This Week In Wellness

This Week In Wellness I have decided to hang up the microphone (at least for the time being) and record the last ever episode of This Week In Wellness. Thank you for all your support over the years and thank you to all those who have supported this journey. You can keep following me at drbretthill on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok at my private practice at www.healthychoiceschiropractic.com.au and inside my Healthy Lifestyle Choices Facebook group. 

This Week In Wellness a Norwegian University of Science and Technology has suggested that the costs associated with overweight individuals in the Norwegian population are even greater than those associated with obesity. And given that 75 percent of men and 61 percent of women were overweight or obese these costs are not insignificant. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231214/Overweight-not-just-obesity-drives-higher-healthcare-costs-Norwegian-study-finds.aspx  

This Week In Wellness a study of 22 pairs of identical twins by Stanford Medicine researchers has found that a vegan diet may improve cardiovascular health in as little as eight weeks. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/11/231130113042.htm https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2812392

This Week In Wellness eating red meat and dairy could help to fight cancer according to a new study published in Nature. https://metro.co.uk/2023/11/22/eating-red-meat-dairy-reduces-cancer-risk-scientists-discover-19862991/amp/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06749-3

This Week In Wellness a paper in the web based peer review journal Cureus, shows that up to 80% of US citizens may be suffering from vertebral subluxation and its side effects. https://www.cureus.com/articles/195837-secondary-analysis-of-a-dataset-to-estimate-the-prevalence-of-vertebral-subluxation-and-its-implications-for-health-promotion-and-prevention?fbclid=IwAR2QrB6HIFdUIjdNhH5z1PLnvonjWMwrCjdON44rhZkCLLtPsCtyagQ-ugQ#!/

This Week In Wellness a report published in Frontiers of Endocrinology has suggested that use of the Oral Contraceptive Pill may enhance women’s susceptibility to stress-related illness and anxiety. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231109/How-do-sex-hormones-and-birth-control-affect-brain-fear-circuits.aspx https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2023.1228504/full https://events.humanitix.com/de-stress-body-mind

This Week In Wellness research published in the journal Fertility and Sterility has found that EMF radiation caused by the increased use of mobile phones may be associated with a reduced sperm concentration and total sperm count (TSC) in the semen. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231102/Study-links-heavy-mobile-phone-use-to-lower-sperm-count.aspx https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(23)01875-7/fulltext#articleInformation

This Week In Wellness high levels of triglycerides, a type of fat, long demonised for their potential role in heart disease and stroke, may contribute to a lower risk of dementia and a slower cognitive decline over time compared to people who have lower levels.  https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231025/Older-adults-with-higher-levels-of-triglycerides-may-have-lower-dementia-risk.aspx https://n.neurology.org/content/early/2023/10/25/WNL.0000000000207923

This Week In Wellness a new study published in Nutrients has confirmed what many parents and health experts alike have long feared, namely that the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) was associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms.   https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231019/Sugar-sweetened-beverages-pose-a-potential-risk-of-ADHD.aspx https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/20/4395

This Week In Wellness a study published in Scientific Reports has shown that black, green and matcha tea were all effective at inactivating the Omnicron subvariant of SARS Coronavirus 2. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231005/Green-matcha-and-black-tea-Effective-weapons-against-Omicron-subvariants-research-reveals.aspx https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-43563-3

This Week In Wellness just 3000 steps a day may be enough to reduce blood pressure according to a new study in the Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/09/230927003032.htm https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3425/10/8/317 https://www.chiro.org.au/resources/health-initiatives/just-start-walking

This Week In Wellness research from the Journal of the Endocrine Society has shown that the ketogenic (or keto) diet may lower testosterone levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), potentially influencing their fertility.  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/09/230907105759.htm https://academic.oup.com/jes/article/7/10/bvad112/7259972

This Week In Wellness a study published in Nature Mental Health has shown that 7 different lifestyle habits can all lower the risk of depression. The most impactful of these habits being adequate sleep which was able to lower depression by a whopping 22%.  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/09/230911141148.htm https://www.nature.com/articles/s44220-023-00120-1

