Research studies so often focus on the risk factors for various diseases and shortened life spans, but they rarely focus on what makes us more likely to be health and live a long life. “After decades of research, a new study links optimism and prolonged life. Researchers have found that individuals with greater optimism are more likely to live longer
“Trapezius muscle activity variation during computer work performed by individuals with and without neck-shoulder pain.”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Research published on July 25, 2019 found that individuals with neck and shoulder pain exhibited longer uninterrupted periods of muscle activation compared to their non-symptomatic counterparts. This suggests that static posture and not poor posture may be the greater concern and contributor to pain. The research
A recent study published in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association (July 29, 2019) reported that adjunctive acupuncture reduced angina frequency and pain intensity in those suffering from chronic stable angina (CSA). It was found to be more effective than antianginal therapy alone. Acupuncture treatment also resulted in better regulation of anxiety and depression within the treatment period. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The
How many hours of sleep did you get last night? According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults aged between 26-64 years, should receive 7 to 9 hours of sleep but not less than 6 hours or more than 10 hours. In clinic, l will often discuss sleep quantity and quality. Although l consider sleep to be a non negotiable and
Feeling stressed, anxious, angry or sad while eating will have a short and long-term effect on the functions of the gastrointestinal tract. Research continues to report that exposure to stress results in alterations of the bidirectional microbiota-gut-brain axis interactions (“brain-gut axis”).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀“The major effects of stress on gut physiology include: 1) alterations in gastrointestinal motility; 2) increase in visceral perception; 3) changes
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a prevalent syndrome, characterised by chronic widespread pain, fatigue and impaired sleep. Those that suffer from FM also have to contend with the fact that it is an “invisible disease” and not immediately apparent to others. FM can be debilitating and will often have a significant impact to the quality of life. It also continues to be
The old adage ‘breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper’ could be the best way to lose weight and stay healthy.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀A new study in the journal of Sleep (April 12 2019) demonstrated that a daytime eating schedule promoted weight loss and a positive profile for fuel oxidation, energy metabolism, and hormonal markers, compared with
Is there a link between low vitamin D levels and resistant hypertension? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀A study published in the journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypertension (April 2, 2019) believes that there is, and found a statistically significant association between Vitamin D deficiency (levels lower than 20 ng/ml) and resistant hypertension (a blood pressure >140/90 mmHg despite the concurrent use of 3 antihypertensive agents
Burnout is now classified as a disease.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀“The World Health Organization (WHO), an agency which guides many health providers and organizations, now includes “burnout” in its International Classification of Diseases (ICD) Handbook, where it is described as “an occupational-related condition resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀According to the WHO, doctors can issue a diagnosis of burnout
Common symptoms of mild-to-moderate magnesium deficiency include anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, panic attacks, muscle cramps and twitches, chest tightness, hyperventilation, faintness, difficulty with mental concentration, memory loss, confusion, nuchal pain, headaches, intestinal complaints, tremor, palpitations, and certain types of cardiac arrhythmias. Magnesium is a cofactor for more than 300 different enzymes. It is essential for the synthesis of adenosine