegetables is often recommended for individuals trying to lose weight, but according to researchers, doing so may not help them shed excess pounds. A review of seven studies found that increasing fruit and vegetable intake without reducing total calories consumed appears to have a near-zero effect on weight loss. Researcher Dr. Kathryn Kaiser adds, "In the overall context of a healthy diet, energy reduction is the way to help lose weight, so to reduce weight you have to reduce caloric intake."
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, June 2014

Exercise: Exercise Improves Body Composition for Kids.
A recent study referred to as “FITKids” demonstrated the extent to which physical activity can improve body composition, which is important as it contributes to overall health. The study included 220 eight- to nine-year-olds who were assigned to either a nine-month physical activity program that required 70 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity five days a week or a control group. Researchers measured baseline and follow-up cardiorespiratory fitness, percent fat mass, percent central fat mass, and estimated abdominal fat tissue. The FITKids showed improved cardiovascular fitness, less body fat, and carried less fat around their abdomens. The opposite was true for the control group who maintained their regular after-school routine.
Pediatrics, April 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Keep Teens Safe During Sports.
Participating in sports is a key part of many children's high school experience, but injuries can and do occur. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests the following ways to reduce the risk of sport-related injuries: wear protective equipment, ensure proper training and conditioning, build strength and stamina, follow rules and practice good sportsmanship, play only one sport per season, and don't play just one sport all year-long.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, May 2013

Weekly Health Update — Back Pain and Athletes.

Chiropractic: Back Pain and Athletes.
A new study indicates that two out of three teen athletes will experience an episode of back pain during their lifetime. Current research estimates the prevalence rate of back pain for the general population to be over 80%, or at least 14 percentage points higher than teen athletes can expect.
International Journal of Sports Medicine, July 2014

Mental Attitude: Two Explanations for the Link Between Stress & Heart Attack.
Scientists may have a better understanding of why ongoing stress raises an individual's risk of having a heart attack. They believe stress triggers the body to make extra disease-fighting white blood cells, and this can cause inflammation in the arteries of people with a condition called atherosclerosis, where the artery walls are thickened by a buildup of plaque. Other studies suggest that stress causes blood to clot differently. Both factors can lead to reduced blood flow to the heart.
Nature Medicine, June 2014

Health Alert: Numbing Medications Can Be Harmful to Teething Babies.
Teething infants can be seriously harmed or even die from certain "gum-numbing" medications, according to a new warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA states that local anesthetics known as viscous lidocaine and benzocaine-containing teething products should never be used for teething children, except under the advice and supervision of a health care professional. Viscous lidocaine requires a prescription, and it is typically used to treat mouth ulcers in chemotherapy patients. Parents who have viscous lidocaine on hand should not use it on teething infants. The FDA notes that it received 22 reports of serious incidents thus far in 2014, including deaths, linked to use of viscous lidocaine in babies and toddlers under three and a half years of age. The FDA also advises that over-the-counter benzocaine products, such as Anbesol and Baby Orajel, should not be used for children younger than age two.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, June 2014

Diet: Gluten-Free Diet Helps Celiac Patients with “Brain Fog”.
Poor memory, difficulty thinking clearly, difficulty finding the right word, and poor concentration -- often referred to as “Brain fog” -- are often experienced by celiac disease patients. A new study suggests that adopting a gluten-free diet seems to improve these symptoms as the intestines heal. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye that causes intestinal inflammation. Scientists found that when celiac patients removed gluten from their diet, they scored better for attention, memory, and other functions on assessment tests. Study author Dr. Greg Yelland adds, "Maintaining a gluten-free diet is essential not only for [celiac patients'] physical well-being, but for mental well-being also."
Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, June 2014

Exercise: Improve Your Workout By Exercising with Someone More Fit Than You.
Researchers from Kansas State University claim that individuals who exercise with a teammate or partner whom they perceive to be in better shape increased their workout time and intensity by as much as 200%. The research team found that partners who exercise at a level 40% greater are ideal for long-term motivation while they observed motivation levels declined when partners exercised at either the same or vastly superior levels.
Kansas State University, June 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Sleep Should Be a Family Value.
Previous research shows that inadequate sleep is a risk factor for both childhood and adult obesity. A new study by researchers at the University of Illinois found that if parents don't get enough sleep, their children don't tend to either. They recommend that in order to reduce the risk of childhood obesity, parents should ensure their children get at least ten hours of sleep per night and that they get at least seven hours themselves.
Preventing Chronic Disease, June 2014

Weekly Health Update — Positive Expectations Improve Outcomes.

