Posts by Dr. Youdeem
Routine Checkup Should Include Fitness Tests.
Routine Checkup Should Include Fitness Tests. A medical checkup usually includes height, weight, blood pressure, and a cholesterol screen, but one expert says healthcare providers should also collect data on cardiorespiratory fitness—a measure of how much work your body can do during exercise. Dr. Benjamin Levine from UT Southwestern Medical Center explains, “This measurement is…
Read MoreThe DASH Diet Wins Again.
The DASH Diet Wins Again. The US News & World Report has named the DASH diet as the best overall diet choice for the seventh year in a row, followed by the Mediterranean and MIND diets. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, but experts say the benefits go beyond preventing high blood pressure…
Read MoreRural Americans at Higher Risk of Preventable Causes of Death.
Rural Americans at Higher Risk of Preventable Causes of Death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in 2014, Americans living in more rural areas had a greater risk of death from mostly preventable causes such as heart disease, cancer, accidental injuries, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke. CDC Director Dr. Tom…
Read MoreConcussions May Accelerate Alzheimer’s.
Concussions May Accelerate Alzheimer’s. A new study suggests concussions may speed up mental decline among individuals already at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, researchers examined 160 veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and found that concussions seemed to accelerate Alzheimer’s disease-related brain deterioration and mental decline in the veterans at genetic risk…
Read MoreSleep Soundly When Traveling.
Sleep Soundly When Traveling. It can be difficult to get a good night’s sleep while traveling due noise, activity, or a bright room. To improve your sleep while traveling, the National Sleep Foundation recommends: using an eye mask to help block out light, bringing a travel-sized pillow and your own blanket; using a pair of…
Read MoreObesity Increases Risk of Chronic Pain.
Obesity Increases Risk of Chronic Pain. In the United States, 25 million adults experience daily chronic pain. In this study, researchers analyzed a sample of 6,079 middle-aged women and found that obese individuals were 2.06 times more likely to experienced chronic pain than those who fell within the normal weight range. Gynecological Endocrinology, January 2017
Read MoreExercise Protects the Brain.
Exercise Protects the Brain. After following 6,104 seniors for over a decade, researchers report that participants who performed the best on an initial treadmill test were 8% less likely to develop dementia than the other participants. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, January 2017
Read MoreCommon Antioxidant May Protect Against Liver Disease.
Common Antioxidant May Protect Against Liver Disease. An antioxidant found in breast milk and foods like kiwi, soy, and celery may protect against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in one’s offspring. Researchers found that when researchers gave pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) to obese mice during and shortly after pregnancy, it protected their offspring from developing the…
Read MoreAlcohol Abuse Elevates Heart Risks.
Alcohol Abuse Elevates Heart Risks. Alcohol abuse is defined as the consumption of alcoholic beverages to excess, either on individual occasions or as a regular practice. An analysis of medical records on close to 15 million Californians revealed that alcohol abusers are twice as likely to have atrial fibrillation, 1.4 times more likely to have…
Read MoreOver-Planning Can Spoil Leisure Time.
Over-Planning Can Spoil Leisure Time. Too much planning makes leisure time seem like work. A review of thirteen studies found that people enjoyed their leisure activities less when they over-scheduled. Study co-author Dr. Selin Malkoc adds, “People associate schedules with work. We want our leisure time to be free-flowing… Anything that limits and constrains our…
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