DAILY HEALTH UPDATE Wednesday, October 21st, 2015
Courtesy of: Dr. Darren Taylor
Mental Attitude: Sleep Apnea May Increase Risk of Depression. Australian researchers have found individuals with sleep apnea have an elevated risk for depression, but using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy device appears to counteract that risk. At the beginning of the study, nearly 73% of the sleep apnea patients suffered from depression and the worse their apnea, the more severe their depression. However, only 4% of the sleep apnea patients who used a CPAP device for an average of at least five hours a night still had significant symptoms of depression after three months. The research team says that people with symptoms of depression should be screened for sleep apnea symptoms, such as snoring, breathing pauses during sleep, disrupted sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Study author Dr. David Hillman adds, "The findings highlight the potential for sleep apnea, a notoriously underdiagnosed condition, to be misdiagnosed as depression." Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, September 2015
Health Alert: Higher BPA Exposure During Pregnancy May Lead to Lower Birth Weight. Mothers with higher blood levels of the chemical BPA early in their pregnancy appear to have newborn girls who weigh less than girls born to mothers with less BPA exposure. BPA (bisphenol A) is a chemical used to create plastics and epoxy resins. It is usually found in plastic containers, dental sealants, and thermal cash receipts. Researchers found that for every twofold increase of BPA in a mother's blood during the first trimester, the weight of their newborn girls decreased by about 6.5 ounces (~.18 kg). Dr. Leonardo Trasande, an associate professor of pediatrics and environmental medicine at NYU School of Medicine in New York City comments, "This study adds further concern about the health effects of BPA exposure, particularly in vulnerable populations like pregnant women and children."
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, September 2015
Diet: Dried Plums May Reduce Colon Cancer Risk. Previous research has shown that a disruption to the microbiota (gut bacteria) can trigger inflammation that could promote the development of colon cancer over time. An animal-based study conducted by researchers from Texas A&M University found a diet containing dried plums can positively affect gut bacteria throughout the colon and significantly reduce the incidence of precancerous lesions. While additional research is needed to see if this finding is reproducible in human subjects, the results suggest that regularly eating dried plums may be a possible dietary strategy to help reduce the risk of colon cancer. Experimental Biology Conference in Boston, September 2015
Exercise: Young Adults May Need to Eat Less & Workout More to Avoid Obesity. According to a new study, if you are around age 25 and struggling with weight gain, you might be surprised to know that your parents had it easier when they were your age. Researchers from Ontario Canada's York University found that for the same level of food intake, people were about 10% heavier in 2008 than in 1971, and about 5% heavier for a given amount of physical activity in 1988 than 2006.
Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, September 2015
Chiropractic: Does Running Improve Back Pain? Investigators gathered data from 777 half-marathon runners and found that 54% had a history of back pain. Among these back pain sufferers, 49% reported their pain improved after running, while 27% said running worsened their pain. The finding supports the notion that individuals with back pain should continue their normal activities as part of the recovery process, if such activities can be tolerated. Revue Medicale Suisse, July 2015
Wellness/Prevention: How to Prevent Childhood Obesity. Keeping children at a healthy weight is a common concern among parents. Besides making sure kids eat a healthy diet, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents ensure their children get adequate sleep by establishing a regular bedtime routine, restricting screen time to two hours max per day to allow for more time to be physically active, and offering children praise and recognition for healthy behavior. American Academy of Pediatrics, October 2015
Quote: “Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” -William Faulkner