Dr Beecher’s December 16 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter

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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE

Week of Monday, December 16th, 2013

Mental Attitude: Long-Term Opioid Use and Depression. Recent studies show more than 200 million prescriptions for opioid analgesics were issued in 2009 in the United States. Data on over 50,000 patients reveals that those on opioids for 180 days or longer have a 53% increased risk of developing major depression. Journal of General Internal Medicine, November 2013

 

Health Alert: Alcohol and TV. According to a voluntary standard adopted in 2003, alcohol companies agreed not to place any ads on TV programs where more than 30% of the audience was younger than age 21. However, a survey of television programs popular with youths shows that 25% of the programs still featured ads selling alcohol. Studies have shown that exposure to alcohol marketing increases the risk that children and young adults (under age 21) will begin drinking, and those who do start drinking will drink more and do so more often. CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, November 2013

 

Diet: Cruciferous Vegetables and Ovarian Cancer Survival Rates. Women with the highest fruit and vegetable intakes have better ovarian cancer survival rates than those who generally neglect these foods. Researchers found that yellow and cruciferous vegetables contributed to longer survival. The authors concluded that low-fat, plant based diets are not only beneficial for cancer prevention, but they may also play a role in increasing survival time after diagnosis. Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among women in the United States. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, August 2010

 

Exercise: Even Elderly Hearts Can Benefit From Exercise. A pilot study involving 310 adults over age 70 found that even men and women in their later years can improve their heart’s health with moderate physical exercise. To assess the effect of exercise on the heart, researchers measured a blood-based injury marker called Troponin T that is traditionally used to assess damage to the heart. After one year, Troponin T levels in the exercise group were less than a third of the levels found in the control group that did not exercise. The study’s lead author, Dr. Christopher DeFilippi adds, “Our findings suggest biochemical evidence to support the old adage, ‘You’re never too old to start a physical activity program to improve cardiac health.'”

American Heart Association, November 2013

 

Chiropractic: Pain in the Neck? The cervical spine is made up of seven bones called vertebrae, and these vertebrae are separated by disks filled with a cushioning gel-like substance. Your cervical disks stabilize your neck and also help it to turn. Decades of movement can really take a toll on the neck as two-thirds of people will experience neck pain at some point in their lives. Researchers estimate that 50% of the population at 40 years of age and 70% of those at 65 years have some level of cervical disk degeneration. Cervical disk degenerative processes can cause radiating pain, as well as numbness and weakness in your shoulders, arms, and hands. Clinical Evidence Concise, 2004

 

Wellness/Prevention: Sleep for Children. In a recent study, when children increased their sleep by 90 minutes per night over just a few weeks, they consumed an average of 134 fewer calories per day, weighed a half pound less (~.2 kg), and had lower fasting levels of leptin, a hunger-regulating hormone that is also highly correlated with the amount of adipose (fat) tissue in the body. Pediatrics, November 2013

 

Quote: “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

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 November 25 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter

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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE

Week of Monday, November 25th, 2013

Mental Attitude: Einstein’s Brain. The left and right hemispheres of Albert Einstein’s brain were unusually well connected to one another, which may have contributed to his brilliance. This study is the first to detail Einstein’s corpus callosum, the brain’s largest bundle of fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and facilitates interhemispheric communication. Brain, October 2013

 

Health Alert: Death in Boom Times? Historically, when economies expand, death rates increase for both middle-aged and older people; however, when economies head for recession, the death rates among these groups decrease. For every

1% point increase in GDP, death rates appear to rise by 0.36% among older people, and by 0.38% among the middle- aged. Two popular explanations include: 1) During recessions, unemployed people reduce alcohol consumption, resulting in fewer road accidents. 2) Job stress and air pollution are known to increase when economies grow.

Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, October 2013

 

Diet: More Reasons to Eat Broccoli and Cauliflower! Sulforaphane (found in cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and collards) may help reduce the risk of respiratory inflammation that leads to chronic diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In a study setting, researchers found that those who consumed 200 grams of broccoli had nearly three times as many antioxidant enzymes in their upper airway cells compared to baseline measurements. These protective antioxidant enzymes help fight against common environmental pollutants. Clinical Immunology, March 2009

 

Exercise: Better Math, English, and Science Grades! Research on British school children has found a link between academic performance and daily exercise. English, math, and science scores went up as the number of minutes per day of exercise increased with the greatest gains in female science scores. With boys and girls only exercising 18-29 minutes per day on average, how much could grades improve if physical education hours were increased instead of cut back to save money? British Journal of Sports Medicine, October 2013

 

Chiropractic: Lack of Motion and the Heart and Lungs. The negative effects of immobilization (lack of proper motion) begin as soon as four hours after injury! The direct effects of deconditioning on the cardiopulmonary system (heart & lungs) include an increase of the maximal heart rate and a decrease in your maximal oxygen consumption potential. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 1992

 

Wellness/Prevention: Kids Need Regular Bedtimes. A study of 10,000 children in the United Kingdom found that children with inconsistent bedtimes are more likely to suffer from behavioral and emotional problems than their peers who go to sleep at the same time every night. The good news is that the effects are reversible once children settle into a regular bedtime. Pediatrics, October 2013

 

Quote: “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.” ~ Kurt Vonnegut

 

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 October 28 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter

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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE

Week of Monday, October 21st, 2013

Mental Attitude: Video Games are Good! Scientists have developed a video game-based training strategy called NeuroRacer that could “repair” cognitive decline in older individuals. The 3D video game challenges cognitive control by providing a series of distractions on the screen that the players must try to avoid while driving. After playing the game, the study participants showed a dramatic increase in their multi-tasking abilities. These improved abilities continued to last for six months without any “booster” training on the game. EEG scans showed increased measurements in the pre-frontal cortex of the brain, the area responsible for problem solving and complex thought. Nature, September 2013

 

Health Alert: Young Adults and Stroke. Hospital discharges in the United States for strokes among young adults (15-44 years old) increased at least 23% from 1996 to 2008. Lifestyle risk factors for stroke include obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels. Neurology, September 2013

 

Diet: Vitamin D Deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with osteomalacia, osteopenia, osteoporosis, and risk of fracture. Emerging evidence also points to increased risk for cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Good sources of vitamin D include sunlight, cod liver oil, salmon, mushrooms, mackerel, tuna fish, milk, orange juice, and supplements. British Journal of Nutrition, September 2013

 

 

Exercise: Obesity and Post Heart Attack Mortality. A study of French heart attack survivors found that obesity (BMI ≥35 kg/m²) is associated with the largest risk of absolute mortality five years later (+65%).

European Society of Cardiology, August 2013

 

Chiropractic: Every Inch!  For every inch your head is forward, your upper back and neck muscles have to hold an extra 10 lbs (~4.5 kg), as they have to work harder to keep the head (chin) from dropping to your chest. This also forces the sub-occipital muscles (they raise the chin) to remain in constant contraction, putting pressure on the three sub-occipital nerves. This nerve compression may cause headaches at the base of the skull or mimic sinus (frontal) headaches. Kapandji, Physiology of the Joints, Volume III

 

Wellness/Prevention: Sleep and Your Brain. Sleep increases the reproduction of the cells (oligodendrocytes) that form myelin. Myelin is the insulating material found on nerve cell projections in the brain and spinal cord that’s responsible for allowing electrical impulses to move from cell to cell, similar to the insulation around electrical wires. University of Wisconsin, September 2013

 

Quote: “To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” ~ Aristotle

 

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 August 5 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter

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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE

Week of Monday, August 5th, 2013

Mental Attitude: A Happy Marriage. People in happy marriages live less “in sickness” and enjoy more of life “in health.” Couples in positive marital relationships sustain health over the long run. Those with higher marital conflict are more likely to report poor health. The implication is that marital conflict is a risk factor for poor health. Couples who fight or frequently argue should seek professional help to reduce their conflict because it is affecting their health. Happily married spouses encourage one another to stay current on doctor’s appointments, sleep better, drink less alcohol, and participate more in healthy activities. In a happy marriage, when spouses have a bad day, they’re more likely to support each other and empathize with each other. This support reduces stress and helps buffer against a decline in health. Journal of Marriage and Family, June 2013

 

