Vineland Chiropractor Daily Health Update

The following Vineland Health Update has been put together for you by the team at Back Pain Relief Center. A Specific Gene May Be Key to Social Life. Researchers have found that reduced expression of a specific gene called OXT may affect a person’s social behavior, including their ability to form normal healthy relationships. The OXT gene is involved in the production of oxytocin, a hormone that is associated with a significant number of social behaviors in people. In the study, investigators found that individuals with a less active OXT gene have difficulty recognizing emotional facial expressions and are more likely to be anxious about their relationships with loved ones. The investigators also note they observed less gray matter in an area of the brain that is vital for face processing and social thinking in these same individuals. Lead author Dr. Brian Haas writes, “All of our tests indicate that the OXT gene plays an important role in social behavior and brain function.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, June 2016

Health Alert In Vineland

E-Cigarettes May Lead to Oral Disease. A new study claims that electronic cigarettes may increase the risk of oral disease. Researchers assessed the effects of e-cigarette vapor on oral cavity cell cultures and found that the vapor reduced levels of glutathione— a vital antioxidant that protects cells from damage—within the cells by about 85%. Given the popularity of e-cigarettes, the researchers believe their findings may have important implications for human health. PLOS One, June 2016

Diet:

Omega-3s May Lower Risk of Fatal Heart Attacks. Regularly consuming fish and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may lower the risk of fatal heart disease. Researchers analyzed 19 studies from 16 countries that involved nearly 46,000 people and found a link between the regular consumption of plant-based and seafood-based omega-3 fatty acids and a roughly 10% lower risk of fatal heart attacks. Senior study author Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian adds, “Our results lend support to the importance of fish and omega-3 consumption as part of a healthy diet.” JAMA Internal Medicine, June 2016

Exercise:

Physical Activity Boosts Kids’ Brain Power. According to a report published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine that analyzed the best available evidence on the effect of physical activity on children and young people, researchers conclude that exercise boosts kids’ and young people’s brainpower and academic prowess. Additionally, they note that any time taken from lessons to encourage physical activity is time well spent. British Journal of Sports Medicine, June 2016

Chiropractic:

How Hypothyroidism Increases CTS Risk. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when increased pressure within the carpal tunnel compresses the median nerve as it passes through the wrist. Hypothyroidism is a known risk factor for CTS, and a recent study indicates this hormone-related condition may cause the median nerve itself to increase in size, thus creating the added pressure responsible for initiating CTS. In this study, researchers used ultrasound to measure the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve in both patients newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism and similarly matched individuals without thyroid disease who served as a control group.

The data show that the CSA of the median nerves of the hypothyroid patients was about 36% larger than the CSA of the median nerves of those in the control group. The researchers found that when thyroid blood levels were restored to normal using the standard treatment, both the size of the median nerve and the patients’ CTS signs and symptoms resolved. Chiropractors frequently treat individuals with CTS and when appropriate, work with primary care physicians and specialists to help patients with conditions such as hypothyroidism. European Journal of Endocrinology, July 2016

Wellness/Prevention:

Sleep May Be the Key to Protecting Men Against Diabetes. Too much or too little sleep can raise the risk of developing diabetes in men, but not women. A study involving nearly 800 healthy adults in 14 European countries found that men who slept the most or the least were more likely to have an impaired ability to break down sugar and to have higher blood sugar levels. However, the opposite appears to be the case for women, as those who slept the most or least were more responsive to the hormone insulin and had enhanced function of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. The study is the first to reveal the opposite effect of sleep problems on diabetes risk in men and women. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, June 2016

“Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.” ~ Lyndon B. Johnson

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.

Dr. Ray Marquez DC has been practicing chiropractic for 17 years and has two clinics on the east coast, one in Vineland NJ, the other in Murrells Inlet SC. Back Pain Relief Center facilities are designed to relieve your pain in as few visits as possible. We like to keep things simple, quick, and efficient for all our patients. We understand that you are busy, and this is why we operate a walk-in style policy, meaning you come in at your convenience, not ours.