04/21/16

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Are you drinking fluoridated tap water yet? Colorado coalition wants to know

If chronic plastic bottled water drinkers learn about the health and safety of their tap water, will they drink it?

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/april/are-you-drinking-fluoridated-tap-water-yet

Could healthy aging be in your genes?

An analysis of the genome sequences of healthy elderly people may unlock the genetic secrets behind lifelong health

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/scientists-search-for-the-genes-behind-healthy-aging/

Breast Cancer Meds Won't Raise Risk of These

But there was a slightly increased risk of less serious heart problems

From: http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20160421/breast-cancer-meds-wont-raise-chances-of-heart-attack-stroke-study-suggests?src=RSS_PUBLIC

These Breast Cancer Meds Not Tied to 'Chemo Brain'

Anthracyclines are widely used, but new research finds no link between the meds and survivors' mental function

From: http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20160421/common-class-of-breast-cancer-drugs-may-not-trigger-chemo-brain-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

People With HIV May Age Faster Study Suggests

Genetic marker showed the virus was linked to roughly five years of premature aging

From: http://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/news/20160421/people-with-hiv-may-age-faster-study-suggests?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Toxic Shock Cases: More Than a Blip?

Five Michigan teens fell ill with toxic shock syndrome in late December and in January -- all of them after using super-absorbent tampons. WebMD has the story.

From: http://www.webmd.com/women/news/20160421/tampons-toxic-shock-investigation?src=RSS_PUBLIC

USDA Announces $22 Million Available for Research to Combat Citrus Greening

WASHINGTON, April 21, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of $22 million in grants to help citrus producers fight Huanglongbing (HLB), commonly known as citrus greening disease.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/04/0094.xml&contentidonly=true

Strength training: Get stronger leaner healthier

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/strength-training/art-20046670

Nagging kids about weight may backfire

Parental perceptions of their children's weight may be a "self-fulfilling prophecy," researchers say

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/nagging-kids-about-weight-may-backfire/

Mayo Clinic Minute: Zika Endemic Areas

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7O2eXVDn_Q

Some Antibiotics May Change Gut Bacteria in Children IBD in the News

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qbv72f4KG80

Patience and a Plan Pays Off for Transplant Patient

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N02ZBXnRep4

Lets dance! Rhythmic motion can improve your health

For a week each spring there’s dancing in the streets of Harvard Square as Dance for World Community, a project presented by José Mateo Ballet Theatre, demonstrates how people of all ages and abilities — from nimble preteens to people who use wheelchairs — can express themselves through dance. At almost every performance, spectators and passersby find themselves joining in.

Dancing is a universal human experience. We dance to express joy, celebrate life events, and enact religious and cultural rituals. Dance also has physical and cognitive benefits that may exceed those of other forms of exercise.

What dance does for your health

The evidence for the health benefits of exercise is indisputable. Physiologic studies have demonstrated that regular activity builds muscle and bone, reduces fat, increases aerobic capacity, lowers blood pressure, and improves the ratio of “good” to “bad” cholesterol. Dance has been shown to have all the benefits of other forms of exercise.

Moreover, by incorporating music, dance may have benefits beyond those of exercise alone. Music stimulates the brain’s reward centers, while dance activates its sensory and motor circuits. Dancing has improved balance, gait, and quality of life in people with Parkinson’s disease and related movement disorders. And several — but not all — studies have indicated that mastering dance movements and patterns yields greater improvements in memory and problem-solving than walking does.

Dr. Lauren Elson is a former professional dancer who specializes in sports and rehabilitation medicine at Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Network. “Dancing is accessible to everybody. People who can’t stand can use the rest of their body while seated, people who have lost movement in their arms can dance with their torso and legs. It’s a way to connect to your own body, to music, and to other people. It just depends on whatever your goals are. But we know that there are so many benefits of dancing — cognitive, physical, and social — that it merits consideration by everybody.”

How to get started

If you’ve ever danced — and who hasn’t? — you know how much fun it can be. Even if your rhumba is a little rusty or your time step has slowed, it may be easier than you anticipate to get back in the swing. Yet, if you’re not quite ready to jump on the dance floor at the next wedding or class reunion, there are ways you can enjoy dancing, even if you’re shy or feel you have two left feet.