Health Alert: Tobacco Control! Tobacco control measures put in place in 41 countries between 2007 and

2010 will prevent some 7.4 million premature deaths by 2050. These policies can lead to other benefits such as fewer adverse birth outcomes related to maternal smoking (including low birth weight), reduced healthcare costs, and increased productivity due to less smoking-related disease. World Health Organization, July 2013

 

Diet: Fish Oil DHA. Chronic inflammation is a major factor in a wide range of health issues from arthritis to cardiovascular disease, and DHA (found in fish oil) is known to temper this problem. Researchers found that macrophages (a type of white blood cell) use DHA to produce “maresins,” which serve as the “switch” that turns inflammation off. The FASEB Journal, July 2013

 

Exercise: Good Reasons. Exercise improves your mood and helps to increase your overall health awareness.

Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996

 

Chiropractic: Drop That Blood Pressure. Patients who had upper thoracic chiropractic adjustments showed statistically significant decreases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Placebo and control groups demonstrated no such changes. Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics, 1988

 

Wellness/Prevention: Tea Tree Oil. Treating fungal infections of the nails (onychomycosis) with a cream containing 2% butenafine and 5% tea tree oil cured 80% of patients. Topical application of tea tree oil cream for athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) reduces the symptoms of tinea pedis as effectively as tolnaftate, an over the counter antifungal medication. Australasian Journal of Dermatology, July 2013

 

Quote: “I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun.” ~ Thomas A. Edison

 

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 17 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter

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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE

Week of Monday, June 17th, 2013

Mental Attitude: Stress and Problem Solving. People under high levels of chronic stress appear to have impaired problem-solving skills. In a study setting, they solved 50% fewer problems than their non-stressed peers. PLOS ONE, May 2013

 

Health Alert: Texting While Driving. Teens in the United States receive hundreds of text messages a day, but one message they aren’t getting is that they shouldn’t text and drive. 43% of high school students of driving age reported texting while driving at least once in the past 30 days. The specific act of texting while driving has been found to increase the risk of a crash by 23 times, leading many to conclude that texting while driving is more dangerous than driving while intoxicated. Pediatric Academic Society, May 2013

 

Diet: Low Vitamin D Levels and Cardiovascular Problems. Increased levels of vitamin D in the body result in lower levels of CRP (c-reactive protein) in the blood. High levels of CRP are associated with the hardening of blood vessels and a greater risk of developing cardiovascular problems.

American Journal of Medicine, May 2013

 

Exercise: Fibromyalgia and Exercise. For many people who have fibromyalgia, the thought of exercising is painful. However, a recent study shows that light to moderate exercise (light jogging or brisk walking for 20 minutes a day) over a prolonged period of time improves overall symptoms, such as fatigue and trouble sleeping, without increasing pain. Arthritis Care & Research, May 2013

 

Chiropractic: Recommended For Low Back Pain. According to a study based in the United Kingdom, chiropractic patients with low back pain improved markedly during the first three months of care with high patient satisfaction scores. Considering all costs of care, the study’s author suggests that chiropractic care be considered “in the wider context of health care delivery in the United Kingdom” for all patients with low back pain. University of Portsmouth, May 2013

 

Wellness/Prevention: Helmet Laws. 900 Americans die each year in bicycle crashes, with three-quarters of the fatalities from head injuries. Bicycle helmets save lives but only 21 US states have laws requiring bicyclists to wear helmets. States with mandatory helmet laws have lower rates of fatalities/incapacitating injuries after bicycle-motor vehicle collisions than states without helmet laws. Pediatric Academic Society, May 2013

 

Quote: “Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.” ~ Lao Tzu

 

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 27 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter

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Week of Monday, May 27th, 2013

 

Mental Attitude: Happily Married? A recent study concludes that young and happily married newlyweds are more

likely to gain weight than their young and unhappily married counterparts. For each unit increase in satisfaction, on

average, males and females both gained one tenth of a BMI unit every 6 months – or about one pound a year.

