Exercise and Lifeexpectancy: The Swedes Definitely Got This Habit Right.

The Swedes are good at many sports, however, walking has to be the country's national sport.  Almost where-ever and when-ever you go  - and regardless of the weather - you will encounter people out on brisk walk.

A study (http://bit.ly/ZevIZU) by Steen Moore et al, published in the recent edition of PLOS medicine examines the effects of exercise on longevity.  Looking at over 650.000 individuals and their adjusted life expectancy, the authors found that those who did physical exercise equivalent to 75 minutes of brisk walking per week increased their life expectancy by 1.8 years, while those who met the WHO's recommended level of 150 minutes of exercise per week gained 3.4 to 4.5 years compared to their statistical, corrected life expectancy.
Interestingly, they also found also levels exercise had a greater effect on longevity than did body weight.  In other words: It is more important for your longevity to get your daily exercise than to be at your optimal weight.

Risk Factors and Multiple Sclerosis

A recent article in Nature Review (Nature Reviews Neurology 8, 602-612 (November 2012) | doi:10.1038/nrneurol.2012.198) proposes new insight on the possible causes of multiple schlerosis (MS). 
The authors suggested that, in addition to a genetic predisposition, a triad of risk factors seem to greatly increase the likelihood of the disease manifesting itself.  These include previous infection with Ebstein-Barr virus (Infectious Mononucleosis, "Kissing Disease"), Vitamin D deficiency and cigarette smoking.
While the method of connection to EBV is uncertain, it is theorized that the infection causes the immunesystem to malfunction by altering the function of the B- and T-lymphocytes.
It is well known that Vitamin D functions not only as a Vitamin but also has powerful hormonal effects. The connection between low blood levels of Vitamin D could help explain the observations concerning MS incidence and geography that has been well documented.
Smoking is well known to reduce the function of the immune system.  In this context, smoking appears to increase the risk of MS by about 50%.

New Resarch on the Obesity Epedemic

(http://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/abstract/S1550-4131%2811%2900357-3?script=true)

Obesity (and complications such as diabetes and heart / circulation problems) is quickly moving into the position as the leading causes of lifestyle related illnesses and health care expenditure. 

The old "calories in vs. calories out" model of thinking about weight management has steadily been undermined by new  research, indicating that weight management is a much more complicated matter. It is no longer a scientifically defendable that for everyone, weight control is a simple matter of just eating less and exercising more.

Spurred on by the escalating health care costs related to the treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, increased funding has been allocated to try to increase our understanding and more effectively treat and prevent them. 
One study in the journal Cell Metabolism outlines how one of the body's own calorie intake balancing mechanisms located in this case in the area of the brain called the hypothalamus can be reduced in its ability to communicate and control  Most recently a research team headed by Kim Loh from Monash University in Australia, found that elevated levels of a compound named TCPTP (tyrosine phosphatase) reduced the hypothalamus' sensitivity to leptin (a neurotransmitter secreted by fat tissues). 
This now opens another door through which it is possible to combat the obesity epidemic. 

Low vitamin D may raise cancer risk

http://www.futurity.org/top-stories/low-vitamin-d-may-raise-cancer-risk/

U. ROCHESTER (US) — Two new vitamin D studies suggest intriguing ties between a deficiency of D and breast and colon cancer, particularly among African Americans.

The research adds to mounting evidence that some connection exists between vitamin D and cancer, although it is not yet known how vitamin D modifies or contributes to cancer risk. Evidence is also inconsistent as to whether vitamin D might be used for cancer prevention.

Many of the body's tissues and cells have vitamin D receptors, making it a potent regulator of cell activity and growth. Researchers report vitamin D might generally improve DNA repair, reduce inflammation, and promote the death of potentially malignant cells.

Seven Steps to Avoid Burnout.

http://www.dumblittleman.com/2010/10/are-you-overworking-7-important-steps.html

The author outlines real world steps to avoid burnout:
1. Plan ahead, avoid overcommitting
2. Separate work and leisure time
3. Set boundaries for expectations from others
4. Keep sharp boundaries between work and play
5. Eliminate "busy work"
6. Create connections to "other realities"
7. Maintain a healthy lifestyle - including exercise.

Comments: The timestamp on this one is going to reveal that I am in gross violation of at least two of these recommendations - but this how I relax and have fun.
Personally, I would probably add a few points:
8. Keep the faith (if you have one). If you believe in God: Know that there are no accidents, no random events and that most events in your life have a purpose - even if you may not be able to realize it for one or five or ten years later (been there!!).
9. In reference to #8: Keep a positive perspective and avoid the trap of continuing to feel like a victim.  Take control of your emotions and reclaim the mastery of your life: Do what you have to do; find Faith, find your source of passion, reinvent yourself in charity, find your destiny - but find something - most importantly something more important than yourself and your current circumstances! 

