Exercise may reduce heart disease risk by changing how the brain reacts to stress
“Physical activity can help reduce the chances of cardiovascular disease by affecting stress responses in the brain, according to a new study. The researchers found that those who met the recommended levels of physical activity had a 23% lower risk of heart disease. People with depression saw a much larger benefit from physical activity. Experts say that the relationship between depression and heart disease can work in both directions, with heart disease developing from behaviors associated with depression or anxiety-related conditions.”
Exercising between 6 p.m. and midnight may be more beneficial for people with obesity
“Obesity increases a person’s risk for several medical conditions including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer. Scientists have been trying to determine what time of day is best to aid weight loss in people with obesity. Researchers at the University of Sydney have found that getting the majority of daily physical activity during the evening offers the most health benefits for people who have obesity.”
Exercise shown to curb appetite in diabetes and prediabetes patients
“The study observed that the effects on appetite varied in people with T2DM or prediabetes following acute exercise, whereas appetite ratings declined or were unchanged after chronic exercise. In acute intervention studies, the most consistent finding was increased perceived fullness in T2DM patients after exercise. Overall, the findings provide more evidence for the appetite-reducing effect of (chronic) exercise in prediabetes or T2DM subjects.”
Study shows exercise can reverse age-related lipid accumulation
“Scientists have discovered that a type of fat accumulates as tissue ages and that this accumulation can be reversed through exercise. Researchers from Amsterdam UMC, together with colleagues from Maastricht UMC+, analyzed both mice and human tissue before and after exercise allowing them to draw this conclusion. The results are published today in Nature Aging.”
Annual COVID-19 vaccine proves to be a wise investment for personal health and pocketbook
“In a recent study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, a team of researchers from the United States (U.S.) attempted to understand whether individuals experienced any economic benefits in getting an annual coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, given that the morbidity and mortality rates associated with the disease have decreased and the government no longer covers the vaccine costs.”
Addressing public health challenges through behavioral interventions
“The concept of “One Health” – which emphasizes the relationship between human, animal, plant and environmental health – has been gaining ground in scientific discussions in recent years. Brazilian and North American researchers developing research using this approach presented their work on Tuesday (April 9th), in Chicago (United States), during FAPESP Week Illinois.”
Misinformation Persists in Complementary Health: Evaluating the Reliability and Quality of YouTube-Based Information on the Use of Acupuncture for Chronic Pain
“Discussion: As patients increasingly depend on platforms like YouTube for trustworthy information on complementary health practices such as acupuncture, our study emphasizes the critical need for more higher-quality videos from unbiased healthcare institutions and physicians to ensure patients are receiving reliable information regarding this topic.”
A doctor to help patients thrive in life after cancer
“A cancer diagnosis 20 years, even 10 years ago, meant something different than it does today. With today’s advanced treatment options, including chemotherapy and radiation, Proton therapy, CAR T cell therapy, and other forms of immunotherapy, patients with a cancer diagnosis are living longer. However, even when cancer is in remission, side effects, or other health concerns left unattended during cancer treatment, can still affect patients’ health. That’s where Jennie Barbieri, MD, FACP, enters the picture. Barbieri is the first director of Bridging Oncology Care and Wellness Recovery at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.”
Health Insurance Mandates for Nonpharmacological Pain Treatments in 7 US States
“There has been recent interest by legislative bodies in increasing access to nonpharmacological pain therapies as a nonopioid alternative for pain. Prominent clinical practice guidelines recommend the use of nonpharmacological pain treatments such as acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, chiropractic care, massage, osteopathic manipulation, and physical therapy. Despite these recommendations, health insurance coverage for nonpharmacological pain treatments among both commercial and public plans, such as Medicare and Medicaid, is inconsistent. This study (1) documents the extent to which states have introduced or enacted mandates for coverage of nonpharmacological pain treatments and (2) describes and characterizes variation in such mandates. The findings from this study may help inform policy makers and relevant stakeholders considering legislation related to nonpharmacological pain treatments at the state and federal level.”
Take it from the rats: A junk food diet can cause long-term damage to adolescent brains
“A new USC-led study on rats that feasted on a high-fat, sugary diet raises the possibility that a junk food-filled diet in teens may disrupt their brains’ memory ability for a long time. “What we see not just in this paper, but in some of our other recent work, is that if these rats grew up on this junk food diet, then they have these memory impairments that don’t go away,” said Scott Kanoski, a professor of biological sciences at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. “If you just simply put them on a healthy diet, these effects unfortunately last well into adulthood.””
Mouse study shows how a father’s diet can shape the health of his offspring
“New research published in Nature Communications finds that the macronutrient balance in the diet of male mice affects the level of anxiety-like behavior of sons and the metabolic health of daughters.”
Seafood is a potentially underestimated source of PFAS exposure, study shows
“The findings stress the need for more stringent public health guidelines that establish the amount of seafood people can safely consume to limit their exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, the researchers report in the journal Exposure and Health. This need is especially urgent for coastal regions such as New England where a legacy of industry and PFAS pollution bumps up against a cultural predilection for fish, the authors write.”
