Laughter Really IS the Best Medicine

Want to ward off colds this winter? Try keeping a positive attitude. A recent study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that happy people are less likely to catch colds or complain of cold symptoms than those who experience negative emotions, such as depression, nervousness and anger.

Researchers interviewed 334 hundred healthy people over a two-week period to gather information on their positive and negative emotional states, including vigor; well-being; calm; depression; anxiety; and hostility. Following each interview, participants were given nasal drops containing one of two rhinoviruses (cold-causing germs) and monitored in quarantine for the next five days.

Results showed that participants with a positive attitude were less likely to develop cold symptoms, leading researchers to believe that optimistic people are more likely to have healthy lifestyles, which stave off illness. Participants with negative attitudes did not necessarily develop colds; however, they were more likely to report feeling cold symptoms, leading to the conclusion that negativity can influence perceptions toward the body.

So, the next time you feel a cold coming on, think positive! It could mean the difference between spending your winter between the sheets or on the slopes. For more information on natural ways to maintain health, talk to your doctor of chiropractic.

Reference: Cohen S, Doyle WJ, Turner RB, et al. Emotional style and susceptibility to the common cold. Psychosomatic Medicine July 2003: Volume 65, pp.652-57.

To learn more about the benefits of a healthy, positive lifestyle, click here.

Senior Use of CAM on the Rise

As more information about the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is published, more people are turning to CAM as a safe, natural form of healing. This is particularly true of the elderly population: Studies have consistently shown that nearly half of all adults over the age of 65 use some form of CAM on a regular basis, particularly to relieve pain or help stay fit.

The results of a study published in a recent issue of the Journal of Gerontological Nursing are typical of other surveys on CAM use in the elderly. In the study, 42 participants (average age: 77.9 years) completed a questionnaire on their use of and reasons for using CAM; some subjects also participated in an interview session.

Seventy-three percent of the participants reported using some form of CAM. Chiropractic was the most commonly used therapy among elderly patients (61.9 percent), followed by herbal medicine (54.8 percent), massage therapy (35.7 percent) and acupuncture (33.3 percent). Among the reasons for using CAM therapies, 54.8 percent used CAM for pain relief; 45.2 percent used CAM to improve quality of life; and 40.5 percent used CAM to maintain health and fitness.

These findings show that CAM use is alive and well in the elderly population. The authors of the study suggest increased education about CAM is needed for older adults and health professionals, and that CAM practitioners should try to understand why older people choose these therapies and play an active role in educating them about alternative forms of care.

Reference: Williamson AT, Fletcher PC, Dawson KA. Complementary and alternative medicine. Use in an older population. Journal of Gerontological Nursing May 2003: Volume 29, Number 5, pp.20-28.

To learn more about issues affecting senior health click here.

Mom Was Right: Eat Your Fruits and Veggies

Although the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables are well-established, most people still don't eat enough of them. Some people don't like the way they taste or look, and as a result have a hard time incorporating them into their diet; others simply don't know (or ignore) the nutritional value most fruits and vegetables have.

In this study, patients were divided into two groups. One group received nutritional counseling on the importance of eating fruits and vegetables, emphasizing the nutritional value of food and its effects on the body. The other group received behavioral counseling, with emphasis on the importance of eating at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. In addition to food intake, the researchers measured blood pressure and levels of vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene in the blood. Measurements were taken at the start of the study and at eight-week and 12-month intervals.

After 12 months, both groups reported an overall increase in fruit and vegetable consumption. However, patients receiving behavioral counseling had a higher increase in fruit and vegetable intake (1.5 portions per day) than those who received nutritional counseling (0.9 portions per day), and the percentage of those eating at least five portions per day increased by 42 percent in the behavioral group versus 27 percent in the nutrition group. Behavioral counseling patients also demonstrated significantly higher blood beta-carotene levels.

Health care professionals are well-prepared to speak with you about the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. If you'd like to change the way you eat and need accurate advice, talk to your doctor today - you'll be glad you did.

Reference: Steptoe A, Perkins-Porras L, McKay C, et al. Behavioural counselling to increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables in low income adults: randomised trial. British Medical Journal, April 19, 2003: Volume 326, pp.855-860.

