Dr Beecher’s June 29 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, June 29th, 2015
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Mental Attitude: High Blood Sugar Could Be a Cause of Alzheimer’s Disease. Scientists suspect that high blood sugar could drive the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain that may lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. In an animal study, researchers found that doubling blood glucose levels resulted in a 20% increase of beta-amyloid plaque deposits in the brains of test subjects. Lead researcher Dr. Shannon Macauley writes, “Our results suggest that diabetes, or other conditions that make it hard to control blood sugar levels, can have harmful effects on brain function and exacerbate neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.” The Journal of Clinical Investigation, May 2015
Health Alert: Cellphone Noise Can Startle a Fetus. A small study indicates that sounds emitted by cellphones carried by pregnant women can disrupt the sleep and wake cycles of their unborn fetuses. What isn’t clear from the study is whether or not being repeatedly startled by the beeping and vibration of cellphones has any effect on fetal health or pregnancy outcomes. Study co-author Dr. Boris Petrikovsky comments, “So we now recommend that women not carry cell phones… in close proximity to their baby… They should put it in their chest pocket or bag. The further away it is from the baby, the less chance the baby will be affected.” American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, May 2015
Diet: Healthy Eating Slows the Aging of Brain. If you want to preserve your memory and thinking skills as your grow older, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and fish. A study that included nearly 28,000 older adults from 40 countries found that those who scored in the top 20% on a “healthy eating” scale were less likely to develop declines in memory, attention, and other mental skills over the next five years. The research team believes that the anti-inflammatory nutrients in foods like fruits, vegetables, and fish may help preserve brain health. Neurology, May 2015
Exercise: Ways to Lower Organized Sport Injury Risks. While playing organized sports is a great way for kids to get exercise and learn sportsmanship, taking precautions to reduce or avoid injury is important. The Children’s National Medical Center advises parents to have children receive a physical exam before starting organized sport, have water on hand during practice and games, encourage kids to drink water frequently, promote stretching before and after games, ask coaches to be certified in CPR and first aid, and make sure that coaches are familiar with the signs of concussion and how to prevent injuries. Children’s National Medical Center, May 2015
Chiropractic: Adverse Life Events Can Increase Musculoskeletal Pain Risk! A six-year study that followed 2,039 individuals found that adverse life events were associated with a 14% greater risk for developing chronic multisite musculoskeletal pain per incident. Adverse life events can include divorce, serious illness, the death of a loved one, disability, job loss, and a serious financial loss. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, April 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Moms Need to Make Time for Themselves. Mothers work hard to take care of their family, but experts agree that moms also need to take care of themselves. The American Council on Exercise recommends the following to keep moms and their families healthy: drink plenty of water, eat a healthy and balanced diet, find time to exercise daily, schedule both alone time and date nights, make time to visit friends, get outside, laugh, get a massage to boost mood, and use a journal to record the things, people, and experiences you’re thankful for in life. American Council on Exercise, May 2015
Quote: “Everything is theoretically impossible, until it is done.” ~ Robert A. Heinlein
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Best Houston Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s June 1 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE
Week of Monday, June 1st, 2015
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Mental Attitude: More Sleep May Help Alzheimer’s Patients. Extra sleep may help improve the memories of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. In a study involving fruit flies, researchers found that extra sleep — the equivalent of three-to-four hours of sleep for humans — restored the ability of flies with Alzheimer’s-like symptoms to make new memories. Though more studies are needed, this finding could one day offer a new path of treatment for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Current Biology, April 2015
Health Alert: One in Four Breast Cancer Cases May Be Preventable. Experts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology advise that a healthy lifestyle can reduce a woman’s risk for breast cancer nearly 25%, even if she has a family history of the disease. Previous research has associated the following lifestyle factors with a lower risk of breast cancer diagnosis: maintaining a healthy weight, performing at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week, limiting alcohol consumption, not smoking, and eating a healthy diet. American Society of Clinical Oncology, May 2015
Diet: Could a Smiley Face Make Healthy Foods More Appealing to Kids? While schools in the United States are providing healthier food options in their cafeterias as part of a federal initiative, getting kids to put more nutritious items on their plate can be a challenge. Researchers have found that adding a smiley face label to healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables or adding a small prize to a plate of four healthy foods resulted in a 62% rise in vegetable servings and a 20% increase in fruit servings on student trays. Pediatric Academic Societies, April 2015