This Week In Wellness the class action lawsuits against Monsanto (the makers of Round-Up now owned by Bayer) previously reported overseas on this podcast have now come to Australia with an Australian man now claiming the weed killer has caused him to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma. https://www.theguardian.com/law/2023/sep/04/roundup-class-action-weedkiller-non-hodgkin-lymphoma

This Week In Wellness research published in the journal Scientific Reports showed that infants who spent most of their first year of life during the pandemic have fewer types of bacteria in their gut than infants born prior to the pandemic. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230831/Pandemic-may-have-altered-gut-microbiome-of-infants-study-finds.aspx https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-40102-y

This Week In Wellness peoples self assessments of their own bodies potential to fight off a pathogen was compared with the actual levels of antibodies in their blood for that same pathogen and the results were surprisingly accurate. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/08/230816114132.htm https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301051123001540?via%3Dihub

This Week In Wellness a large meta-analysis has shown that yoga, breathing exercises and aerobic training have been shown to improve lung function in asthmatics. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230811/Key-exercises-for-asthmatic-people-help-improve-their-lung-function-finds-study.aspx https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07853890.2023.2237031

This Week In Wellness the British medical Journal has reported that peppermint oil may ease people’s pain, reduce the need for drugs and enhance their sleep after open heart surgery. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230803/Peppermint-oil-may-be-new-option-for-pain-relief-after-open-heart-surgery.aspx

This Week In Wellness researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, have uncovered a potential mechanism for the increased diabetes risk seen in those who do not get enough sleep.  https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230707/Research-uncovers-mechanism-linking-deep-sleep-to-blood-sugar-control.aspx https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2666379123002197

This Week In Wellness a new study has shown that commonly used birth-control pills can negatively impact women’s stress response, in particular the ability to reduce their levels of the stress hormone ACTH when the stress has been removed. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230707/Birth-control-pills-disrupt-womens-stress-response-study-shows.aspx https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0166432823002681

This Week In Wellness research has suggested that middle-aged men not getting enough sleep won’t get the protective benefits of exercise, when it comes to their brains. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/jul/05/middle-aged-people-need-sleep-to-see-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise

This Week In Wellness Australian researchers have called into question the use of opioids for acute neck and back pain as research shows that the drugs may be no more effective than placebo.  https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-29/opioids-back-neck-acute-pain-research-findings/102530382 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32142140/

This Week In Wellness oestrogen mimicking polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been shown to pass down through the generations contributing to a variety of neuroendocrine, metabolic and reproductive problems in the grandchildren of those exposed.  https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230615/Adverse-cognitive-effects-linked-to-endocrine-disrupting-chemicals-may-pass-down-through-generations.aspx https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/conditions/chemicals+and+contaminants/polychlorinated+biphenyls+pcbs

This Week In Wellness a study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has shown that a longer duration of breastfeeding in Spanish children was linked to a lower consumption of ultra-processed food items in preschool.    https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230608/Breastfeeding-found-to-reduce-ultra-processed-food-intake-among-preschoolers.aspx https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212267223002885

This Week In Wellness supplementing with fish oil may increase the muscle and strength gains of healthy young adults doing strength training.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36822153/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33221700/

This Week In Wellness better motor skills in first grade have been linked to better performance in reading and mathematics in the 3rd grade in a recent study at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland.  https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230525/Motorically-skilled-children-in-first-grade-have-better-academic-skills-by-third-grade.aspx https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Abstract/9900/Cross_Lagged_Associations_between_Physical.239.aspx

This Week In Wellness the World Health Organisation (WHO) has updated their advice on the use of non-sugar sweeteners for weight control to reflect the fact that research shows they do not confer any long term benefit and may in fact increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and all death.    https://www.who.int/news/item/15-05-2023-who-advises-not-to-use-non-sugar-sweeteners-for-weight-control-in-newly-released-guideline

This Week In Wellness a healthy diet has been shown to increase physical fitness in middle aged adults by the same amount as an extra 4000 steps a day. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230511/Healthier-diets-may-lead-to-greater-physical-fitness.aspx https://academic.oup.com/eurjpc/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/eurjpc/zwad113/7146619?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=true This podcast is brought to you by Healthy Choices Chiropractic. Head to www.healthychoiceschiropractic.com.au to book a full spinal, postural and neurological examination with me for just $39.

