DAILY HEALTH UPDATE: Saturday, November 23, 2013 Dr. Jeff Allyn, Berkley Chiropractic Clinic

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.  ~World Health Organization, 1948

Mental Attitude: Childhood Brain Development Affected by Poverty. According to new research, children raised in poverty may suffer negative brain changes such as decreased gray and white brain matter and a smaller amygdala and hippocampus. These changes can lead to learning difficulties, depression, and an inability to cope with stress. However, a nurturing parent may offset some of these problems. Principle investigator Dr. Joan Luby adds that since these findings provide evidence that proper nurturing from a parent or caregiver may significantly impact a child's brain development, it is vital to create public health intervention programs that target caregivers who lack nurturing skills. JAMA Pediatrics, October 2013

Health Alert: Sleep Apnea More Dangerous for Women. Obstructive sleep apnea leads to a decrease in blood oxygen levels and eventually cellular damage. Women are much less likely to be diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea than men as their symptoms are more subtle and are sometimes misdiagnosed. New research shows that the autonomic nervous system, which controls blood pressure, heart rate, sweating and other basic body functions, is not as strong in people with sleep apnea, and it is even weaker in women with the condition. According to lead researcher Dr. Paul Macey, "We now know that sleep apnea is a precursor to bigger health issues. And for women in particular, the results could be deadly." PLoS ONE, October 2013

Diet: Friends Influence Food Choices at Restaurants. If you plan on eating healthier when dining out, it's best to surround yourself with friends who also make healthy food choices. New research shows that when groups of people eat together at a restaurant where they must state their food choice aloud, they tend to select items from the same menu categories. Food economist Dr. Brenna Ellison writes, "My conclusion from the research is that people want to be different, but not that different. We want to fit in with the people we're dining with. It goes against the expectation that people will exhibit variety-seeking behavior; we don't want to be that different from others." Agricultural and Applied Economic Association's 2013 Annual Meeting

Exercise: Pre-Teen Resting Heart Rates are Increasing! Data from the United Kingdom shows that the resting heart rate for pre-teens rose by two beats per minute from 1980 to 2008. Likely causes include an increase in sedentary behavior and a decrease in physical fitness among pre-teens. If this increase carries over into adulthood, it could translate to a rise in coronary heart disease and diabetes. British Medical Journal, November 2013

Chiropractic: Effective Source of Preventative and Wellness Care. “Doctors of Chiropractic are a highly appropriate resource in matters of work-place safety, stress management, injury prevention, postural correction, and nutritional counseling.” International Chiropractic Association

Wellness/Prevention: Best Day to Quit Smoking is Monday? New research shows that people search the internet about quitting smoking earlier in the week, with the highest amount on Monday. This finding may lead to changes in the design of anti-smoking programs. JAMA Internal Medicine, October 2013

(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.)