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Published on Leave a comment on Reading to Infants Helps With Language Development

Study after study shows that reading to young children is beneficial in several ways, and now another study can be added to the list. Positive effects of reading at least 1 book a day to a baby starting at 2 weeks of age can be seen in the baby's language by 9 months of age.

Reading aloud to your child increases the child's vocabulary and speech, but it is also a great way to bond with your child.

The researchers point out that many studies find that: "Ultimately, the age at which parents begin reading to their children correlates with language development and academic achievement."

Each parent in the study was given 20 popular young children's books to read to their baby. A few were definitely above an infant's comprehension level (e.g., Owl Babies by Waddell), while others could be considered by many as first books (e.g., the board book Everywhere Babies).

Science Daily: Daily, consistent parental reading in the first year of life improves infants' language scores

Daily reading improved language development in infants 12 months and younger, according to a recent study by researchers at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. ...continue reading "Reading to Infants Helps With Language Development"

Published on Leave a comment on Seven States and Europe Had Record Warm January

Seven northeastern states in the US had a record warm month in January 2023. Europe had its warmest January. In fact, it looks like all of Earth had a warm January - it was Earth's seventh warmest January since record-keeping began in 1880.

Just keep in mind - whenever records are set, it moves the baseline for all further records higher. Temperatures are inching up! Climate change!

Excerpts from Dr. Jeff Masters (meteorologist, co-founder of Weather Underground) article in Yale Climate Connections: January 2023: Earth’s seventh-warmest January on record

January 2023 was Earth’s seventh-warmest January since global record-keeping began in 1880. It was 0.87 degree Celsius (1.57°F) above the 20th-century average, NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, NCEI, reported Feb. 14. ...continue reading "Seven States and Europe Had Record Warm January"

Published on Leave a comment on Highly processed food increases risk of cancer
Fast food Credit: Wikipedia

Bad news keeps coming about the highly processed foods we love to eat. So convenient, so addictive (e.g., potato chips, soda!), but so bad for our health. A recent study found more harms from eating highly processed foods (also called ultra-processed foods). They are associated with a higher risk of ovarian cancer and other cancers, and also death from cancer.

Even worse, the more one eats ultra-processed foods daily, the higher the risk of developing and dying from a variety of cancers. The ovarian and brain cancer association was especially strong.

The large study of 197,246 people, conducted in the UK, looked at the association between eating highly processed foods and the risk of developing 34 different types of cancers over a 10 year period. They found that highly processed foods were generally between 9.1% to 41.4% of the foods eaten daily. Highly processed foods averaged 48.6% of the daily calories, and ranged from 28.4% to 68.7% of daily calories.

Chips Credit: Wikipedia

As the researchers point out, the highly processed foods are replacing what should be eaten (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, legumes). Thus, diets rich in highly processed foods are generally nutritionally inferior, and are higher in energy, fats, salt, sugars, and lower in fiber and some micronutrients.

Chemicals in highly processed foods and packaging (e.g., acrylamide, endocrine disruptors) are ingested and cause harm to humans. Additionally, additives found in highly processed foods (e.g., emulsifiers) have negative effects on the gut microbiome and gut (intestinal) lining.

Bottom line: Eat fewer highly processed foods. Eat more foods that are unprocessed or minimally processed (fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds, nuts, whole grains). Read the list of ingredients on labels.

Excerpts from Medical Xpress: Ultra-processed foods may be linked to increased risk of cancer

Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods may be linked to an increased risk of developing and dying from cancer, an Imperial College London-led observational study suggests. ...continue reading "Highly processed food increases risk of cancer"

Published on Leave a comment on Doctors Recommend Mediterranean Style Diet For Health
Fast food Credit: Wikipedia

Say it over and over to yourself: Don't eat highly processed foods, don't eat foods with additives (e.g., emulsifiers, colors), don't eat foods/beverages with high fructose corn syrup, don't eat lots of pre-packaged foods or fast foods.

Why? This kind of high fat, low-fiber Western diet (which most of us eat), is linked to lots of health problems  and also an unhealthy gut microbiome. Cancer, diabetes, heart disease!

