DAILY HEALTH UPDATE: Friday, January 17, 2014 Dr. Jeff Allyn, Berkley Chiropractic Clinic

“Honesty is never seen sitting astride the fence.” ~ Lemuel K. Washburn

Mental Attitude: Schizophrenic-Related Brain Changes Linked to Marijuana Use. Researchers say that heavy use of marijuana could lead to poor memory and alterations in brain function that resemble changes seen in individuals who have schizophrenia. The study revealed that participants who began using marijuana regularly at the age of 16 or 17 demonstrated deterioration in the thalamus. The thalamus is a part of the brain that is important for learning, memory, and communication. Study co-author Dr. John Csemansky adds, "The abuse of popular street drugs, such as marijuana, may have dangerous implications for young people who are developing or have developed mental disorders. This paper is among the first to reveal that the use of marijuana may contribute to the changes in brain structure that have been associated with having schizophrenia."  Schizophrenia Bulletin, December 2013

Health Alert: Stress Gene Linked to Heart Attacks. New research finds that a stress-sensitivity gene is tied to a 38% increased heart attack risk. This may explain why some people are more susceptible to cardiovascular disease than others. According to lead researcher, Dr. Redford B. Williams, Jr., "...what this work suggests already is that we have a found genetic variant that can be easily identified, so we can begin to develop and test early interventions for those [patients] who are at high risk of… having a heart attack." PLoS ONE, December 2013

Diet: Is a Lack of Fiber the Reason for Asthma's Rise? In a study involving rats, Swiss scientists have found a correlation between fiber consumption and the body's response to allergens in the air. Subjects fed a low-fiber diet had a much greater allergic reaction to dust particles than rats fed a higher-fiber diet. The researchers believe that an increase dietary fiber sets off a chain reaction that strengthens the immune system's response to allergens in the lungs. Furthermore, they also point out that as the average amount of fiber in the Western diet has decreased, the prevalence of asthma has increased.  Nature Medicine, January 2014

Exercise: Get Active, Stay Active! A study involving 712 World War II veterans found that those who played high school sports were more likely to still be physically active and required fewer doctor visits to maintain their health in the later years.  BMC Public Health, December 2013

Chiropractic: Headache Improves with Adjustments & Exercises. A 56-year-old male with constant one-sided headaches for the last five years and intermittent radiating eye pain presented for chiropractic treatment. A physical examination revealed that his poor head and neck posture had led to a condition called upper cross syndrome. A trial of spinal manipulation three times per week for two weeks, along with exercise instruction, resolved his headaches. The patient continued maintenance/wellness care to prevent future headaches. Journal of Manipulative Physiologic Therapeutics, July 2004

Wellness/Prevention: Internet Usage Linked to Cancer Prevention! Colorectal cancer may be the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States and the United Kingdom but the fatality rate for the disease has declined during the preceding twenty years as more consumers have become internet users. New research finds that people who consistently use the internet are twice as likely to participate in preventative behaviors such as colorectal cancer screenings, not smoking, eating at least five portions of fruits and vegetables per day, and being physically active compared with infrequent or non-internet users.   Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 2013

For More Information on Back Pain, Neck Pain, Headaches, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Whiplash, and To Sign Up For Our Daily Health Update Emails, Go To: www.DrJeffAllynBlog.com or our website at: www.berkleychiropracticclinic.com 

(This information is solely advisory, and should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic   advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice   and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.)