DAILY HEALTH UPDATE: Wednesday, January 08, 2014 Dr. Jeff Allyn, Berkley Chiropractic Clinic

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

Mental Attitude: Anxiety Linked to Stroke Risk! Using 22 years worth of data on over 6,000 people, researchers have linked anxiety to stroke risk. According to the data, people with above average levels of anxiety were 33% more likely to suffer a stroke than their peers with the lowest levels of anxiety. People with high anxiety levels tend to be sedentary and smoke, both of which are risk factors for stroke. Stroke is the number four killer and the leading cause of disability in the United States.  Stroke, December 2013

Health Alert: Sleep Deprivation's Effect on Aging Bodies is Similar to Diabetes. A new study finds that sleep deprivation affects blood sugar homeostasis in elderly mice in a manner similar to type 2 diabetes. If this finding translates to humans, it provides another reason for aging adults to get adequate rest. Aging Cell, November 2013

Diet: Oral Spray May Aid in Weight Loss. Peptide YY is a hormone released by the gut after eating that tells the body it's full. Previous studies have found that injecting the hormone into the bloodstream reproduced the fullness effect but led to unwanted side-effects, such as vomiting. Now, researchers at the University of Florida's College of Medicine claim that delivering peptide YY through an oral mouth spray just thirty minutes before a meal helps the body feel satiated without inducing vomit. This could potentially lead to a new tool for helping people eat smaller meals as part of a weight loss plan. The Journal of Neuroscience, November 2013

Exercise: Exercise Video Games Can Help Diabetics. According to a new study, type 2 diabetics who played exercise-focused video games showed greater control of their blood glucose levels compared with diabetics who received routine care. Those who played the video game (Wii Fit Plus, in this case) also lost more weight. Senior study author Dr. Stephan Martin adds, "Given the positive attitudes of the participants and the limited restrictions for gaming at home, exercise games may potentially be used in a home setting as a tool to reduce inactive behavior in people with Type 2 diabetes."  BMC Endocrine Disorders, December 2013

Chiropractic: Safe and Effective for Pregnancy Related Low Back Pain. Low back pain is quite common during pregnancy. While chiropractic care during pregnancy is not uncommon, data is scarce regarding such treatment. A retrospective study involving 17 cases revealed that chiropractic treatment decreased low back pain in pregnant women with no adverse effects. The results suggest the chiropractic care is safe and may be effective for reducing low back pain during pregnancy.  Journal Of Midwifery & Women's Health, January 2006

Wellness/Prevention: Goji Berries Protect Against Flu. A new study shows that consuming a diet that includes goji berries gives older mice extra protection against the flu, in the form of a higher antibody response. Gogi berries, also known at Wolfberries, are rich in complex carbohydrates known as polysaccharides as well as the vitamins carotenoids and flavonoids. Further research is needed to confirm whether these berries have similar effect in humans. Journal of Nutrition, December 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

(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.)