Instead, eat a Mediterranean style diet - a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, whole grains, legumes. Also, lots of olive oil. This is a high fiber diet linked to good health and a healthy gut microbiome.

Research finds harms (e.g., harmful alterations of the gut microbiome or intestinal lining, cancer) from ingredients added to highly processed foods, such as emulsifiers, carrageenan, artificial sweeteners, maltodextrin, carboxymethyl cellulose, polysorbate-80, artificial colors and flavors, high fructose corn syrup, etc. Bottom line: Try to avoid any ingredient that's not normally in your kitchen! Read ingredient lists on labels.

Excerpts from a commentary (transcript of podcast) by Dr. D. Johnson from Medscape: Forget Fad Diets, Here's the One You Need

Hello. I'm Dr David Johnson, professor of medicine and chief of gastroenterology at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. Welcome back to another GI Common Concerns.

All of us routinely see diet recommendations on the Internet — like TikTok — or in new books. Every possible diet seems to receive this promotional push, although the evidence behind them is often lacking.

So what do we mean when we talk about a "healthy diet"? ...continue reading "Doctors Recommend Mediterranean Style Diet For Health"

Published on Leave a comment on Some Foods With Organic Labels Are Not So Organic

There is a big problem with the label ORGANIC. Many organic farmers are upset and disappointed with how "organic factory farms" have taken over the multi-billion organic food industry. And they should be upset.

Organic foods are foods grown and processed following organic farming standards (rules). But... Big Business (who support factory farms) has influenced the organic rules and has found all sorts of loopholes which they use. This is not for the better for the farmer or consumer.

Ethical organic farmers are paying the price. Doing organic correctly (e.g., cows actually graze outdoors, berry crops actually grown in soil) costs more than factory farming which ignores organic rules (e.g., stuffing thousands of animals into buildings without any real access to outdoors). So... the smaller organic farmers actually following the spirit of organic standards can't compete with factory farms and are being forced out of farming.

Also, much "organic" food and products coming from countries such as China and Turkey are NOT organic - the label is a total fraud. That is why their "organic" is so cheap compared with North American and European  grown organic food.

Credit: Real Organic Project

Organic farmers are now fighting back by developing labels that distinguishes their food and products as "real" organic - organic how it's meant to be. For example, the animals receive organic feed from the start, do go outside, and crops are grown in soil (and not artificially in water filled containers). A new label gaining popularity is Real Organic Project. So far over 1000 US farms have joined.

What you can do: Go check out farmers markets and support small farms. Buy organic food that is known to support real organic practices (e.g., Organic Valley - a co-op of organic farmers) rather than factory farmed food (e.g., Horizon, Aurora). [See photos: Cornucopia; Two organic farm and industry watchdogs are OrganicEye and Cornucopia Institute]

Written by organic blueberry farmer Hugh Kent, from Mother Earth News: Real Organic Project: Is “USDA Organic” Really Organic?

Is “USDA Organic” Really Organic?

Many of us who want good, healthy food look at labels in hopes they’ll help us evaluate our food and its quality. We’ve turned with hope to terms like “all-natural,” “sustainable,” and, lately, “regenerative,” but none of these has an established or consistent meaning. In the U.S., the word “organic” stands alone as a term defined by law. “Certified Organic” can only be used if the product complies with the law (which emphasizes the enhancement of soil quality as its foundational principle). ...continue reading "Some Foods With Organic Labels Are Not So Organic"

Published on Leave a comment on Six Lifestyle Habits Associated With Less Memory Decline In Older Adults

Memory declines over the years as we age. For some it can be mild (being forgetful), but very severe for some others.  The good news is that there are things we can all do to prevent, slow, or even reverse (!!) the memory decline. Studies suggest the key is adopting healthy lifestyle habits.

A large study found that there are six healthy lifestyle habits that were linked to a slower decline in cognitive decline (memory) in older adults followed for a decade. The more healthy habits, the slower the memory decline. The average age of participants was 72 years when the study started.

The six healthy lifestyle habits are a healthy diet, cognitive activity (use your brain!), regular physical exercise, not smoking, and and not drinking alcohol. Having a healthy diet (e.g., Mediterranean style diet) was the most important thing one can do, followed by cognitive activity (e.g., reading, writing, playing cards) and physical exercise or activity.

