Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Jon's Health Tips - Latest Health Research

Ω

It's been a while since my last general report (Feb 7th), so I have a lot today:

Things I do/take that are good for me (even if most of theses studies involve women):

Vitamin D intake may be associated with lower stress fracture risk
Cocoa may enhance skeletal muscle function
Aspirin may counteract potential trans fat-related stroke risk
Nutrient found in dark meat of poultry, some seafood, may have cardiovascular benefits
Eat Your Broccoli: Sulforaphane Prevents Cancer
Low levels of omega-3 fatty acids may cause memory problems
Citrus Fruits May Help Reduce Risk Of Stroke
Mediterranean Diet Good For Brain
Anti-aging effects of resveratrol
Exercising and getting fit may protect your heart, even if you have a few extra pounds
Women Who Eat Fish Have Lower Colon Polyp Risk
Fish oil can help prevent psychiatric disorders
Omega-3 Slows Down Retinitis Pigmentosa

Bad news for me:

Ambition May Be Hazardous To Your Health

Despite their many accomplishments, ambitious people are only slightly happier than their less- ambitious counterparts, and they actually live somewhat shorter lives.

Overeating may double risk of memory loss

New research suggests that consuming between 2,100 and 6,000 calories per day may double the risk of memory loss, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), among people age 70 and older.

Glad I Don't Use:


Higher Death Risk With Sleeping Pills

People are relying on sleeping pills more than ever to get a good night's rest, but a new study by Scripps Clinic researchers links the medications to a 4.6 times higher risk of death and a significant increase in cancer cases among regular pill users.

Drinking large amounts of soft drinks associated with asthma and COPD

I Can't Wait:

Excess Fat May Be "Protective" in Seniors Over 85

Research finds obesity can decrease risk of mortality in people over 85 years of age

I May Need These Some Day, But I CAN Wait:

World of Warcraft Boosts Cognitive Functioning In Some Older Adults
Knee Replacement Lowers Risk for Mortality and Heart Failure


I Need To Keep An Eye On This:

Cranky today? Even mild dehydration can alter our moods


Most people only think about drinking water when they are thirsty; but by then it may already be too late. Even mild dehydration can alter a person's mood, energy level, and ability to think clearly, according to two studies recently conducted at the University of Connecticut's Human Performance Laboratory.

I think this is good news for me - I have always rated my health as excellent until recently - I now say - "excellent considering..."

Tell me how you are -- and I know how long you will live

Even taking education levels, marital status, tobacco-related strains, medical history, the use of medication, blood pressure and blood glucose into account, the correlation between self-rated health and mortality only weakened marginally. The difference in the risk of death between the best and the worst rating was still 1:2.9 in men and 1:1.5 in women. "Our results indicate that people who rate their state of health as excellent have attributes that improve and sustain their health," concludes specialist in preventive medicine David Fäh. "These might include a positive attitude, an optimistic outlook and a fundamental level of satisfaction with one's own life."


Not personally relevant, but important:

Regular smear tests boost chances of cure from 66 percent to 92 percent
Diabetes risk from sitting around

A new study has found that women who stay seated for long periods of time every day are more prone to developing type 2 diabetes, but that a similar link wasn't found in men.

Heart Healthy Choices Early On Pay Off Later

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle from young adulthood into your 40s is strongly associated with low cardiovascular disease risk in middle age, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study. Many middle-aged adults develop unhealthy diets, gain weight and aren’t as physically active. Such lifestyles lead to high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes and elevated cardiovascular risk.


Are Selenium Supplements Good For You? Yes And No

If you lack selenium, supplements are good for you, if you have enough they could raise your risk of developing diabetes type 2, says a study published Online First in The Lancet.

Omega-3 supplementation: higher risk of cancer for women


The researchers conclude that "Neither B vitamin supplementation nor omega-3 PUFA supplementation has a significant effect on the occurrence of cancer in men. However, women receiving omega-3 fatty acids tended to present a higher risk of cancer compared with the placebo group. Although the underlying mechanisms are not clear, a potential mediating effect on the metabolism of estrogens is suggested.

Ω

No comments: