Dr Beecher’s December 29 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, December 29th, 2014
Mental Attitude: People Want Leaders to Look Healthy. Dutch researchers say that it is more important for potential business or political leaders to look healthy than to appear intelligent. Their statement is based on the response of 148 adults who were asked to choose a new CEO by looking at photos of individuals made to look more or less intelligent or more or less healthy. The researchers found that participants chose a healthier look 69% of the time. Lead author Dr. Brian Spisak adds, “Here we show that it always pays for aspiring leaders to look healthy, which explains why politicians and executives often put great effort, time, and money in their appearance.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, November 2014
Health Alert: COX-2 Inhibitors Associated with Increased Risk of Death from Stroke. Some commonly prescribed drugs for arthritis and pain may increase a patient’s risk of dying from a stroke. According to a new study, users of COX-2 inhibitors are 19% more likely to die after a stroke when compared with non-users. COX-2 inhibitors include medications such as diclofenac, etodolac, nabumetone, meloxicam, celecoxib, and rofecoxib. Study author Dr. Morten Schmidt adds, “While newer versions of these COX-2 inhibitor drugs have been pulled off shelves, older ones are still frequently prescribed. Our study provides further important evidence solidifying the risks of certain arthritic pain relievers and death from stroke.” Neurology, November 2014
Diet: Gluten May Not Be the Only Culprit in Celiac Disease. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley and is known to cause health problems in individuals with celiac disease. New research suggests that some individuals with celiac disease also react to non-gluten proteins. The authors of the study note that the role of non-gluten proteins in celiac disease has been largely ignored and further research is needed. Journal of Proteome Research, November 2014
Exercise: Exercise May Help Recovering Methamphetamine Addicts. An animal study conducted by scientists at the Scripps Research Institute has found that exercise appears to reduce drug-seeking behavior in rats during methamphetamine withdrawal. Brain Structure and Function, October 2014
Chiropractic: Highly Rated By Patients! According to the American Chiropractic Association, “Chiropractic physicians are the highest-rated healthcare practitioners for low-back pain treatments with their patient-centered, whole-person approach that provides greater interaction and communication for appropriate diagnosis and developing more cost-effective treatment planning.” American Chiropractic Association, June 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D Deficiency Associated with Increased Risk of Asthma Attacks. Adults who are vitamin D deficient and suffer from asthma are 25% more likely to experience an asthma attack than asthmatics with normal vitamin D levels, suggests research from Tel Aviv University in Israel. Study author Dr. Ronit Confino-Cohen explains, “Our results add more evidence to the link between vitamin D and asthma, suggesting beneficial effects of vitamin D on asthma exacerbations. We expect that further prospective studies will support our results. In the meantime, our results support a recommendation for screening of vitamin D levels in the subgroup of asthma patients who experience recurrent exacerbations. In those with vitamin D deficiency, supplementation may be necessary.” Allergy, October 2014
Quote: “Every traveler has a home of his own, and he learns to appreciate it the more from his wandering.” ~ Charles Dickens
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 21 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 March 19 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, March 19th, 2012
Mental Attitude: Depression and Negative Peer Relationships At School. Often, the assumption is that problematic peer relationships drive depression; however, it was found that depression symptoms predicted negative peer relationships. No evidence was found to suggest that peer relationships forecasted depression among a school-based sample of adolescents. Child Development, Feb 2012
Health Alert: Weighty Physician? Physicians with a normal BMI, as compared to overweight and obese physicians, were more likely to engage their obese patients in weight loss discussions, 30% vs. 18%, and more likely to diagnose a patient as obese if they perceived the patient’s BMI met or exceed their own, 93% vs. 7%. Obesity, Jan 2012
Diet: Vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked with muscle weakness, increased fall risk, and bone fractures.
26% of the distal radius fracture patients were vitamin D insufficient (having vitamin D serum levels between 20-32 mg/ml), compared to 11% in the control group.
Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Feb 2012
Exercise: Tai Chi And Parkinson’s. A new exercise study has shown significant benefits for patients with mild-to- moderate Parkinson’s disease. A tailored Tai Chi training program of 60-minute exercise sessions 2x/week for 24 weeks resulted in improved postural stability and walking ability, and reduced falls in the participants.
New England Journal of Medicine, Feb 2012
Chiropractic: Alf! Famous neurosurgeon Dr. Alf Breig reviewed the adverse mechanical tensions on the central nervous system from abnormal postural loads. He concluded that abnormal posture affects the nervous system, which in turn, affects the sympathetic nervous system, which plays a large part in controlling the immune system. Breig, 1976
Wellness/Prevention: Waist-Hip Ratio and the Cardiovascular System. The Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) is the ratio of a person’s waist circumference with hip circumference. The smallest waist measurement is taken just above the navel and is divided by the hip circumference at its widest part. In a thin person, the waist is measured at its narrowest point. For the larger person with a big belly, it is measured 1 inch above the belly button. Hips are measured at the widest point of the buttocks in the lean person and at the great trochanters in larger individuals. If an adult female has a 27-inch waist and 36- inch hips, her WHR is .75. (27 divided by 36). WHR for men: < 0.9 means he has a very low risk of having cardiovascular health problems; from 0.9 to 0.99 means he is at moderate risk of cardiovascular health problems; > 1 means his risk of cardiovascular problems is high. WHR for women: < 0.8 means she has a very low risk of having cardiovascular health problems; from 0.8 to 0.89 means she is at moderate risk of cardiovascular health problems; > 0.9 means her risk of cardiovascular problems is high.
Quote: “You Chiropractic doctors are really miracle workers.” ~ Arnold Schwarzenegger
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.
