Health knowledge made personal
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A number of previous studies suggest that stable, committed relationships can exert a powerful effect on both partners’ mental and physical health. Christine Proulx, from the University of Missouri (Missouri, USA), and colleagues examined the long-term relationship between self-rated health and marital quality. The team found that, in all stages of marriage, positive or negative relationships affect the individuals’ health. The team observes that spouses should be aware as to how they treat each other and how happy they are in marriage affects both partners’ health. Thus, the study authors encourage medical professionals to consider marital quality in their patients’ health and well-being. Proulx C., et al. “The Longitudinal Associations between Marital Happiness, Problems, and Self-Rated Health,” J Family Psychology, 2013 ().
Canadian team reports that taking music lessons before the age of 7 years helps to create stronger connections in the brain.
Higher levels of thrombogenic microvesicles may raise the risk of developing white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in the brain, among postmenopausal women, blood
Marital quality may play key, yet under identified, role in patients’ health.
Two common perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) – present in products such as fabrics and personal care products – may raise the risk of osteoarthritis.
Vitamin C seems to be particularly beneficial for people under heavy physical stress, with data suggesting it can halve the incidence of the common cold.
Among first-born children, New Zealand researchers report reduced insulin effectiveness and higher blood pressure.
Zinc may effect a key role in activation of a transcription factor, MF-[kappa]B , essential for proper immune function.
Concerns and anxieties about a person’s close relationships may be a chronic stressor that can compromise immunity.
Tannin compounds –a type of plant antioxidant that is found abundantly in cranberries, help to slow starch digestion.
Analysis across large-scale studies suggests that baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein associates with development of age-related macular degeneration.
Canadian team reports that taking music lessons before the age of 7 years helps to create stronger connections in the brain.
Large-scale study data reveals that life satisfaction increases over subjects' lifetimes.
Large-scale US study reveals patterns of dietary supplementation use among Americans.
Exposure to sunlight associates with a decreased incidence of rheumatoid arthritis, among women.
Television viewing and lack of exercise at age 16 associates with the risk of developing metabolic syndrome in your 40s.
The timing of meals may predict the achievement of weight management goals.
Small amounts of activity – 1 or 2-minutes at a time that add up to 30 minutes a day – may be as beneficial as longer bouts of structured exercise.
Not having a permanent partner, or spouse, during midlife is linked to a higher risk of premature death during those midlife years.
Seniors who have spoken two languages since childhood are faster than single-language speakers at switching from one task to another.
Americans are eating 10 grams less fat per day today, as they were in the 1970s.
Tip #131 - Shake the Salt Habit
In the western world, people consume on-average 10 to 12 grams of salt daily, mostly unknowingly as salt is frequently added by food producers/manufacturers, if not by the individual when cooking or serving foods. While salt is a vital nutrient involved in many body functions, overconsumption can markedly raise blood pressure, putting people at-risk for a fatal cardiovascular event.
On a global scale, reducing salt intake around the world by 15% could prevent almost 9 million deaths. Researchers from Kings Fund London (United Kingdom) analyzed low- and middle-income countries, which carry 80% of the world's burden for chronic disease. While they found that simple dietary changes could reduce salt intake by 30%, a 15% reduction in salt intake was found to potentially correlate to saving 8.5 million lives from cardiovascular deaths. Aim to reduce your consumption of processed and prepared foods, which are common sources of high concentrations of salt. |
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