DAILY HEALTH UPDATE: Thursday, August 22, 2013 Dr. Jeff Allyn, Berkley Chiropractic Clinic

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
                                                                              ~ Oscar Wilde

Mental Attitude: Breastfeeding Decreases Risk Of ADHD. Researchers have found a clear link between rates of breastfeeding and the likelihood of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children who were bottle-fed at three months of age were found to be three times more likely to have ADHD than those who were breastfed during the same period. It is not yet known why breastfeeding has an impact on the development of ADHD. Researchers speculate that it could be due to the breast milk itself, or the special bond formed between mother and baby during breastfeeding. Breastfeeding Medicine, July 2013

Health Alert: Sunscreen Can Catch Fire! The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning about spray-on sunscreen. Applying spray-on sunscreen before coming close to an open flame can cause a person to catch fire. Some spray-on sunscreen brands have been recalled, but others still on the shelves may include potential flammable ingredients. The Food and Drug Administration, July 2013

Diet: Arsenic in Rice Poses Health Risk. A new study shows that high levels of arsenic in rice are associated with elevated genetic damage in humans consuming rice as a staple in their diet. This type of genetic damage has previously been linked to cancer. Researchers have reported elevated concentrations of arsenic in several rice-growing regions around the world over the last few years. Nature Publishing Group's Scientific Reports, July 2013

Exercise: Half Marathons Are Popular! In recent years, half marathons have become the most popular running event in the United States. Over 1.8 million Americans completed a half marathon in 2012, with women making up over 60% of participants. Los Angeles Times, August 2013

Chiropractic: Chiropractic For High Blood Pressure? Twenty five patients in the early stages of hypertension received an upper cervical (upper neck) Chiropractic adjustment vs. 25 patients who received a placebo adjustment. None of the patients took blood pressure medication for eight weeks and their blood pressure was measured at the start and end of the study period. Researchers were shocked to discover that those who received the chiropractic adjustment experienced decreases in blood pressure as significant as if they had been taking blood-pressure medications. The study appears to show what chiropractic care has been demonstrating for over a century: spinal dysfunction prevents the body from functioning at an optimal level. University of Chicago’s Hypertension Centre, 2007

Wellness/Prevention: Lower Blood Pressure May Slow Dementia. A recent study analyzed the cognitive decline and brain power of 361 patients (average age = 77 years). Participants in the study either had a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, or both. The patients who were taking medication to lower their blood pressure had slower rates of cognitive decline compared with patients who were not taking the drugs. The study supports the growing body of evidence for lowering blood pressure as part of the treatment and management of dementia. BMJ Open, July 2013