WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday, June 17th Dr. Jeff Allyn, Berkley Chiropractic Clinic

Mental Attitude: Stress and Problem Solving. People under high levels of chronic stress appear to have impaired problem-solving skills. In a study setting, they solved 50% fewer problems than their non-stressed peers.PLOS ONE, May 2013

Health Alert: Texting While Driving. Teens in the United States receive hundreds of text messages a day, but one message they aren't getting is that they shouldn't text and drive. 43% of high school students of driving age reported texting while driving at least once in the past 30 days. The specific act of texting while driving has been found to increase the risk of a crash by 23 times, leading many to conclude that texting while driving is more dangerous than driving while intoxicated. Pediatric Academic Society, May 2013

Diet: Low Vitamin D Levels and Cardiovascular Problems. Increased levels of vitamin D in the body result in lower levels of CRP (c-reactive protein) in the blood. High levels of CRP are associated with the hardening of blood vessels and a greater risk of developing cardiovascular problems. American Journal of Medicine, May 2013

Exercise: Fibromyalgia and Exercise. For many people who have fibromyalgia, the thought of exercising is painful. However, a recent study shows that light to moderate exercise (light jogging or brisk walking for 20 minutes a day) over a prolonged period of time improves overall symptoms, such as fatigue and trouble sleeping, without increasing pain.Arthritis Care & Research, May 2013

Chiropractic: Recommended For Low Back Pain. According to a study based in the United Kingdom, chiropractic patients with low back pain improved markedly during the first three months of care with high patient satisfaction scores. Considering all costs of care, the study's author suggests that chiropractic care be considered "in the wider context of health care delivery in the United Kingdom" for all patients with low back pain. University of Portsmouth, May 2013

Wellness/Prevention: Helmet Laws. 900 Americans die each year in bicycle crashes, with three-quarters of the fatalities from head injuries. Bicycle helmets save lives but only 21 US states have laws requiring bicyclists to wear helmets. States with mandatory helmet laws have lower rates of fatalities/incapacitating injuries after bicycle-motor vehicle collisions than states without helmet laws. Pediatric Academic Society, May 2013

Quote: "Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy." ~ Lao Tzu