DrMandelNews.com Health News

The University of Warwick has reported researchers have found a "profound" link between dietary patterns and brain health. There is an association between a diet which is healthy and balanced and excellent brain health, cognitive functioning and mental wellbeing.  Genetic factors may play a role in the association between diet and brain health. Developing a healthy and balanced diet from early in life is vital for the development of physical and mental health.>>>Warwick News  

Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, have shown that amateur and professional dancers have less neurosis than people who do not dance. Dancers have also been found to be more extroverted, agreeable, and open. It has previously been 

discovered that musicians are also more agreeable and more open than non-musicians are. But it seems dancers are also less neurotic.>>> Max-Planck-Gesellschaft 

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports on how the tobacco and nicotine industry are targeting young people. Along with STOP, which is a global tobacco industry watchdog, the WHO has launched “Hooking the next generation,” which is a report that highlights how the tobacco and nicotine industry have been designing products, implementing marketing campaigns and working to shape policy environments to assist them in addicting young people to their products. Enticing flavors such as candy and fruit are being used to market these products to young generations. The WHO sees this industry as viewing young people as profits, not people.>>>WHO  

In this era NASA & SpaceX along with other company & national space initiatives are making it appear it could be possible to colonize the moon and even Mars someday. However, such space ventures are not without their risks. NASA has reported on potential hazards of space travel. Space radiation is considered one of the most hazardous aspects of space travel. And prolonged isolation and confinement can cause negative behavioral changes. Also the adjustment to varying gravity fields in space may be challenging for every organ in the human body. And of course it will be difficult to get new supplies and medical care to astronauts who are in space and far from Earth for prolonged periods of time.>>>NASA 

Harvard Medical School has reported that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is manifesting the potential to transform health care and to significantly disrupt the field of medicine. In diagnostics, data anaylsis and precision medicine incredible progress has already been made. And there are growing considerations of the potential uses of AI for direct patient care. AI technology has the power to enhance the standard of care for patients. Although it is possible AI could completely replace physicians in radiology, pathology and dermatology where AI's diagnostic possibilities are incredible, it is hoped by doctors that physician-machine collaborations will be preferable to AI alone. It must be kept in mind good holistic healthcare encompasses compassion, empathy, and critical thinking along with complex decision making tasks. So it appears AI will empower the practice of medicine instead of completely replacing doctors. Overall it appears AI should ethically be used to transform healthcare for the better while recognizing that good doctors who not only have the intelligence and dedication to have earned an MD but who also have the capacity for human compassion will continue to be needed to provide optimal healthcare.>>>Harvard Medical School 

It has been observed by researchers from Aston University that people who followed healthy eating accounts on social media for just two weeks ate more fruit and vegetables and less junk food. Overall participants who followed healthy eating accounts ate an extra 1.4 portions of fruit & vegetables daily and less sugar sweetened drinks and high-calorie foods. It is significant that following healthy eating social media accounts can lead to substantial dietary improvements.>>>Aston University 

PLOS ONE has reported on research showing there is strong evidence that poor diets which are high in  processed foods, saturated fats and refined sugars are associated with high rates of depression in  young adults. The reverse has also been observed with healthy diets rich in fruit, vegetables, fish and lean meat associated with decreased risk of depression. >>>PLOS ONE 

A landmark Surgeon General’s Advisory on Firearm Violence has been isssued by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. Firearm violence in the USA has been declared a public health crisis. This is the first time the Surgeon General of the USA has published such an advisory. Clearly firearm violence has lead to shocking levels of harm to people across the country.>>>US Dept of Health & Human Services 

It has been reported in the Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health that researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden have observed a causal effect of shifting from precarious employment to standard employment on all-cause mortality. They have found changing from low to higher-quality employment conditions lowers the risk of death. High quality employment includes stable employment with sufficient income. Being held in precarious employment increases the risk of premature mortality. >>>Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health 

It has been reported in the journal Nature Mental Health that researchers have found a healthy lifestyle can lower the risk of depression among people with varied genetic risk factors. It has been recognized that lifestyle factors are modifiable targets which can be used effectively to counter the increasing prevalence of depression. An international team of researchers including from the University of Cambridge and Fudan University investigated combining an extensive range of lifestyle factors, including diet, physical activity, alcohol consumption, sleep, smoking, sedentary behavior and social connection, which contribute to depression. They have concluded a healthy lifestyle can aid in the prevention of depression.>>>Nature Mental Health 

 The American Academy of Neurology has reported research has shown owning a pet may  be protective against cognitive decline. Because stress can have a negative affect on cognitive function, the potential stress lessening effects of owning a pet may explain this finding. >>>American Academy of Neurology