Excerpts from Medscape: Six Healthy Lifestyle Habits Linked to Slowed Memory Decline

Adhering to six healthy lifestyle behaviors is linked to slower memory decline in older adults, a large, population-based study suggests. ...continue reading "Six Lifestyle Habits Associated With Less Memory Decline In Older Adults"

Published on Leave a comment on Group of Researchers Claim That the Fetus Does Not Have A Microbiome

Whether a developing baby (the fetus) has a microbiome or whether it is sterile during pregnancy and only gets "seeded" by microbes from the mother during birth is still being hotly debated. For years it was thought that the fetus and placenta were sterile (no microbes), but then several studies said there is evidence for the fetus and placenta having a microbiome (community of microbes).

Recently an international group of researchers stated that NO, there is no fetal microbiome. They reviewed current evidence, and according to their opinion - a healthy fetus is sterile. Instead, they suggest that the  microbes some researchers found were due to contamination when the samples were taken or during analysis.

We'll see how this all develops. Science is always evolving, with new findings, and lots of debate and controversy.

From Medical Xpress: Expert analysis refutes claims that humans are colonized by bacteria before birth

Scientific claims that babies harbor live bacteria while still in the womb are inaccurate, and may have impeded research progress, according to University College Cork (UCC) researchers at APC Microbiome Ireland, a world-leading Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Center, which led a perspective published today in the journal Nature. ...continue reading "Group of Researchers Claim That the Fetus Does Not Have A Microbiome"

Published on Leave a comment on Outside Walks May Have More Brain Health Benefits Than Inside Walks

Another study was just published with results that may motivate us to go outside more. A small study with college students found that taking a walk outside in nature results in more mental health benefits (improved brain functioning) than taking the same length walk inside.

The walks were short - only 15 minutes long, and yet there were differences in health benefits. This was seen in the brain EEGs done during tasks before and after the walks. One health result which benefited more from outdoor walks is in how the brain functions, which the researchers call cognitive function.

Keep in mind: All exercise has health benefits, including for the brain - whether the exercise/physical activity is done indoors or outdoors. Exercise or physical activity is always better than no exercise or physical activity.

Other studies also show that exercising outdoors in natural environments produces more benefits to the brain than exercising indoors. Outdoor exercise enhances "executive functions" of the brain (such as attention, memory, and control of inhibitions) more than indoor exercise.

Bottom line: Get out and take a walk, even if only for a brief time. It's good for you!

From Medical Xpress: Going for a walk outside found to have more mental health benefits than walking indoors

A team of researchers at the University of Victoria, working with a colleague from York University, both in Canada, has found that going for a short walk outdoors provides people with more mental health benefits than going for a same-length walk inside. In their study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, the group asked volunteers to walk indoors or outdoors and tested them before and after their walk. ...continue reading "Outside Walks May Have More Brain Health Benefits Than Inside Walks"

Published on Leave a comment on Study Finds Listening to Music Can Lower Stress and Improve Mood

Some study results seem totally obvious, leading one to say; "well, duh...". One such recent study found that listening to music during times of stress can lead to lowering of stress and an improved mood. Of course it does!

The study was done during the recent COVID-19 lockdowns in the spring of 2020 in Austria and Italy with 711 young(er) adults - median age 27 years.

The Univ. of Vienna researchers found that happy or uplifting music was especially good in lowering stress and improving the mood. Also, people reported feeling more awake and energized after listening to more energizing music than was usual for them. The opposite was reported after listening to calming music.

Betcha many (most?) of us have favorite songs we listen to during stressful times.

From Medical Xpress: Study shows that listening to music during stressful times can boost your mood and reduce stress

A team of researchers at the University of Vienna has found evidence showing that listening to music when stressed can boost a person's mood and help them relax. In their paper published on the JAMA Network Open site, the group describes an experiment they conducted with volunteers under stress caused by living under the rules of the lockdown during the early days of the global pandemic. ...continue reading "Study Finds Listening to Music Can Lower Stress and Improve Mood"