This Week In Wellness a recent study published in the Frontiers in Nutrition Journal has shown that sardines may be more beneficial than fish oil supplements due to the presence of additional micronutrients. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230418/Eating-sardines-vs-fish-oil-supplements-study-evaluates-the-nutritional-benefit-beyond-fatty-acids.aspx https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1107475/full This podcast is brought to you by Healthy Choices Chiropractic. Head to www.healthychoiceschiropractic.com.au to book a full spinal, postural and neurological examination with me for just $39.

This Week In Wellness high quality foods lower the risk of sleep apnea by up to 41% regardless of the individual's BMI according to a US study published in Nutrients. However it didn’t significantly impact insomnia or sleep quality.    https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230427/Healthy-eating-lowers-risk-of-sleep-apnea.aspx https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/9/2078

This Week In Wellness a study published in Neurology has identified an increased risk of dementia amongst elderly people with low bone density. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230322190844.htm

This Week In Wellness a study by researchers at Monash university has found that just 0.001% of the worlds population are breathing air below the safety levels recommended by the World Health Organisation (the WHO).   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230307073211.htm https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(23)00008-6/fulltext  

This Week In Wellness the italian government has backed a bill to ban laboratory-produced meat, fish and milk including fines of up to €60,000 for those who transgress.    Italian agriculture lobbies have collected half a million signatures in recent months calling for protection of "natural food vs synthetic food" https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65110744

This Week In Wellness a simple eye mask has been shown to improve memory and alertness in as little as 2 nights despite not affecting sleep timing or duration. https://www.sciencealert.com/wearing-an-eye-mask-while-you-sleep-could-have-surprising-mental-benefits https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/46/3/zsac305/6912219?login=true

This Week In Wellness a new Dutch study has shown that 60 percent of a babies microbiome is inherited from their mother and that whilst babies born via caesarian section received less gut and vaginal microbes this may at least in part be made up for by a higher percentage of microbes from mums breast milk, skin and respiratory system.  https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2023-03-09/babies-microbiome-mothers-birth-caesarean-section/102059396 https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(23)00043-4

This Week In Wellness research from the University of South Australia showing that physical activity is 1.5 times more effective than traditional counselling or medication therapies has led researchers to call for exercise to be the primary approach for managing depression.  https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230224/Physical-activity-more-effective-than-counseling-or-medications-to-manage-depression.aspx https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2023/02/16/bjsports-2022-106195

This Week In Wellness a new review from the University of Turku, Finland has shown that red, purple and blue pigments in fruits, vegetables, and tubers called anthocyanins may be able to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by modulating energy metabolism, inflammation and the gut microbiome.  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/02/230215100419.htm https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.jafc.2c05879

This Week In Wellness walking and moderate to vigorous physical exercise have been shown to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment or dementia according to a study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230125085831.htm https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/alz.12908

This Week In Wellness researchers from Irish universities have shown that practising gratitude can help to “buffer” stress, both reducing the heart's reaction to stress and also improving its recovery.  https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230126/Gratitude-has-a-unique-stress-buffering-effect-research-shows.aspx https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167876022002707?via%3Dihub https://www.researchgate.nehttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167876022002707?via%3Dihubt/publication/44581429_Gratitude_and_well-being_A_review_and_theoretical_integration https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4927423/

