Labeling Healthy Food with More Interesting Descriptions Could Increase Intake
In a very interesting study conducted at Stanford University, the descriptions used to label healthy food were shown to dramatically affect the consumption of the item.1 It has long been accepted that the manner in which food is presented impacts its appeal. For instance, a bowl of mushy carrots and zucchini is far less appealing […]
ACT Psychotherapy for Anxiety/Depression of Chronic Pain
Last week, at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2017, a group of researchers showed that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) significantly reduced both anxiety and depression amongst participants suffering from chronic pain.1 ACT is an empirically studied psychotherapy that works to increase psychological flexibility within individuals as a means of working with symptoms […]
Big Problem with Adolescent and Children’s Activity Level
Last week, a study indicated that the activity level of adolescents and children may be even less than previously thought, which was already low.1 The growing trend of inactivity among school aged children has been a concern, especially with the parallel increase in childhood diseases which are known to be affected by exercise, such as […]
Weekend Schedule Changes May Have a Negative Impact on the Heart
A recent study shows that ‘social jet lag’ is a key circadian indicator of poor health outcomes, including increases in heart disease.1 ‘Social jet lag’ is when we go to bed and arise later on weekends than during the week. Sleep is an integral component of maintaining circadian biorhythms, such as cortisol and thyroid function, […]
Virtual Reality Used to Lower Pain Experience with Dental Procedures
In a study published last week, a team of researchers showed that using virtual reality headsets can alter the experience of pain and pain memories while undergoing dental procedures.1 At a dental clinic in Devon, England routine dental procedures were shown to have less distress associated with them when patients utilized a virtual reality headset […]
Statins May Contribute to Parkinson’s Disease Progression
A recent study from the Penn State College of medicine shows that statins may actually contribute to onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease in people who are susceptible to the disease.1 Statins have become an incredibly common pharmacological prescription, stemming from a growing fear of cholesterol. Statins lower cholesterol by inhibiting the rate limiting step […]
Most Women are Not Gaining Healthy Weight During Pregnancy
A global study published last month reveals that approximately 75% of pregnant women are experiencing unhealthy weight gain.1 The study, which combines data from Asia, the United States, and Europe shows that half of women gain too much weight during pregnancy and almost a quarter fail to gain enough, increasing the risk of premature birth […]
Overprescribing Melatonin in Children for Sleep Complaints
I recently read an article about the increasing use of melatonin for sleep problems in children. Many people are familiar with the use of melatonin for sleeplessness, or insomnia. Melatonin is a hormone which is produced by the pineal gland, whose main role is to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Its production is stimulated by natural […]
No Need for Antibacterial Soap
In a recent study, Rutgers researchers confirmed that antibacterial soap is not necessary to remove bacteria during hand washing.1 They also found that the amount of soap used and the temperature of the water are also not important factors in ensuring hand cleanliness. This study is in confirmation of the FDA report issued last year […]
Cannabis Dosing and Effects on Anxiety
At doses that are low enough for most people not to experience a “high,” the psychoactive compound in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), was shown to cause significant relaxation and anxiolytic effects.1 There is a cultural stigma surrounding marijuana, that the drug creates a state of calmness when used, and many people use the drug to “relieve […]