Blog

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has published a statement regarding the use of handheld 3-D games by children under age 6.

Nintendo recently started warning parents that young children could compromise their vision if they look at the 3-D games for long periods.  The AAO does not seem to think that warning is completely warranted:
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Here’s another reason to include fatty acids in your diet: they may help relieve premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

A study published in the journal Reproductive Health showed that, compared to placebo, women who took one to two grams of fatty acids per day reported an alleviation of PMS symptoms.  Researchers note that taking a daily dose of fatty acids did not increase cholesterol levels.

Source: nutraceuticalsworld.com
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A new study published in the British Medical Journal makes the case for walking away from diabetes.

The researchers studied nearly 600 adults over 5 years and found that those who took 10,000 steps per day (the equivalent of 5 miles) had much better insulin sensitivity than those who walked less.

Diabetes risk decreases when one’s insulin sensitivity increases.

Source: LA Times article
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Alzheimer’s & Excess Iron

While we often think of iron deficiency as a problem that causes anemia, researchers have found that excessive iron may increase one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers publishing in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease state that some studies have found that accumulation of metals in the body, including copper, zinc, and iron, have been linked to the development of neurodegenerative diseases.  In particular, this study focuses upon  Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease patients who demonstrated high levels of iron in their brains.  Source: https://www.foodconsumer.org
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There is new research that suggests that long periods of sitting can be linked to heart problems and poor health, even in people who exercise regularly.  The research, published in the European Heart Journal, found that those who spend a lot of time in a chair were more likely to carry weight around their waists, have lower levels of “good cholesterol,” and experience more inflammation.

The researchers did find, however, that getting up frequently – even for very short periods of just a minute at a time – was enough to slim waistlines and lower C-reactive protein levels, which are markers of inflammation.
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