Exercise: Reduces Vertigo Risk in Women. After examining the lifestyles of nearly 500 older women, researchers conclude that performing regular physical activity can reduce a woman’s risk for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) by over 160%! International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology, October 2014
Chiropractic: Back Pain and Sleep Difficulties. After following both chronic and new-onset back pain patients for six months, researchers report that two out of three patients with low back pain experience difficulty sleeping, typically during the week following an episode of back pain. Therefore, to ensure back pain patients have the best opportunity to achieve restful sleep, it’s important for them to follow their doctor’s advice in regards to maintaining a healthy spine and making recommended lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of re-injury. Clinical Journal of Pain, May 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Smartphone App Could Prevent Teens from Using Phone While Driving. A preliminary study suggests that a smartphone app that turns off a teenager’s cell phone service when they turn on their car could help prevent accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents are the leading cause of accidental death among teens, with cell phone use behind the wheel increasing teen accident risk by nearly 24 times! Researchers found that teens who drove cars outfitted with phone-blocking technology drove up to 80% safer than teens in a control group. The communications director of the Governors Highway Safety Association adds, “The more we can get parents to implement these new technological tools and really engage in the process with their novice drivers, the greater chance we have of preventing teen driver crashes and the resulting injuries and fatalities.” Pediatric Academic Societies, April 2015
Quote: “Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” ~ Anne Frank
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s June 2 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, June 2nd, 2014
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: Energy Drinks Equal Unhealthy Behaviors in Adolescents. Researchers at the University of Minnesota and Duke University have found an association between the consumption of sports and energy drinks and higher consumption of sugary drinks and smoking. Healthcare professionals are concerned about this growing cluster of unhealthy behaviors among adolescents and believe that a push for healthy hydration habits is needed. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that energy drinks should not be consumed, as they offer no health benefits and over-stimulate the nervous system. Journal of Nutritional Education and Behavior, May 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
Quote: “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies… The man who never reads lives only one.” ~ George R.R. Martin
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s September 30 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, September 30th, 2013
Mental Attitude: Control Over You Own Life? When people were provided with scientific evidence that supported the ability to predict the future, they felt a greater sense of control over their lives. One group of study participants read a paragraph stating that researchers had found evidence supporting the existence of precognition, while another group read a paragraph that refuted these findings. On a subsequent survey, people who read the paragraph confirming the ability to predict the future agreed more strongly with statements like “I am in control of my own life”; “My life is determined by
my own actions”; and “I am able to live my life how I wish.” PLOS ONE, August 2013
Health Alert: Taxing Sugary Beverages? Obesity rates in the United States are 36% for adults and 17% for children. Medical costs associated with obesity are ~$147 billion per year. A sugary beverage tax may reduce the consumption of soda but will likely lead to an increase in calories, salt, and fat intake from untaxed foods and beverages.
American Journal of Agricultural Economics, August 2013
Diet: Comfort Food Preferences? Researchers found that rats exposed to heightened levels of stress during their first few days of life were more likely to be prone to anxiety and stress in later life and preferred sugary and high-fat foods. This is the first study to demonstrate that comfort food preference could be enhanced by such an early stress exposure. Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior, August 2013
Exercise: Teenaged Physical Fitness Reduces Suicide Risk in Adulthood. An analysis of over one million Swedish men found a link between physical fitness at age 18 and suicide risk up to 40 years later. Young men who performed poorly on an exercise bike test had an adulthood risk of suicide nearly 1.8 times that of their peers who were deemed physically fit. Psychological Medicine, June 2013
Chiropractic: Adjustments Validated. Patients with neck pain, neck dysfunction, and headache showed significant improvement with cervical spine adjustments. Duke Evidence Report, 2001
Wellness/Prevention: Breastfeeding and Alzheimer’s. Mothers who breastfed their children have a reduced risk for Alzheimer’s disease later in life. Researches have two theories on why this may be the case: 1) Breastfeeding deprives the body of progesterone and progesterone is known to desensitize the brain’s oestrogen receptors. This may increase the amount of oestrogen in the brain, a hormone that may play a role in protecting the brain from Alzheimer’s. 2) Breastfeeding restores a woman’s insulin sensitivity after pregnancy. Alzheimer’s has been characterized as a resistance to insulin in the brain so much so that it has even been referred to as type 3 diabetes.
Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, August 2013
Quote: “The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.” ~ Ernest Hemingway
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s May 20 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, May 20th, 2013
Mental Attitude: Dementia Cost! Caring for people with dementia costs $157 billion a year in the United States
(US) — higher than the costs of treating heart disease ($102 billion) and cancer ($77 billion). 75-84% of dementia
costs are for nursing home care and care at home. 14.7% of people in the US aged 71+ years are affected by
dementia. New England Journal of Medicine, April 2013
Health Alert: Heart Drug and Cancer Risk! Amiodarone, a drug used to treat arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats),
may increase cancer risk. People taking a high dose of amiodarone had close to twice the risk of developing cancer
when compared with those taking a low dose of the drug. Cancer, April 2013
Diet: Diet and Exercise. While many experts advise to start eating a more healthy diet before starting an exercise
program, recent research points to doing both at the same time for optimal results. Participants were separated into
four groups: 1) Start exercise program first. 2) Start diet first. 3) Start both diet and exercise at same time. 4) Do
neither. Participants who started eating healthier at the same time they started an exercise routine were more likely to
exercise 150+ minutes a week, eat 5-9 servings of fruits/vegetables daily, and keep calories from saturated fats to
<10% of their daily caloric intake. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, April 2013
Exercise: Computer Exercises For Alzheimer’s Patients. A new technology using computer brain exercises may
help Alzheimer’s patients. The NeuroAD system has patients solve computer exercises ranging from identifying
colors, shapes, and letters to solving memory games. Simultaneously, the very same regions of the patient’s brain
responsible for memory and learning receive electromagnetic stimulation, which reactivates brain cell activity.
Harvard University, April 2013
Chiropractic: Effectiveness Of Chiropractic. 183 patients with neck pain were randomly allocated to manual
therapy (spinal mobilization), physiotherapy (mainly exercise), or general practitioner care (counseling, education,
and drugs) in a 52-week study. Manual therapy resulted in faster recovery than physiotherapy and general
practitioner care. Total costs of the manual therapy were about one-third of the costs of physiotherapy or general
practitioner care. British Medical Journal, 2003
Wellness/Prevention: Safer Teen Drivers. A new report on teen driver safety in the United States (US) shows
encouraging trends. There has been a 47% decline in teen driver-related fatalities over the past six years. In the past
three years, the number of teen passengers killed in crashes who were not wearing seatbelts decreased 23%, the
number of teens driven by a peer who had been drinking declined 14%, and 30% fewer teen passengers were killed
in crashes involving a teen driver. Despite this progress, auto accidents remain the leading cause of death for US
teens. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, April 2013
Quote: “Good health and good sense are two of life’s greatest blessings.” ~ Publilius Syrus
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Dr Beecher’s April 8 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, April 8th, 2013
Mental Attitude: Cash and Weight Loss? Researchers found money is an effective incentive when motivating people to lose weight. 62% of participants who received financial incentives ($20 if they met their monthly goal vs. paying $20 if they fell short of their goal) met their goal, compared with 26% of the non-incentive group. In the incentive group, the participants’ mean weight loss was 9.1 lbs (~4.1 kg), and for the non-incentive group it was 2.3 lbs (~1 kg). Mayo Clinic, March 2013
Health Alert: Get Healthier! Epidemiologists estimate that 80% of the most common diseases are linked to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Obese people are at an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, vascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Regular physical activity lowers the risk of developing breast, colorectal, and cervical cancers. National Center for Tumor Diseases, March 2013
Diet: Timing and Weight Loss. In a study of over 400 overweight people, those who ate more of their calories earlier in the day lost more weight than those who skimped on (or skipped) breakfast or ate a later lunch. International Journal of Obesity, January 2013
Exercise: Less Stress For Kids. Children who exercise are less affected by stressful events than their more sedentary peers. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, March 2013
Chiropractic: Disk Biochemistry. Proper joint motion helps remove wastes and fluids from the disks of your spine and improves the flow of proper nutrients into the disk. It is important to understand that the disk does not have a direct blood supply, and disks only stay healthy with motion. With lack of motion there is decreased oxygen, glucose, sulfates, and proteoglycan content, all of which are essential for disk health.