Benefits of Taking Naps At Work

Harvard Business Review, Blog.  Tony Schwartz.
http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2010/09/why_companies_should_insist_em.html

The author reviews a series of physical and mental advantages to short duration naps.  This includes increased energy level, faster reaction times, vastly improved productivity and improved learning ability.
The internet search firm Google, recognizes the importance of having a rested and energetic crew and actually provides napping pods for its employees.

My comments: Alternatives to naps include certain kinds of meditation ("providing a serious "power nap" effect), and music with frequencies scientifically proven to be able to drive the brain into deep restful states, such as products from www.pzizz.com.

Effect of dark chocolate on blood pressure.

Authors: Karin Ried et al.  BMC Medicine 2010, 8:39 

In this meta-analysis, the authors looked at studies that investigated the possible effects of dark chocolate and other other flavanol-rich rich cocoa compunds on a couple of types of high blood pressure. Thirteen studies performed between1955 and 2009 met the inclusion criteria.

Meta analysis looked at the association between type of treatment, dosage, baseline bloodpressure.

It appears that dark chocolate indeed has a positive effect on blood pressure, or in scientific speak:"Our meta analysis suggests that dark chocolate is superior to placebo in reducing systolic hypertension or pre-diastolic prehypertension".  They were very excieted about their results, indeed. 

Just to be clear, this study did not include milk chocolate or white choclolate.

The Danger of NSAID painkillers - Diclofenac: Similar CV cardiovascular risk to Rofecoxib in health people

June 8, 2010 inCirculation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Background: The Cox-2 inhibiting anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug Vioxx (Merck) was famously pulled from a host of markets following research that showed a marked rise in cardiovascular complications and deaths in patients who were on the drug.  Interestingly, other Cox-2 inhibitors, using very similar ingredients were allowed to remain on the market.  "NSAID" stands for "non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drug" which really means a non-cortizone related drug.

In their study, Emil Loldrup Folbøl et al investigated the dangers of similar drugs that remain on the market, including ibuprofen (in high doses), naproxen and Celebrex (Pfizer).  The study involved about 1 million Danes, who had filled at least one prescription of a relevant drug and fulfilled the other selection criteria.

They found a significant increase in death rates with odds ration 1.91 and 1.66 from use of Diclofenac and Rofecoxib, respectively. The sample size was insufficient to make any conclusions about the use of Celebrex. 
There was indications of increased risk of stroke (fatal and non-fatal) with high doses of ibuprofen (odds ration 1.29), Naproxen, however,  was not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular failures.
 Their study also revealed that all NSAIDs, except Celebrex, dramatically increased the risk of serious increased internal bleeding. They also concluded that these various complications varied with the dose taken, meaning that patients who either took more or took it for a longer time were more likely to have complications.

My comments:  This story brings forth a whole host of possible comments, ranging from issues with governmental oversight, to positioning of inter-professional relationships, to public health and information issues - but I'll restrain myself.
I will choose just to concur with the authors' comments that most painkillers have some kind of side effect, ranging from negative to deadly and that most of them should be avoided as much as possible and for as long as possible. Wonder what the results would have looked like if they had focused in only on people who had taking these drugs for a year or longer ?   Having said that, in my daily work I do mention the possibility of managing pain temporarily with NSAIDs while we take care of the underlying causes. But that is as a temporary measure to help the patient cope in their daily life while we get them better - not as an actual treatment for the problem - and that is a major difference.

Randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation to prevent seasonal influenza A in schoolchildren.

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/91/5/1255?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=Mitsuyoshi+Urashima&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT
A Japanase study shows an 8% reduction in incidence of Influenza A in school children who were given 1200 IU Vitamin D per day preventatively during the fall periode. This was compared to a control group given a placebo treatment (designed to have absolutely no effect).  Considering the importance of Vitamin D in a host of other processes, making sure kids get adequate Vitamin D seems like a smart move.  Not sure how many studies there are on the efficacy of flu-vaccines, will have to look for that.

Free Chiropractic Lowers Illness Related Absensces

http://avisen.dk/gratis-kiropraktor-giver-lavt-sygefravaer_126376.aspx By Irene Stelling.

"Gratis kiropraktor giver lavt sygefravær"

By providing a package of free wellness services, which includes chiropractic, Hedensted Municipality in Denmark has reduced the already low sick leave duration of its workers to an even lower level, saving the municipality an estimated 10 mill Danish Crowns per year.

Eating Dark Chocolate Can Lower Your Blood Pressure

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/8/39 
 
Good news: Dark chocolate has health benefits!
A group of Australian researchers have looked at studies from Medline, Cochrane and international trial registries from 1955 to 2009 for randomized clinical studies comparing to placebo, involving flavanol-rich products such as cocoa and thereby chocolate and the effect of systolic (the highest pressure) and diastolic (the lowest pressure) for a minimum of two weeks. While persons with normal blood pressure were not significantly affected, persons with high blood pressure (hypertension) and borderline (pre-hypertension) showed a statistically significant reduction in blood pressure. If only I like dark chocolate more!!