Health Alert:
About One-in-Nine Seniors Suffer a Fall Each Year.
Among a group of nearly 3,000 older adults, researchers observed that 12% had experienced at least one fall during the previous year, and one-in-seven fall episodes resulted in a fracture, most often the wrist, knee, or hip. A review of mortality data revealed falls are associated with a 65% increased risk of death within the following five years.
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology, June 2025
Diet:
Tea and Dark Chocolate May Help Lower Blood Pressure.
Flavanols are natural compounds found in fruit, tea, and chocolate that help plants defend against pests, fungal infections, and ultraviolet radiation. A meta-analysis of data from 145 randomized clinical trials revealed that a high intake of flavanols is associated with enhanced endothelial function, benefiting blood pressure and cardiovascular health.
European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, May 2025
Exercise:
Women's Physical Activity is More Consistent Than Men's.
An analysis of six months of data collected from nearly 600 adults revealed that women have less variability in their physical activity levels than men. Interestingly, the data also show that menstrual cycles do not significantly affect a woman’s physical activity levels, contrary to long-standing assumptions.
Journal of Medical Internet Research, May 2025
Chiropractic:
Hunched Posture Raises Neck Pain Risk in Low Back Pain Patients.
Compared with a normal seated posture, working at a desk in a hunched posture for just 30 minutes significantly increased fatigue in the sternocleidomastoid neck muscle among individuals with chronic low back pain, potentially raising their risk of developing co-occurring neck pain.
Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry, February 2025
Mental Attitude:
Early-Life Risk Factors for Dementia.
Using data from the UK Biobank study, researchers report that several early-life factors are associated with an increased risk of dementia, including maternal smoking during the perinatal period, below-average height at age ten, low or high birth weight, and childhood physical neglect.
Journal of Affective Disorders, June 2025
Wellness/Prevention:
Affordable Blood Test May Detect Alzheimer’s Early.
Researchers at the University of Southern California have developed a low-cost blood test that detects five proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease. In a study involving 63 participants, the test accurately distinguished individuals with Alzheimer’s from those without the condition. With further refinement and validation, the test could improve early screening—potentially identifying the disease before symptoms appear—allowing for earlier intervention and preventative strategies.
Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, May 2025
