Health Blog
FIBER, BACK IN FASHION
Fiber is back in the news. Most people have heard it before; sugar and refined carbohydrates are bad, and vegetables and whole grains are good. However, a recent review of research, published in The Lancet, attempts to give a broader view of the effect that carbohydrate quality has on overall health. This new study is significant […]
Read MoreGUT MICROBIOTA AND THE NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEM
The gut-brain axis is undeniable, but specific mechanisms of influence continue to be investigated. Specifically, the gut microbiota is now considered the body’s major neuroendocrine system, controlling body processes including the stress response and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Back in the early 20th century, Nobel laureate, Ilya Metchnikoff, observed that the growth of cholera could be […]
Read MoreNEW STUDY LINKS OMEGA-3S TO HEART HEALTH
Recently published research investigated the omega-3 index in patients with heart failure to explore association and potential prediction of risk. The omega-3 index is the sum of EPA and DHA in erythrocyte membranes. Blood samples from 899 subjects with systolic heart failure were analyzed for fatty acid composition. The authors concluded, “Our results show a marked depletion […]
Read MoreANOTHER VOTE FOR COFFEE
The debate over whether or not we should be drinking coffee brews on. In a previous blog post, we weigh some pros and cons to drinking this delicious dark brown elixir (author is an admitted coffee junkie). Now we can add to the discourse results from a new study in the Journal of Internal Medicine where researchers looked […]
Read MoreVEGGIES BOOST BRAIN POWER
A new Harvard study highlights another reason why mother’s advice to “eat your veggies” is spot on for long-term health and, in particular, cognitive health. The study that started in 1986 and followed 27,842 men for 26 years was designed to highlight the impact of fruits and vegetables on subjective cognitive function (SCF). The subjects were asked […]
Read MoreMUSIC AND THE BRAIN
Music has healing power,” Elton John once said, and recent research confirms this. Although aging and cognitive decline are affected by a wide variety of factors, music may be one factor that enhances cognition. A new study looked at the impact musical practice has on neurocognitive aging. The paper was a systematic meta-analysis of studies dealing with […]
Read MoreAbnormal Movement Following Knee Surgery May Result in More Surgery
Nearly a quarter of people who have total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are likely to need a second surgery on their other knee within 5 years and this may be the result of abnormal walking patterns after surgery, according to a study published in Journal of Orthopaedic Research. “If we can change the way someone moves or […]
Read MoreMoving More in Old Age May Be Linked to Sharper Memory
Older adults who move more, either with daily exercise or simple routine physical activity like housework, may preserve more of their memory and thinking skills, even if they have brain lesions or biomarkers linked to dementia, according to a study published in Neurology. “Our research team measured levels of physical activity in study participants an average […]
Read MoreBlueberries Improve Brain Function in Elderly
New research has found that concentrated blueberry juice is linked to improvements in brain blood-flow and cognitive function in older people. Researchers believe the flavonoids and pterostilbene content of blueberries, which can be obtained more easily and in greater concentration in supplement form, is likely responsible for these beneficial effects. The study from England’s University of Exeter […]
Read MoreLentils
Lentils are seeds that grow in pods, and are a part of the legume family of foods, which also includes peanuts, beans, peas, and chickpeas. They come in a variety of shapes and colors and are a staple in the cuisine of Asia and the Middle East. Often eaten in soups, salads, and stews, lentils […]
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