Mental Attitude: Low Education Combined with Smoking Increases Stroke Risk. A 14-year Danish study indicates that
smokers with high blood pressure who did not complete high school have a greater risk of suffering a stroke than the general
population, as well as other smokers with more education. Stroke, August 2014
Health Alert: Are Statins Worth the Risks? Recently, a team of doctors at the University of British Columbia looked at the
available evidence both for and against statin drugs and found statins decrease energy and fitness, and increase fatigue and sleep
problems. The investigators also found that statins may increase the risk of muscle aches and pains, kidney and liver problems,
bleeding in the brain, and type 2 diabetes. Study co-author Dr. Thomas Perry Jr. concludes, "If people understood how
relatively modest the benefits of statins are, they might be much more conservative about taking them, especially if they're
experiencing an adverse effect, and we don't think the salesmanship has included an adequate emphasis on the importance of
not harming people." WebMD, August 2014
Diet: Dieting at Young Age Can Backfire. New research suggests that dieting at a young age may set the stage for harmful
health habits in adulthood, including eating disorders. Surveys of college women conducted between 1982 and 2012 found a
link between early dieting and obesity, as well as alcohol abuse, later in life. Though researchers found a link, they were unable
to determine if a direct cause-and-effect relationship between early dieting and later negative outcomes exists. Researcher Dr.
Lauren Holland would like to see parents and public health campaigns promote behaviors that increase wellness such as
increasing physical activity, reducing time watching TV and on computers, and eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior Annual Meeting, July 2014
Exercise: A Better Way to Measure Workout Effectiveness? Scientists have designed a temporary tattoo biosensor that can
generate a weak electrical current when it encounters lactate (a chemical naturally present in sweat) and then continuously
monitor lactate levels to determine the effectiveness of a fitness program. Currently, lactate testing is inconvenient and intrusive
because blood samples are required at different times during the exercise regime. American Chemical Society, August 2014
Chiropractic: Back Problems Can Affect Other Areas of the Body. Can dysfunction in one area of the musculoskeletal
system cause problems in another area? Researchers examined both the speed and maximum extent that subjects could open
their mouths and found that individuals with a lumbosacral disk herniation have decreased mandibular function compared with
participants in a control group. This suggests that injury to the lower part of the spine can affect the masticatory system.
BMC Research Notes, August 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Hospital Discharge is a Great Time to Quit Smoking. While hospitalized, smokers are not allowed to
smoke cigarettes. This provides a great opportunity to implement a smoking cessation program upon discharge. Depending on
the program used, smokers have been able to kick the habit 15-26% of the time following their hospital stay. Considering the
health consequences and economic costs of tobacco use, this type of intervention can help decrease smoking rates and reduce
the death, disease, and disability associated with continued smoking.
Journal of the American Medical Association, August 2014
Quote: “Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living
every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” ~ Denis Waitley
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