DAILY HEALTH UPDATE: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 Dr. Jeff Allyn, Berkley Chiropractic Clinic

“Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement.” ~ W. Clement Stone

Mental Attitude: Post-Traumatic Stress Increases Female Obesity Risk! Eleven percent of women will experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point in their lives, nearly double the rate of men. Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and Harvard School of Public Health analyzed data on 50,000 nurses over two decades and found that normal-weight women who develop PTSD have a 36% increased risk for becoming overweight or obese. The mechanism is unknown but researchers speculate is could be caused by the over-activation of stress hormones, disturbances in the sympathetic nervous system, or developing unhealthy behavior patterns to cope with stress.  JAMA Psychiatry, November 2013

Health Alert: Danger! Gelatin Allergies and the Flu Shot. Caution is advised for individuals who are allergic to gelatin and plan on receiving a flu shot. Gelatin is used in the flu shot as a stabilizer and can cause allergic reactions such as hives, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. Those who believe they might have an allergy should be tested and diagnosed by an allergist before considering influenza vaccination. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, November 2013

Diet: Another Reason to Go Nuts! After analyzing data on over 100,000 men and women over three decades, researchers found that people who ate one ounce of nuts at least once a week were 11% more likely to still be alive at the end of the study than non-nut eaters. For those who ate a handful of nuts at least once a day, the survival rate increased to 20%. Previous studies have linked nut consumption to a decreased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, gallstones, and diverticulitis as well as decreased cholesterol levels, inflammation, and insulin resistance. New England Journal of Medicine, November 2013

Exercise: Moderate-Intensity Exercise Benefits Diabetics' Hearts. MRI scans on diabetics who performed moderate-intensity exercise for 3.5-6 hours per week (without any other changes in diet or lifestyle) showed decreased fat volume in the abdomen, liver, and around the heart. These are all areas where increased fat volume is associated with a higher cardiovascular disease risk. Radiological Society of North America, June 2013

Chiropractic: Patients Will Be Winners. “The chiropractic profession is assuming its valuable and appropriate role in the health care system in this country and around the world. As this happens, the professional battles of the past will fade and the patient at last will be the true winner.”~ Wayne Jonas, MD, Founding Director, Office of Alternative Medicine, US National Institutes of Health

Wellness/Prevention: Sleep Helps Children's Brains Develop. Sleep appears to be pivotal for brain development. Scientists looking at the brain activity of sleeping children (ages 2-5) noticed that connections between the right and left hemispheres of the brain grew stronger during the night. With this knowledge, they caution that inadequate sleep may affect how the brain matures, possibly leading to developmental and mood disorders. Brain Sciences, November 2013

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(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.)