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 1992
Wellness/Prevention: Mental Stimulation and Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s disease is thought to result from the build up of amyloid beta protein in the brain. This protein can interfere with nerve cell communication, gradually eroding a person’s mental processes and memory. Regular, prolonged exposure to a mentally stimulating environment appears to prevent amyloid beta proteins from negatively affecting the brain’s inner workings. Neuron, March 2013
Quote: “Primary impulses, not easily described, are the springs of man’s actions.” ~ Albert Einstein
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s January 30 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, January 30th, 2012
Mental Attitude: Do Video Games Enhance Cognitive Abilities? In a recent study, it was demonstrated that there is little solid evidence that games enhance cognition at all. On the other hand, it may be the people who have these enhanced abilities are more likely to play video games.
Frontiers in Psychology, Dec 2011
Health Alert: Diabetes Worldwide! There are 366 million diabetics worldwide and 4.6 million die each year from the disease. In the US, 8.3% or 25.8 million children and adults have diabetes, with 79 million having prediabetes. Diabetes Atlas, Nov 2011 & American Diabetes Association, 2011
Diet: Remember Cholesterol. High cholesterol levels may be associated with a greater incidence of brain plaques, a marker for Alzheimer’s disease. Neurology, Sept 2011
Exercise: Wide Waists Trim Lifespan. Since the mid-1970s, when Harvard published “The Nurses Study,” we’ve been told women with waists over 40 inches raised their risk of early death by 40% vs. women who maintained waists in the 26-27 inch measure. Pounds add up. Studies show that obesity is starting earlier than ever. 18% of children ages 12-18 are reported as being obese and 66% of baby boomers (81 million born between 1946-1964) are either obese or overweight.
New England Journal of Medicine, Sept 2011
Chiropractic: Chiropractic and the NFL. All 32 teams in the National Football League offer their players and personnel chiropractic physician services for both managing and preventing injuries. Professional Football Chiropractic Society
Wellness/Prevention: Too Much Booze, You Lose. Men are more likely to binge drink than women. Research shows that drinking even a small amount of alcohol increases cancer risks, though moderate amounts of alcohol can show cardiovascular benefits that outweigh such risks. Men can play it safe by having no more than two alcoholic drinks per day.
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Nov 2011
Quote: “A revolution is coming – a revolution which will be peaceful if we are wise enough; compassionate if we care enough; successful if we are fortunate enough – but a revolution which is coming whether we will it or not. We can affect its character, we cannot alter its inevitability.”
~ President John F. Kennedy
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or www.BeecherChiropractic.Com.
Dr Beecher’s January 9th Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, January 9th, 2012
Mental Attitude: I Can’t Remember. Older individuals’ complaints about memory lapses (such as trouble remembering recent events) may indicate they are experiencing cognitive problems that are greater than typical age-related changes. The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is expected to rise in the United States as adults 65 and older are projected to double in number over the next two decades. Clinicians are now incorporating cognitive screening tests as part of annual wellness visits for older people. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Nov 2011
Health Alert: Low-Dose Aspirin. The risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding needs to be considered when determining the potential preventive benefits associated with low-dose aspirin for cardiovascular disease and cancer. The risk is increased with the use of cardiovascular disease-preventing therapies. Low-dose aspirin is defined as 75 to 325 mg. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dec 2011
Diet: Soda Consumption. The average American drinks 44.7 gallons of soda a year. That much soda weighs about 375 pounds! AdAge, Dec 2011
Exercise: Benefits For Breast Cancer Survivors. For breast cancer survivors, the benefits of exercise outweigh the risks, including those who develop lymphedema, a chronic swelling that commonly occurs after breast cancer treatment. Balance the pros and cons of the activity one chooses, but keep in mind that even remaining sedentary has risks and being active is beneficial in many ways, including possibly reducing the risk of cancer recurrence.
Journal of Cancer Survivorship, December 2011
Chiropractic: Nerve Interference. The pressure caused by just the weight of just one United States quarter on a spinal nerve can decrease nerve transmission by as much as 60%.
Chang Ha Suh, PhD
Wellness/Prevention: Cancer Prevention In Your 30s. One begins to lose muscle mass after age 30. Strength training can prevent muscle loss, build bone density and help the body burn calories faster to keep you at a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can help decrease the risk of cancer.
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Nov 2011
Quote: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” ~ Jackie Robinson
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or www.BeecherChiropractic.Com.
