Hamstring Issues Common in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients
Examinations of patients with chronic low back pain revealed an association between hamstring muscle shortness and higher levels of low backrelated pain intensity and disability. The findings suggest that the hamstrings should be assessed in patients with chronic low back pain. Medical Science Monitor, March 2023
Growing Up Poor May Rewire the Brain
Washington University School of Medicine researchers report that individuals who grew up in poverty have lower white matter integrity between key areas of the brain, which can affect both mental health and visuospatial skills. The research team posits this may be due to the effect of childhood obesity, poor diet, and limited cognitive stimulation on brain development, a combination that may be more common among disadvantaged children. JAMA Network Open, June 2023
More Than One Billion People May Be Type 2 Diabetics in 2050
Within 30 years, researchers estimate that the number of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes will rise from 500 million to 1.3 billion. While obesity remains a primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes, a poor diet and physical inactivity can also contribute to the disease, which can elevate the risk for poor health outcomes such as heart attack and stroke. The Lancet, June 2023
Low Iron Levels Common in Reproductive-Age Females
According to a recent study, nearly 40% of women in the United States have insufficient iron levels, which can affect sleep, cognitive function, vitality, and mood. Experts note that iron levels can be assessed with a simple blood test and can be improved by eating a healthy diet that includes iron-rich foods, though an iron supplement may also be recommended for some women. Journal of the American Medical Association, June 2023
Time-Restricted Diet May Improve Endurance Running Performance
In a recent animal study, researchers observed that mice that only had access to food during short windows of time, similar to intermittent fasting, were able to run for longer than rodents with no food restrictions. Future research will focus on whether such benefits may extend to humans. Nature Metabolism, June 2023
How to Recognize and Prevent Heat Stroke
The American Heart Association notes that heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, and dizziness are common signs of heat stroke, a potentially fatal condition. To reduce the risk for heat stroke, the association recommends refraining from strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day; drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine and alcohol; wearing weather-appropriate clothing, including a hat; and spending as much time in the shade as possible. American Heart Association, June 2023
“Reading is a means of thinking with another person's mind; it forces you to stretch your own.”
~ Charles Scribner, Jr
This information 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.