This Week In Wellness new guidelines from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) suggest that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption and that having more than 2 drinks a week is considered “risky”. This follows a statement from the World Health organisation in the Journal Lancet in January that also stated there was no safe level of alcohol consumption.  https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-19/canada-guidelines-say-no-safe-limit-of-alcohol/101868992 https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jan/20/australia-unlikely-to-follow-canada-in-slashing-alcohol-consumption-guidelines  

This Week In Wellness researchers from the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai found that pregnant women who consumed a mediterranean diet were 28% less likely to get pre eclampsia, and 37% less likely to suffer from gestational diabetes, both of which can cause complications for both mum and baby.  https://www.news-medical.net/news/20221222/Adherence-to-Mediterranean-diet-associated-with-lower-risk-of-preeclampsia-during-pregnancy.aspx https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2799855

This Week In Wellness a study out of the University of Leeds has shown that for women, consuming just an extra 25 grams of protein a day was associated with a 14% reduction in their risk of hip fracture.  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/11/221128100852.htm https://www.clinicalnutritionjournal.com/article/S0261-5614(22)00393-4/fulltext

This Week In Wellness a new study from China has shown that intermittent fasting for 3 months may be able to reverse type 2 diabetes in up to half of all individuals.  It is estimated that over half a billion people worldwide suffer from diabetes, with 95% of those suffering from the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/type-2-diabetes-intermittent-fasting-could-reverse-the-condition#Intermittent-fastingand-T2D-reversal https://academic.oup.com/jcem/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1210/clinem/dgac661/6888005 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/type-2-diabetes-intermittent-fasting-could-reverse-the-condition#Intermittent-fastingand-T2D-reversal https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32445735/

This Week In Wellness research out of Florida State University College of Medicine has linked the popular artificial sweetener Aspartame to anxiety in mice. In fact not only did it produce anxiety in the mice that consumed it, it also extended to their offspring for 2 generations.  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/12/221208174226.htm https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2213120119

This Week In Wellness research by the Obesity Policy Coalition has found that over ¾ of the tested ready made foods for toddlers exceeded the World Health Organisations proposed guidelines for sugar consumption in a result that Health Minister Mark Butler described as "shocking". https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-08/toddler-food-products-failing-sugar-guidelines-research/101749342

This Week In Wellness a new study looking at almost 10,000 Australians has suggested that so called “protein hunger” driven by increased consumption of overly processed and refined foods may play a key role in over-eating and obesity.  https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-find-that-protein-hunger-drives-overeating-obesity/#:~:text=A%20new%20study%20provides%20additional,body's%20strong%20appetite%20for%20protein. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oby.23578

This Week In Wellness a study published in JAMA Psychiatry has shown that a mindfulness-based stress reduction program was as effective as the popular antidepressant drug escitalopram in treating people with anxiety disorders.  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/11/221109124354.htm https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2798510

This Week In Wellness a review published in the Biomolecules journal has suggested that melatonin may be more effective in reducing long covid symptoms and COVID-19 inflammatory markers than commonly used antivirals. The authors have suggested that the reason it has not been promoted more as a solution is due to its easy availability and the fact that it cannot be patented by pharmaceutical manufacturers.  https://www.news-medical.net/news/20221109/Melatonin-could-be-a-potential-therapy-for-long-COVID-symptoms.aspx. https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/12/11/1646.  

This Week In Wellness new research published in Science has shown that remnant viral DNA from historic infections can remain in the human genome and serve as antivirals that protect against present day viruses. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/10/221027154145.htm https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abq7871 The post TWIW 176: Ancient viral RNA helps ward off new viruses appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

This Week In Wellness residues of an antioxidant added to fish feed and linked to cancer has been shown to be in higher levels in Tasmanian farmed Salmon than were found in European studies before the European Union decided to ban the additive altogether, say experts who are calling for tighter regulations. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/26/fish-feed-additive-banned-in-eu-found-in-tasmanian-salmon-at-concerning-levels-researchers-say The post TWIW 175: Banned Monsanto additive found in Tasmanian Salmon appeared first on The Wellness Couch.