Chiropractic: Positive Expectations Improve Outcomes.
Regardless of symptom severity, low back pain patients with more positive expectations appear to achieve better outcomes than patients who are neutral or negative about what to expect from chiropractic treatment.
European Spine Journal, June 2014

Mental Attitude: Brain Abnormalities in Youths Who Commit Homicide.
A new study suggests that adolescents who have committed one or more homicides have significantly different brain structures than those who have not. The results were gathered using MRI findings on 20 brains of youths who committed at least one homicide and 135 youth offenders (criminals) who had not committed a homicide. Among homicide offenders, the MRI scans revealed a significant reduction in gray matter in the areas of the brain associated with impulse control and emotional processing.
NeuroImage: Clinical, May 2014

Health Alert: 1 in 8 American Kids Mistreated.
More than 12% of kids in the United States experience beatings, neglect, or sexual or emotional abuse. Although lower than 25 years ago, the number of affected children is higher than researchers anticipated. The authors of the study note that the risk of childhood maltreatment is approximately four times higher during their first year of life and to reduce the risk of mistreatment, they recommend that friends and family pay special attention to the needs of parents of very young children.
JAMA Pediatrics, May 2014

Diet: Does Variety in Diet Hamper Microbial Diversity in the Gut?
Contrary to expectations, fish with more diverse diets have a less diverse population of gut microbes. If this holds true for humans, it could mean that the variety of foods individuals eat can impact their gut microbe diversity.
Ecology Letters, May 2014

Exercise: Vibration Exercise Helps Fibromyalgia Patients.
Researchers at the University of Indiana have found that whole-body vibration exercise may reduce pain symptoms as well as improve the quality of life of individuals with fibromyalgia. Regular exercise is one of the best known therapies for fibromyalgia, a disorder characterized by musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. Unfortunately, many fibromyalgia patients are reluctant to exercise due to fear of pain increasing with physical activity. Whole-body vibration exercise involves standing, sitting, or lying on a machine with a vibrating platform that causes muscles to contract and relax as the machine vibrates.
Indiana University, May 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Blood Test May Identify Patients at Risk of Cardiovascular Death.
A study has identified a gene expression profile associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular death. Combined with other indicators such as biochemical markers and family history, a simple blood test may identify patients who could benefit from early treatment and counseling to reduce their heart attack risk. Senior author Dr. Gregory Gibson explains, "We envision that with our gene expression-based marker, plus some biochemical markers, genotype information and family history, we could produce a tiered evaluation of people's risks of adverse coronary events."
Genome Medicine, May 2014

Weekly Health Update — Shoulder Impingement Syndrome Case Study.

Chiropractic: Shoulder Impingement Syndrome Case Study.
A patient with shoulder impingement syndrome underwent chiropractic treatment that included soft tissue therapy, phonophoresis, manipulation, and shoulder exercises. At the end of treatment, the patient was symptom-free with a return to normal of shoulder range of motion and daily activities, including sports-related activities. This case report shows the potential benefit of chiropractic care in resolving symptoms associated with shoulder impingement syndrome.
Journal of Physiological Therapeutics, November 2014

Mental Attitude: Learning A Second Language Slows Cognitive Decline.
New research suggests that speaking more than one language may slow down age-related cognitive decline, even if the second language is learned during adulthood. Research leader Dr. Thomas Bak writes, "These findings are of considerable practical relevance. Millions of people around the world acquire their second language later in life. Our study shows that bilingualism, even when acquired in adulthood, may benefit the aging brain."
Annals of Neurology, June 2014

Health Alert: Smoking & Passive Smoking Cause Hearing Loss.
Smokers are 15.1% more likely to develop hearing loss compared with non-smokers and passive smokers (those regularly exposed to second-hand smoke). Moreover, passive smokers were found to be 28% more likely to develop hearing loss than non-smokers. Lead researcher Dr. Piers Dawes adds, "We are not sure if toxins in tobacco smoke affect hearing directly, or whether smoking-related cardiovascular disease causes microvascular changes that impact on hearing, or both."
Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, May 2014

Diet: Green Tea Component Disrupts Cancer Cell Metabolism.
Researchers have discovered how an active component of green tea called epigallocatechen gallate (EGCG) disrupts the metabolism of pancreatic cancer cells. They found that ECGC suppresses the expression of lactate dehydrogenase A, a critical enzyme in cancer cell metabolism. This finding adds to numerous previous studies that have suggested green tea and its extracts may provide suitable treatment for cancer.
Metabolomics, April 2014

Exercise: Quality of Exercise More Important Than Quantity.
Scientists say that to lose weight and maintain optimal health and fitness, the quality of your exercise routine matters more than quantity. This new study suggests greater benefits can be attained from a multi-dimensional exercise program that includes resistance exercise, interval sprint exercise, stretching, and endurance exercise.
Journal of Applied Physiology, May 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Hospital Drops Obstetric Malpractice Claims By 50%!
With a rise in malpractice lawsuits pushing many doctors out of practice and deterring young doctors from pursuing obstetrics, a Connecticut hospital initiated a series of changes to help curb malpractice claims. By standardizing care, learning and practicing new teamwork protocols, and enhancing oversight of clinical work, the hospital reduced claims by 50% and cut payments for liability claims from $50 million to $3 million.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, June 2014

