July Health Pearls

 July Health Pearls:

1.  Babies Conceived in Spring More Likely to be Born Prematurely: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.  Study was conducted by Princeton University researchers, showing a 10% higher risk for premature births in these babies.  This was thought that by early winter, at the peak of the flu season, mothers of these babies might not be so healthy. This could lead to preterm labor and delivery.  It is important, therefore, for mothers of babies conceived in spring to have flu shots to prevent prematurity.

1.4 millions births from NY City, NJ and PA were study subjects.

 Babies conceived in the summer, on the other hand, showed an increase in birth weight, proving how seasonal variations in nutrition can improve a baby’s weight. 

2.   Running Biomechanic Change during Pregnancy and Postpartum Periods: 2013 Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. 

This study, conducted by Dr. Bryan Heiderscheit of the running clinic at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, showed how the stretching of the deep abdominal muscles can lead to the change in stride and the “swaying” of the pelvis, causing discomfort and less efficient running performance.  By doing exercises to strengthen deep abdominal muscles including performing the plank, bridges and squats, since crunches would help, running performance would be improved during pregnancy

3.  A Large Waist is the Single most Important Risk Factor in Progressing to Diabetes: Diabetes Care, May 6, 2013

This study, conducted by Dr. Barbara Bardenheier, PHD at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, showed that having a large waist circumference is the strongest direct effect in developing diabetes in patients with prediabetes.  Abdominal fat, not general obesity, is more likely to affect insulin resistance and lead to type 2 diabetes.

4.  Alzheimer’s patients have a 50% drop in cancer risk, and cancer patients have a 35% reduction in risk for having Alzheimer, July 10, Neurology.  

Author of this study, Dr. Massimo Musicco, at the National Research Council of Italy in Milan, hoped that this discovery someday will help scientists find the protective factors for these diseases.  Further studies might lead to developing protective medications for

these conditions.

5.  Taller women have an increased risk of cancer, Cancer Epidemiology

As part of the Women’s Health Initiative study, which followed 144,709 women, all postmenopausal, ages 50-74, researchers found that for every 4 inches of height over 5 feet, the risk of cancer rose by 13%.  “Height was significantly positively associated with risk of all cancers, [including] cancers of the thyroid, rectum, kidney, endometrium, colorectum, colon, ovary and breast, and with multiple myeloma and melanoma,” the authors concluded.  Researchers are quick to point out that no one understands why there seems to be a relationship and that the overall risk is low.  For women of average height, the overall incidence is 850 cancers per 100,000 women per year. In women around 5 feet tall,  it is 750 cancers per 100,000 women per year. But in those around 5 feet 9 inches, the risk is about 1,000 cancers per 100,000 women per year.  This relationship between height and cancer risk has been reported previously in the U.K.’s Million Women Study, July 2011.  However, the risk for cancer is much higher for smoking, rather than for height.  The researchers recommend that all women not smoke, eat and exercise well and do appropriate cancer screening.