According to Dr. Andrea Meltzer, lead author of the study, “These findings challenge the idea that quality

relationships always benefit health, suggesting instead that spouses in satisfying relationships relax their efforts to

maintain their weight because they are no longer motivated to attract a mate. Interventions to prevent weight gain in

early marriage may therefore benefit from encouraging spouses to think about their weight in terms of health rather

than appearance.” Health Psychology, April 2013

 

Health Alert: Less Salt, More Potassium. Reducing salt intake can lower blood pressure, which ultimately reduces

the risk of heart disease and stroke. Results show that four or more weeks of modest salt reduction leads to notable

decreases in blood pressure. Increased potassium intake was associated with a 24% reduced probability of stroke in

adults and may also have an advantageous impact on blood pressure in kids. British Medical Journal, April 2013

 

Diet: So How Much Salt and Potassium Should You Consume? The World Health Organization recommends

adults should reduce salt intake to 5g per day and consume at least 3510mg of potassium per day.

World Health Organization, January 2013

 

Exercise: More Reasons. Exercise helps to retard bone loss as you age, thereby reducing your risk of developing

osteoporosis. Exercise also helps improves pain tolerance and mood if you already suffer from osteoarthritis.

Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996

 

Chiropractic: Satisfied Low Back Pain Patients. Patients with chronic low-back pain treated by chiropractors

showed greater improvement and satisfaction after one month of care than patients treated by family physicians.

Satisfaction scores were higher for chiropractic patients. A higher proportion of chiropractic patients (56% vs. 13%)

reported that their low-back pain was better or much better, whereas nearly one-third of medical patients reported

their low-back pain was worse or much worse. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2000

 

Wellness/Prevention: Sleep Well. Increasing the number of hours adolescents sleep each night may reduce the

prevalence of adolescent obesity. A recent study shows that fewer hours of sleep is associated with greater increases

in adolescent body mass index (BMI) for participants between 14 and 18 years old. Increasing sleep from 8 to 10

hours per day at age 18 could result in a 4% reduction in the number of adolescents with a BMI above 25. This

would translate to 500,000 fewer overweight adolescents. Pediatrics, April 2013

 

Quote: “Chiropractic is a wonderful means of natural healing.” ~ Bob Hope

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr Beecher’s April 22 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter

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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE

Week of: Monday, April 22nd, 2013

Mental Attitude: Cognitive Function and Exercise. Regular exercise as a child can result in improved cognitive function at age 50. Exercise represents a key component of lifestyle interventions to prevent cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Even low levels of exercise can have a positive effect on cognitive function. Psychological Medicine, March 2013

 

Health Alert: Insomnia and Heart Failure! Compared to people with no insomnia symptoms, people who suffer from insomnia appear to have a three-fold increased risk of developing heart failure.

European Heart Journal, March 2013

 

Diet: Lack of Sleep and Your Diet. People who are sleep deprived are more likely to choose both larger portion sizes and more calorie dense meals and snacks than they would after a normal night’s sleep. Psychoneuroendocrinology, February 2013

 

Exercise: Stroke Survivors and Walks. Taking regular brisk walks outdoors can help people recovering from a stroke to improve their physical fitness, enjoy a better quality of life, and increase their mobility. The walking group in this study reported a 16.7% improvement in health-related quality of life, and walked 17.6% further in a six-minute physical endurance test. They also had a 1.5% lower resting heart rate at the end of the study than they did at the beginning, while the non-walking groups resting heart rate went up 6.7%. The American Heart Association recommends stroke survivors do aerobic exercise for 20-60 minutes, 3-7 days a week, depending

on fitness level. Stroke, March 2013

 

Chiropractic: Bad Deposits! Fibrin deposits (from lack of proper motion) form and build-up in and around joints and the surrounding soft tissue, resulting in chronic inflammatory conditions. This can cause chronic pain and associated dysfunction of the joint complex. Spine, 1987

 

Wellness/Prevention: Maternal Diet. An important predictor of the severity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants is what their mothers ate during pregnancy. The most serious cases of RSV correlate with mothers who ate a diet high in carbohydrates during gestation.