Weekly Health Update — Heavy Physical Work and Low Back Pain

Chiropractic: Heavy Physical Work and Low Back Pain.
Among Brazil's urban cleaning workers (drivers, trash collectors, maintenance workers, etc.), musculoskeletal pain -- and low back pain in particular -- is a major public health issue. Researchers interviewed 657 workers and found that 37% have experienced back pain lasting more than one week during the previous year, and of that group, 62.8% experienced back pain within the last seven days. Workers who described bending over and twisting as part of their job functions were much more likely to experience pain in one or more anatomical regions, as were workers who frequently worked overtime. Of note, workers who performed more dynamic and fewer repetitive movements on the job were less likely to experience back pain.
Brazilian Journal of Epidemiology, March 2014

Mental Attitude: Cynics at Higher Risk for Dementia.
Cynical, distrustful people may be at a higher risk of dementia, according to a new Finnish study. Researchers found that people with high levels of cynical distrust were three times more likely to develop dementia compared to people with low levels of cynicism. One possible explanation could be that individuals who are more wary of others may also be less socially active, which can increase their dementia risk.
Neurology, May 2014

Health Alert: Over 1 in 10 Elderly Injured by Outpatient Care.
According to new research, nearly 11% of Medicare patients are victims of medical injuries during outpatient care. The primary causes include receiving the wrong medication, an allergic reaction to a prescribed medication, or complications resulting from treatment.
Injury Prevention, May 2014

Diet: Mediterranean Diet May Prevent Childhood Obesity.
A new report finds that children who closely follow a diet rich in fish, nuts, grains, fruits, and vegetables are 15% less likely to be overweight or obese in comparison with their peers who do not.
European Congress on Obesity, May 2014

Exercise: Bicycling Leads to Good Feelings.
Compared with all modes of transportation, people who ride their bicycles are the happiest, followed by automobile passengers and drivers.
Transportation, May 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Elevated Blood Pressure Number Determines Risks.
New research points to the type of heart risk individuals face based on which number of their blood pressure reading is high. Researchers found that an elevated systolic blood pressure (top number) was associated with an increased risk of bleeding strokes and stable angina while those with a higher diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) were more likely to be diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Lead investigator Dr. Eleni Rapsomaniki writes, "Our estimates provide vital new information that can be used to improve patient counseling and decision-making for people with hypertension, which are currently based mainly on the risks of heart attack and stroke, and will help to focus guidelines and doctors to the cardiovascular conditions that might be more common, and in which screening and treatments are more likely to have an effect."
The Lancet, May 2014

Weekly Health Update — More Pain-Free Days!

Chiropractic: More Pain-Free Days!
A randomized trial involving 400 chronic low back pain patients found patients who received a course of twelve spinal manipulation treatments experienced 22.9 more pain-free days and 19.8 more disability-free days over the next year compared with patients who received no treatment.
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, June 2014

Mental Attitude: Stress Reduces Male Fertility.
Past studies have linked stress to a number of health problems including heart disease, asthma, obesity, and depression. A new study suggests that stress can also reduce male fertility. Researchers found that men who experienced two or more stressful life events over the previous year had lower sperm quality compared with men who did not experience any stressful life events. They also found that regardless of stress, jobless men had lower semen quality than those who were employed.
Fertility and Sterility, May 2014

Health Alert: Worldwide Obesity Rates Significantly Increased Over the Last 33 Years.
During the past three decades, there has been a significant increase in worldwide obesity rates with no significant decline noted in any country. Investigators found that over the previous 33 years, worldwide overweight and obesity rates for adults have increased 27.5%, while rates among children and adolescents increased by 47.1%.
Lancet, May 2014

Diet: Do You Eat White Bread?
According to new research, when white bread is a staple of an individual’s diet, they are 40% more likely to become overweight or obese compared with those who eat whole grain bread. The researchers conclude, "Consumption of white bread [of] two portions per day or more showed a significant direct association with the risk of becoming overweight or obese."
European Congress on Obesity, May 2014

Exercise: Helps Reduce Amphetamine Use.
In some regions of the United States, nearly 20-25% of substance abuse admissions are for amphetamine abuse. A study involving mice showed a relationship between increased physical activity and decreased consumption of available amphetamines. If this corresponds to human subjects, exercise may become a useful tool to help individuals recover from amphetamine drug abuse.
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, April 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Bad Sunburns While Young Tied to Higher Skin Cancer Risk.
A new report suggests that women who get five or more sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 have an 80% increased risk for melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. Besides melanoma, these groups of women also have a 68% greater risk of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. Dr. Abrar Qureshi, professor and chair of the department of dermatology at Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, explains, "Parents may need to be advised to pay more attention to protection from early-life sun exposure for their kids in order to reduce the likelihood of developing melanoma as they grow up. Older individuals should also be cautious with their sun exposure, because cumulative sun exposure increases skin cancer risk as well."
American Association for Cancer Research, May 2014

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