Healthy Tidbits

“There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Mental Attitude: Depression Treatment May Reduce Heart Disease Risks. A study that was reported at the American College of Cardiology meeting in April of 2016 involved 7,550 people and found that effectively treating depression can lower a patient’s risks for cardiovascular disease to the level of those who never had depression, reducing their chances of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and early death The study’s author Dr. Heidi May notes, "Our study shows that prompt, effective treatment of depression appears to improve the risk of poor heart health."

Health Alert: Diabetes Has Quadrupled Worldwide Since 1980. According to a new report in “The Lancet” in April of this year, the number of men and women diagnosed with diabetes around the globe increased from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014, with the most severe increases noted in low- and middle-income countries. Experts say these findings should sound an alarm for large-scale, effective action that focuses on reducing the health and economic impact of diabetes.

Diet: The Good & Bad News About Higher Calcium Intake. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as reported by The Endocrine Society in April 2016, men ages 51 to 70 should consume 1,000 mg of calcium daily, increasing to 1,200 mg at age 71. NIH experts also recommend that women take in 1,200 mg of calcium daily starting at age 51. In a new study, a research team analyzed the calcium intake as well as the heart disease, stroke and fracture risk of 2,199 men and 2,704 women over 50 years of age. The team found that participants who had a higher calcium intake had a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those with a lower calcium intake; however, the analysis found the risk of fracture or stroke did not significantly decrease among those with a higher calcium intake.

Exercise: Exercise May Protect You Against Cancer. According to a report in the March 2016 issue of “Cell Metabolism,” exercise may decrease cancer incidence and slow the rate of tumor growth. A new animal-based study found that mice trained to use an exercise wheel had a lower risk of developing cancer, and those that did develop cancer had tumors that grew at a reduced rate compared with the tumors of sedentary mice. The authors of the study add that the anti-cancer benefits of running are most likely linked to the release of adrenaline that leads to the mobilization of specific immune cells that patrol the body and help fight cancer.

Alternative Medicine: More Chiropractors, Less Opioids. Based on data collected in 2011, a new study has found an association between both a higher per-capita supply of chiropractors and Medicare spending on chiropractic care and lower opioid prescription use among younger, disabled Medicare beneficiaries. Opioids are a type of narcotic pain medication that can have serious side effects and can lead to abuse and dependence. The finding as reported in the “Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics” in March of this year, suggests that chiropractic care may help reduce the need for this potentially dangerous class of medication.

This information should not be substituted for medical advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions should be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional.

Dr. William Mihin is a chiropractic physician. His practice is the North Idaho Spine & Wellness Clinic in Sandpoint, Idaho. He can be reached for questions at: 208.265.2225.

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