Lifestyle Habits Linked to Low Back Pain
While we normally think of poor posture or improper lifting technique as risk factors for low back pain, lifestyle choices can also set the stage for the condition. In a recent study, researchers found that smoking, alcohol consumption, high body mass index, and dyslipidemia are significantly associated with low back pain, while smoking and physical inactivity are linked to more severe pain and a greater likelihood of progressing to chronic low back pain. PLoS One, July 2025
Lung Cancer Risk Nearly Tripled in 9/11 Responders
Researchers from Stony Brook University monitored the health of more than 12,000 emergency responders who worked at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and identified an association between severe exposure to toxic dust and fumes and a nearly three-fold elevated risk of lung cancer in following decades. JAMA Network Open, October 2025
Keto Diet May Slow Cognitive Decline
A characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease is impaired glucose metabolism in the brain, which undermines memory, learning, and overall cognitive performance. In a recent animal study, researchers found that placing mice genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s on a ketogenic diet—a high-fat, very low-carbohydrate eating pattern that shifts the body into ketosis—allowed the brain to use ketones as an alternative fuel source. This metabolic shift appeared to support brain energy needs and may help delay or even prevent the development of the neurodegenerative condition. Journal of Neurochemistry, August 2025
Breathing Exercise Improves Quality of Life in MS Patients
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks nerves in the brain and spinal cord, disrupting the signals that control breathing muscles like the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. This can lead to reduced breathing efficiency and fatigue. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 clinical trials found that respiratory muscle training improved inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength and significantly reduced fatigue in people with MS. Frontiers in Neurology, October 2025
Social Media Use May Hinder Tween Cognitive Development
University of California, San Francisco researchers report that children aged 9 to 13 years who spent an hour or more a day on social media achieved lower scores on reading, memory, and language assessments two years later than their peers who seldom or never engage in social media. The findings support limiting screen time use during key times of brain development. Journal of the American Medical Association, October 2025
Infrared Sauna May Help Athletes Recover Faster
In a recent experiment, researchers found that athletes who use an infrared sauna after training sessions experienced less muscle soreness, better jump performance, and improved sprint speed when compared with teammates who refrained from sauna use. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, March 2025
“Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall.” ~ Oliver Goldsmith
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.