Take a class. Many “Y”s and senior centers offer some type of group instruction for people of all levels of expertise. You’re most likely to find lessons in tai chi, a meditative exercise that is often performed to relaxing music, and Zumba, an aerobic workout that combines steps and moves from a variety of traditional dances — often to Latin music. Learning new types of ballroom dance can also be fun and challenging. If you don’t have a partner, there is a world of folk and line dances that don’t require a pairing with another person. Many dance studios and square-dance and contra-dance groups create a friendly environment for people by having all classes involve rotations, where you switch partners and dance with someone new each time. You might also consider taking up (or resuming) tap, which can build bones, or ballet, to strengthen core muscles and improve balance.
Dance at home. The Internet has a wide variety of dance instruction videos, such as the popular “Dance for Dummies,” that demonstrate the steps in slow motion and allow you to proceed at your own pace. Your public library may also stock instructional dance videos that you can borrow. All you need is comfortable clothing, a pair of good sneakers, and enough space to move freely.

“In any instance you’re getting the benefit of connecting to the music, so you’re involving a part of the brain that isn’t necessarily being tapped when you’re doing something like walking that is more rote,” Dr. Elson says.

If you need further inspiration, watch a video of the 2015 Dance for World Community Festival.

The post Let’s dance! Rhythmic motion can improve your health appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Beverly Merz http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/lets-dance-rhythmic-motion-can-improve-your-health-201604219468

CDA Cares donates $1.5 million in charitable dentistry

More than 1,400 volunteers donated their time and services at the California Dental Association Foundation’s volunteer dental clinic, CDA Cares.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/april/cda-cares-donates-15-million-in-charitable-dentistry

Alcohol Processed Meat and Risk of Stomach Cancer

Excess weight also seems to boost chances of disease, and risk increases as three factors increase, researchers report

From: http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20160420/alcohol-processed-meats-may-raise-stomach-cancer-risk?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Is "chemo brain" linked to breast cancer drug?

Doctors are trying to understand why so many cancer patients complain of feeling foggy-headed and forgetful

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/chemo-brain-not-linked-to-breast-cancer-drug/

MRSA: Protecting student athletes

Should student athletes worry about MRSA? Get the facts and prevention tips from a Mayo Clinic specialist.

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mrsa/in-depth/mrsa/art-20047876

Stress management: Examine your stress reaction

When you identify unhealthy ways of reacting to stress, you can begin to control the stress, rather than letting it control you.

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-management/art-20044289

Stress relief from laughter? It's no joke

Is the key to stress relief as simple as bringing more laughter into your life? Discover the surprising benefits of honing your sense of humor.

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456

Diabetes symptoms: When diabetes symptoms are a concern

Diabetes symptoms are often subtle. Pay attention to the clues your body's giving you.

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-symptoms/art-20044248

Belly fat in women: Taking and keeping it off

Are you annoyed by your expanding waistline? Here's why belly fat is so common in women — and what you can do about it.

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/belly-fat/art-20045809

Stress management: Prevent setbacks

Stress may be a part of life, but these simple stress management strategies can help you stay in control.

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-management/art-20044489

Back pain at work: Preventing pain and injury

Is your job a pain in the back? Prevent back pain at work with these simple tips.

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/back-pain/art-20044526

Menopause weight gain: Stop the middle age spread

Concerned about menopause weight gain? Take control of your weight with healthy lifestyle choices - starting today!

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/menopause-weight-gain/art-20046058

Chronic stress puts your health at risk

See how constant stress wreaks havoc on your body and mind, and what you can do about it.

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037

Stress relievers: Tips to tame stress

Stress getting to you? Try these tips to find relief.

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relievers/art-20047257

World Immunization Week 2016: Immunization game-changers should be the norm worldwide

During World Immunization Week 2016, WHO highlights recent gains in immunization coverage, and outlines further steps countries can take to “Close the Immunization Gap” and meet global vaccination targets by 2020.

From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2016/world-immunization-week/en/index.html

Health and Nutrition News, Latest Headlines Source