Posts by Dr. Youdeem
Air Pollution Can Affect Cognitive Function
Cognitive assessments completed by over 500 individuals at various stages of life revealed that those who grew up in areas with greater exposure to air pollution experienced more severe cognitive decline than participants from less polluted neighborhoods. Lead author Dr. Tom Russ writes, “For the first time we have shown the effect that exposure to…
Read MoreSimple, Affordable Test May Curb Colorectal Cancer Deaths
Scientists have developed a test called fecal immunochemical test (FIT) that may help identify individuals at risk for developing colorectal cancer by finding traces of blood in stool. An examination of data on 3,890 patients who received the FIT showed that of the 618 who tested positive for blood in their feces, 43 went on…
Read MoreTouchscreens May Contribute to Distraction in Toddlers
Assessments of 40 children conducted at 1.5 years and 3.5 years of age revealed that those who spent the most time using touchscreens each day were less likely to resist distraction than kids who used electronic devices less often. JAMA Pediatrics, January 2021
Read MoreDoes Smartphone Use Contribute to Musculoskeletal Pain?
Questionnaires completed by 294 university students revealed that heavy smartphone users were more likely to experience pain in the neck, upper back, and hands/wrists, especially those who met the criteria for smartphone addiction. The findings underscore the importance of good posture when using electronic devices and seeking help if smartphone use interferes with one’s ability…
Read MoreYoung Boys and Girls Become Less Active During Summer
While we often associate summer break as a time for kids to go outside and play, a recent study found that six- to nine-year-old children spend about 50% fewer minutes each day engaged in either moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activity during this time. Frontiers in Public Health, January 2021
Read MoreGreen Mediterranean Diet for NAFLD Patients?
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition that occurs when fat accumulates in the liver from causes other than excessive alcohol consumption. An 18-month study involving 294 NAFLD patients revealed that those who adopted the green Mediterranean diet—a version of the Mediterranean diet in which meat is replaced with plant proteins—experienced a greater reduction…
Read MoreAir Pollution May Affect Fertility
Particulate matter is a mixture of dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets in the air and has been linked to an elevated risk for several poor health outcomes. According to a new study that included over 2,200 women, living in areas with higher levels of particulate matter air pollution may be associated with reduced…
Read MoreWinter Wellness Tips
The following tips may help one stay healthy during the colder months: shift your sleep cycle earlier by one hour; take magnesium, which is a common deficiency; practice simple breathing techniques to keep calm, focused, and energized; avoid drinking alcohol more than three days per week; improve vitamin D status with sun exposure, diet, or…
Read MoreRegular Cannabis Use Linked to Declining IQ
A review of long-term data concerning over 6,000 individuals revealed that frequent cannabis use from adolescence onward is associated with a drop in IQ of approximately two points by around age 40. Senior author Dr. Mary Cannon adds, “Previous research tells us that young people who use cannabis frequently have worse outcomes in life than…
Read MoreSit-to-Stand Rotation and Low Back Pain
An experiment that included 24 individuals revealed that standing with seated breaks at a 3:1 ratio may be an effective strategy for mitigating one’s risk for experiencing back pain associated with prolonged standing. Ergonomics, December 2020
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