Dr Beecher’s May 11 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
Week of Monday, May 11th, 2015
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Mental Attitude: Stroke Prevention Efforts Paying Off. Fewer people are being treated in emergency rooms for strokes caused by blood clots in the brain, which experts believe is a sign that current prevention methods are working. Between 2001 and 2011, emergency room visits for stroke declined 35% for adults 18 and older and 51% for individuals 55 to 74 years of age. One expert explains that people are preventing strokes by taking steps to better control high blood pressure, not smoking (the greatest risk factor for stroke), and limiting exposure to secondhand smoke. National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief, March 2015
Health Alert: Increasing Alcohol Tax Could Save Lives. If taxes on the purchase of alcohol were increased, researchers claim that thousands of deaths from motor vehicle accidents could be prevented each year. A team of investigators found that alcohol-related automobile crashes declined 26% after the state of Illinois increased taxes on beer, wine, and spirits in 2009. American Journal of Public Health, March 2015
Diet: Are American Kids Eating Less Fast Food? According to a new report, the percentage of children eating fast food on any given day fell from 38.8% in 2003-04 to 32.6% in 2009-10. The authors of the report also observed a decrease in the average number of calories children consumed at hamburger, chicken, and pizza fast food restaurants during this time frame. The findings are promising as childhood obesity has been a growing health concern over the last 30 years. JAMA Pediatrics, March 2015
Exercise: A 15-Minute Walk Reduces Cravings. Going for a 15-minute walk may suppress your desire for chocolate or snacks, according to the results of a new study. Researchers found that participants who exercised prior to physically handling sugary snacks demonstrated lower levels of cravings than those who were sedentary in the fifteen minutes before being handed a treat. The authors conclude, “Short bouts of physical activity may reduce the craving for sugary snacks in overweight people. When snacking has become habitual and poorly regulated by overweight people, the promotion of short bouts of physical activity could be valuable for reducing the urge to consume at times when the person may be particularly vulnerable, such as during stress and when snack foods are available.” PLOS ONE, March 2015
Chiropractic: Common Pain Relief Drug Not Effective for Back Pain or Arthritis. Acetaminophen appears to be ineffective in the treatment of low back pain and offers little benefit for sufferers of osteoarthritis of the hip or knee according to a new report published in the British Medical Journal. The findings are based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials that were designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of acetaminophen in the management of spinal pain and osteoarthritis. The authors of the report urge patients to pursue physical treatments as the way forward and conclude that “[ongoing] and ever-increasing concerns about pharmacological management of musculoskeletal pain highlights the importance of non- pharmacological options, which form the cornerstone of self-management of spinal pain and osteoarthritis.” British Medical Journal, March 2015
Wellness/Prevention: How Vitamin D May Protect the Heart… Though recent published studies have found strong associations between vitamin D deficiency and hypertension, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis, the mechanisms by which vitamin D protects the cardiovascular system remain a mystery. In a new paper published in the Open Cardiovascular Medicine Journal, Dr. Natália Ribeiro Mandarino postulates that the presence of vitamin D improves the function of the hormone systems that regulate blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and the body’s reaction to oxidative stress. Open Cardiovascular Medicine Journal, March 2015
Quote: “If you love life, don’t waste time, for time is what life is made up of.” ~ Bruce Lee
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 December 15 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, December 15th, 2014
Mental Attitude: A Purpose in Life is Important for Longevity. Having a sense of meaning and purpose in your life may do more than just give you focus, it may help you live longer. Researchers interviewed more than 9,000 older adults and found that those who professed having a sense of purpose in life were less likely to die during the eight-year study. Research leader Dr. Andrew Steptoe adds, “[There] are several biological mechanisms that may link well-being to improved health, for example through hormonal changes or reduced blood pressure. Further research is now needed to see if such changes might contribute to the links between well-being and life expectancy in older people.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, November 2014
Health Alert: Cigars Contain Harmful Toxins. Many cigar smokers believe that cigars pose fewer health risks than cigarettes; however, a new report reveals that cigar smokers are exposed to high levels of cancer-causing agents, as well as other toxic substances. Investigators found that cigar smokers had higher levels of cotinine, NNAL, cadmium, and lead in their bodies than people who did not use tobacco. Lead author Dr. Jiping Chen writes, “Cigar smoking exposes users to similar types of harmful and cancer- causing agents as cigarette smoking.” This is alarming as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that cigar use doubled between 2000 and 2011. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, November 2014
Diet: Micronutrient Levels in Female College Students. Blood samples from 308 female college students showed that nearly 44% had below-normal iron levels, 11.3% had low vitamin B12 levels, and nearly 100% had excess folate (vitamin B9) levels. It’s hoped that future research will investigate the food choices and dietary behaviors that may be most responsible for these results. Nutrients, November 2014
Exercise: Tips to Avoid Over-Training. Over-training or over-exercising can be counterproductive to achieving your fitness goals. Over-training usually occurs when you do not allow your body to adapt, adjust, and recuperate in response to an exercise training regimen. Signs that you are over-training include decreased performance, increased resting heart rate and blood pressure, increased muscle fatigue, poor sleep, gastro-intestinal disturbances, depression, irritability, apathy, and even low self-esteem. Dr. Adrian Shepard from Butler University suggests the following to avoid over-training: gradually work your way into exercise, ask the staff at your fitness center about how to correctly use the equipment, and ask for a fitness assessment to determine current physical health status and fitness level so appropriate exercises can be recommended and goals can be set. Butler University, January 2010
Chiropractic: Providers Should Consider Vitamin D for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. Because vitamin D deficiency is very common and has been associated with a myriad of health problems, many Chiropractors recommend vitamin D supplements to their patients as part of a healthy lifestyle. For patients with chronic non-specific musculoskeletal pain, vitamin D supplementation is known to help reduce symptoms and has little-to-no documented side effects. The Lead South Australia, November 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Epinephrine Injections Save Lives in Schools. Epinephrine injections are given when an individual is experiencing a life-threatening allergic reaction to an insect sting or food. In the United States, about 15% of school-aged children with food allergies have had an allergic reaction at school, and about one-fourth of epinephrine injections given at schools involved children who didn’t know they had an allergy. Dr. Bryan Martin, vice president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, adds, “Stocking emergency epinephrine is a medical necessity for schools in every state.” American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, November 2014
Quote: “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” ~ J.K. Rowling
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 19 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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Week of Monday, May 19th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Working Memory Boosted by Green Tea. Consuming green tea may enhance cognitive function,
especially a person’s working memory. Researchers found that study participants who consumed a beverage that included green tea extract showed increased connectivity between the right superior parietal lobule and the frontal cortex of the brain. This action correlated with enhanced performance on working memory tasks. This finding may lead to new treatment for disorders involving cognitive impairments, such as dementia. Psychopharmacology, March 2014
Health Alert: Half the Population of the Americas at Risk for Insect-Borne Disease. Approximately 50% of people living in the Western Hemisphere are at risk of one or more diseases carried by ticks, flies, mosquitoes, and other vectors. Some of these diseases include West Nile virus, Lyme disease, dengue fever, malaria, chagas, and schistosomiasis. Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) adds, “Our region has achieved many successes in controlling vector-borne diseases. However, this success is being threatened by the expansion of mosquitoes and other vectors into new habitats and by the emergence of insecticide and drug resistance. PAHO and its partners are today calling for stepped-up action in the fight against vector-borne diseases in the Americas.” Pan American Health Organization, April 2014
Diet: Eating Legumes Keeps Away Bad Cholesterol. According to a new report, just one serving of legumes per day can reduce a person’s low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The study found that people who ate 3/4 cups of non-oil-seed legumes each day experienced a 5% reduction of LDL cholesterol. Unfortunately, some participants experienced side effects from eating legumes such as bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, and constipation. Co-author Dr. John Sievenpiper believes that the 5% reduction in LDL cholesterol correlates to a 5-6% risk reduction for major vascular events. Canadian Medical Association Journal, April 2014
Exercise: Exercise Curtails COPD Hospitalization. New research suggests that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who exercise at a moderate to vigorous level have a lower risk of hospital readmission within 30 days compared with those who are inactive. Researchers found that patients with COPD who exercised 150 minutes a week or more had a 34% lower risk of readmission within 30 days compared to those who were inactive. The finding suggests exercising three to five times a week will help improve COPD symptoms, physical functioning, and quality of life. Similar results published earlier in 2014 support this finding. Annals of the American Thoracic Society, April 2014
Chiropractic: Hand & Practice. The word “Chiropractic” combines the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (practice) to describe a treatment done by hand. Hands-on therapy with an emphasis on spinal adjustment is central to chiropractic care. Chiropractic is based on the premise that the relationship between the body’s structure (primarily that of the spine) and its function (as coordinated by the nervous system) affects a person’s health. National Institutes of Health, February 2012
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D Insufficiency Increases Fracture Risk. Women with low blood levels of vitamin D over a five-year period had a greater risk of osteoporosis-related fracture over the following decade. Osteoporosis International, April 2014
Quote: “A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower
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 .