Alcohol Consumption May Help Prevent Gallbladder Disease

Gallstones, hard stones made up of deposits of cholesterol and other material, usually develop in the gall bladder and can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as 2.5 inches. Most of the time, gallstones produce few or no symptoms; however, when symptoms do occur, they include severe nausea, vomiting, shivers and abdominal pain.

In severe cases, gallbladder disease may develop, at times necessitating surgical removal of the gallbladder. However, a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine and spirits, might help lower the risk of symptomatic gallstones and gallstone disease in women.

Women's Health Study participants with no history of gallstones or gallbladder disease were monitored for 20 years for the development of the condition; food-frequency questionnaires (every two to four years) were used to track alcohol intake. Results showed that all alcoholic beverage types were inversely associated with the development of gallstone disease, independent of consumption patterns (e.g., frequency or amount of alcohol consumed).

But before you run out and stock your fridge, the study cautions patients to discuss the potential health effects of alcohol consumption with a qualified health care professional. After all, while alcohol may help prevent gallbladder disease, it can also contribute to liver problems and dependency issues, among other complications. Most experts agree that your best bet in preventing gallstones is to eat a well-balanced diet low in fat and rich in whole grains, lean meat and vegetables.

Reference: Leitzmann MF, Tsai C-J, Stampfer MJ, et al. Alcohol consumption in relation to risk of cholecystectomy in women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition August 2003: Volume 78, Number 2, pp.339-347.

For more information on the benefits of nutrition, click here.

Are Your Children Being Unnecessarily Medicated?

These days, it seems many medical doctors' first course of action is to recommend or prescribe drugs for any patient complaint; disturbingly, this trend seems to hold true whether the patient is an adult or a child.

An eye-opening study published in the May issue of Pediatrics revealed that many pediatricians have recommended the use of medication for children who suffer from sleep disturbances. In fact, of the 671 U.S. pediatricians surveyed, 75 percent said they had advised parents to administer an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, and more than 50 percent had prescribed a sleep aid.

Surprisingly, antihistamines were common OTC medications recommended, while a commonly prescribed sleep aid was clonidine, which is used to treat behavioral problems. Neither of these medications was specifically designed to treat insomnia; in fact, little is known about their safety and effectiveness for treating sleep-related problems. Moreover, they were administered to children who had difficulty sleeping and/or awoke frequently during the night, which most would agree is a fairly natural occurrence - especially in children.

On the flip side, many of these doctors may be overlooking more serious health problems masked as insomnia, including depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, psychological problems, and other medical conditions. And according to the study, the practitioners themselves expressed "a range of concerns about sleep medication appropriateness, safety, tolerance and side-effects in children."

If your child suffers from sleep-related difficulties, ask your doctor about all the options before opting for a "quick fix" with medication. There are many reasons for insomnia (in children and adults); make sure your physician determines the reason behind your child's problem - and its severity - before deciding the best manner in which to treat it.

Reference: Owens JA, Rosen CL, Mindell JA. Medication use in the treatment of pediatric insomnia: results of a survey of community-based pediatricians. Pediatrics (online version), May 2003: Volume 111, Number 5, p.e628.

To learn more about common childhood health issues, click here.

More Reason to Worry About Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy

Recent studies have established a fairly conclusive link between some forms of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and an increased risk of breast cancer - particularly HRT regimens that rely on combined (e.g., estrogen and progestin) therapy. The latest study on combined HRT therapy goes one step further in suggesting that women need to be wary.

The purpose of this study was to determine if a correlation exists between the duration of replacement therapy use and breast cancer. The study assessed women between 65-79 who had been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and who use unopposed estrogen replacement therapy (EST), combined hormone replacement therapy (CHRT), or both.

The results of this study showed that women who used EST exclusively for extended periods of time were not more prone to developing breast cancer, while women who used CHRT showed an increased risk for breast cancer, especially when using CHRT for longer durations and regardless of whether CHRT was utilized in a sequential or continuous fashion.

