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Eat Flavonoids for a Healthy Brain

An investigation of the Framingham Offspring Study revealed a higher intake of dietary flavonoids found in plants is associated with modest slowing of age-related dementia.

Examining Ginger for Ulcerative Colitis

For people with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis and who have symptoms and serum markers of inflammation and oxidation, some preliminary findings demonstrate both benefit and no difference when using 2 grams of ginger daily for 12 weeks vs. placebo.

Cognitively Based Compassion Training for Parents Might Decrease Stress in Kids

The authors of this small, randomized, controlled trial found that Cognitively Based Compassion Training, a group-based technique taught to parents, was associated with decreased hair level of cortisol (a marker of decreased stress) in children whose parents completed this training.

Exercise and Risk of Falls in Older Adults

The authors of this meta-analysis of 46 multinational randomized, controlled trials exploring the association between long-term exercise training and risk of serious outcomes in adults older than 60 years of age noted a statistically significant reduction in risk for some fall-related outcomes depending on the frequency and intensity of exercise training.

Type of Provider and Opioid Use in New-Onset Low Back Pain

When compared to an initial visit with a primary care physician, patients who initially received care for new-onset low back pain from a chiropractor, physical therapist, or acupuncturist were at lower odds for early and long-term opioid use.

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices, Living Longer Without Chronic Diseases

The authors found improving each of four “healthy lifestyle choices” added approximately one year of disease-free life between ages 40 and 75 years. Adopting all four “optimal” lifestyles was associated with nine years of life gained vs. adopting zero optimal lifestyles.

Investigators Identify Connection Between Vascular Malformation, Gut Bacteria Profile

The presence of gram-negative bacteria was linked to an abundance of abnormalities known to cause strokes, seizures, and headaches.

Cannabis Use and Stroke Risk: The Debate Continues

A recently published paper suggests there may be no connection, but the conversation on this topic, as well as the general efficacy of medical marijuana, goes on.

Brief, Targeted Intervention to Stop Smoking

A one-minute intervention giving facts about the health impact of smoking was presented to men waiting to be seen in Hong Kong emergency rooms. At a six-month follow-up, investigators found a significantly higher abstinence rate in the intervention group.

Exercising After Cancer: Newest Evidence-Based Guidelines

The 2018 guidelines for exercise in cancer survivors conclude there is sufficient evidence to recommend specific doses of aerobic exercise, resistance training, and/or a combination of the two to improve common symptoms found in this population, such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, and quality of life.