March 28, 2024

Chocolate, Dancing, Reading, Aspirin & Fish

Posted on August 30, 2014 by in NewsUCanUse

Health Benefits of Dark ChocolateChocolateSquaresW

The health benefits of eating dark chocolate have been extolled for centuries, but the exact reason has remained a mystery – until now. Researchers reported at the 247th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS) that certain bacteria in the stomach gobble the chocolate and ferment it into anti-inflammatory compounds that are good for the heart.

Movin’ to the Groovin’

Dancing eases hip or knee pain and helps older adults move better, according to a small Saint Louis University study published in Geriatric Nursing. According to researchers, participants who regularly went dancing over several months reported less pain and were able to walk faster after dancing. SrCoupleDanceW

All of the participants said they had pain or stiffness in their knees or hips, in most cases caused by arthritis.

The findings are significant because older adults who walk too slowly are more likely to fall, become hospitalized or require care from others. In fact gait speed is the sixth vital sign that can help physicians predict adverse outcomes for older adults. In addition study participants who danced reported that they reduced their consumption of pain medicine by 39 percent and those who didn’t dance said they took 21 percent more pain medicine. Researchers noted that dance-based therapy for older adults needs to be gentle, slow and include options so it can be performed standing or sitting.

Being a Bookworm May Boost Brainpower 

New research suggests that reading books, writing and participating in brain-stimulating activities at any age may preserve OpenBookWmemory, according to a study published in an online issue of Neurology®. The study suggests that exercising your brain by taking part in activities such as these across a person’s lifetime, from childhood through old age, is important for brain health in old age. The study found that the rate of decline was reduced by 32 percent in people with frequent mental activity in late life, compared to people with average mental activity, while the rate of decline of those with infrequent activity was 48 percent faster than those with average activity.

Regular Aspirin May Reduce Ovarian Cancer Risk 

 Women who take aspirin daily may reduce their risk of ovarian cancer by 20 percent, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. AsprinTopW

It is estimated that over 20,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2014, and more than 14,000 will die from the disease. Early stage ovarian cancer may be successfully treated.

However, symptoms can mimic more common conditions, such as digestive and bladder disorders, so it is often not diagnosed until it has reached advanced stages. Late stage ovarian cancer leaves women with limited treatment options and poor prognoses, making preventive strategies potentially important.

Chronic or persistent inflammation has been shown to increase the risk of cancer. Previous studies have suggested that the anti-inflammatory properties of aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, may reduce cancer risk overall. This study adds to a growing list of malignancies that appear to be potentially preventable by aspirin usage. Daily aspirin regimen should only be undertaken with a doctor’s approval.

Higher Protein Diet May Lower Stroke Risk 

People with diets higher in protein, especially from fish, may be less likely to have a stroke than those with diets lower in protein, according to a meta-analysis published in an online issue of Neurology®FishDinnerW

The amount of protein that led to the reduced risk was moderate – equal to 20 grams per day. The analysis included seven studies with a total of 254,489 participants who were followed for an average of 14 years.

The results accounted for other factors that could affect the risk of stroke, such as smoking and high cholesterol. For every additional 20 grams per day of protein that people ate, their risk of stroke decreased by 26 percent. Researchers noted that the analysis does not support increased consumption of red meat, which has been associated with increased stroke risk.

The reduced risk of stroke was stronger for animal protein than vegetable protein. Protein has the effect of lowering blood pressure, which may play a role in reducing stroke risk.

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