As a continuing feature of our work here at the blog, we hope to be able to offer glimpses into what is going on in the world of health and wellness news that affects you and your family on a monthly basis. For the past few months we’ve focused on seasonal issues, especially as we all began to spend more time outside in the warmer weather.
As we head into a new season, we’ll look outside a bit less. Not to start on a downer but, this is important… the good news follows!
Drug Deaths in America Are Rising Faster Than Ever: “Drug overdose deaths in 2016 most likely exceeded 59,000, the largest annual jump ever recorded in the United States, according to preliminary data compiled by The New York Times.
“The death count is the latest consequence of an escalating public health crisis: opioid addiction, now made more deadly by an influx of illicitly manufactured fentanyl and similar drugs. Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death among Americans under 50.
“Although the data is preliminary, the Times’s best estimate is that deaths rose 19 percent over the 52,404 recorded in 2015. And all evidence suggests the problem has continued to worsen in 2017.” (New York Times)
*NOTE* For more on this frightening trend, check out our blog post, Drug Addiction Epidemic: Opioid Use Has Truly Hit Epidemic Proportions
Positive Health News Headlines
Brain cells found to control aging: Scientists have found that stem cells in the brain’s hypothalamus govern how fast aging occurs in the body. The finding, made in mice, could lead to new strategies for warding off age-related diseases and extending lifespan.
IBS News – Protein-rich diet may help soothe inflamed gut: The combination of a bacterium that normally lives in the gut and a protein-rich diet promotes a more tolerant, less inflammatory gut immune system, according to new research. The findings, in mice, suggest a way to tilt the gut immune system away from inflammation, potentially spelling relief for people living with inflammatory bowel disease.
As Many as 1 in 3 Experience New or Worse Pain with Yoga: Still, two-thirds feel better from this ancient form of exercise, study finds. The study, which surveyed hundreds of people doing yoga for more than a year, found that two-thirds said that some existing aches improved because of yoga — most often, lower back and neck pain. On the other hand, 21 percent said yoga worsened their muscle or joint pain. And almost 11 percent said it caused new issues — most commonly, pain in the hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder.
*Use caution when trying a new exercise routine!
Protein at All 3 Meals May Help Preserve Seniors’ Strength; Staves off muscle decline: The Canadian study found that protein-rich meals evenly spread throughout the day staved off muscle decline, but did not increase mobility, in older people.
Stay tuned for more important snapshots of such timely information and health headlines in future posts, when it’s available and has value to our readers.