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, March 2013

 

Quote: “Those who say it’s not possible should move out of the way of those doing it.” ~ Tricia Cunningham

 

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 March 18 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter

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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE

Week of Monday, March 18th, 2013

Mental Attitude: When Stress Levels Get Too High. Too much stress can negatively affect the immune system, cardiovascular system, neuroendocrine system, and central nervous system. Untreated chronic (long- term) stress can lead to muscle pain, insomnia, hypertension (high blood pressure), a weaker immune system and anxiety, which can lead to dozens of illnesses, including heart disease, depression, and obesity.

American Psychological Assoc, February 2013

 

Health Alert: TV Viewing and Risk of Disease. Daily TV viewing and lack of exercise at age 16 is associated with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular disease by age 43.

Diabetes Care, February 2013

 

Diet: Heart Disease and Vegetarianism. The risk of hospitalization or death from heart disease is 32% lower in vegetarians than people who eat meat and fish. Researchers found that vegetarians had lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels than non-vegetarians. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, February 2013

 

Exercise: More Reasons. Regular exercise provides protection against injury, decreases the need for antihypertensive medication, and improves your decision-making abilities.

Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996

 

Chiropractic: Deconditioning Syndrome. The negative effects of immobilization (lack of proper motion) begin as soon as four hours after injury! The effects it has on muscles include weakness, lack of coordination, decreased flexibility, reduced oxidative potential, diminished muscle mass, increased connective tissue fibrosis, Type I & II muscle atrophy, and 20% loss of muscle strength per week.

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 1992

 

Wellness/Prevention: The Active Lifestyle Approach. Adults who incorporate more movement into their daily lives are 4x more likely to meet the United States Government’s federal fitness guidelines (30 minutes of exercise per day) than those who attempt to do more structured exercise activities like running or lifting weights. American Journal of Health Promotion, February 2013

 

Quote: “If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.” ~ Lao Tzu

 

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 14 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter

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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE

Week of Monday, January 14th, 2013

 

Mental Attitude: Multiple Media Use. Media use among United States youth has increased 20% in the past decade, and the amount of time spent multitasking with media has spiked 120%. Using multiple forms of media at the same time (ie. playing a computer game while watching TV) has been linked to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, December 2012

 

Health Alert: Cigarette Taxes. According to a study conducted by Tobacco Control, the typical smoker averaged

16 cigarettes per day in 2001. Three years later, that number decreased to 14 cigarettes daily. The price for a pack of cigarettes increased from $3.96 in 2001 to $4.41 in 2004, mainly due to increased taxes on cigarettes. It’s believed the two cigarettes per day decrease from 2001-2004 was due to the increased cost of smoking.

Tobacco Control, December 2012

 

Diet: Rice Bran. The bioactive components in rice bran show anti-cancer activity, including the ability to inhibit cell proliferation, alter cell cycle progression, and initiate the programmed cell death (known as apoptosis) in malignant cells. Bioactive components of rice bran act not only within cancer cells but around the cells to create conditions in the surrounding tissues that promote the function of healthy cells while inhibiting the function of cancer cells. This tissue microenvironment activity includes controlling chronic inflammation, often a precursor for cancer. Rice bran may also promote an anti-cancer immune response and protect against cancer.

Advances in Nutrition, December 2012

 

Exercise: Want A Healthy Brain? Physical exercise is important when it comes to maintaining a healthy brain. Scientists found that Growth Hormone (stimulated by exercise) increases the amount of stem cells that actively generate new nerve cells in the brain. Growth Hormone also slows and can even reverse the decline in new nerve cell formation normally seen as our bodies age. University of Queensland, November 2012

 

Chiropractic: Bone Spurs? Bone spurs (osteophytes) are bony projections that form off of bones in and along joints, and are often seen with arthritis. Bone spurs can limit joint motion and can cause joint pain. Bone spurs form when the body tries to increase the surface area of the joint to better distribute weight across a joint surface that has been damaged by arthritis. To slow formation and alleviate symptoms, it has been shown that joint motion improves nutrition to the tissue and maintains the health of the joint. Spine, 1977

 

Wellness/Prevention: Sleep and Insulin Resistance.  High levels of insulin resistance can lead to the development of diabetes. Teenagers who normally sleep six hours a night can improve insulin resistance by 9% by simply sleeping one additional hour. Sleep, October 2012

 

Quote: “He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.” ~ Thomas Carlyle

 

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 .