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
