Your mother probably told you it is not healthy to sit and watch TV so much, but you thought she was just making it up. Actually, over the past 40 years, a number of studies have shown negative health effects related to watching TV for hours each day. A recent addition to this collection of […]
People are constantly being told to watch their weight, but perhaps the advice should be watching their muscle mass. Research recently published in The American Journal of Medicine suggests that muscle mass index serves as a better predictor of long life than weight. [1] Most health care professionals are trained to focus on body mass […]
By nature, human beings are social creatures. The connection to others enables us to survive and thrive. Yet, as we get older, many are alone more often, and this leaves them vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness. This isolation also leaves seniors more susceptible to health-related problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, a weakened […]
A study published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that higher blood glucose levels may increase the likelihood of dementia. [1] This statement holds true even for those who do not have diabetes but consistently exhibit higher than average blood sugar tests. The ability to stay physically active is an important component […]
Insufficient or low-quality sleep may be more than an annoyance. It can be a major health concern meriting a visit to your general practitioner or a sleep specialist. Difficulty sleeping that impairs activities of daily living and lasts greater than three months meets the clinical definition of insomnia. Insomnia can be a disorder or a […]
As people get older, there is a risk of decline in mental health. Dr. Genieve Zhe Hui Gan and her team of researchers set out to explore the relationship between pet ownership in older adults and the influence on mental health.[1] The results of this study were published in the journal of Aging and Mental […]
Anybody who’s ever weeded a row of turnips, planted petunias, or mowed a thriving lawn knows that gardening can be hard work. That hard work pays off in more ways than having the best roses on the block or a tasty salad. Gardening in its various forms has a multitude of benefits: Increase hand strength, […]
We might find it interesting to know that adopting a pet comes with some surprising health benefits for the new owner. For those who truly consider a dog to be man’s best friend, it helps to know the health benefits dogs can bestow on a human being. In fact, some studies show that dog ownership […]
Doctors at Northwestern Medicine and others are working with Google to develop ways to apply artificial intelligence (AI) to improve many areas of health screening and subsequently, overall improved health. Future health screening could be as simple as using your phone. Imagine the ability to use AI to check heart rate and respirations from a […]
What does it take to find long-term happiness? This is a question many people may ask themselves. Is happiness the new car, finally owning our own home, having the perfect job, or having a million dollars in the bank? Harvard has one of the longest studies, the Harvard Study of Adult Development[1]. The study started […]