Natural alternatives to hormone replacement therapy do exist, and each woman should weigh the benefits and risks before starting any regimen, particularly one based on combined hormone administration.

Reference: Li CI, Malone KE, Porter PL, et al. Relationship between long durations and different regimens of hormone therapy and risk of breast cancer. Journal of the American Medical Association, June 25, 2003: Volume 289, Number 24, p.3254.

For more information on women's health, click here.

Workplace Exercise Plus Job Stress: A Bad Combination?

So, exercise is always a good thing, right? Not necessarily. A recent study published in the American Journal of Medicine indicates that people who get the most on-the-job exercise also tend to suffer the most job stress - a combination that could lead to an increased risk for heart attack.

Researchers followed the physical activity of 500 middle-aged employees while monitoring the progression of their atherosclerosis (buildup of fatty tissue along the inner lining of artery walls), a condition that can lead to heart disease and life-threatening heart attacks and strokes. Interestingly, although atherosclerosis progressed more slowly in those who exercised more in their leisure time, the condition progressed faster among those who were physically active at work. According to James Dwyer, PhD, "Atherosclerosis progressed significantly faster in people with greater stress, and people who were under more stress also were the ones who exercised more in their jobs."

However, when the workers were grouped based on work stress alone, the connection between physical activity and atherosclerosis disappeared, suggesting that the problem is actually due to stress, not exercise; this means that the physical benefits of exercise with regard to hardening of the arteries may be ineffective when the exercise is combined with a stressful job environment. Of course, it also reinforces the fact that physical exercise can play an important role in keeping the heart healthy and free of disease.

So, what does this mean for people who have physically demanding jobs that are also major sources of stress? Exercise outside of work, too! The study also found that the progression of atherosclerosis slowed in those whose level of physical activity increased during leisure time. To learn more about the benefits of consistent, moderate exercise, click here.

Reference: Dwyer J, Nordstrom CK, Dwyer KM, et al. Leisure time physical activity and early atherosclerosis: the Los Angeles Atherosclerosis Study. American Journal of Medicine July 2003: Volume 115, Number 1, pp.19-25.

A Portfolio You Can Be Proud Of

It seems as if there's a new fad diet on the market every week. The latest one to make the headlines is the "Portfolio" diet, which is high in plant sterols, viscous fiber, almonds, beans and soy protein, and is designed to cut the amount of cholesterol in the blood. A recent study has shown that the Portfolio diet works as well as some cholesterol-lowering drugs, and without causing unwanted side-effects.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, involved 46 people with high cholesterol, and compared the effectiveness three diets: 16 people used the National Cholesterol Education Program's Step 2 diet, a low-saturated fat diet that emphasizes whole-wheat cereals and low-fat dairy foods; 14 took the Step 2 diet, along with a daily, 20-milligram dose of the cholesterol drug lovastatin; and the remaining 16 followed the Portfolio diet. The patients remained on their respective diets for one month; fasting blood samples, blood pressure and body weight were measured at the start of the study and at two- and four-week intervals.

Patients in all three groups lost similar amounts of weight, and there were no significant differences in blood pressure. When it came time to measure blood cholesterol, however, patients in the lovastatin and Portfolio groups had significant reductions in LDL, or "bad," cholesterol levels. LDL levels dropped 31 percent in the lovastatin patients and 29 percent in the Portfolio patients. The control group, on the other hand, reported only an 8-percent reduction in LDL levels.

Before you write off the Portfolio diet as too strict for your taste, bear in mind that a wide variety of foods fit into the diet's plan. In addition to the foods mentioned above, okra; legumes; tofu; soluble fiber; and meatless "chicken" and "hamburger" patties were acceptable options for subjects in the Portfolio group. Other foods that can be eaten as part of the Portfolio plan include oat bran; most fruits; tomatoes; vegetarian chili and/or curry; eggplant; cauliflower; onions; and red peppers.

Reference: Jenkins D, Kendall C, Marchie A, et al. Effects of a dietary portfolio of cholesterol-lowering foods vs. lovastatin on serum lipids and C-reactive protein. Journal of the American Medical Association, July 23, 2003: Volume 290, pp.502-510.

For additional information on nutrition click here.